Hot & Wild (De La Cruz Saga) Read online

  “Hi, I’m Monique Acosta,” answers Monique. “What’s your name? Do you work here?”

  “Yes, I work here,” replies Christian. “I was delivering some material to the job site.”

  “Oh? That sounds interesting,” says Monique. He’s a delivery guy, hmmm, she ponders.

  “I’m Christian ## ## Cruz,” says Christian at the exact same moment that Ricky turns the corner and asks what’s happening.

  Monique didn’t hear De La Cruz, she only heard Christian Cruz.

  “What happened here? Christian is everything okay?” asks Ricky as he starts to help pick up the paperwork that Christian dropped.

  “Yes, Ricky, we turned the corner at the same time and collided,” replies Christian. He turns to smile at Monique.

  “Yes I’m okay Mr. De La Cruz, thank you,” replies Monique blushing.

  “We should put some mirrors at the corners so we can prevent these accidents. I ran into Jacki right here also,” says Ricky as he gathers the papers.

  “Can I walk you to your car?” asks Christian. He’s praying that she will agree.

  “I think that you have some errands to do,” replies Monique. She looks at the paperwork that Ricky hands Christian.

  “Yes I do, but I can return in a few minutes to turn the paperwork in,” says Christian smiling at Monique.

  Monique observes Christian, hmmm he’s so hot. “Okay,” says Monique. She starts walking down the hall. Well this bad boy wants to walk me to my car. He’s incredibly sexy, ponders Monique.

  “Do you work here Monique?” asks Christian. He gazes at her smiling. I need to get her number, thinks Christian.

  “No, not yet, but I will,” replies Monique smiling with confidence. She glances at Christian. “I just had an interview for the Interior Decorating Design assistant. I know I will get it.”

  “I also know you will get the job,” replies Christian smiling, nodding.

  Yeah, she looks like she has everything under control, thinks Christian. “Did you park on the street or the parking garage?”

  “I parked in the parking garage on the 2nd floor,” replies Monique. They reach the elevators and she stops to wait for one to arrive.

  “Good thing you parked there. It makes it a lot easier to find a parking space in the garage. It’s hard to find a space to park on the street,” says Christian contemplating her.

  The elevator arrives to the 2nd floor and they exit. Christian follows Monique to where she parked.

  “Monique do you think you can give me your cell number? I would like to invite you out,” asks Christian looking at her. He prays that she says yes. She’s so hot and sexy, ponders Christian.

  “I don’t know Christian. I just met you,” replies Monique looking at Christian. Wow, amazing. He’s a real sexy bad boy. I love his dimples. He works here. He must have good qualities if he works here, right, ponders Monique. “Okay I will give you my cell number. Give me your cell and I will key it in, okay?”

  Christian lets out his breath. Yeah! I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath, thinks Christian grinning. He hands her his cell phone with pleasure.

  Monique quickly enters her cell phone number and hands his cell back to him, smiling.

  “Thanks, I’ll be calling you. I plan on going to the club tonight, do you want to go?” asks Christian hoping that she will say yes.

  “Which club are you going to? I don’t know if I can. I did make plans with my familia,” replies Monique smiling. “Maybe next time, okay?”

  “Okay, that sounds good. I will be calling you,” says Christian smiling, flashing his big dimples.

  “That sounds great. Call me,” says Monique. She opens the car door. She slides into the driver seat. She waves at Christian and pulls out.

  Wow, he’s such a hunk. I have to think about going out with him. He does look like a bad boy and he’s a delivery guy. I definitely want to meet Tony De La Cruz.

  If I start talking to Christian, I could be missing out on getting to know Tony. Oh, but he’s so hot, ponders Monique biting her lower lip. She exits the garage.

  I’m going to have to call her later. I need to work on her. I need to take her out this weekend, contemplates Christian striding quickly back into the building.

  * * *

  Jessy, Bella and Paty have several interviews all morning. They decide on one of the candidates. They all agree on the candidate that has the extra appeal of being a new graduate and with new fresh ideas.

  “What I liked the most is the new concepts that she presented in her portfolio. She has all the new technology, theory, and knowledge that haven’t been warped. She doesn’t have the bad habits from any other employer. We can train and mold her to our company philosophy and needs,” says Bella nodding.

  “I agree. I also like that she’s real excited in working for the company and she has done her research on our buildings and achievements,” says Paty with pleasure.

  “I also think that she is the most qualified to be my assistant,” responds Jessy. “Do you want to call her and offer the job? Maybe we can get her to start next week. That will be a tremendous help.”

  “Okay, I will call after lunch and make her an offer,” replies Bella nodding in agreement. She gathers her files and stands to leave.

  “Do you want to go to lunch with us?” asks Paty with a wicked twinkle in her eye. I know she has lunch with Jose Enrique, thinks Paty.

  “Amiga you’re a brat. I will have my lunch with my vida,” replies Jessy standing, smiling. She gathers all of her paperwork.

  “See ya later after the call. I will advise you on her start date,” says Bella walking out of the conference room with Paty.

  * * *

  Christian enters Jose Enrique’s office saying. “I have some reports for you to read. There’s definitely something strange going on, primo,” says Christian, sitting onto the deep burgundy leather chair. “I took the material to the job site and nobody was there to receive it. I couldn’t locate our site manager. I left the material at the job site. I put the guys to work. The brick wall is being built. I don’t know what’s going on. We need to look into this incident further. The reports will give you an idea of what I observed.”

  “Thanks primo, that was great. I know that they don’t know who you are. Do you know how many days of leave you have this time?” asks Jose Enrique.

  I wish that Christian finally decides to work at the la familia company. We really do need him. Christian has abilities, skills, and knowledge that we need in different areas of the construction sites, thinks Jose Enrique, observing Christian.

  “Primo I only have until Sunday. Why do you ask? Don’t you have anybody else that can monitor those workers on the site?” asks Christian with concern.

  “We do have managers for the sites. I know that you noticed that they’re not very responsible. I’m on their cases all the time. I can only go to the field once and or sometimes twice a week. I feel it’s costing us money in different areas. The jobs are taking longer than projected. The materials are not delivered or are incorrect. Sometimes we have materials disappearing. The quality is not there. I need someone that will be on top of monitoring and motivating the workers at the job sites,” says Jose Enrique, contemplating Christian.

  He leans back in his chair looking at his primo. I know he would be just right. It would be something that he would enjoy. The different jobs and areas will keep him busy, thinks Jose Enrique.

  “When is your duty over? Have you thought about coming to work with the familia? We really do need you. We need your skills and knowledge, primo. You know that this is your company, right?” asks Jose Enrique with intent.

  “Primo my duty is complete in six months. I don’t know. I really haven’t thought about it. I see that you really do need me. I will think about it, okay?” says Christian looking at his primo.

  I can see that la familia needs me to start participating in the company. I can keep the workers on the job site motivated and have them compl
ete the jobs on time. I can keep track of the materials and quality. I know that I can do this job. I will think about it, ponders Christian.

  “Primo that will be great. We would love to have you here. You are needed. I hope you decide to stay with us,” replies Jose Enrique grinning with pleasure. Yeah my primo will come to work with us. I know it. He will do a great job, believes Jose Enrique.

  “Okay primo, review the reports and call me if you have any questions. Are we hanging out at the club tonight?” asks Christian standing to leave. “I will see ya later. I have some errands to do.”

  “Yes primo, we’ll see you at the club. The primos will be there as always,” replies Jose Enrique standing to walk with his primo to the elevator.

  “I will be talking to Gabriel in a bit. We have a job proposal for the demolishing department. We believe that he would do well in that department,” says Jose Enrique gazing at Christian to gauge his reaction.

  “Primo, Gabriel specializes in demolishing and explosives. He’s well qualified and has years of experience. If you need someone that can run the demolishing department, Gabriel will be a good choice,” replies Christian. He looks at his primo.

  Gabriel is my best SEAL bud. He’ll be my brother in law, ponders Christian. “You know primo, that he’ll be familia soon. He’s leaving the Navy for Erica. He’s a good hombre and has the knowledge, skill, and experience.”

  “Yes, I know primo. I just want your feedback. I know that you probably know him better than anyone else,” says Jose Enrique, smiling. He’s feliz that Gabriel will be a great demolishing manager.

  “Yeah I know. I’m glad that we’re able to offer him a job. It will make Erica extremely feliz,” responds Christian. “Besides Erica is also part of company.”

  “Yeah, it would be great to have someone working here that is representing Erica. Erica will always want to teach,” replies Jose Enrique, nodding in agreement.

  Chapter Three

  I should go talk to Bella and get some info on Monique Acosta. Yeah, ponders Christian, smiling with pleasure. He strides down the hall to Bella’s office and walks right over to Bella. He gives her a kiss on the temple.

  “Hola hermana, how are you doing?” asks Christian grinning flashing his dimples. “I ran into Monique Acosta in the hall way a few minutes ago. Tell me about her, please?” asks Christian.

  Geeze, my hermano is so handsome. Yes, all the De La Cruz hombres are tall, handsome, rich and nice. What chica wouldn’t want one? Yeah, lot of chicas. That’s why they don’t have a formal one until they run into the one. Hmmm, this is a nice. Can it be possible that my hermano ran into his special chica? His alma gemela, contemplates Bella with pleasure.

  This is something to consider. He never seeks any information on a chica. Okay, I’ll tell him what I know about Monique Acosta, just in case she’s the one, ponders Bella.

  This is so much fun. Finally someone has caught Christian’s eye. Bella smiles, gazes into her hermano’s beautiful green eyes.

  “Hermano, what do you want to know?” asks Bella with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You already know her name.” she smiles at Christian with amusement.

  “Hermana you know I want her information on the application, everything. I need to know where she lives, all her numbers, age, birthdate, and just about everything and anything that you have,” replies Christian with enthusiasm and alegria.

  “I see. It looks like it would be better if I showed you her application. I will tell you how the interview went,” replies Bella smiling.

  “Bella, Monique gave me her number. She entered the number herself in my cell phone. I want to see if she did give me her correct number, okay,” he leans over the desk to look at Monique Acosta job application. Bella turns the file around for him to see.

  Christian takes the file and reviews it for a few minutes smiling. He looks at Bella beaming.

  Christian takes out his cell phone and looks at the number that Monique entered for him. Yeah, she did give me the correct number, damn. This is awesome!

  So maybe I have a chance with her. Monique is real hot. I can’t wait to see her again and maybe I can taste her, a little, just a little, ponders Christian with a huge grin, flashing his dimples.

  Christian looks at her address, birthdate, and her qualifications. Great she just graduated from college. Smart, sexy, bella, adorable, and amazing, thinks Christian with pleasure.

  He falls back into the chair in front of his Bella’s desk smiling. “Hermana she did give me her correct cell number,” says Christian beaming. “How did she do in the interview?” he’s truly interested in knowing if she will get the job.

  “Christian she did great. We feel that she’s bright, fresh, and qualified for the job. Jessy and Paty also like her. Jessy did select her for the position. Paty and I feel that she will fit in with our company work ethics, philosophy, and attitude,” responds Bella contemplating Christian’s interest.

  “I will be calling her after lunch to offer her the job and to get a start date,” says Bella smiling.

  “Oh that’s awesome. I’m glad for us and for her. She really looks like she has everything in control. I feel that I like her, hermana,” says Christian smiling. “I will call her later to see if she will go on a date with me.”

  “Hermano, I am feliz that you found a chica that you like. I hope everything turns out for you. She’s a nice chica,” says Bella, smiling, nodding.

  “Yes she is. I have to go and see mama. I know that she cooked me some real good flautas, just the way I like them. I want to spend some time with our padres. Then I will be at the club later. Are you going to the club with us?” asks Christian standing to leave. He looks at his bella hermana.

  She’s real bella and I pray that she meets the right Chico for her, ponders Christian smiling at her.

  “Si hermano, I will be at the club tonight. I will be going with Paty,” replies Bella nodding.

  “Okay, I will see ya later, hermana,” responds Christian. He turns to leave. He strides down the hall, thinking about Monique. She really is something and has everything that I like. I will get to know her. Maybe she is the one, contemplates Christian.

  Christian arrives at his casa and strides straight to the kitchen. I just know that my mama is cooking my flautas just the way I love them. Entering the kitchen he sees his mama. She is extracting the flautas out of the pan. She sets them onto the dish.

  It’s like she knows that I will be walking in the door. Geeze I’m so lucky to have such wonderful padres and familia, thinks Christian.

  He takes his mama in his arms and kisses her. “Mama, I love you. You’re very special to me. Thank you for cooking for me my favorite,” says Christian smiling, flashing his beautiful dimples.

  “Mi hijo, you’re finally home. I’m so glad to see you. I really want you to come home and stay. You have been away from la familia for too long,” says Mama Maria. She also returns his hug with motherly amor.

  “I’m thinking about it mama. Jose Enrique wants me to manage the building sites. I told him that I would think about it. My enlistment duty expires in six months. I decided not sign up again. I think that I’m ready to settle down,” says Christian, smiling at his mama.

  “Really my hijo, it would be wonderful to have you here and settled,” replies his mama. “Mi hijo sit down and eat your flautas. They’re warm and delicious, just the way you like them. The creama and avocado are ready. The salsa is real hot, so taste a little, just in case you can’t handle the spice,” says Mama Maria smiling, flashing her dimples. Christian gets his dimples from his mama.

  “Oh mama, I can’t wait to eat some. I always think about your cooking when I’m away,” says Christian. He quickly takes one flauta and takes a bite. Mm, hmm, good, thinks Christian. Yeah they’re my favorite.

  “Mi hijo, do you want some juice or water,” asks Mama Maria. She observes her niño eat and his enjoyment of the flautas.

  “Mama some water would be good. Gracias,” says Christia
n with pleasure.

  Erica walks into the casa and she hears her hermano. Great that means that my baby also got off early. I will need to get ready just in case he comes early to see me.

  Erica strides into the kitchen to give her hermano a hug. “Hola hermano, I love you,” says Erica smiling, flashing her beautiful dimples.

  “Hola hermana, I love you. How are you doing?” asks Christian looking at his bella hermana. She looks really feliz. I’m glad that she’s in love with Gabriel, ponders Christian.

  “I’m doing great. Gabriel called and told me that his padres are here. Mama, they will come over manana to ask for my mano,” says Erica smiling happily.

  “That’s great mi hija. I will love to meet his padres. I’m sure that they’re great people. Gabriel is a good hombre.” says Mama Maria, nodding.

  “Yes hermana, that sounds like a plan. Are you going to the club tonight with us? I bet that Jose Enrique and Ricky invited him to go. I feel that you should go and enjoy some time with los primos,” says Christian taking another bite of his flauta.

  “I will think about it. If Gabriel wants to go, I will probably be okay with it,” replies Erica nodding in agreement.

  “I need to go and change. The class room air conditioning is not working right and it was real hot today,” says Erica.

  “Okay, mi hija, tu Tia Lupe and Jacki should be here in a while so we can plan out the details for the weddings,” says her mama smiling.

  “Si mama,” responds Erica walking out of the kitchen.

  Christian continues to eat his lunch. He’s extremely feliz thinking about Monique. I think I will call her to see if she wants to go to have dinner with me manana. He looks at his mama who’s observing him and smiles.

  “My hijo, what are you up to? I know that you are up to something. I can see it in your eyes,” says Mama Maria. She smiles waiting for his responds.

  Okay, she knows me well. I will not tell her anything about Monique. I don’t know if Monique is interested in me. She could be the one, ponders Christian as he finishes his las flauta. “Mama, I’m up to going out with los primos and having some fun,” answers Christian. He looks at his mama, smiling, flashing his big dimples and sparkling green eyes.