A/N: Couldn't decide on the title for this chapter; it comes from the song Halo by Beyonce Knowles. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know how you liked it, :)

May 12,2014: fixed typo: "she dropped her head (not hand) against his shoulder. " Thanks Lifeisaticket for alerting me :)

In the Light of Your Halo

Darn it! She pressed the snooze the button on her alarm button and realized with dismay that it was a little after 7:30 am.

It had not occurred to her that she would actually sleep in today of all days. She had counted on her subconscious mind alerting her of the fact that she was in a foreign land, sleeping on a strange bed faraway from home.

Surely she would have realized the unfamiliar surroundings as soon as she had hit the snooze button on the alarm clock radio by her nightstand the first time…wouldn't she?

Yet it wasn't until she had hit the snooze button a third time that her internal radar alerted her to something amiss.

She sniffed the air.

Bacon. Onions…and some other spices she couldn't quite name this early in the day.

Whatever it was, someone was cooking…with onions.

And she hated onions.

Sprinting to her feet sooner than she normally would, she let out a curse …as she realized with a start that the entire Almeida family must be up and about, if there were anything like Tony.

Just her luck… this was no doubt a family of early risers (even on weekends?).

And onion lovers (she shuddered).

And she, Michelle Dessler (not exactly a bright eyed and bushy tailed sort of person this early in the morning) was a guest in their home.

If only she had resisted the urge stay up late the night before, reading. But it had been a good read, one of those books that you simply can't just put down …

Her eyes scanned the spacious room for her bag with her things which was sitting on a chair rolled up to a desk tucked in a corner.

What to wear became paramount.

She briefly considered wearing the rayon fabric dress which hung in the walk in closet the size of most people's bathrooms (she had hung a few clothing items before she had turned in the night before), but then decided she would wear the dress for dinner time instead.

In the end, she settled on a blue tank top and her best pair of jeans which complimented every curve of her body then, she selected a pair of heeled spaghetti strap sandals which made her feet look elegant and sexy.

She tied her hair back in a bun and let a few loose curls frame her face.

She nodded her approval at her reflection in the full length wooden mirror conveniently placed inside the walk in closet.

And she thought of Tony.

Last night he had said goodnight to her with a chaste brush of his lips, with his parents and Maria hovering in the background.

As their guest, Michelle would have the honor of sleeping in the guest room, as Dolores Almeida had gladly informed her.

She had barely said goodnight to Tony, when she had found herself being escorted to her quarters by gracious Maria.

"This is for you," Maria muttered placing clean towels and toiletries on the counter of the twin sink vanity in the bathroom adjacent to the guest room.

Michelle had looked around her in awe. Undoubtedly, the guest quarters had been remodeled to modern design standards that maximized comfort, space and aesthetics which intentionally serve as a stark contrast to the rest of the hacienda's colonial vintage decor.

The ultra spacious bathroom was simply beyond stunning. It was equipped with a luxurious Jacuzzi tub gave the room a spa like ambience complete with stylish upscale amenities that seemed to belong to remodeling magazines.

Presently, she stepped out of the room to be greeted by fresh air and the aroma of food being prepared. She squinted, her eyes utterly unaccustomed to the natural light flowing through the middle of the open courtyard.

Tony had spent the night tossing and turning in his old childhood bed, knowing that Michelle was just a few doors away.

Still, in spite of his lack of sleep, he was up and about at the crack of dawn. It was barely past 7:30 am when he finally ventured out of his room after showering and dressing in jeans and a t-shirt.

He raked his finger through his hair and kneaded the muscles on the back of his neck, casting a glance to the heavens.

He had considered waking up Michelle, but then decided he would wait a little longer.

The aroma of Maria's fine cooking filled the air, so he was not surprised by her sudden appearance.

"El desayuno casi esta listo," (breakfast is almost ready). Maria said almost in one breath followed by the standard Buenos dias greeting.

"Buenos dias, Maria." Tony smiled warmly. "Donde estan todos?" (Where's everybody?).

"Hola, Tony," Lilia stepped into view wearing a tank top and a pair of leather pants that accentuated every curve of her body. "Your parents are in their rooms." She said in English, clearly intending to leave Maria out of the loop. "I've been in the study, thought I would join you all for breakfast."

Maria discreetly retreated.

Tony and Lilia locked eyes.

"I think I will get Michelle…" he said after a long time.

"Can we talk? It will just be a minute."

Tony heaved a heavy sigh and pursed his lips. "There's nothing for us to talk about." He stated adamantly with a sneer.

"Please… There's something I never told you…and that you need to know…"

Every instinct in his body told him not to; yet he found himself wordlessly following her into the open study room with a large open archway a few feet away. Damn her! She had started walking away from him, knowing full well that he would follow unable to contain his curiosity.

How long had it been since they had last seen each other? he tried to come up with a number. Seven years at least. Even longer than that since they had been together.

Michelle felt the warm rays of sunshine greeting her as she walked through the middle of the courtyard directly towards the water fountain.

The hushed voices were just around the bend, she sensed.

She walked toward the voices, her heels marking the way through the terracotta floors.

His voice guiding her.

"No quiero hablar mas de esto ...!" (don't want to talk about this anymore), she heard Tony's voice say in no uncertain terms.

The tension in the air was utterly palpable as soon as she peered through the open arch way doorway.

Even though she couldn't quite make out the words as the Spanish she took in high school was seriously lacking any practical use in the context of a real live conversation, she immediately recognized his voice as having taken a sharp edginess whenever he spoke to Lilia.

Moreover, the expression on Tony's face; the tight jaw, fixed chin and wary eyes spoke volumes of how he felt about Lilia.

He crossed the room to stand by Michelle's side, his eyes softened when his eyes met hers.

"Tony tells me that you two work together in Los Angeles..." Lilia directed her comment at Michelle, attempting to sound casual.

The three of them strode towards the water fountain.

There was some small talk where Michelle and Lilia exchanged a few niceties such as the weather and other things people say when getting to know someone.

"So where in Canada did you live?" Michelle politely asked. "Never been there, I'm afraid."

"I lived in St. Albert a small city in Alberta. Most street signs are in English and French. It's a huge center for the arts."

Michelle smiled. "Ah. Interesting…how did you like it there?"

"I loved it. Beautiful place. But I got divorced and decided to come back home a year ago." Lilia smiled, casting Tony a long glance.

"How was your drive down here?" she asked turning to Michelle and continued speaking without waiting for an answer. "I've been to Los Angeles a few times myself," she commented with a poignancy that did not go unnoticed by Michelle. "I know, the traffic is really horrible…"

"At least everyone there stays in their own lane." Tony retorted.

Maria came back to announce that breakfast was ready. "Mr. and Mrs. Almeida are waiting in the dining room." She spoke in English using a formal tone which Michelle sensed was entirely for her benefit.

"Why don't you go ahead, I forgot something in my room," Michelle said gazing at Tony.

"I'll go with you," Tony quickly offered and followed her to her room.

He closed the door behind them, relieved to be able to shut out the rest of the world if only for a little while.

She immediately headed for the bathroom and checked her makeup in the mirror, leaving the door wide open. Then, she applied a whiff of perfume behind her ears.

Although she definitely wanted to know more about what had happened between Tony and Lilia, she had the presence of mind that the timing was not right. In a few minutes they were to have breakfast with Tony's family. She needed to wait for a little quiet time together so they could have a proper conversation.

He came up behind her and slid his hands around her waist. Her body relaxed. She rested her hands on his and dropped her head against his shoulder.

Their eyes locked through the mirror.

Catching sight of a predatory look dancing in those dark eyes of his send her heart racing and made her feel as though she was floating away on cloud nine.

She's so beautiful, he thought. The glow of morning light filtering through the windows bathe her skin and made her hair come alive infusing its color with warmth and depth.

How could he ever deserve a woman like this?

Then, he kissed the nape of her neck sending erotic little messages throughout every nerve ending of her body.

She turned around and their lips met in a slow seductive dance.

Expecting a gentle kiss, she was surprised by the sensual press of his mouth, searching and tantalizing. An uncontrollable moan of pleasure murmured deep in her throat. She reached and cupped the back of his head with her hand.

He slowly pulled away his eyes revealing a dark and relentless carnal desire; his gaze drifted over her mouth, her chin, her neck.

His lips then claimed hers again with a hungry kiss.

She groaned while her fingers freed the buttons of his shirt and then opened it.

At this point, she was more than willing to forgo any notions of chastity vows…

She wanted him NOW!

She made a sweet noise, a soft kittenish purr as his fingers brushed her breast…when all along she had wanted to scream, take me now, dammit!

Meeting his lips again, the tip of her tongue teasing and inviting.

Then, he slipped his hand inside her t-shirt past her bra to find her nipple…his thumb and forefinger gently teasing.

All he could think about was this throbbing need to feel her womanhood. In all the time since they'd been together he'd come so close so many times yet he had somehow stopped himself just in time before he'd reached that elusive point of no return. It never ceased to amaze him how he'd managed to accomplish this…how somehow he'd won the battle for self control each time despite how strongly his own heart had pounded in his ears…how somehow he'd turned deaf ears to that voice deep within urging him to put an end to this self torture and finally make her his in body and soul.

His hand slid down to the buttons of her jeans and pulled at them in a single motion, all thoughts of chastity vows out the window.

Her hand dropped to his wrist, stopping him.

He glanced up at her.

He had not expected that.

"Tony…there's…" someone at the door. She finished the thought in her head as just then they heard a knock on the bedroom door.

"Senorita, breakfast ready." Maria's voice came through the door sporting melodic Spanish undertones.

He let out a deep sigh of irritation. Of course, the timing had been all wrong. He shook his head, chastising himself.

Michelle bit her lower lip. "Yes, yes, thank you." She replied loud enough for Maria to hear. Then, giving Tony a timid look, she proceeded to button up her jeans and straighten her clothing.

Tony stepped back and scratched the side of his face. "Saved by the bell…"he muttered, his voice barely audible.

A/N: I know, I know…we will find out what Lilia had to tell Tony very soon!

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