Modern Romance November Books 5-8. Annie West
that she “had” to get a dog for Jett, too.
He’s not even six months old, Lola had texted back, amused to see her own bossiness manifest in her baby sister.
Jett’s my nephew and he needs a dog, Johanna had replied firmly.
Jett had aunts now. More family to love him. And Lola was so grateful.
She’d already wrapped their Christmas presents. The gifts weren’t flashy like the college money, expensive and designed to impress, but simple and from the heart. A crystal unicorn for Johanna, who loved anything that was pink and pretty, and an original-press, rare vinyl ABBA album for Kelsey, who was way too young to be a fan, but there you had it. For their parents, she’d bought a pizza stone and accessories, after hearing about their Thursday pizza nights. Even the family dog, Harley, would receive a basket of top-of-the-line homemade dog treats and chew toys.
Lola smiled, just thinking about it.
Jett’s Christmas gifts had already been sorted at Thanksgiving, from her and Rodrigo’s spree in New York. But she’d spent time writing heartfelt thank-you cards to the housekeepers and bodyguards, to go with their holiday bonuses.
Leaving only one person to shop for. One impossibly difficult person. She’d racked her brain, all the way until today, when it was almost too late.
Until finally, while shopping with the baby today, Lola had had an idea.
Now, as Tobias drove her and Jett back to the beach house in the luxury SUV, Lola leaned back against the soft leather, peeking down at the glossy blue bag in satisfaction. Inside it, she saw a small blue box that held an engraved gold ring.
Finally, her husband would have a wedding band. And when he saw what she’d had engraved inside it...
She shivered. Could she be brave enough?
As the Escalade pulled into the gated courtyard of the beach house, Lola was pulled out of her reverie when she heard Tobias’s voice from the front seat. “Mr. Cabrera just sent a message that he’s expecting you, ma’am.”
“Thank you, Tobias.”
She smiled, her heart quickening just at the sound of her husband’s name. Since their last argument, the night he’d returned from San Francisco, Rodrigo had taken no more trips away from the family, not even short ones. He’d drastically cut back his hours at work, in a way she’d never seen before. The reason was clear. He wanted to spend time with Jett.
He wanted to spend time with her.
Every morning, he’d stayed late to have breakfast with them, served on the terrace next to the pool. And nearly every evening, he’d been home in time to join them for dinner, then help with the baby’s bath. On weekends, they’d gone on family excursions, Disneyland, hiking trails in the nearby hills, visiting art museums and the zoo and the farmer’s market, even boating to Catalina Island. All normal things that any family might do. Well, except for the fact that Rodrigo owned the yacht that took them to Catalina.
But tonight, he’d hinted, before they left for New York, he had something extra special planned.
“Not just for Christmas,” he’d told her that morning, nuzzling her in bed. He’d drawn back to give her a serious look as he said huskily, “For always.”
All day, Lola had tried not to think of what it could mean. So of course it was all she could think about.
Now, as Tobias parked the car, she asked suddenly, “How’s your son doing?”
“Great.” The bodyguard grinned. “Both of us are great, Mrs. Cabrera. Thanks to you.”
“Good.” As he got out to open her car door, Lola lingered over the seat belt of her baby’s car seat.
Please. She fervently closed her eyes. Please let Rodrigo’s surprise be him telling me he loves me.
Because she loved him. It was always on the tip of her tongue now. Every time she watched him tenderly hold their baby. Every evening they spent together on the poolside terrace at sunset, drinking a glass of wine after Jett was asleep. Every night he took Lola to bed and moved his hot, sensual body against hers until he set her world on fire.
She loved him. She wanted to scream it to the world. She wanted to look into his rugged features and speak the words, again and again, like a sacred incantation.
Then she wanted him to say the words back to her.
Please, she thought. She didn’t want any expensive gifts for Christmas. She didn’t want anything but this: for her husband to love her.
“Mrs. Cabrera?”
Pasting a smile on her face, Lola lifted her baby out of the car seat. Walking to the front door of the sprawling beach house, she looked up at the tall, slender palm trees, swaying in the wind, silhouetted purple against the lowering sun in the orange and red horizon.
Squaring her shoulders, she carried the baby to the front door, her footsteps echoing against the flagstones. She opened the door.
And gasped.
The great room of the beach house, with its luxurious furniture and double-story window views of the Pacific, had been filled with roses of every color, hundreds of them, pink and red and yellow and white. But that wasn’t even the most amazing part.
Rodrigo stood beside the doorway, devastatingly attractive in a tuxedo, holding out a long-stemmed pink rose.
Lola’s heart slammed against her ribs. Her hand shook as she took the rose. “What’s this?”
He gave her a wicked smile. “Christmas.”
“It’s not even Christmas Eve yet.”
“Tomorrow’s for family.” His dark eyes gleamed down at her. “Tonight’s for us.”
“For us?” A flash of heat went through her, and her cheeks burned. “I thought we’d be getting a Christmas tree tonight.”
“We are. In a way.” He allowed himself a smug smile, then glanced behind him. “Mrs. Lee will be watching Jett.”
The housekeeper came forward, smiling as she took the baby from Lola’s arms. “Have a nice evening, Mrs. Cabrera.”
“But—where are we going?”
“Go to our bedroom,” Rodrigo said, his dark eyes burning through her.
“Now?”
“Right now.”
Going down the hall to the palatial master bedroom, Lola dropped her shopping bag in shock when she saw a famous personal stylist waiting for her, with two makeup and hair stylists.
“Hello.” The personal stylist, who dressed movie stars for worldwide events, gave Lola a cheeky smile. “I’m here for you, my dear. To make you even more impossibly beautiful than you already are.” He motioned toward a rack of ball gowns and brand-new designer shoes. “Choose your favorite. They’re all in your size.” He held up a sleek, well-used sewing kit and double-sided tape. “I can make any gown fit.”
Thirty minutes later, Lola felt so ridiculously like a princess, she was sure even Johanna would approve. Looking in the full-length mirror, Lola hardly recognized herself.
Her long, highlighted blond hair was sleek and perfect, falling nearly to her waist. Her strapless pink chiffon gown fit her perfectly, showing off her curves. Black kohl and fake eyelashes lined her eyes, making the hazel color pop dramatically, and her lips were pink.
Standing in the sparkling six-inch designer heels, Lola breathed, “I don’t even need jewelry.”
The stylist gave her a wicked grin. “You sparkle enough on your own.”
“I feel like Cinderella,” she said.
“You look like her, too.” He tilted his head. “You married the most powerful