Heaven Sent

by Rochelle Alers

  “Sí, Señorita.”

  Luz Maria arched an eyebrow at her employer’s driver. She had always considered him a strange man, but something unknown communicated that he was also a dangerous man. What it was she had not been able to discern.

  After washing her hands in a large, stainless steel sink Serena dried them, then walked out of the kitchen to the living room. She had forgotten that she’d summoned Leandro. Her reason for calling him had changed quickly since she slept with David. A gentle smile softened her mouth when she thought of their session of passionate lovemaking. That smile was still in place when she entered the living room and saw Leandro rise to his feet.

  Extending both hands, she pressed a kiss to his cheek. “¡Buenas noches! ¿Cómo está, Leandro?”

  “Cansado. I’m more than tired,” he admitted. “I’m exhausted. I don’t think I had a moment to myself from the time the clinic opened this morning. Too many emergencies, including a woman who delivered on my examining table. It was an easy birth, but I would’ve preferred handling the procedure in the hospital.”

  “How was the baby?”

  He smiled a tired smile. “Beautiful. A big boy. A very big boy.”

  “Momma and baby doing well?”

  “Luckily, yes. Enough about my day. How’s our patient doing?”

  “He appears to be healing quickly. He has headaches, but that’s to be expected after a concussion. What’s good is that he’s ambulatory.” She smiled at Leandro. “I will have Luz Maria bring you some refreshments while I check on Señor Cole.”

  Serena retreated to the kitchen to instruct Luz Maria to bring Leandro a cup of tea that would ease his stress, then she went upstairs to see David.

  Leandro’s mention of delivering a baby sounded a warning bell in her head. She had slept with David without benefit of contraception. The realization had come to her only after she woke up in his bed hours after they’d made love. She had mentally calculated when she last had her period, and her apprehension increased. She had picked the most fertile time of her cycle to engage in sexual intercourse.

  Perhaps, she’d prayed, just perhaps, fate would be on her side. Even though Luz Maria had predicted that she and David Cole would have children, she did not want them now.

  Knocking softly on the closed door to David’s bedroom, Serena waited, then knocked again. There was no sound of movement behind the closed door. She turned the knob, eased open the door and walked in. Her gaze went to the bed where they’d made love. The twisted sheets were blatant testimony of their passionate encounter.

  She walked across the bedroom and toward the adjoining bath, smiling as she considered how quickly her feelings had changed since sharing her body with David Cole. She was certain she wasn’t as sexually experienced as David, and of the few men she had slept with none had aroused her to the level of carnality that he had—not even when she’d thought herself in love with Xavier.

  Luz Maria’s prediction replayed in her mind: He will offer you a life filled with things most women only dream about. And she was right. She’d always wanted a satisfying sexual experience with a man. She wanted to be able to lose herself in the man and in the moment without guilt or shame. She always wanted, from the first time she offered her body to a man, to be able to tell him what pleased her and what did not please her. Even though she hadn’t verbalized her desires to David, she was certain now that he was worldly enough to accommodate her sexual entreaties without intimidation.

  She found David leaning with his back against the shower stall for support while he slowly and methodically dried his body with a thick, thirsty bath sheet.

  “Do you need a little assistance?”

  His head snapped up at the same time a slow, sexy smile displayed the attractive dimples on his lean cheeks. He hadn’t heard Serena come into the bathroom. His gaze lingered on her lush mouth as she moved closer. Her hair, pulled off her face, was pinned in a tight chignon on the nape of her neck, allowing him to view her unobscured features. She had exchanged her dress for a pair of jeans and a blue and white striped cotton camp shirt. The denim fabric hugged her compact body, displaying the indentation of her narrow waist and the womanly flare of her rounded hips.

  It was as if he were seeing her for the first time. Her exotic beauty was breathtaking, and he loved listening to her smokey voice. Everything about her evoked music. A bluesy Latin-jazz composition with a subtle, English/Spanish voice-over chorus.

  He’d tried analyzing what it was about Serena Morris that made him crave her; why did he feel the urge to write music again, and why had he taken her to his bed when he hadn’t known her a week? He’d rationalized it was gratitude, but knew that gratitude usually would not elicit the urge to marry.

  He had more than ten days before he concluded his stay in Costa Rica, and he planned that Serena would agree to leave with him when he left for the States. They would fly back to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he would enlist the aid of his family to intervene on her brother’s behalf and introduce her to his family as his future wife.

  Dropping the towel on the floor, he moved over to a stool and sat down; he selected underwear, a T-shirt, and a pair of shorts from the stack of clothes on a table near the stool. “I think I have everything under control.”

  Serena realized that he was in control. He was now able to wash and dress himself without her help, and she had no doubt that all David had to do was wait for her father to return from San José before he concluded his business dealings in Costa Rica.

  She did not know why, but she did not look forward to his leaving even though she knew he was emphatic about dissolving his family’s holdings. Maybe, just maybe, she prayed, something would prevent him from leaving as planned. She hadn’t had her fill of him—not yet.

  “Dr. Rivera is here to examine you.”

  David gave her a lingering stare; vertical lines appeared between his eyes. “Where is he?”

  “Downstairs. Why?”

  “I don’t want to compromise your reputation. There is noticeable proof that I wasn’t the only one sleeping in my bed. The smell of your perfume is all over the linen, along with other telltale signs that we did more than take siesta together.”

  “Of course,” she whispered, feeling the rising heat flare in her face and chest when she remembered what they’d offered each other only hours before.

  She had slipped out of his bed while he slept, retreating to her own bathroom, where she washed away the scent of his body and their lovemaking. She returned and found him still asleep, and loathed waking him to change the bed. She felt no shame about sleeping with him, but she did not want to openly advertise their liaison.

  “I’ll help you down the staircase,” she offered, walking over and picking up his cane.

  Curving an arm around his waist, she led him slowly out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Both glanced at the rumpled bedclothes, then at each other. They shared the kind of secret smile usually reserved for lovers only before continuing out to the hallway.

  David pushed off the first step, holding the wrought-iron banister tightly and making certain not to put too much pressure on his right foot as he switched the cane to his left hand. Soon he was able to coordinate his movements so that he was able to navigate the stairs unaided. At least he knew he would not require Serena’s help if he wanted to leave the boundaries of his bedroom.

  The beauty and splendor of La Montaña lay before him as he made his way down the curving staircase to the living room. Thick, pale plaster walls provided the perfect backdrop for terra-cotta floors and heavy mahogany furniture in distinctively Spanish style tables and chairs. His gaze lingered on a massive concert piano and several guitar cases resting along a wall in a far corner of the room. Serena had mentioned that she played piano, and he wondered if she also played the guitar.

  Leandro Rivera placed a fragile china cup and saucer on a side table and rose to his feet. A wide grin wiped away all traces of fatigue as he visually examined his patient. Da
vid Cole’s recovery was remarkable.

  Only a slight swelling was noticeable over his left eye, while the angry, purple bruise had faded to a shadowy yellow-green. The swelling had diminished in his right foot although he leaned heavily on the cane for additional support. He stared at Serena as she settled David on a straight-back chair. His gaze lingered on her until she walked out of the room, leaving the two of them alone.

  “¿Cómo está, Señor Cole?”

  “Very well, Dr. Rivera.”

  Leandro picked up his black bag and walked over to David. A noticeable silence filled the room as he checked David’s eyes, respiration, and blood pressure. His forefinger traced the healing scar.

  “How’s the pain?” he questioned, putting away his stethoscope.

  “I’m coping.”

  Leandro shifted an eyebrow. “I can always prescribe something if it becomes unbearable.”

  David’s gaze lingered on Leandro’s features. The slight puffiness under his slanting eyes marred his youthful appearance, indicating he hadn’t had much sleep.

  “I’d rather not take any painkillers.”

  “What I’ll give you is not addictive if you follow the prescribed dosage.”

  “I’m not concerned about becoming addicted. I’ve always made it a practice not to take any drugs.”

  He’d seen drugs destroy the lives of more musicians than he cared to enumerate. Some began taking pills to help them sleep before progressing on to pills to help them wake up. Then there were the recreational drugs—the ones that took away the anxiety so that the fear of performing before a live audience vanished along with inhibitions. Because of the flagrant use of drugs among musicians, the members of Night Mood had taken an oath that any drug abuse was tantamount to expulsion from the band. Not even a single offense was tolerated.

  “It’s up to you, Señor Cole. But if you change your mind let me know.”

  “I’d like you to let me know how much I owe you for your services.”

  Leandro secured the lock on his bag with a loud snap. “That has been taken care of.”

  “By whom?”

  “El señor Cordero-Vega.”

  A shadow of annoyance crossed David’s face. He did not want to owe Raul Vega. “How much did he pay you?”

  “That I cannot tell you. It is privileged information.”

  David’s temper exploded. “Like hell it is! I’m your patient, not el señor Cordero-Vega. Give him back his money. I’ll pay for my own medical expenses.”

  Leandro could not understand what had angered the American. Most people would be more than pleased to know that someone had graciously paid their medical bills. Since he’d opened his clinic some of his patients were unable to pay the fees he charged, and had taken to paying them out over several months, while the brash Americano openly insulted Minister Cordero-Vega’s selfless generosity.

  Grasping his bag tightly, he inclined his head. “There is no need for me to come to see you again unless you request it. Good night, Señor Cole.”

  David sat rigidly, watching Dr. Leandro Rivera’s ramrod-straight back as he crossed the living room, opened the door, and stalked out of the house. He was still in the same position when Serena returned.

  Glancing around the room, she said, “Where is Dr. Rivera?”

  “He left.”

  “Without saying goodbye?”

  “He said good night.”

  Folding her hands on her hips, she glared at David. “What did you say to him?”

  Closing his eyes and resting his head against the back of the chair, he compressed his lips. “Nothing.”

  “David!”

  He opened his eyes and met Serena’s angry expression with one of his own. “All I did was ask him for a bill.”

  She tapped her foot impatiently. “And—”

  “And he told me that your father had paid him.”

  “So? What’s the big deal?”

  “The big deal is that I want nothing from your father,” he hissed between clenched teeth. “Nada.”

  Her mind reeling in confusion, Serena moved over to the sofa, sat down, and stared at David. There was no mistaking his hostility.

  “What’s this all about, because it can’t be about money.”

  He shook his head. He could not tell her of the enmity between him and her father. He did not want her to choose between them, because he was certain he would come up the loser.

  “You’re right. It’s not about money. Your father and I have never seen eye-to-eye where it concerns business and…” His words trailed off. He would not tell her that they despised each other.

  Studying his impassive expression, she recognized a trait in the man she’d just slept with that was so apparent in her father. They were more alike than dissimilar. “You don’t see eye-to-eye because you both want control. It’s about power, David.” She waved a slender hand. “You men and your asinine machismo. When will it ever stop?”

  “Don’t blame me, Serena.”

  “I’m not blaming you. My father is not exempt. Both of you are stubborn and hardheaded.”

  He managed a half-smile. “Don’t forget patient.” She snorted delicately under her breath while cursing him. “Did you say something, my love?”

  “I’m not your love,” she retorted, sticking her tongue out at him. Why was it that she couldn’t remain angry with him?

  “Are you offering me your tongue again, Darling?” he asked, his drawling cadence verifying that he was a product of the American south.

  “You’re disgusting.”

  “I’m honest, Serena.” Picking up his cane, he pushed to his feet. Limping over to the sofa, he sat down beside her. Leaning closer, he studied her steady gaze. “I want you. Not just your body, but all of you.”

  Her eyes widened, while she searched his battered face for a sign of deceit. “You want more than I can offer you.”

  His lids lowered over his near-black eyes. “Are you saying that you can’t love me?”

  “I tried loving once and it didn’t work.”

  “I’m not your ex-husband,” David countered.

  “That you aren’t.”

  “Should I take that as a compliment?”

  “Take it any way you want. I can’t give you what I don’t have.”

  They stared at each other, neither speaking, until they realized they were not alone. Serena turned and found Rodrigo staring at her and David as they sat on the sofa with less than a foot between them.

  “Sí?” she asked sharply, finding her voice.

  “Your father called while you were taking siesta,” he said with a knowing grin on his face. He was aware that when her parents called she had slept not in her own bedroom, but in that of the Americano. “He and your mother will be flying back tomorrow morning. I will pick them up at the airport at eleven-thirty.”

  “Thank you, Rodrigo.”

  “¡De nada! Señorita Vega.”

  Serena waited until Rodrigo left the room before she threw her arms around David’s neck. “It worked! It had to, or else they wouldn’t be coming back so soon.”

  Pulling back, he stared at the excitement shining from the depths of her brilliant eyes. “What worked?”

  “My brother’s coming home.”

  Her joy overrode her realization that Rodrigo should have given her the message from her parents when he announced Dr. Rivera’s arrival. Her happiness was boundless as she permitted David to share the moment as he held her to his heart.

  Chapter 17

  David relished the warmth of Serena’s body and her spontaneity. He wanted her again, but needed nourishment first.

  “Can you give me the number for the nearest take-out restaurant?” he whispered close to her ear.

  Pulling back, she stared up at him. “Luz Maria Hernando’s food is better than that of any take-out restaurant in the world.” A smile ruffled her mouth. “I take it that you’re hungry, Sport?”

  “Starved.”

  “You should be. Y
ou sent your lunch back.”

  “I wasn’t hungry.”

  “It wasn’t that at all. You sent it back because you were pouting.”

  He managed to look insulted. “I don’t pout.”

  “You don’t realize you do. When you don’t get your way you affect an expression that looks very much like a pout to me.”

  He gave her a pained expression. “Why are you torturing me, mi alma? You know that I’m weak and in pain.”

  “You weren’t so weak during siesta,” she teased with a winning smile.

  Shrugging his broad shoulders, he waved a hand. “That was different.”

  Rising to her feet, she crossed her arms under her breasts. “How different?”

  He stood up, towering above her. His mood changed and his expression sobered. “That was different because I wanted you so much. And I’ll want you even as the breath leaves my body for the last time.”

  Her pulse quickened, sending a shiver of chills over her flesh. She did not know why, but she felt a wave of fear settle in her chest. David’s words echoed Xavier’s. Her ex-husband had stated that he loved her so much that he did not want to live without her, and in the end his obsessive behavior was responsible for destroying their marriage.

  “Don’t want me that much, David.”

  “Don’t tell me what to want or feel.”

  Serena knew he was spoiling for a confrontation, but refused to rise to his bait. The knowledge that her brother was coming home soothed her quick temper.

  “Either you can stay here and mouth off, or come and eat.”

  David clenched his teeth and cursed himself as soon as he did. A wave of pain radiated up the left side of his face. Serena might not share Raul Vega’s genes, but she had acquired his quick, biting tongue that stung as sharply as any whip.

  “You like your men submissive and I like mis mujeres docile.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “I’m not your woman.”

  “Yes, you are,” he stated confidently. “You just haven’t accepted it yet.” She spun around on her heel, leaving him to follow.