"Maria, inform Fernando that Lina will be staying in the main house with me, we still haven't finished our conversation."
"Right away sir, shall I show her to a spare room?"
"That won't be necessary, she'll be with me."
Maria shoots her a glance then hesitates to leave. "Oh wow, she likes you."
"Who Maria? Nah, she's just a little surprised that I let you stay in the main house."
"Say what you want but we both saw how she looked at me; like I was her rival or something."
I throw my arm around her, "Oh please, you're imagining things. Now how about I show you to where you'll be sleeping?"
Even though she's in a better mood, I can still tell she's acting especially strange.
'What is going on inside of that pretty little head?'
***
"Woah, this is your room?"
"Yep. The bathroom's that way and i'll have someone send you some clothes."
"So...you're not staying in here with me?"
I grin, "Do you want me to stay?"
Her cheeks turn a cute shade of red, "I mean..." She sits down on my bed, "I wouldn't mind having some company."
"Si querías que me quedara, todo lo que tienes que hacer es preguntar, mami."
(If you wanted me to stay, all you have to do is ask, mami.)
"Don't be so cocky...I can't stand it."
I move in closer and quickly glance down at her lips, "You know you love it, chica."
"Don't...look at me like that..."
"Why? Does it make you feel a certain way?"
She starts to squrim under my gaze, "Maybe..."
I put my knee in between her legs, slowly seperating them. I then slowly slide my hand on the arch of her back and lie her down, "You sure you wanna do this?"
She runs her hand under my shirt and yanks it off, sending my buttons flying in all directions. "Shut up and kiss me."
She puts her hand on the back of my neck and slowly pulls my head down so that our lips collide. I let my hands wander all over her shapely body. "I knew you liked me."
"Shut up and give me what I want."
'Damn. I love a woman who knows what she wants...'
"Yes ma'am."
*A few hours later*
"All worn out, beautiful?"
"Mhm, quite."
Lina turns on her side and sildes her soft legs on top of me, "You know, I really don't like you."
"Heh, you say that know." I put my hand on her back and hold her close to me.
"You know...I think i'm ready to tell you."
I sit up and look at her, "You serious?"
"Yeah. I feel like I can trust you and you were right...I was being selfish."
"Pft, haha!"
"Hey!" She shoves me, "Why the hell are you laughing at me?!"
"I'm sorry, I just never thought that i'd see the day that you would admit that i'm right."
"Yeah yeah, now if you want to find her, you have to promise me one thing."
"Anything."
She takes in a deep breath, "You have to promise me that you'll accept the new Kaz, no matter how different she may be..."
I place a reassuring kiss on her forehead, "That was already the plan, but I promise."
"Thank you Carlos..."
[The next morning]
"Good morning Mr. Martinez- oh, i'm so sorry! I didn't know you had company!"
"It's fine, just try to be a little more quite next time," I push back the loose hair that Lina had pulled out of a bun last night, "I don't wanna wake her."
I get out of bed and Maria hands me a change if clothes for Lina, "Breakfast will be ready in five." She leaves the room as fast as she can and softly shuts my door.
"I told you so."
I turn my head and see that Lina's already awake and my god, she looks amazing.
"Told me what?"
"That she's into you dummy."
I hand her the clothes, "I don't care. I'm into you and that's all that matters."
She smiles, "That's really sweet...I don't like it."
I kiss her cheek, "Here, go get dressed chica, we've gotta go meet up with your brothers."
*In the dining room*
"So, how's everybody liking the food?"
"Best thing i've ever eaten!"
"Yup, it's great."
"Well i'm glad you all are enjoying it, i'll have to give my cheif a raise. Now I hate to rush you all out but I do have an important meeting today."
"Ahh, we get it. Mel, Stef, Lina, lets be out."
The triplets get up from the table but Lina stays seated, "I uh...i'm staying..."
Stefano looks at her then at me, "Staying? The fuck you mean staying?"
"Exactly what I said, i'm staying here with Carlos for a little while."
"And why would we let our baby sister stay shacked up with some guy?"
"Well I-"
"Shut up, Carlos!"
"Yup, okay."
I sit back down and tightly press my lips together making sure I don't say anything else.
She gets up and folds her arms, "I am not a child, Stef! I can make my own decisions and do whatever the hell I want!"
The other two speak up, "Hey man, chill she's not a baby, and he's a good guy."
"Yeah Stef, we should just leave."
"No man, I am not leaving her here with him!"
"Stef I am not-"
"Lina, if I may?" I put my arm up and stand in between them, "I know that you're worried about her but trust me, she's perfectly safe with me. Now we both know that the Sanchez family has been on good terms with HT for generations and it would really be a shame if the two parted so suddenly, now wouldn't it?"
He snarls, "Fine, we'll leave but I want her back home tomorrow."
"No, you leave and i'll stay as long as I fucking feel like."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Bye Lina, bye Carlos. Thanks for the great hospitality and sorry about Stefano."
"Bye Joaquin," She gives him a quick hug, "Bye Melvin."
The three of them leave and Lina and I are left alone in the room, "God, he can be such an asshole sometimes."
"It's fine, I understand where he's coming from."
"Yeah well he sucks." She pouts her lip, "Hey, what about that meeting that you mentioned earlier? You still going?"
"Well of course." I hold out my hand for her to take, "Care to accompany me?"
"Hm, I suppose it beats staying inside all day. Lets go."