Cordero and Alexandra met 37 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Alexandra smiled. "That can be arranged. It's on the way to the airport." She turned and watched a sax player. "He's good."

"He is. Is it common to come out and play?" As Alexandra nodded, Cordero stood and offered his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Standing, she accepted his hand. "I never expected this."

He kissed her. "I wanted to hold you and felt this was the best way to handle it."

"Makes sense."

They danced, their bodies crept closer, and they kissed. Someone grabbed Cordero's shoulder, as he turned a fist met the right side of his face.



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 20 B

The surprise and force caused Cordero to step back.

Alexandra screamed.

Cordero yelled, "Ali, stay back!"

Alan Griffin swung his fist, but it missed its mark. He glared at Cordero. "Stay away from my fiancee!"

As Cordero slugged Alan, Alexandra yelled, "Cord, don't!" She removed her phone.

Cordero's eyes met Alan's as a rapid sequence of punches continued. "She's not yours."

"Alexandra would never be serious about a boy toy like you."

A crowd watched.

Anthony came running, shoved his way through the crowd, and forced Cordero to back away. He faced Alan. "Mr. Griffin, I strongly advise you to leave. If you remain, nothing good can come of it. There are two of us."

Alan's glare switched from Anthony to Cordero, he wiped blood from his lip, and then offered his hand. "Alexandra, you're coming with me."

She went to Cordero's side. As he put his arm around her waist, she said, "We're over. I never want to see you again."

"You're going to regret that decision." Alan turned and walked away.

After they watched Alan leave, Cordero brushed and adjusted his shirt. "A boy toy, huh?"

Alexandra cupped Cordero's face in her hands and kissed his cheek. "You might have a bruise."

Cordero chuckled. "I've had worse from Chip." He kissed her. "I'm ready to leave. How about you?"

Anthony and Cordero helped Alexandra pack from the picnic. At the limousine, she asked, "Cord, do you still want to see my office or go straight to the airport?"

"Your office."

After Anthony helped Alexandra inside and shut the door, Cordero said, "You should've let me finish him off. It might be the only way to get rid of him."

"You're probably right, but..." Anthony glanced toward Alexandra. "How do you think she'd feel? Her parents protected her. She grew up with a huge bubble around her. She's not used to violence."

Cordero exhaled. "I hadn't considered that." He hesitated. "Let's go. I've had enough of the city."

*****
Anthony parked inside the parking garage. "Ms. Black, would you like me to call your dad and let him know you're here?"

"It's not necessary. I sent him a text and told him." When Cordero's eyes widened, Alexandra said, "Since it's not business hours, when I swipe my key, Grandpa and Dad will automatically be notified. It's a security issue."

After Anthony opened her door, he asked, "Should I wait?"

She checked her watch. "We should only be fifteen or twenty minutes. Why don't you come along?"

Anthony elected to remain with the car. Cordero and Alexandra rode the elevator to the fourth floor.

Cordero waited until they were at the firm's door, until he said, "I'm surprised you're not on the top floor."

"It's Grandpa's idea. He says if there's a fire, he's not walking down sixteen flights of stairs. He says four's too many."

His eyebrows rose. "He's got a point."

Inside the lobby, Cordero glanced around. "This is nice."

"It's pretty simple. I'll show you Grandpa's office."

After Alexandra showed each of her family's offices, Cordero said, "You've neglected your office."

Her eyes sparkled as she opened the door. "I've saved the best for last."

Inside Cordero lifted a photo of her parents. "I can tell family's important to you." He set it down and pointed to a couple's photo hanging on the wall. "I recognize your grandpa. Is that beautiful lady your grandma?"

She touched the photo. "It is. This is the last photo she and Grandpa had taken before she died. While I grew up, Mom worked part-time here, and Grandma took care of me. We were very close. I miss her. We had some great times together."

He held up another photo and chuckled. "This looks like a rowdy bunch of ladies."

Alexandra took it from him and thought. "Not the last time Rosa visited, but in December the three of us went ice skating. We had so much fun and then had this picture taken." She set it down and turned away.

He touched her arm. "You said you had fun, but now you look afraid, why?"

She swallowed. "We did have fun, only when I got back to my apartment..." She stared out the window. "Never mind. It's not important."

"I'll guess." Alexandra studied Cordero as he continued, "Alan was waiting and wasn't happy you'd had fun with your family."

"Something like that."

He took her in his arms and held her. "That part of your life's over."

"That's true." Alexandra was quiet before she removed her phone and searched it. She held up the photos of them on the carriage ride. "I'm going to have these printed and framed along with more of us."

His eyes widened. "Oh yeah?"

"Yes. I want to be surrounded with happy times."

A kiss lingered, before Cordero teased, "Since you put it that way. I guess it's okay." He kissed her again. "We should've gotten pictures dressed up Friday night."

"I'm sure there are photos. Mom and Dad had photographers there. I'll make sure I get some."

"Figures."

She blew out air. "Ready?"

He checked his watch and nodded.

*****
As they walked to the private jet, Cordero hesitated.

Alexandra touched his arm. "Is everything all right?"

"I'm wondering if I should get my own flight back."

She tilted her head. "Why?" When he didn't answer she took his hand and led him to the seat. "Sit. We need to talk."

He studied her. "You've gotten bossy. Where'd this come from?"

"Not really bossy, but..." She hesitated and listened while the pilot spoke. When he finished, she continued, "I didn't know what it meant, so I googled it on my phone. I wondered when you were going to bring it up. I guess you just did."

"I'm confused. What did you google and what does it have to do with getting my own flight?"

"I googled 'boy toy'." After Cordero set his jaw, she continued, "I'll agree with part of the definition." She hesitated. "You are handsome. The rest of the definition is completely wrong. You're very intelligent and you're not dependent on my money."

His eyes met hers. "I noticed hanging in your office your Yale degree. You not only graduated from Yale but with honors, the top of your class. I'm a product of public education plus I went to a state university. If I'm not mistaken, from elementary school on you went to private all girls' schools."

"You're correct." She paused to make a point. "It doesn't mean I'm more intelligent. It simply means my parents chose to send me to private schools. Since I've met you, you've impressed me with your intelligence." She smiled. "And your patience and understanding."

Alexandra waited for him to say something when he didn't, she continued, "Since you made a comment about taking your own flight back, you're probably referring to money. We've already discussed it."

After taking a moment to think, Alexandra said, "I don't know if there's such a thing as a 'girl toy', but if there is, I could make these arguments. Before I came to the ranch, I knew nothing about ranch life, so I guess I'm ignorant. Since I'm living at the ranch free of charge, am I a kept woman?"

"That's ridiculous." Cordero chuckled. "I guess I shouldn't get into this type of discussion with a lawyer."

"Even though you're very handsome, you're not my 'boy toy'."

His eyes met hers. "Then what am I?"

She avoided eye contact. "Yet to be determined."

He used his finger to move her chin, so their eyes met. "So, now I get the quiet, shy lawyer, am I right?"

She swallowed. "Maybe."

He kissed her. "You won your argument."

"Good." She leaned her head against his arm. After a few moments, she sat straight. "Did Alan threaten me when he said, 'You're going to regret that decision.'?"

"I can't answer for him, but it sounded like it." Cordero shook his head. "We'll add that to the threat list. It's getting longer."

She leaned her head against his arm again. "It seems so."

He kissed the top of her head.


~~~~~
I intentionally left off the accents on fiance and fiancee because Evil Eddie would put all sorts of strange characters in my post. Thank you for understanding.
~~~~~~

~~~~
Hola is Spanish for hello

Mi hijo & Mijo are Spanish for son. Jorge uses them often.

Bendecido is Spanish for blessed.
~~~~~

CHARACTER LIST:

Cordero Ortiz: 'Cord' runs his parents' Texas ranch

Alexandra Black: 'Ali' is a New York City corporate lawyer, is a junior partner in huge family law firm

Jorge and Rosa Ortiz: Cordero's parents who own a large West Texas Ranch

Jim: One of the ranch foremen's and best friend of Cordero. He takes care of the main house and surrounding ranch area.

Bob: One of the ranch foremen and good friend of Cordero. He works the entire ranch.

Pat Rogers: Bank owner, not a good person

Sam Bailey: Lobo's Sheriff.

Dr. Bart Barnes: Town doctor

Judge Sean Pickett: County Judge

Tonia and Brent Black: Alexandra's parents

George Black Alexandra's grandpa

Gary Hart: A young ranch hand

Luke: All around bad guy

Amy Harding: A lady who Pat Rogers raped during High School Prom, her son, Matthew

Alan Griffin Alexandra's ex-fiance

Joseph and Ruth Aaronson One of the first clients, family friends, owner of a prestige jewelry shop

Athony Alexandra's limousine driver