Hey! So sorry this took a while! I've been busy with work. I know...it sucks but it's all good! I hope you enjoy this chapter! It'll get steamier very quickly...but in due time! Happy reading! And happy Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month! Muah!

(I do not own this Novela!)

Chapter 30

Franco spent the following day thinking about Sarita. It was impossible to get her out of his head after the night he and his brothers serenaded the Elizondo sisters. Her smile and her warmth will forever charm him. He needed to see her and hold her. He wanted nothing more than to kiss those luscious pouty lips of hers as he whispered sweet nothings in her ear, and feel her lithe supple body tremble at his gentle caresses.

Franco groaned as he stumbled over to his office, gathering his files for an upcoming business trip. He just couldn't stop thinking of that woman. He even wondered when was the last time he'd kissed her. It felt like years he hadn't tasted her sweet kisses, yet he could still feel her lips on his. So soft, full, and incredibly inviting…

"Damn…" he groaned, feeling the sudden strain in his dress pants as he dropped his pen on his desk.

Sarita…

He needed her.

But she still hasn't agreed to their date.

He was brought down to earth when he heard his door open. He looked up from his files and saw that it was only Oscar leading their business partner and friend, Leandro Santos, in Franco's office. Eva followed after.

Leandro seemed to be bothered by something causing concern to rise within Franco, Oscar, and Eva. Leandro informs them that Ruth had resigned from the fashion store because of her controlling adoptive mother, Mrs. Raquel Uribe. He then tells them that that old woman is threatening anyone to cut off ties with Ruth. Franco and Oscar look over at Eva, who seemed distraught by this information. That old Raquel is a nasty piece of work. Eva storms out of the office in tears and Oscar goes after her to console her. Franco didn't personally know Raquel, but he swore that if he'd ever come across that old hag, he'd tell her a thing or two.

Leandro's visit stretched when Juan approached him about needing his help for his upcoming wedding to Norma, and Leandro couldn't be more enthusiastic. He and Juan left Franco alone to discuss every little detail about the wedding.

Franco sits back down on his chair and allows his thoughts back on to the woman who had captured his heart. He was growing impatient. He needed to see Sarita and he was going to start by finally reaching out to her. He needed her answer.

Feeling brave, Franco reached out for his phone and dialed up her number. He prayed she'd finally pick up. He bit his lip in anticipation when he heard someone pick up the phone.

"Mom! Don't worry! I got it!"

He drew a sigh of relief, recognizing Sara's voice.

"Hello?" he heard her say. "Yes?"

"Hello, Sarita." Franco said, grinning from ear to ear. He could imagine her shifting nervously at the sound of his voice.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Sarita." he told her. She may have been a few miles away from him, but he could feel her nervousness through the phone. "I'm so glad you picked up this time instead of your grumpy mom."

He could picture her biting her bottom lip. Another thing he noticed every time she was nervous or anxious.

"Listen, now that everything is okay." he went on. "What about our date? Will you say yes?"

There was a slight pause and he could hear footsteps on her end.

"Umm.." he heard her murmur.

"Please say yes, Sarita," he pleaded. "I need to see you."

"Okay." she whispered.

Franco's heart began to hammer.

"You mean it?" he asked her, perhaps he's misheard her. "Say that one more time, please?"

He heard her giggling on the other line. There isn't a sound as precious as her laugh. Franco was thankful that little giggle was just for him.

"Yes, Franco." she whispered. "I said yes."

Franco felt himself smiling like a fool. She said yes. She finally agreed.

"You just made me a very happy man." he told her. He could practically feel her blushing and he wished he were there to see it. "I was thinking I would pick you up tonight at eight. How's that?"

"No, no.." she told him, nearly shattering his hopes. "How about if I meet you instead?"

Franco sighed in relief and respected her wishes. He put himself in her shoes and realized that picking her up would more than likely cause a stir with her mother. He didn't want Sarita getting into trouble. After telling Sara where they should meet, he hung up the phone and began to count the hours. He couldn't wait to finally see her. And he was going to make sure his time with her would last.

It was finally eight and Franco was at the edge of his seat simply awaiting Sarita's arrival. He was growing anxious, staring at his watch as the minutes began to pass. He sat there in that restaurant, his eyes scanning for any signs of the petite woman he pined for. All he could see were other guests being tended to by patient servers. It was now eight twenty and Franco began to lose hope. Perhaps Sarita was too preoccupied at her home and forgot their date. Saddened by her absence, Franco decided to call it quits and try again another time. He stood up to leave, but froze when she finally appeared. He swore his heart stopped beating and his breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. He never would've imagined how he could be enamored by such a woman, especially by how she looked tonight.

Sarita looked so beautiful. Positively angelic.

What she wore was nothing too extravagant, but modest and delicate just like her. She wore matching dark brown pants and a sheer blouse that slightly went off one shoulder, allowing Franco to admire the impeccable softness of her glowing porcelain skin. Her hair was up in an elegant ponytail giving him a wonderful view of her fragile and slender neck, his lips so desperately craved to tease. He can even tell she applied a small amount of makeup, enhancing more of her natural yet beautiful doll-like face.

She offered him a timid smile, her sultry brown eyes gleaming like two fireflies.

Sarita couldn't imagine just how precious she was to him. He returned her smile as she took tentative steps to his table, her small hands clutching her purse in front her. He was taken out of his reverie and pulled out a chair so she'd sit across from him.

"I thought you were going to stand me up." he confessed to her after taking his seat.

He watched her fiddling nervously with her fingers before meeting his eyes.

"I always keep my promises, Franco." she told him. He couldn't help at how serious she was being. Was something bothering her?

"You look so pretty tonight." he tells her, admiring how her long dark lashes fluttered and how her cheeks would tinge slightly as his eyes continued to take her in. "A little serious though."

She smiled at him, her porcelain cheeks tinting to a delicate pink.

"I'm a little nervous." she admitted to him, blushing even harder as her smile widened radiantly at him. "It's the first time I've ever accepted this kind of invitation."

All Franco could do was smile tenderly at her as he adored her innocence. She's very much different from other women. Sarita was so precious when she was nervous, but he needed her to relax a little more. Even though it was their first date...her first date… he needed her to know that she was in good hands.

"Have you told your sisters?" he asked her.

"No, of course not." she answered, pouting adorably at him while her brows furrowed delicately. "I didn't tell anyone. Since I was against their relationships with Juan and Oscar. I don't have the heart to tell them I was going out with you."

Franco understood her and admired her honesty, but still hoped that she'd relax now that they were finally together.

"Are you feeling better though?" he added, feeling her nerves as she lowered her gaze from his.

"Yes." she told him, biting her bottom lip. "I'm happy my grandfather is okay and with Norma's decision because I think Juan deserves another chance. They were suffering too much-"

She was cut off when Franco grabbed both her hands to soothe her nerves. He stared longingly into her soft brown eyes, noting the loyalty and the love she had for her family. Just staring into those sultry depths, the intensity in them as she spoke about her sisters and other members of her family, Franco realized that Sarita was incredibly selfless. He knew she would go through great lengths for the safety and wellbeing of others, as she did for him that night of Leandro's grand opening. Franco wondered when was the last time Sarita had done something for herself.

"What matters more to me…" he told her, watching as she lightly shivered at the intimate way he gently stroked her fingers. "That you are happy with yourself."

Sara lowered her gaze to her lap, letting forth a soft but sad sigh. Franco gave her hands a comforting squeeze, sensing her discomfort again.

"Sara." he said, hoping she'd look up at him. She did, her long lashes fluttering shyly as another hue of pink crept onto her cheeks. He grinned adoringly at her and mentally scolded himself for never noticing her before.

"I've thought this through and through.." he said to her, holding her gaze and caressing the soft flesh of her small hands. "And I don't understand how I couldn't have noticed you before."

The light in her eyes dimmed wistfully and she took her hands away from his, causing Franco to look curiously at her, rejection paining his heart.

"Because you noticed other women." she dolefully told him, looking down at her hands. "The bar singer, Eduvina Trueba, and who knows how many more…"

Franco sighed. He felt her turn cold across from him as he wondered how many times must he hear of his errors.

"You'll always remind me of my past mistakes, huh?"

She didn't say a thing, but bit her plump bottom lip and kept her eyes down from him.

"Will you ever forgive me?" he asked, his big blue eyes pleading.

Sarita sighed and offered him a nervous smile, her infamous blush creeping on her cheeks.

"You must think I'm a fool, don't you?" she answered. "After all, I know I don't have the right to talk about your life."

Franco warmly returned a smile, and he felt her become more at ease when he reached to take her hands back into his.

"All I know is that I feel good when I'm with you." he admitted to her, his eyes letting her know that his naive mistakes were a thing of the past. He needed to let her know that she was the only woman that will forever matter to him.

His expression started to become more serious when he began to raise her hands up to his lips as he stared intensely into her wistful brown eyes.

"If my brothers had a chance," he said, noting Sarita's eyes glimmering beautifully as she stared into his. "Why shouldn't I?"

He pressed his lips on the tips of her delicate fingers. Sarita shuddered when he began to place chaste, but single kisses on each of them.

"Tell me something.." he whispered, allowing his lips to linger on the velvety fair skin on the back of her right hand. "Will you change your mind about me someday?"

Sara didn't say anything. All she could do was stare at him as he continued to caress her hands with his lips and fingers. Her blush deepened and Franco knew she wasn't used to such intimacy like this.

"Will you look at me in another light, Sara?" he asked before brushing his lips to the tips of her fingers again.

She coyly smiled at him, enamoring Franco even more.

Once Sarita was more relaxed, their date went on splendidly. They ate, drank their wine, and spoke about themselves for the remainder of the dinner. Franco grinned wholeheartedly whenever she would laugh at any nonsense he'd tell her. He'd tell her about his childhood and the silly pranks he, Oscar, and Libia would play on Juan, who'd run after them without mercy. Sarita, in turn, admitted that she had never been as playful as her sisters, but usually would get them in trouble. Franco laughed, picturing a young Sarita running after a child-like Jimena around their mansion. He could even imagine Jimena and Norma teaming up to pick on Sarita, to which Sarita bashfully admitted it's happened many times throughout her childhood and teenage years.

The night was still young and the two left the restaurant hand in hand to a nearby park. Franco squeezed her hand gently as he led her over to where a couple of stone pillars stood.

Although he had Sarita by his side at last, Franco couldn't help but think back to the last time he was as happy as he was now. He started to remember a time when it was just him, his brothers, and sister. The four of them used to live in peace without any type of responsibilities such as the ones he'd had now. Life was simpler and humble. He was happy all the same.

"Sometimes being rich isn't an advantage." he began to say. "You forget to look at the moon and enjoy simple things like this."

"You and your brothers work hard, don't you?" Sarita asked.

"From sunrise to sunset," he answered. "You may have noticed we have many responsibilities."

She nodded, heeding his every word. Franco began to reminisce more on the past and how simple and joyful they were when his parents and Libia were still alive.

"You know what?" he went on. "I think I was happier before. When we lived in that humble neighborhood."

Sara smiled endearingly at him and moved to stand in front of him.

"Would you like to go back there?"

"If I had to, I think I would be okay with it." he admitted, reaching to hold her other hand in his. "I just want to live in peace."

He stared into her eyes, which were staring back at him with such sentiment and warmth. He could lose himself in her soft brown eyes that twinkled so beautifully like two innocent fireflies.

"Happiness is in here." he added, allowing his thumbs to caress her small hands. "Money can't buy that."

"I agree with you." she told him. "Being worried isn't good. It's nice to see that everything goes well and that we should be at peace with ourselves."

She smiled radiantly at him and he grinned back at her, feeling himself growing more and more enamored with her by each passing second.

"Like being with you…" he said to her, taking a step closer to her, nearly closing the gap between them. "Life is so much better."

He brought her hands up to his mouth and held them to his lips as he bore his eyes into hers.

"Life is so much better." he repeated, now lingering on her awaiting lips.

Without another word, Franco bent his head down to hers and captured her lips with his. He felt her sigh softly as his lips gently caressed hers with the slightest pressure, savoring her sweetness and softness.

His hands let go of hers and he allowed them to travel up her arms until they could settle on the nape of her neck. His fingers grazed the delicate soft skin there as his lips deepened their kiss. Much to his pleasure, he could feel Sarita melt into him when he brought his hands to cradle her beautiful face. He moaned at the feel of her daintily small hands traveling up his back to rest on his shoulders.

She heard his moan and pulled away, her lips slightly bruised and her cheeks flustered in that glorious pink hue Franco loved. She couldn't be any more beautiful in that moment.

"I have to go home, Franco…" she whispered, her eyes dazed. "It's getting late-"

In her daze, Sara began to walk away but Franco, so desperate to finally have her close to him, grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. He won't have her escape from him so easily. For the past few days, she'd done nothing more than torture him with her absence. And even denied him the kisses he so desperately wanted to give her.

"Late for what?" he rasped, overwhelmed with need for her. "This is just getting started."

At the warm touch of her hands caressing the sides of his face, Franco brought his own to gather her back into his arms. He found her lips once more, and moaned at the sheer pleasure of having her supple and petite body against his.

His heart was racing and his head was pounding at her tentative touches. She felt so right and so soft, it was as if she was only made for him. He devoured her mouth, reveling in her intoxicating taste and scent as he led them over to one of the stone pillars. He leaned her against it and continued to tease, nip, and kiss her lips, earning a small gasp from her. His hands began to wander, but he kept in mind that he shouldn't do anything else to disrespect or frighten her. Instead, he would cradle the back of her neck and then slide them down to the middle of her back. His fingers gripped the flimsy material of her dark blouse to discourage them from going any further while he continued lavishing her lips with more languorous and passionate kisses.

He could feel himself getting hard, listening to her little moans and gasps when he would detach his lips from hers so they could place several tedious kisses down her frail neck. He felt her tremble and grip his shoulders when he discovered a sensitive spot under the tender flesh of her jaw. He smiled against her skin at this new discovery before traveling up her neck to recapture her lips.

"Sarita…" he moaned, peppering her ravaged lips with chaste kisses, "I don't want to let you go but…"

She shivered slightly when he brought his hands up to cup her blushing cheeks. He placed several but lingering kisses on them, forcing his arousal to soften, reminding himself that he needed to control himself. He silently prayed that she didn't feel him.

"I want to see you again, please." He told her, still allowing his lips to cherish her tinted cheeks.

"Okay." she said dreamily, leaning into his hands as they continued to caress her face. "You will."

Franco stopped his tortuous caresses and looked into her eyes, feeling his heart thump melodiously at the longing embedded in her dreamy gaze. Nothing could ever compare to the beauty he had in his arms. Sarita was perfect. In every way. Those ravaged pouty lips, her button nose and blushing cheeks adorned with delicate freckles, and those expressive brown eyes. It didn't matter to him anymore that she was the temperamental and feral woman who'd attack him in the past. It didn't matter how much they used to hate and fight one another. It didn't matter at all to him, but he would do it all over again. It was all worth it, because in this moment, Sarita was everything he could ever ask for.

He gave her one last kiss before letting her go. In that kiss, he meant his every word. This was only the beginning and he hoped for their romance to last.

Ahem... Had to be a little frisky here. Tehehe! Down, Franco! On to Chapter 31! And it's a lot! Let's cram!