The Ties of the Soul (The Ties Book 1)

1: Girls Trip

~ March 27, 2019 ~

Isabella

Oh my God, why did I let Annabelle talk me into coming to the hotel’s nightclub? This place is packed! I don’t like large crowds. When she told me she was treating me to a girls’ trip to Vegas, this wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be trips to the casino, gambling splurges, and spa days. I can’t count how many times I’ve wished I just stayed home with Daniel and the kids. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jessica, Marisol, and Annabelle, but coming to a nightclub like this feels like they’ve forgotten I’m married. Not that it matters because I’m not getting what I need from Daniel, anyway. Whatever! Deep sigh. I might as well drink my woes away and enjoy this trip as intended.

“Bella! Mami, come here. We’ve got tequila shots,” Jessica exclaims, holding up a glass. “Let’s get f****d up!”

That girl is a wild one, but I love her. I’m glad I met her through Annabelle. As I walk toward my girls, a concerned look comes across Annabelle’s face.

“Bells, que te pasa (what’s up with you),” she asks.

“Oh nada (nothing),” I reply, weakly smiling and shaking my head. I’m lying through my teeth and she knows me too well.

“Isabella, I am your sister, so I know when you’re lying,” she scolds, and her brown hair bounces with each word. “Dame (tell me).”

“It’s just-” I exhale. “I’m a little preoccupied. We’ve been here three days and this trip isn’t quite what I expected.”

Annabelle gives me the big sister look again, which I hate so much. “Bells, you went through a very traumatic birth two months ago. You need to let loose and enjoy yourself. I know it’s been hard on you, which is why I suggested this trip.”

I hate when she’s right. Maya’s birth took a lot out of me. It damn near killed me and postpartum depression didn’t help either. Daniel’s negligence towards me lately hurt the most.

“You know what, you’re right,” I agree, and exhale again.

“I know I’m right,” she shouts and nudges my shoulder. “Now let’s get this party started!”

Annabelle runs off to the bar to get more tequila shots, and I shake my head. Man, I’m going to regret this in the morning.

~ One Hour Later ~

Finally, I’m letting myself go. Thanks to Jessica and Annabelle, I’m on my tenth shot and the tequila is kicking in. I take a couple more shots before resting against the wall while the girls keep drinking. I’m such a lightweight compared to them. It’s just Annabelle, Jessica, and myself now. Marisol left after taking half of a shot; bless her heart. She’s such a good and responsible friend. I wanted to leave with her, but like Annabelle said, it wouldn’t be much of a trip for me to enjoy if I stayed in my room the entire time.

While leaning against the wall, I feel a pair of eyes watching me. Someone’s watching me like a hawk. I look across the room to see who’s staring at me, but I can’t figure out who. It’s so many people here. After about two minutes of straining, I give up and go sit down. My feet are killing me. The tequila can only numb so much.

I sit down, look across the room, and see him. God, he is beautiful. He looks about five-eight or nine, which is slightly shorter than Daniel. He’s standing across the room in a black outfit with his medium tan skin, shoulder length black hair, and multiple tattoos looking as scrumptious as a slice of New York cheesecake.

It dawns on me he’s the one staring at me. He walks towards me when he notices me looking back at him. Oh my god! What am I supposed to do? It’s been over ten years since a man approached me! I slightly panic and my heart rate increases. Despite the panic, there’s something calming about him I can’t explain. I smile at him out of instinct and he smiles back at me. Damn, he has an amazing smile.

“Hello, beautiful. My name is Mateo and besides being this beautiful, you are,” he says in a thick Spanish accent once he sits down beside me.

I can’t even remember the last time someone called me beautiful! Hell, I can’t even remember the last time Daniel called me beautiful.

“Isabella,” I reply shyly.

My heart is pounding. Why am I acting like a high school nerd that just met the school jock and why am I talking to this man like I’m not married? This is exactly how I was the first time I talked to Daniel. Despite all these thoughts, I can’t stop talking or blushing. Something about Mateo feels so familiar, even though we just met.

As we continue the conversation, he places his hand on my leg. I meet eyes with Annabelle, who is behind him waving at me to get my attention. She’s pumping her arm, hyping me up! God, this woman is terrible. Did she forget about her brother-in-law back home?! I know she hates Daniel, but I can’t do the unthinkable! I’m mouthing at her to stop when a calm, suave voice in my ear immediately catches my attention. “There’s something you should know.”

“Huh,” I mumble, and lean back to face him. I stare at him in confusion, but desperate to know what I should know.

“Tonight, and tonight only, you will be mine,” he whispers.

My heavens! He already has his hand on my leg, and now my body is getting warm. His words put me in a trance. How can I resist a man like this?

“Yes, I’ll be yours,” I softly whisper, and lean forward. I immediately snap back to reality. What am I saying? This is a trick of the alcohol. I stand, raise my left hand to show my wedding ring, and object. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t do this. You see Mateo, I’m married, so I’m afraid I can’t be yours; not tonight or ever.”

That shouldn’t hurt his feelings too badly, right? Or so I thought. Instead, he looks at me, smiles. “But are you happy?”

What? How can he reply like this? No, I’m not happy! I’m miserable, but I can never admit it to anyone! The effects of the tequila make me lightheaded and before I know it, I’m falling face forward. I’m nearly on the ground when Mateo catches me. Annabelle rushes over.

“Bells, are you okay?” She asks so anxiously and with that big sister concern of hers.

Before I can answer and say I’m fine, Mateo assertively responds. “I think it’s time for her to go to her room. She’s had a little too much to drink and I think she should rest.”

“You are absolutely right, kind sir,” Annabelle agrees and winks at me.

I give her a glaring look. How can Annabelle just let this man- this stranger take me away? After giving him my room number, she winks again, nudges my shoulder, and walks away. She’s unbelievable!

“Don’t worry my sweet Isa. I will take good care of you while you’re mine,” he says, and smiles.

He lets go of me and asks if I can walk. Of course I can as long as I don’t go too fast. Mateo and Annabelle are setting me up, but one thing is true: I need to rest. However, I can’t help but wonder, why is this man so enticing? What did he mean when he said he will take good care of me? How will he do that?

Mateo

This place is lit! I never would’ve thought a hotel, casino, nightclub, or whatever this is would have this kind of turnout. Wait, who am I kidding? This is Vegas! Anything is possible. After mingling and dancing for a bit, I stand in the corner, examining the room, wondering what woman I’ll have tonight.

“So, have you found your next victim yet,” Joshua chuckles after handing me a drink.

“Have you,” I reply and sip my drink.

We haven’t been here long, so there’s no way he already found a lady to take back to our hotel.

“Nah, not yet,” he chuckles, “but soon I’ll choose someone’s daughter to scream my name tonight!”

We both laugh and he walks off to get us more drinks. I love coming out with Joshua, but picking up chicks at bars and clubs is getting old. I’m craving some stability. Joshua brings back some vodka and I’m sipping again when my eyes come across the most beautiful woman.

She’s probably about five-four, slim thick with very curvaceous hips. Her black hair is curly and her brown skin is radiating. I can’t take my eyes off her. Two other women are laughing and downing tequila with her. Despite her laughs and smiles, I sense she’s unhappy and trying to drink her woes away. She separates herself from them and leans against the wall. I down my vodka shot and Joshua notices someone has caught my eye.

“Ah, so you have found your next victim, I see,” he teases while nudging my shoulder.

I laugh as well, but something inside tells me she’s not like any other woman I’ve ever taken to bed. I watch her as she takes her seat at a table. She looks around and then our eyes meet. Slowly, I walk towards her.

The closer I get, the more stunning she looks. In this poorly lit club, she shines like a star. Who is this woman and why am I so drawn to her? Right before I sit down, she smiles at me, making my heart melt. There’s no time to waste, so I sit beside her and introduce myself.

“Hello, beautiful. My name is Mateo and besides being this beautiful, you are?”

She immediately blushes at my question. I’ve only introduced myself and she’s already being adorable.

“Isabella,” she replies coyly.

“Well, it’s my pleasure to meet you, Isabella,” I remark and kiss her hand.

Such a beautiful name for such a beautiful woman. She continues blushing and relaxes a little. Many men must not approach her because it’s clear she’s not used to it.

“So do you come here often,” I ask with a soft chuckle, realizing how cliche that sounds.

Why did I ask that? I’m not normally this nervous around a woman, but something about her takes me out of my element.

She lets out a slurred laugh. “No, this is my first time here. I actually live in California, but I’m here with my sister and friends for a girls trip.”

“Really? I live in California too! How crazy is that? I’m from San Diego. What part of the state you from,” I ask excitedly and place my hand on her leg where the slit of her dress is.

Her skin is so smooth. No woman has ever made me feel so giddy, and I never take the time to have this much conversation before taking a woman.

“San Francisco,” she replies in a soft tone.

Her eyes shift to someone behind me, and she meets the person’s gaze. It’s probably one of her friends. While she’s distracted, I lean forward and whisper in her ear, “There’s something you should know,” and gently stroke my short nails against her leg. She immediately looks at me, confused. “Tonight, and tonight only, you will be mine.”

She stands and objects after initially agreeing. I heard her low mutter. She protests with her marriage, but she’s only lying to herself. I catch her from nearly falling face first. Her friend suggests I take Isabella to her room, which I gladly offer to do. While she stares at her friend as she walks off, I offer, “If you’re not okay to walk, I have no problem carrying you to your room.”

“No, no,” she laughs, “that’s not necessary. I’m fine as long as we don’t go too fast.”

“Oh, precious jewel, you have no idea how I intend to take my time with you.”

I say it before even realizing it. She looks up at me with eyes full of passion and desire and smiles at me. Man, I just want to devour her and I know she wants me as much as I want her.

“Please lead the way, madam. I promise I’ll take care of you, but unfortunately, this isn’t my hotel and I don’t know my way around this place.” I jest.

She laughs and grabs my hand to take me to the elevator. She presses a button after we enter it. I squeeze her hand and pull her close to me, taking in how pleasant she smells and she giggles. Surely the alcohol is on my side.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see she’s miserable in some aspect of her life. She mentioned being married and it’s probably that. She’s too beautiful to have such a sad aura. Tonight, I will make her forget about all her troubles. Tonight, her only focus will be me.