Melanie's POV

"Wakey, wakey," Marc said as he woke me up. The sun was beaming through the glass doors, the smell of bacon permeated through the air making my stomach growl and all I could think about was getting the okay from my doctor.

"Breakfast is served." He put the tray down where he had prepared a Spanish omelet or as he called it a tortilla de patatas. Also a side of bacon and a glass of orange juice was on the tray.

"Eat up while I shower. The plane will be ready to go in a hour." He kissed me on the forehead and headed to the bathroom. I pigged out enjoying my breakfast when I heard his phone ringing. I leaned over to see his friend Chase Denson calling. I went to pick it up, but it stopped ringing. A text came through and he wanted Marc to check an email.

I continued to eat until I heard the door opening. With just a black towel wrapped around his waist he came out the bathroom headed for the closet. The water that had made his chest glistened was causing me to become wet below. His hair was slicked on his head making him look like a sexy swimsuit model. I watched as he chose a pair of jeans and polo shirt.

Taking my last bite he dropped the towel. Simply magnificent. He had definitely been working out. His muscles defined more than his strength. Not one ounce of fat was on his body making his physique perfect in every which way possible. He quickly dressed and headed back out towards me.

"How was breakfast?"

"Excellent, but the show was perfect as always."

He smiled taking the tray. "Show?"

Quickly changing the subject I asked, "why did you keep this place when we have Wonderland?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Two beach houses?"

"What's wrong with that? I plan on purchasing a couple of more for my collection. I have properties everywhere, plus this was my first vacation home I ever purchased."

"Oh!"

"It is a part of building wealth. All my properties except for the apartment in New York, Wonderland and our villa in Sicily are now all a part of a trust for our children. When I came here, I didn't have any money. I worked hard and now I have enough to pass on to them."

"Our villa? When are you taking me?"

"Whenever you want to go. I can get Reba to set it up."

"I like the sound of our children, our villa," I said pulling him down to the bed.

"It's time for you to get up if you want to make it back home for your doctor's appointment."

"I like it when it's just the two of us."

"I do too," he said kissing me on my neck. "But we have to go," he whispered against my throat. I closed my eyes enjoying his lips as they worked all the way back up to mine. The contact was made and my body began to heat up.

"You better get up before this goes any farther." He was now at my earlobe.

"I can't move," I replied breathless. My body was starting to really enjoy this closeness. His phone started to ring.

"It's Chase, I need to take this call."

"Can he just wait, until we finish making out?"

"And I'm the horny toad?"

"You started it."

I could hear another text coming through.

"Go shower, before you claim I was the one to make us late."

"You just want to talk to Chase."

"True. I'm waiting on some important information. Business never sleeps."

"Can you at least wash my back?" I asked winking.

"You know where that will lead, to you being pregnant again, real soon and I can guarantee that."

"Oh really?"

"I'm from a farm. I'm very good when it comes to fertilizing the soil. Do you want to test the theory?"

I remained quiet.

"That's what I thought," he said with a crooked smile.

"You're a Debbie Downer."

"What's that?"

"Nevermind." I headed to the bathroom and jumped in the shower. I turned on the bluetooth radio and grabbed the soap. I had no idea what was playing so I turned and that beginning drumbeat to Toni Braxton's, You Makin Me High, came on. That was my jam.

I soaped up and for some reason I was getting turned on. Have you ever heard a song that just made you come apart? Man listen to the words, along with hot water running down your body and picturing a demigod, who just happened to be my hubby dropping that towel...oh yeah, my temperature was rising alright.

I had to palm the stone wall in front of me. My hormones were going ballistic and all I could think about was him and I making love in the shower. The heat between my legs was magnified as snippets of him on his knees paying homage replayed over and over again. I let out a deep moan as my body shook. Letting out a deep breath I had to count.

"Mel you have a call!"

"Who...is it?"

"Dr. Taylor's office."

"Coming." Boy did I.

"Hello?"

"This is Natalie from Dr. Taylor's office."

"Yes."

"We will have to reschedule your appointment for next week."

"Excuse me?"

"Dr. Taylor had an emergency and had to leave town, her father was rushed to the hospital."

"Oh no. Can I see someone else? Today was my check-up."

"I can see if Dr. Miller can see you."

"That will be fine."

"Hold on."

Please say yes.

"Mrs. Hernandez the earliest he can see you is next week also. Dr. Taylor could possibly be back by then."

"There's no other doctor?"

"No ma'am."

"Fine!!! I want to be the first available. It's just a check-up and I'm sure it shouldn't take long."

"When Dr. Taylor checks in I will ask her," she said.

"Thanks." I tossed the phone on the counter.

"What's wrong?"

"Alicia had to go out of town and she can't see me today. It will be next week before I can get my check-up."

"Okay but why do you look angry?"

"I have been waiting on this follow-up check-up for weeks. You're leaving and I wanted to give you a little going away present."

He chuckled. "Oh poor baby. I'm good. I always keep a piece of you with me." He pulled out his phone and passed it to me. It was the video of me and my tub of chocolate.

"When I see that, it puts a very big smile on my face." He was sporting it at this very moment.

"I can't believe you kept it."

"Why wouldn't I? This is sexy as hell." He rubbed his hands down my arms.

"Now I was curious how you got all that chocolate in that tub, maybe you could reenact it for me, live."

"Well it all depends."

"On what?"

"On how you behave from today until you leave."

"Oh really?"

"Yes Mr. Hernandez." I tossed his phone on the vanity and lowered my hands to his belt. "Since technically I won't be late for my appointment anymore, maybe I can show you what I've been thinking about since you got out of the shower."

"I have a feeling you were thinking nasty thoughts, Mrs. Hernandez."

"Very nasty, with the emphasis on the "t"." I unbuckled his belt, unzipped him and went to work.

A five minute break turned into a forty-five minute gymnastic routine. After my little torment he picked me up where my towel miraculously fell off, lifted me against the wall and kissed me down until my head was nearly inches from the ceiling. He went in for the kill with his lips and I swear he had me pinned as if I had just climbed Mt. MarcRushmore. Everything below looked so far away. Oh but he didn't stop there. When he latched on and walked me over to the bed still in the air and laid me on my back on the oh so soft duvet I was ready to surrender.

"Oh, baby," I moaned. My legs were in the air, where he wrapped them against his shoulder and my mind went straight to paradise which had me twirling back and forth gripping the covers. Was I enjoying it? Hell to the motherfreaking thousand power! The air felt thin, as I gasped. This was so good, I could have fallen into a sinkhole and would have never known. I bucked up so hard, I swore I had broke my spine. Grabbing the side of his face I was screaming out indecencies that would have me repenting in church.

"Damn I love you," he whispered in between breaths.

T-I-M-B-E-R! I wanted to yell as my body shook and came tumbling down. Man he was talented with just those lips, fingers and that thick erotic tongue.

"Maybe that can hold you, until I come back next week." His phone beeped.

"Wait! I thought you were leaving Tuesday? You said Leland postponed the meeting to Wednesday and you would fax and overnight the paperwork for the council meeting?"

"I need to leave tomorrow, something else has come up."

"Like what?!" I was getting angry, didn't he know how much this deal meant to me? "So you're not going to meet Leland? When were you going to tell me?"

"Silas Pepperidge has invited me to meet Damin Avdeeva on Wednesday in Moscow and then he wants me to fly to Prague on next Tuesday for an investor's meeting. I was going to tell you when we got home."

"Yeah right! Marc you can't do this to me. Hell forget this, I'm going." I jumped out the bed headed to my closet. I grabbed a black jumpsuit.

"No you're not."

"Hello, I'm grown. Last time I checked I have been over twenty-one for quite a while. My name is Melanie not Marcilyna or MJ. I refuse to let you fuck this up for me."

"Hold on there, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize this deal. I don't trust him, forgive me if I'm protective."

"Why? Why are you so against him?"

"I have a gut feeling he is not who he say he is. He might have painted himself this trustworthy person to you but I'm not buying it."

I wanted to pull my hair out.

"I'm sorry honey. Silas's called and his account is very important to my firm. He's introducing me to Damin Avdeeva as he is the new president of Lukoil. Ian and Nico will be there for transportation and telecommunications as Damin is building a new pipeline from Armenia to Iran. It seems he has a very interesting proposition to discuss with us."

"This sucks but I do know you've been trying to forge a business relationship with Damin Avdeeva but why does my deal have to suffer?"

"For years Mel. I promise your deal will be fine. If you need more man power then I will help you get it. Let's just hold Leland's offer for now until I know for sure he is right for this. Can you just do this for me without all the drama at least until I come back?"

"Is that why Chase has been blowing your phone up because of Silas?"

"Actually he has been doing background on Leland. I won't come to any conclusions until it's done." He got up but something felt off.

"What about the council meeting? It's Thursday."

"Let me worry about that."

"What are you not telling me Marc? This is my project and if there's something I should know you need to tell me."

"Everything will work out."

"Stop saying that. Talk to me. Everything is not if those papers aren't signed before the meeting. It's not like you can get the meeting cancelled or something."

"Tyler and Alexander will pick up the slack, you don't need Leland."

"I don't trust them either then."

"Believe me no one is perfect but I've known them for years and they are the powerhouse you need."

"Ugh!"

"I'll tell you what, if Leland checks out we can meet with him next week, you and I together."

"It will be too late we will miss the meeting."

Narrowing his eyes at me he went to grab his phone. He dialed some number and put the phone on speaker.

"Mayor, it's Marc Hernandez." My eyes widen.

"Hello Mr. Hernandez, how are you?"

"I'm doing well."

"How about the Mrs.?"

"She's great." He winked at me with this smugged grin on his face.

"What can I do for you?"

"I have a conflict. I won't be able to meet with the last investor until next week, but I do have a replacement. My wife is very adamant about this last investor and I know the council would like to have everyone on board prior to the meeting but it will not happen. I was hoping you could postpone the meeting until that was done."

"Well...I'm not sure."

"I just happened to be with Jack Delaney last night. If I'm not mistaken you have been trying to reach his office for weeks now."

"Oh?" he cleared his throat. "Yes I have about some real estate that needs developing, he was recommended."

"Well he is very interested in building lofts downtown in the old Mid-town area."

"Really now?"

"Yes as a matter of fact he will be down here on Thursday, scouting out the area. He wants to bring a little New York architecture to the South. I think a meeting between the two of you could be very beneficial."

"I think so too. Something new to the city. It could be very profitable especially with the city growing."

"Exactly what I was thinking. It's a shame that he's going to be here the same day as the council meeting and you will miss him."

"Maybe we could postpone the meeting for another week or two. This could be really big."

"I will have Jack call you and you two can make the arrangements."

"Sounds great Marc. We will be in touch. Please tell Melanie if there is anything else she needs, to not hesitate to call."

"Will do Mayor. Have a great day."

"You too Mr. Hernandez."

They hung up and a big smile crossed his face.

"How? Never mind!" I said shaking my head.

"Don't hate the player, hate the game," as you would say. I'll take care of Leland."

"What am I going to do with you?"

"It all depends." He winked and went in the bathroom.

Three hours later...

We made it back home around nine am. I was tired from last night but I was actually looking forward to seeing MJ. Walking into the house, Marc's mother was cleaning up the kitchen.

"Did you two have a good time?"

"We did," Marc said smiling and kissing her on the cheek.

"Yes, it was wonderful."

"I made some magdaleans and filloas. They are in the cake dish over there." Marc hurried over and grabbed one of the magdaleans.

"Little Marcilyna just finished her bottle so I laid her down for a nap. Your papa is also sleeping."

"I'm headed upstairs and I will go check on MJ."

Opening the door, I could see her little hands waving in the air and feet kicking. Her little giraffe mobile was playing a lullaby.

"Hey sweetie." I smiled picking her up out of the crib. She turned her head towards me. I had to admit she was cute as a button with her little pink dress on along with her white and pink crocheted shoes. Her baby scent seem to calm me. There was nothing like it. She had to be the prettiest baby in the world. Sue me I was bias.

"You miss your mommy didn't you?"

"I think she missed her daddy more, isn't that right, meu bolboreta pequena do papá. Daddy's little butterfly."

MJ cooed turning her head towards his voice. We both laughed as she looked between the both of us. I went and sat down in the rocking chair while Marc took a seat by my feet.

"I love watching the two of you."

"We did good didn't we?"

"Yep we did. I can't wait to have ten more."

"Ten, you must have a fever. Your daddy has lost his mind if he thinks I'm going to have ten more kids." MJ cooed. "I know right."

"Ah Mel the fun part is making them."

"We can have the fun part but we don't have to make so many."

"God did say multiple the earth."

"He didn't say go crazy. Didn't we have this conversation before?"

"Probably but I'm trying to communicate, thats what most marriages lack so I'm making ever attempt to express my thoughts." His phone rang. "It's Chris."

"Who's Chris?"

"Jacob's real estate director. I had him looking at houses."

"Please I don't want to move. It's too much work."

"You wouldn't have to lift a finger. I can get everything done in no time. You just have to decide on what you want."

I leaned my head back against the rocker. He got up and walked out the door.

"I swear your daddy can't keep still. Always moving and getting involved in everything." MJ laughed and made some noises. I lifted her up and we played until Marc came back in.

"Chris was able to get us in a house I have been looking at for a while. We can go see it today."

"What time?"

"Twenty minutes. I figured you are already dressed and can go see it. Here I will put her to sleep while you freshen up."

"No rest for the weary." I passed MJ to him and went to our room.

Thirty minutes later...

"What do you think?" Marc asked as we stood outside next to the pool.

"It's huge."

"This house sits on five acres."

"So do we really need all this space?"

"Mel there are only so many houses to look at."

"I don't want to move. I like our place now."

"It's too small, plus I need my space."

"I hate moving."

"We can hire movers."

"And, we still have to unpack."

"They have people who can do that too."

"So you have an answer for everything."

"Just about."

"Well actually, I spoke to Cadence a few days ago and she mentioned former senator Peabody McGrady's house is going up for foreclosure. Ever since the FBI found drugs in his deep freezer, they have seized the property and now it's about to be on the market. She thinks we could get a really good deal if we jump on it now."

"That's in Uptown."

"It's smaller but the house next door is also available. They are historic but I think we could make it home."

"I don't know."

"Your parents could move next door and she said it had a lot to offer. The golf course is like a block away. There are some really good cafes and shopping in the area. Her girls went to the neighborhood Catholic school in the area where I could walk MJ. There's a huge park where they have water sports and several play areas."

"Mel?"

"Please can we just go look at it. Plus it's probably cheaper than this house."

"But this house has every and anything we want. This palatial is along Lake Ponchartrain. This is a historical find with over 12,000 square feet with six bedrooms and a two bedroom guest house for my parents. Actually the guest house adds another three thousand square feet to the estate. With this massive outdoor kitchen, swimming pool, tennis courts, indoor basketball court, the putting green over there plus I can add a helicopter pad in the back, why not this house?"

"You sound like a commercial plus I think you just want a new toy."

"Maybe. Less traffic to sit in. I can get home sooner to you."

"I just think it's too big."

"You haven't complained before," he said whistling and I slapped him on the arm.

"Focus Marc."

"We could build a little love shack a few acres downstream. Just think we could get away and hide and no one would find us."

"Or someone could kill us, bury us and no one would ever find us."

"Mel I swear you are a dream snatcher."

"Sorry babe. Let's go look at the senator's house and if it's not great, then I will consider this one."

"We need to make a decision before someone else decides they want it. I want us to be moved by the end of the month and that's including if renovations have to be done."

"Why do we have to rush moving?"

"My home office has turned into a part-time nursery. I need my space. It's hard to convince my wife to let me tap that if there are baby toys in the room."

"Um an office is for you to work not tap ass."

"But I