don’t be mad at me.”
Salvador felt sorry for his mother and hated her dependency on alcohol. Grave disappointment for his mother entered his soul. I have to help her. She needs me. “Did Ben let you in?”
Lucy looked around at her surroundings. “Ben? No. I let myself in. It’s not safe to leave your doors unlocked. Who’s Ben?”
Sasha interjected, “Excuse me. I’m going to see myself out.” She looked at Lucy. “Have a good evening.” She headed for the door.
Lucy nodded. “You, too.”
Salvador told his mother, “You stay right here. I’ll be right back.” Lucy had some nerve to show up at his house unannounced. Disgruntled, he pulled open the door for Sasha and walked her to the car.
Sasha stood by the driver’s side door of his Porsche. Longing radiated in her brown, cinnamon-colored irises. “I had a great time with you today. Thanks.”
“I had a great time, too.” Tempted to kiss her soft lips, he pulled open the car door instead. Disappointment shone in Sasha’s eyes. She slid behind the steering wheel, and then left.
Walking up the steps, Salvador grumbled. More than anything, he’d wanted to kiss Sasha. Earlier today while in the ocean at the private beach, he’d wanted to make love to her, but his feelings for her had scared him. More like terrified him. That’s why he’d decided to pass up the opportunity to make love to her. Deep down inside, he felt like she deserved a man much better than him. One that could love her for all eternity. The last thing a woman like Sasha deserved was for a man like him to get her in his bed and then lose interest.
Maybe I won’t lose interest, Salvador thought, entering his home. Who was he kidding? He always lost interest in women after he had sex with them. Sasha definitely didn’t deserve an egotistical man like him. She deserved much better than him. Way better.
When he reentered the den, Lucy was sitting on the couch. She stood. “If you want me to leave, Sal, I can.”
Observing his mother’s rough appearance, a combination of joy and sorrow intermixed inside Salvador. “You don’t have to leave. Please excuse my frankness earlier, I’m just surprised to see you.”
Lucy gazed at him speculatively. “How long can I stay?”
Salvador gestured to the sofa. “Have a seat, Mother.” Lucy and Salvador sat beside one another. God, she smells horrible. She needs a bath, bad. Salvador stated, “What’s going on? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
Lucy sniffed. She folded her arms across her chest. “Well, you’re going to find out anyway, so I might as well tell you. I lost the house.”
Struggling to hide the severity of his disappointment, Salvador sighed. “Considering all the money I give you, there’s no excuse for you to have lost your home.”
Lucy sighed heavily. “I know, Sal. You’re right. But please don’t lecture me. Not right now. It’s been a long day. Just please let me stay here for a few days until I get myself together, and then I’ll leave. I promise. Just a few days is all I need.”
You need more than a few days to get yourself together. “As long as you promise not to drink, you can stay here as long as you like. I’ll get rid of all the alcohol inside the house so you won’t be tempted. What about your AA meetings? Are you still going?”
Lucy nodded. “Yep. Yep.”
Salvador had the distinct feeling Lucy was lying about attending her AA meetings. “Come, let me show you to your room.”
“Oh. I already found it. My suitcase is in there and everything.”
Salvador chuckled. “You’re a funny woman.”
Lucy pinched Salvador’s cheek. “It’s so good to see you smile when you look at me, Sal.” Her eyes watered. “Normally all I do is make you frown. I just break your heart. All the time.” The tear sitting on the rim of her eye rolled down her cheek. She swiped at it.
Salvador wrapped his arms about Lucy’s shoulders and embraced her. A sour stench socked him in the nose. He’d been waiting for a long time for Lucy to come live with him, and though she came drunk, he was still happy that she came. With her living under his roof, maybe now he could save her from destroying herself. Love for his mother filled Salvador’s heart. “I’m going to do everything in my power to help you, Mother.”
Lucy caressed his back. “Thanks, Sal. I need all the help I can get.”
Just as Salvador