 September 17, 2024 He’s the man she’s secretly loved since she was a teenager. She’s the forbidden woman he can’t forget. After humiliating herself at her sister’s lavish wedding, Sky flees the grand Mexican estate for the wilds of far-away places. But when her sister needs help, Sky rushes home and into the very unexpected role of nanny to her adorable baby nephew. For six years, Rafa has been tormented by the memories of a forbidden tryst at his brother’s wedding. But when tragedy strikes the family, Rafa will do anything to keep his nephew safe. Even if that means offering Sky a marriage of convenience. A marriage they both insist will never be anything more than a business arrangement. Unless, of course, Rafa’s scheming mother and sisters have anything to say about it... Read an excerpt of Rafa's Convenient Wife here!Rafa’s Convenient Wife
Tequila Tycoons Book One By Roxie Rivera © 2024 Night Works Books Prologue Fireworks lit up the night with wild bursts of color that signaled the exit of the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Farias. Sky stood in the front of the noisy crowd, waving and shouting well-wishes to her older sister and new brother-in-law as they climbed into the vintage car. She clutched the bouquet of dahlias she had caught a short while ago and watched the car roll down the long private drive of the Farias family estate. A jet waited at the nearby airstrip to whisk her sister and husband away on their honeymoon. When the car disappeared, Sky joined the crowd returning to the reception. The guests were rowdy and ready to dance as long as the band played. She had to hand it to Jaime’s family—they knew how to throw a party! Not surprising considering the family business was tequila and other fine Mexican spirits and beer. Soila Farias, the family matriarch, held court at a table near the front of the reception. She was the kindest, warmest woman, and Sky was glad her sister had such a wonderful mother-in-law. Their own family lacked the same warmth and closeness of the Farias familia so it was something of a novelty to be surrounded by so much love. But sometimes it was a bit overwhelming. Sky slipped away from the reception and wandered down a lit garden path to one of the many fountains. She liked the soothing sound of water and needed a moment to unwind and relax. The lush estate with its grand manor was like something out of a telenovela. The mansion had been built hundreds of years earlier and had been expanded and renovated with each new generation. The sprawling space looked like a luxury resort, and as big as their family was, they needed all that space. As she drew close to the fountain, she spotted a silhouette in the moonlight and hesitated under an arch covered in fragrant climbing roses. She would recognize those broad shoulders anywhere. Rafael, the eldest of the Farias siblings, and the man she had been infatuated with for the better part of a year. She wasn’t naïve enough to think he returned her feelings. She was barely out of high school, and he was the CEO of a global powerhouse. But the giddiness and wild excitement of her crush couldn’t be ignored. She couldn’t help the way she felt, and she couldn’t stop her feet from moving either. With deliberate steps, she closed the distance between them, her high heels tapping on the brick path. He glanced back, and she saw his expression shift in the warm glow of moonlight and garden lamps. He grimaced, as if her presence was the very last thing he wanted, and she stopped abruptly. She may have been young and inexperienced, but she wasn’t stupid. “Sorry,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll go.” “No.” He turned completely, and she noticed the cigar dangling from his hand. “Oh.” It wasn’t her company he found distasteful. He was embarrassed to have been discovered smoking something that definitely did not smell like a cigar. Knowing how much his mother hated smoking and anything to do with marijuana, she took it from him and helped herself to a few very enjoyable puffs. She handed the blunt back and said, “I won’t tell if you don’t.” He shot her a conspiratorial smile. “Deal.” “That’s good,” she remarked, enjoying the aftertaste. “Lola’s strains are getting better and stronger.” “She does seem to have a gift when it comes to plants,” Rafael agreed. Lola, his youngest sister, had gone to the same all-girls boarding school in San Antonio with Sky and had been growing all sorts of interesting plants the entire time Sky had known her. “Has she already run off?” Sky nodded. “I saw her sneaking away before the send-off. Your mother was trying to set her up with some guy who is almost a doctor.” “She’s lucky. It’s not so easy for the best man to escape.” He glanced at the bouquet she still clutched. “Or the maid of honor.” “Your mother hasn’t tried to set me up with anyone.” “Yet,” he warned with a look. Behind them the cumbia music swelled to a finish, and the revelers clapped and shouted with happiness. The lead singer of the Selena cover band urged all the lovers to take to the floor and the familiar chords of I Could Fall in Love drifted out to the hidden alcove where she now stood with Rafael. For a moment, their eyes met, and she wondered if he would ask her to dance. He had done his duty earlier in the night, taking her out to the dance floor when it was expected, but now? Alone? Just the two of them? As if reading her mind, he took the bouquet of dahlias from her hand and placed it on the marble ledge of the fountain. He stubbed out the blunt in the nearest terra cotta pot overflowing with flowers and then took both of her hands. He led her a few feet from the fountain and pulled her in close, his body melding against hers in the most exciting way. She gazed up at him in wonder, taking in his strong jaw and those coal black eyes. He smiled down at her, and she wished more than anything in the world that he would see her as more than just Maddie’s little sister or Lola’s younger classmate. That he would see her as a woman, as someone worthy of his attention and love. He was such a good dancer, and she enjoyed the way he spun her around with ease and grace. The swishy fabric of her dress was perfect for twirling to the romantic lyrics, and she let herself believe, even if only for a moment, that Rafael was more than just the best man stuck with her tonight. “Look at you,” he said with a teasing smile. “Not even a hint of tired on your beautiful face.” She blushed at his compliment. “How could I be tired? This has been such an incredible day. I intend to go right back to the reception and dance the night away.” He laughed softly. “I forgot what it’s like to be so young and full of life.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re not old!” “Twenty-nine feels old.” What he didn’t mention was how long he had been carrying the burden of his family’s business. She suspected that kind of stress would make anyone feel exhausted. His gaze dropped to her right hand and the diamonds and gold that glittered there. “Mama was right. That bracelet is perfect for you.” She still couldn’t believe Soila had gifted her such a precious family heirloom that morning as they dressed for the wedding. “Your mother is too generous, Rafa. I’m going to give it back to her before I leave.” “You will not.” He frowned at her. “You would break Mama’s heart. She wanted you to have it.” “But your sisters? Your niece?” He chortled. “Mama has more jewels than the Queen of England. There are plenty to go around.” He shook his head. “No, you’re keeping this bracelet. It makes Mama happy to give gifts. It’s her love language.” “Love language?” She tried not to laugh. “According to Enedina,” he said with a shrug. “She’s always reading some new self-help book and telling us all about it.” “To be fair, she probably got that book from Maddie. She was on a love language kick a few months ago. Jaime’s language is acts of service, in case you were wondering.” He laughed. “I wasn’t but thank you. Now—one more spin.” He guided her through another twirl as the music began its crescendo. Halfway through, her spiky heel caught on an uneven section of brick, and she stumbled slightly. Rafael steadied her with his strong hands, one of them sliding along her waist to her upper back. Pressed against him, she breathed in the woodsy scent of his cologne. Sandalwood. Cedar. All the lovely smells she would always associate with him. She had grabbed the lapel of his tuxedo for balance, and she couldn’t quite let go. She wanted to hold tight, to enjoy his body heat radiating through her. She tilted her head back, gazing up into his dark eyes. They seemed impossibly black, as if he were lost in the same emotional turmoil she felt. Knowing this might be her only chance, she quickly rose on tiptoes and kissed him. He inhaled sharply. Whether it was surprise or delight, she couldn’t tell. He remained stiff, but his hand gripped her waist even tighter. With a flirtatious flick of her tongue against his lips, she won the battle and finally got the kiss she so desperately wanted. And what a kiss it was! This wasn’t the clumsy, frantic kisses of her prom date or the slightly too messy kisses of her on-again off-again boyfriend. This was the practiced, skilled kiss of a man who had all the experience she craved from a lover. Rafael groaned and clasped the back of her neck, tilting her head back even further as he claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss. His other hand moved from her waist to her bottom, squeezing and drawing her in even closer. So close she could feel the unmistakable ridge of his arousal against her belly. Bold and brazen, she slipped her hand down the firm plane of his abdomen to stroke his erection through the fabric of his tuxedo pants. He groaned and stabbed his tongue against hers with more force. Tobacco. Tequila. Champagne. Marijuana. The taste of him filled her mouth and left her craving more and more and more. They moved as they kissed, her taking a few steps back and him following. It was like dancing, only clumsier and more unsure. Her back hit the iron arbor covered in roses, and she felt the sharp bite of thorns on her shoulders. Consumed by Rafael, she paid the pain no mind. Her head spun, and she clutched at his shoulders, rising to meet his kisses. He lifted her up, grasping the backs of her thighs, and she wound her legs around his waist. His erection jutted against that secret throbbing place where she wanted him most. She arched against him, silently urging him to keep going. Rafael gathered up the silky fabric of her evening gown, drawing it up her thigh, and slipped his hand under her skirt. His hand followed the curve of her bare skin, and he squeezed a handful of her bottom, growling against her mouth in lust. The lacy thong she had picked out to wear under her designer dress made her feel mature and sensual, and she was glad he appreciated the freedom it gave him to stroke her skin. She shuddered wildly as his hand curved along her bottom and dipped down to the spot where she was quickly growing wet with arousal. His tongue tangled with hers, and she whimpered with need and excitement. He swallowed her moans, and she elicited a groan from him when she went for the fly of his trousers. He pulled aside the soaking strip of fabric between her thighs and explored her wet depths with his fingers. She fumbled around his zipper before finally getting her hand into his pants and onto him. She stroked his steely length, marveling at the wild heat of him against her palm. After that, it happened suddenly. Frantic. Heady. Passion. One moment, Rafael was shifting her weight and angling his body just right. The next, he was sliding into her, piercing her intimate flesh and filling her with what she desperately needed. His kisses consumed her. She clung to his shoulders as he thrust, her lips against his neck, her tongue flicking out to taste his skin. She gave into the animalistic desire and sank her teeth into the soft and vulnerable part of him, leaving her mark. He growled, and his fingers tightened on her waist and hips. She would have his fingerprints on her skin—and it made her head spin. His pace quickened, his thrusts deeper and harder. Her own climax was too far behind. That telltale tightening had only started to take hold. That fluttery quiver of excitement was only just beginning to make her breaths come faster and shallower. Rafael made a harsh sound before slamming so deep it knocked the air out of her lungs. She clasped his shoulders and rocked against his body, desperate to wring what pleasure she could from the moment. It wasn’t enough to send her over the edge, and her core ached and throbbed. “Rafa,” she whimpered pleadingly against his lips. Rafael suddenly tore his mouth away from hers. It was as if someone had splashed cold water on him. Breathing hard, he stared down at her, his eyes wide with what could only be described as horror. He let her legs fall from his hips, carefully guiding her feet to the ground, and then hastily retreated. Her skirt fell down around her ankles. Her thong was mashed to the side and chafed her skin. His seed seeped from her, leaving a mess that she ignored as she tried to make sense of his confusing behavior. Her voice cracked as she asked, “Rafa?” “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” He grimaced, and she felt the rush of cool night air against her overheated skin. “I’m sorry.” “For what? I wanted that as much as you did.” “It doesn’t matter.” He slashed the air with his hand. “You’re just a child.” She flinched at his harsh tone. “I’m nineteen, Rafa!” “Barely!” He rubbed his face and seemed so angry with himself. “I promised Jaime I would look after you—and I took advantage of you!” “You didn’t!” “The hell I didn’t! Look at you! And at your sister’s wedding!” Her face burned with shame. “I’m an adult. I kissed you first.” “And I should have stopped it.” He raised both hands in front of him. “It was a mistake.” “Not to me,” she insisted. “It was to me.” The hard way he spoke killed whatever glimmer of hope she had left. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “I’m going back to the reception.” He grimaced again as his gaze swept hers. “You should get cleaned up before you come back. We don’t want anyone to find out.” Unable to speak, she nodded and remained rooted to the spot, watching as he marched away from her. Away from his mistake. And that’s all she was really. A mistake. Her conception had been a mistake between her filthy rich father and her cocktail waitress turned mistress mother. Her very existence had ended Maddie’s parents’ marriage and caused her half-sister to bounce between houses for holidays and birthdays. Sky’s traumatic entrance to the world had wrecked her mother—emotionally and physically—and eventually caused her mother’s suicide. No matter what anyone said, Sky knew the truth. I’m the reason my mother died. And now she was a mistake that had broken Rafael and left him riddled with shame. Why do you always chase after things you can’t have? Why do you always have to reach too high? “Well, well, well,” Beverly, Maddie’s mother and the woman who hated her more than anything in the world, stepped out of the shadows. The iPhone clutched in her hand sent a wave of panic through Sky. Had she been recording? “What do you want?” Sky asked waspishly. “I should ask you the same thing.” Beverly looked every bit the part of outrageously wealthy socialite with her perfectly coiffed hair and that gossamer plum Valentino gown. “Did you really think you could win Mexico’s most eligible bachelor with that pathetic attempt at seduction?” “No,” Sky replied meekly. It hadn’t been a planned seduction. It had been a spontaneous moment of romance. “I warned Maddie you would ruin the wedding, that you couldn’t be trusted to behave,” she sneered. Beverly walked toward her like a model on the runway, her gait so smooth and elegant that it made Sky envious. “Men like that don’t want desperate pick-me girls.” Her barb hit its mark. Is that all I am? A sad, pathetic failure of a seductress? “And, sweetheart, next time? Skip the cheap lace thong and spend the money on La Perla.” Her smirk made Sky’s skin crawl. “Victoria’s Secret? Really? I would say I’m shocked to see something that flimsy and cheap under Monique Lhuillier, but I suppose you’ve inherited your mother’s trashy taste.” It was a low blow, but that wasn’t the end of Beverly’s attack on the love child who had ruined her marriage. “If you don’t want to end up like your mother, you better run off and find a pharmacy with Plan B.” Embarrassed and humiliated, Sky fled the garden. Gripped with panic, she ran to her guest room and locked the door. What if Beverly told Rafael’s mother what she had done? That she had seduced Rafael? What if Beverly had been recording all of it? What if she shared video or photos of Rafael and her together like that? What would people say? The age gap was nothing to Sky, but other people wouldn’t see it that way. It would be a scandal. It would be a gossipy, ugly story that would overshadow and ruin Maddie’s honeymoon and the beginning of her marriage. Sky couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing her sister or Jaime’s family. She looked at the beautiful bracelet Soila had given her and felt like the scummiest person in the world. She had been welcomed into their family, and she had made a spectacle of herself. I have to get out of here. Now. She couldn’t face Rafael or his family again tonight. Maybe not ever. |