“I was hoping that you would say something like that,” Chloe admits.
She leans over and gives Raul a deep kiss, tasting the garlic and spices from their dinner. He pulls back first and pecks her forehead. Chloe smiles to herself and picks up the food that Raul made just for her.
They finish their meal in silence, with stolen looks and smiles. Chloe is barely aware of all the other happy people around them as she finishes her meal. Raul seems to be of the same mindset because he is continuously looking up from his container to Chloe’s eyes.
Chloe looks away, embarrassed by the constant attention and spots a soccer game taking place between a few people. Chloe notices Raul stand up and smile down at her.
“You want to join them?” Raul asks.
“I can’t play soccer,” Chloe admits.
“First off, it is fútbol, not soccer. And second, it doesn’t matter. It is just game to have fun with.”
Raul pulls Chloe to her feet and they head over to the game. Raul talks to them and soon the couple is involved with the game. Chloe is terrible, but everyone is having fun and laughing. Chloe finds herself getting the hang of the game and soon is even scoring a couple points. Every time Raul comes over, picks her up, and swings her in a circle.
The game ends as the sky grows black and people leave the beach. Raul and Chloe pack up their things and slowly walk down the beach.
“I thought you didn't play,” Raul mocks.
“I suppose Brazil brings out a new side in me,” Chloe admits.
“Well, I like this new side. She is wonderful.”
Raul wraps his arm over Chloe's shoulder and holds her all the way to the parking lot where a black SUV is parked. Chloe stops and looks up at Raul. He has a smile stretching across his face as he opens the passenger door for her to get in. She does, noticing how excited Raul is that she is with him.
Chloe watches as Raul puts their things in the backseat of the SUV and runs to get in the driver’s seat. He starts the car and some pop music plays through the vehicle. Chloe finds herself bobbing her head along to the music while Raul pulls onto the road.
“I am happy we had a chance to talk today,” Chloe admits.
“I am too, but I am sorry that there was an article. I know that made you uncomfortable, and I want to apologize,” Raul says.
Chloe feels his sincerity and lets her hand wander over to his on the gear shift. Raul looks over at Chloe, and his smile grows even larger, if at all possible.
“Who would have thought that I could actually be having a good time with an asshole who tried to hit on me on the beach?” Chloe wonders.
“And who would have thought the girl I hit on would lead me to be mugged at the metro?” Raul retorts.
The couple breaks into laughter as they draw closer and closer to the Village. Chloe doesn't want the night to end, but she has to get enough sleep so she can deal with her parents in two days.
“So, my parents are flying in soon,” Chloe tries.
“That is perfect. They will be here to cheer you on,” Raul glows.
“Yes, well, I will probably be busy with them, but I promise to make time with you. Dad probably won't like the fact we are seeing each other, but that is another matter.”
“It's fine, just as long as you are happy and get to spend time with your parents. I would love for mine to still be here to see me compete, so have fun.”
Chloe leans over and kisses Raul on the cheek, keeping her hand in his. She turns to look out her window, the world passing by while she lives in the moment with an amazing guy who she may be falling in love with.
Chapter Fifteen
Chloe pays for her cab and jumps out, looking around for the proper entrance to go through to find her family. Airports are so difficult for her, especially when everything is in Portuguese. She finally takes a deep breath and ventures through the doors to the right and tries to find where the customs people are funneling out of.
She finds them and then tries to find an empty bench, but with none in sight she leans her back against one of the pillars in the area. Chloe takes out her phone and looks through her Twitter feed. She laughs at current trending topics. It is amazing what will get people talking.
The phone beeps with a text from Raul. Chloe opens it to first see a kissing face followed by a message telling her to have fun with her parents for the day. Chloe sends a kissing face back with a winking one. Raul is really making her heart flutter, and it is a feeling she has never experienced before him.
“Chloe,” a female voice calls from across the lobby.
Chloe looks up to see her small, plump mother pushing through the crowd and toward her. She has on the classic pink polo shirt and blue jean skort, just her trying to be casual.
“Mom,” Chloe calls out.
They embrace together while Chloe’s father tries to push himself through the crowd and toward them. His face is turning red from the heat of people around him and the struggle he is facing. Chloe and her mother watch on, laughing when Chloe’s father runs into a very small woman and is apologizing. Finally, he is able to break through to them.
“Angel,” he says.
Chloe hugs her father and takes hold of the giant purple suitcase her mother, no doubt, packed for the trip.
“How was the trip?” Chloe asks.
The small group makes their way out of the airport and toward the line of waiting cabs. Chloe hails one down and helps load her family and their belongings inside.
“It was long, and this is the last time I am traveling out of the US,” Chloe’s father grumbles.
“You said that last time,” Chloe’s mother argues.
“And every time I hope the next will be better. It never fails that my judgment at the time is then wrong.”
Chloe rolls her eyes at her parents and gets in the front seat, telling the driver which hotel to go to. Chloe had them book one on Copacabana Beach so that they wouldn’t have to travel all over Rio like her. No need for her father to complain about that, too.
“So, how is your final bit of training going? Any male distractions that I should be worried about?” Chloe’s father questions from the back seat.
“Raul is not a distraction. He is a wonderful surprise,” Chloe responds.
“You need to be focusing on your race and not on a guy. Especially a guy from another country. He could be trying to make you lose.”
“Dad, Brazil doesn’t have anyone racing against me.”
“Would you two please just let it all go for now? You can argue to your hearts content later, maybe after we are all back home?”
Chloe and her father agree with her mother. Now is not the time to be practically yelling at each other, and definitely not with an audience of the cab driver. Chloe stares out her window, watching Rio pass by. Her parents are murmuring in the back about the trip, and Chloe is throwing in a few noises here and there.
“Chloe, are you listening?” Chloe’s mother asks.
“Not really,” she admits.
“I was asking if you want to invite Paul to dinner tonight.”
“Who is Paul?”
Chloe turns around in her seat and looks at her parents. They are giving her the look she has gotten many times over the years for not paying attention, but now it is paired with disbelief.
“Your boyfriend,” her mother chimes.
“You mean Raul,” Chloe corrects.
“Yes, him. Now, invite him to dinner tonight. I want to meet this mystery man who is attempting to steal your heart.”
“He may have already stolen it, Mom,” Chloe muses.
There is a massive amount of coughing coming from Chloe’s father, making his face turn red again. Chloe’s mother is practically bouncing in her seat and smiling wildly at her daughter. Chloe turns back around, truly ignoring both her parents and their mixed reactions.
The hotel looms ahead of the cab, saving Chloe from the noises coming from the back seat. The cab is stopped in front of the hotel lobb
y, and Chloe asks him to wait for her.
“Remember, bring that boy to dinner tonight,” Chloe’s father demands.
“Where?”
“How about here? We can make the reservations now. I will text you later.”
“Perfect.”
Chloe says goodbye to her parents and watches them enter the hotel. The stress from just picking them up is now gaining in strength. If only Chloe did not have to bring Raul to the roasting of his life that night. But, it would be worse if he didn’t come.
She climbs into the back of the cab and tells him to head to the Village. Chloe pulls out her phone and sends Raul a text telling him that he is going out with her and her parents that night. He has the audacity to send back that he is beyond excited to meet her parents.
Chloe tries her best not to slam her head against the window to give herself a concussion. Then again, a hospital trip wouldn’t stop her parents anyway.
Chapter Sixteen
It is at this point in her life that Chloe wishes that she could just disappear into the ether around her. No one would probably notice since everyone is staring at each other. Raul put on a really nice button down that Chloe instinctually wants to remove from his person immediately to get to the abs beneath.
“So, Raul,” Chloe's father starts.
“Yes?”
“How long have you lived in Rio?”
“Since the day I was born.”
Chloe shovels her steak into her mouth, ignoring the look she is getting from her mother for being a pig. The night is going to end soon, and Chloe wants to get her fill before hightailing out of the hotel restaurant with Raul.
“That must have been an intriguing upbringing,” Chloe's mother muses.
“It was difficult, somewhat like what growing up in the bad part of Los Angeles is like. I lucked out and found swimming, so I didn't have a chance to turn out like my brother.”
“So, Raul,” Chloe's father starts again.
Chloe tries not to bang her head on the table at her father’s terrible conversation. An infant could have a better run at this than he is right now. Chloe reaches under the table and rubs Raul’s leg, letting him silently know she is ready to run with him.
“Do you plan on having a relationship with my daughter? Or are you actually using her for sex?”
Chloe spits out her red wine, mouth choosing to remain open afterward. Her mother has much the same look directed at her husband. Amazingly, Raul seems unfazed about the whole thing. That is just as alarming.
“Your daughter is more than just a warm body. She is an amazing woman who chose to deal with my own problems and chose to let me deal with hers. Is it really difficult for you to believe that your daughter could steal the heart of a man who is her intellectual equal? Are you that narrow minded?”
That would have been another wine spitting moment if Chloe wasn't too stunned to move. Chloe prepares herself to leave the dinner, pushing Raul in front to get away from her family.
“I approve,” Chloe's father announces.
“Your approval would not have mattered to me, only the thoughts of Chloe matter in this situation. I do respect your thoughts and interrogation.”
The whole table remains silent while everyone grates their knife against the plates to cut the steak. Chloe looks up often to make sure her father and Raul do not actually begin a brawl.
“I read that you have done well in your races. Congratulations,” Chloe's mother muses.
“Thank you. The last one was all due to my team,” Raul says humbly.
“That isn't true. As the anchor you pulled it out at the end. Japan would have had it if you hadn't been there,” Chloe chides.
“I saw that race. It really was impressive, son,” Chloe's father chimes.
Chloe feels herself relax as Raul and her father fall into easy conversation about all the swimming races so far. Her mother joins in with her own rapport on the races. Chloe just watches in amazement as she finishes off her steak. She did not expect the night to go so well.
Dinner plates are taken away and a small cake is put in front of them all. Chloe digs into her cake, watching as the table laughs. No one notices that Chloe is no longer participating in any conversation, she is just sitting there with her cake.
“Chloe, I am so happy you got robbed,” her mother laughs.
“Well, besides being held at gunpoint, I am happy I got robbed, too,” Chloe smiles.
Her eyes meet with Raul, and she feels the same sentiment emitting from him. That night made her want to give the asshole he was then a chance. People don't change, but first impressions can make or break a person, and they usually don't get a second chance.
“I am happy you could protect my little angel,” Chloe's father declares.
“She was doing great protecting herself. I was just her backup,” Raul says in pride.
Chloe feels her cheeks heat up in embarrassment and her smile grow too big for her face. A guy, unfortunately, has never said something as sweet as that to her before, complimenting her ability to take down an attacker and protect herself.
The dinner and dessert ends with everyone laughing and Chloe's father charging it all to his room. Chloe has a feeling it was a really expensive dinner, but it will totally be worth it.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Raul,” Chloe's mother glows.
“I was happy to know my daughter finally picked a great guy,” her father chuckles.
“You had a lot of faith in me, didn't you dad?” Chloe breathes under her breath.
“Thank you for the meal tonight. I plan to buy our next one together as a group,” Raul declares.
Chloe is stunned. Raul actually wants to do another one of these. She barely pays attention to the goodbyes and getting into the cab. Raul is staring at her, waiting for something.
“What would possess you to want to have another dinner with my parents? Did that fancy wine go to your head?”
Raul laughs at Chloe, making her a little angry.
“There's that tongue. Where did it go tonight?”
“Out the open window with my mind when you blew my parents away with your outdated charm.”
“It is not outdated. Besides, I was a complete gentleman who your father approves of. We have plans to golf while he is here.”
“When did you make those plans?”
“While you were zoned out just three minutes ago,” Raul holds back his laugh.
Chloe rolls her eyes and lays her head on Raul’s shoulder. He could very well be a man she falls in love with if she doesn't pay attention.
Chapter Seventeen
The chlorine smell overwhelms Chloe's sense as she slices through the water, beating the tired Raul. Chloe smiles in the water at the man trying to race her and failing miserably.
Chloe switches to a more relaxed stroke and gives Raul a chance to catch up to her. There is only about a full pool round left before Chloe reaches her finish mark, and she is going to enjoy listening to the labored breathing of Raul.
The meters go by fast, and Chloe finishes her practice, looking back at the exhausted Raul coming up next. Chloe smiles at him as he makes it to the pool edge.
“You are truly spectacular,” Raul concedes.
“I told you not to race me. I told you that you would lose. Did you listen? Nope.”
Chloe pulls herself from the pool and helps Raul out, too. He winces when he lifts his arms over his head and shakes them out. Chloe does some stretching herself while she walks over to her bag. Chloe throws a towel at Raul and uses another to dry herself off.
Once the swimming caps come off, Chloe starts to relax again. Her sore muscles are ready to go the day after. She imagines her victory over Natalie and everything feels right in the world.
“What are you thinking about?” Raul asks.
Chloe turns around and sees Raul pulling off his own cap and goggles, his hair mussed from both. Raul smiles at Chloe, making her heart beat quickly in her chest.
“Ho
w I am going to take a medal home to Minnesota,” Chloe gloats.
“You aren't thinking of how glorious I look right now?”
“Well that is something to smile about, too,” Chloe admits.
Raul reaches out for Chloe, and she walks over to him. It is comfortable in his arms, but after wearing her constricting suit for nearly three hours she is ready to change into regular clothes.
“Raul, how about we give each other massages back at my place?” Chloe asks.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Raul and Chloe break apart and head off to their separate locker rooms. Chloe lets the water from the shower run over her body, clearing away the chlorinated water and giving her a fresh feel. Her heart beats fast knowing that their massage session will turn into something more later.
Chloe shuts off the water and changes out of her suit into a pair of workout shorts and an oversized tee shirt. She slips on her flip flops and stuffs everything else back into her bag.
Raul is waiting for Chloe outside of the locker rooms, his hair totally messy from where he no doubt dried it. Chloe smiles at him and grabs for his hand. Raul moves his hand just out of reach and throws it over her shoulders instead.
“Shall we avoid the metro?” Raul jokes.
“I dare say that in daylight we will be safe,” Chloe replies.
“Metro it is,” Raul decides.
The couple heads out of the building and toward the metro entrance, keeping their eyes on the surroundings. There is no suspicious activity as they board the train that just arrived.
Raul places Chloe on a seat and stands in front of her. She continues to watch him, enthralled with his sharp jawline and mocha-toned skin. Raul catches her and flashes a bright white smile.
“If it wasn't for swimming, where do you think you would be right now?” Chloe asks.
“Probably dead,” Raul answers. “It was really dangerous in my neighborhood, and there was a gang war happening. What about you?”
“Still in Minnesota doing my day job. It didn't really turn my life in another direction like it did for you.”
“It brought you here, though. Brought us both here.”
Romance: The Bad Boy Affair: A Second Chance Romance Page 109
