Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(90)

“Sorry, amorcito mio, but this is how we drive down here.”

“And I thought Atlanta was bad,” I muttered as I cringed.

At the sight of the Golden Arches a few minutes down the road, I gasped in pleasure. “You guys have McDonalds?”

AJ chuckled. “Contrary to popular opinion, this isn’t some third world country. We even have a Wal-Mart.”

“Everywhere has a Wally World.”

“Whatever,” AJ replied as he eased up to the drive thru.

I longingly eyed the burgers and fries on the menu. Still worried about gaining too much weight and being undesirable to AJ, I knew I shouldn’t get anything really fattening. With regret, I said, “I’ll have the chicken salad.

AJ rolled his eyes and ordered us both double cheeseburger meals and fries. He had them add an apple pie as well. “What was that about?” I demanded as he began to pull forward.

“That’s about you and your neurotic weight shit.” He cut his eyes over to me. “I want you to eat what you want to eat.”

I snorted. “Fine. When I get as big as Shamu—”

“I’ll love every inch of you,” AJ countered, with a determined look in his dark eyes.

My heart melted at his words, even though it was hard to believe him. “Whatever,” I mumbled, but I did lean over and kiss him. After we got the food, he pulled the car into a parking space and left it running. After he handed me my burger, I hurriedly unwrapped it and shoved in a bite. “Augh, this is terrible for me, but so f*cking good,” I murmured through my mouthful.

AJ laughed. “I’m just glad to see you’re eating for you and Bella.”

“Hey, as long as you don’t give me tongue, I’ll be fine.”

“We’ll get you some ‘Mia friendly food’ later at the local market.”

After wiping my mouth with my napkin, I planted a kiss on AJ’s cheek. “My hero.”

“You’re welcome.”

When we were finished, AJ tossed the trash bag in the back seat and cranked up the car. “Come on, let me show you my city.”

“But what about your family? Won’t they be mad at me for keeping you gone so long?”

He shook his head. “Once I tell them you wanted nothing more than to learn everything you could about your second home, Guadalajara, you’ll be putty in their hands.”

I laughed. “If you say so.”

“We have two weeks with my family, Mia. Stop worrying.”

“Okay,” I said with a smile.

Once we got to the historic downtown part, we abandoned the car in a parking deck, and AJ began his tour on foot. At the sight of an empty horse drawn carriage on the street corner, a thought popped into my mind. After everything we had been through, we needed a little romance, and what could be more romantic than a carriage ride?

“Can we do this?”

AJ eyed the white and pink carriage with disdain. I guess the fact the overhanging had pink fringe didn’t help matters. “Seriously?”

“Please.”

“I’m going to look like a f*cking pansy tourist in that thing.”

I poked my bottom lip out. “Do it for me and Bella.”

He snorted. “Like she gives two shits about a Pepto Bismol covered carriage ride.” But even as he was arguing, he was getting his wallet out. He stepped forward and spoke to the driver. Taking my hand, he helped me inside before hopping in to sit beside me. On the back of the carriage, there were two heart-shaped cut-outs for windows. I nestled closer to him before jerking my head back. “Oh, look. It’s all romantic.”

AJ shifted in his seat. “Let’s not mention romantic shit, okay?”

My anxiety at his comment kicked into overdrive. “But I thought we could use a little romance.”

He grinned. “I’m all for romance, but considering I won’t get to have sex with you as long as we’re at Abuela’s, I think we need to nix anything that might make me even more sexually frustrated.”

Relief flooded me at his real reason for shooting down my romantic vibe. As I gazed out the carriage, I peered at the surroundings. “Then I think we better find a hotel that we can duck into from time to time.”

He arched his eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”

“Mmm, hmm. Pregnancy makes you really horny—or at least it has me.”

He laughed. “Let me guess. You need a stud like me to take care of your needs?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Fuck yeah,” he muttered before kissing me on the lips. Considering we kept making out, I didn’t see much of the ride before AJ called the driver to stop and let us get out in the city center. AJ helped me down, and then proceeded to give me an official tour, including historical information.

As I gazed around at the architecture, I said, “This is really beautiful—it reminds me a little of Italy.”

“A lot of the design is in the similar neoclassic style.”

An imposing cathedral caught my eye. “Wow, that is breathtaking.”

“That’s the Catedral de Guadalajara or Catedral de la Asunción de María Santísima.”

“I want to go to mass there.”

“Sure, we can come back any day you want.”