The Ties of the Soul (The Ties Book 1)

Prologue: Vegas

Isabella

Oh my God, why did I let Annabelle talk me into taking a girl's trip to Vegas? This place is packed! I don’t like being in large crowds. I should have just stayed home with Daniel and the kids. Don’t get me wrong, I love my girls Jessica, Marisol, and Annabelle, but they seem to have forgotten that I am married. Not that it matters because I’m not getting what I need from Daniel. Whatever! I might as well drink my woes away and enjoy this trip as it was intended to be.

“Bella! Mami, come here. We’ve got tequila shots,” Jessica exclaims. “Let’s get fvcked up!”

That girl is a wild one but I love her. I’m glad I met her through Annabelle. As I walk toward my girls, a concerned look comes across Annabelle’s face.

“Bells, que paso (what’s wrong),” she asks.

“Oh nada (nothing),” I reply, shaking my head.

I’m lying through my teeth and she knows it.

“Isabella, I am your sister and I know when you’re lying,” she scolds.

Damn! Why does my sister know me so well?

“It’s just…” I sigh. “I’m a little preoccupied. We’ve been here for three days and this trip isn’t quite what I expected.”

Annabelle gives me the big sister look again, which I hate so much.

“Bells, you went through a very traumatic birth two months ago. You need to let loose and enjoy yourself. I know it's been hard on you, which is why I suggested this trip.”

I hate it when she is right. Maya’s birth did take a lot out of me. It damn near killed me and postpartum depression did a number on me as well. Plus, Daniel’s negligence towards me lately hasn’t helped either.

“You know what, you’re right,” I sigh again.

“I know I’m right! Now let’s get this party started!”

Annabelle runs off to the bar to get more tequila shots. Man, I’m going to regret this in the morning.

~ One Hour Later ~

I am finally starting to let myself go. Thanks to Jessica and Annabelle, I probably had about ten or more shots and I feel the tequila kicking in. I take a couple more shots before I decide to rest against the wall while the girls keep drinking. It’s just Annabelle, Jessica, and myself now. Marisol left after taking half of a shot. Bless her heart. She’s such a good and responsible friend. I should’ve left with her but like Annabelle said, it wouldn’t be much of a trip for me to enjoy if I just stay in my room the entire time.

I lean against the wall and I can feel a pair of eyes watching me. I look across the room to see who is staring at me. I can feel the eyes, but I cannot see them. It’s so many people in here. After about two minutes of straining, I give up and go sit down. My feet are starting to hurt from my stilettos, but it does not matter because of the effects of the tequila. As I sit down, I look across the room and I see him. God, he is beautiful. He looks like he may be about five-eight or nine, which is slightly shorter than Daniel. He is standing there with his lovely warm tan skin, his long hair, and his tattoos looking as scrumptious as a slice of New York cheesecake.

I then realize he is the one staring at me. He starts walking towards me when he notices me looking back at him. Oh my god! What am I supposed to do? I haven’t been approached by a man in over eight years! I start slightly panicking. However, despite the panic, I feel calm as he gets closer and closer. There is something about him that I can’t explain. I smile at him out of instinct and he smiles back at me. Damn, he has an amazing smile.

“Hello, beautiful. My name is Mateo and besides being this beautiful, you are,” he says in a strong Spanish accent once he sits down beside me.

I can’t help but blush. I can’t even remember the last time someone called me beautiful! Hell, I can't even remember the last time Daniel called me beautiful.

“Isabella,” I reply shyly.

Why am I acting like a high school nerd that just met the school jock and why am I talking to this man like I am not married? Despite all these thoughts, I can’t stop talking to him and I can’t stop blushing. Something about him feels so familiar, even though we just met. He places his hand on my leg.

As we continue the conversation, I meet eyes with Annabelle. God, this woman is terrible. She is pumping her arm and encouraging me! Did she forget about her brother-in-law back home?! I can't do the unthinkable. As I continue to look at my sister, I hear a calm, suave voice in my ear that immediately catches my attention.

“There’s something that you should know.”

I look at him with confusion but in my confusion, I am very eager to know what I should know.

“Tonight, and tonight only, you will be mine,” he continues.

My heavens! He already has his hand on my leg. I can feel my body getting warm.

“Yes, I will be yours,” I softly whisper.

I feel like I am in a trance because of his words. How can I resist a man like this? I immediately snap back to reality. This is a trick of the alcohol. I stand up and object.

“No, I’m sorry but I can’t do this. I’m married. I’m afraid I can’t be yours; not tonight or ever.”

That shouldn’t hurt his feelings too badly, right? Or so I thought. Instead, he looks at me and smiles, “But are you happy?”

How can he reply like this? No, I’m not happy! I’m miserable but I can never admit it to anyone. After his response, I realize I should not have stood up so fast after drinking those shots. I feel lightheaded and immediately start falling but Mateo catches me. Annabelle rushes over.

“Bells, are you okay?”

She asks so anxiously and with that big sister concern of hers. Before I can answer, Mateo responds for me.

“I think it's time for her to be taken to her room. She’s had a little too much to drink and I think she should rest,” Mateo replies so assertively.

“You are absolutely right kind sir,” Annabelle says.

I give her a glaring look. Annabelle, how can you just let this man – this stranger take me away? After giving him my room number, she winks, nudges my shoulder, and walks away. She is unbelievable!

“Don’t worry my sweet Isa. I will take good care of you while you are mine,” he smiles.

Why is this man so enticing? He lets go of me and asks if I can walk. Of course I can as long as I don’t go too fast. Mateo and Annabelle may be setting me up but one thing is true, I do need to rest. However, I can’t help but wonder, what can he possibly mean when he said he will take good care of me?

———

——

—

Mateo

This place is lit! I never would’ve thought a hotel, casino, nightclub, or whatever this is would have this kind of turnout. Wait, who am I kidding? This is Vegas! Why am I surprised? Time to do my thing and find my woman for the night. After mingling and dancing for a bit, I stand in the corner examining the room like I always do at clubs.

“So, have you found your next victim yet,” Joshua chuckles.

“Have you,” I reply with a chuckle.

We just got here so there’s no way he has already found a lady to take back to our hotel.

“Nah, not yet... but soon I will have someone’s daughter screaming my name tonight!”

We both laugh and he walks off to go get drinks. I love coming out with Joshua but picking up chicks at bars and clubs is getting old. I am craving some stability. Joshua brings back some vodka and we start sipping when my eyes come across the most beautiful woman in the entire world. She looks to be about five-four. She is slim thick and curvy. Her hair is curly and her brown skin is radiating. I can’t take my eyes off her. She is standing with two other women laughing and downing tequila. Despite her laughs and smiles, I can tell she is unhappy and trying to drink her woes away. Joshua notices that someone has caught my eye.

“Ah, so you have found your next victim I see,” he chuckles while nudging my shoulder.

I laugh as well but something inside tells me that she is not like any other woman I have ever taken to bed. I see her looking back at me and I know it is time for me to make my move. I walk slowly towards her. The closer I get, the more she looks stunning. It is poorly lit in the club, but she seems to shine like a star. Who is this woman and why am I so drawn to her? As I approach, she smiles at me. I feel my heart melt. At this point, there is no time to waste. I sit down beside her and introduce myself.

“Hello, beautiful. My name is Mateo and besides being this beautiful, you are?”

She immediately blushes at my question. I’ve just met this woman and she’s already being adorable.

“Isabella,” she replies coyly.

“Well, it has been my pleasure to meet you, Isabella.”

Such a beautiful name for such a beautiful woman. I see her relax more but she continues to blush. Many men must not approach her because it is clear that she is not used to it.

“So do you come here often,” I ask with a soft chuckle.

That is probably the most cliché thing I can ask her. I’m not normally this nervous around a woman but something about her takes me out of my element.

She lets out a laugh and replies, “No, this is my first time here. I actually live in California but I’m here with my sister and friends for a girl's trip.”

Her words are slurred but not too bad that I can’t understand her.

“I live in California too! How crazy is that? I’m from San Diego. What part of the state do you live in,” I ask excitedly.

I place my hand on her leg. Her skin is so smooth. No woman has ever made me feel so giddy and I never take the time to have this much conversation before taking a woman.

“San Francisco,” she replies.

Her voice is so soft and gentle. I then see her meet eyes with one of her friends. Her friend is smiling at her as if she is cheering her on. Now it is time to make my move.

“There’s something that you should know,” I lean forward to gently tell her while rubbing her leg.

She takes her eyes off her friend and immediately looks into mine with a look of confusion.

“Tonight, and tonight only, you will be mine.”

She objects but her initial response is that she can be mine. I heard her soft whisper. She said how she truly feels with that whisper. After catching her from her fall, I put her down and ask if she is okay to walk.

“If you’re not okay to walk, I have no problem carrying you to your room.”

“No, no,” she laughs, “that will not be necessary. I’m fine as long as we don’t go too fast.”

“Oh, precious jewel, I intend on taking my time with you.”

I say it before even realizing it. She looks up at me with eyes full of passion and desire. She then smiles at me. Man, I just want to devour her. Obviously, she wants me as much as I want her.

“Please lead the way, madam. I want to make sure I take care of you but unfortunately, this is not my hotel and I do not know my way around this place.”

She laughs as grabs my hand. We leave the club and walk to the elevator. She presses the button to the fourth floor after we enter it. I squeeze her hand and pull her close to me. She giggles. Surely the alcohol is on my side. Despite her protest of being married, I can tell she is unhappy in her marriage. I can tell she is unhappy just by watching her down that tequila, but tonight, I will make her forget about all her troubles. Tonight, her only focus will be me.