by Phoebe Conn
He tossed the used condom in the wastebasket, hiked up his pants and picked her up. “Let’s use the futon and rest a minute. I think I can walk that far.”
He put her down on her feet, and she took his hand to pull him along. They nearly fell into the thick futon and snuggled together in a languid heap. She could have lain there forever, but she’d eventually have to tell him the truth. She rested her head on his shoulder and waited for his breathing to slow before she slipped from his embrace. His thick black hair fell in his eyes, a dreamy smile graced his lips, and he looked as though he might sleep until dawn. She wished she could stay, but couldn’t. She went to the worktable to gather up her clothes, pulled on her pants, buttoned up her blouse, but left the lacy purple bra where it lay. She grabbed her bag and camera, and carried her boots out the door to pull them on outside in the hall.
She used the stairs rather than the moaning elevator. On the second floor, she passed a young man on his way up. She dipped her head as she passed him and mumbled a greeting. She looked as though she could have been visiting any artist in the building and hoped he wouldn’t ask questions Alejandro would be embarrassed to answer.
Walking home at a near sprint, she didn’t slow to a stately walk until she reached her condo. As she came through the door, she saw the pet carrier at the security desk. She blamed herself for not being empathic with Juan the day before, but if he’d accepted something for her, she wasn’t going to be happy. “Please tell me whatever is in the pet carrier isn’t for me.”
Juan leaped to his feet. “The man who brought them said they’d been chosen especially for you. They came with everything, feeding bowls, cat box, litter, food, a little bed. They’re a brother and sister. Don’t you want them?”
Ana bent down to look into the kittens’ sweet little faces. One was black and the other white. They were pressed close to the grid in the carrier door and begging for attention with faint high-pitched meows. Her heart fell. “Was there a note with them?”
“Instructions you mean? No, I guess he thought you’d know how to care for them.”
“Can you describe the man?”
“He was just an ordinary sort of guy, not too tall, and had a few extra pounds. I thought you knew him. I should have asked him to sign in.”
“Someone’s been sending me gifts—roses, plants, the chocolates yesterday. Now kittens? I’m afraid he’ll send me a horse tomorrow.”
Juan panicked. “Don’t you want the kittens? They’re awfully cute.”
“They’re adorable, but I’m not always home and can’t keep them.” She leaned close and looked him in the eye. “You accepted the delivery of something I didn’t order, so it looks as though you’re the new owner of these delightful pets.”
He swallowed hard. “Pets aren’t allowed in my building, or I’d take them.”
“Sure you would. Help me get everything into the elevator, and we’ll worry about finding them a home tomorrow.”
He came out from behind his post, grabbed the carrier and made a second trip for the bags of accessories. “Oh, I forgot to tell you they’re named Romeo and Juliet.”
“Perfect. I’ll bet Juliet is the black one.”
“How did you know?”
She shook her head. “Does it really matter? Thank you. If anyone brings anything else for me, tell them I am not accepting gifts unless I know the person, and they’ve called to let me know it’s coming.”
“Don’t you think that’s dangerous, Miss Santillan? They’d go out and come back the next day and say they’d called you.”
“Fine. Just say I’m not accepting gifts period.” She pressed the elevator button and rode up to her floor. “Come on, little darlings, there has to be someone who wants kittens.” It took her three trips down the hall to carry everything inside. She didn’t think it was a good idea to allow Romeo and Juliet to run free, but she didn’t want to shut them in the bathroom, or her home dance studio either.
She sat down on the floor and unlatched the carrier door. The kittens bounded out and climbed into her lap. “Affection won’t work. This is your home for a few days, not forever.”
Romeo jumped off her knee and ran under the couch, but Juliet curled up and began to lick herself clean. “I should have showed you two the cat box first.” She scratched Juliet’s ears and wondered if Alejandro would like a pair of cats.
She’d left him in an exhausted dream and wouldn’t disturb him now, but it was nice to think he’d welcome her call.
Libby had sent her number, and there was another good reason to call her. “Hi, this is Ana Santillan. Someone just gave me two really cute kittens, and I need to find them a home. Do you like cats?”
“I love them, but you know Santos’s housekeeper, Mrs. Lopez. She’d toss them out in the sand and let them fend for themselves.”
Ana tickled Juliet’s rounded belly, and the kitten licked her fingers. “I’d forgotten about her. How about Maggie? Does she like cats?”
“Do you want her number?”
Ana bit her lip. “Will you please ask her?” She gave Libby her number. “While I have you on the phone, would you please give me the name of the detective you mentioned?”
“Javier Cazares. Let me get his number.”
She came back with it quickly, and Ana wrote it down and said good-bye. “I really do need more friends, Juliet.”
She’d call the detective tomorrow. Now she had to deal with the kittens. While she remained seated on the rug, Juliet stayed close. In a few minutes, Romeo came out from under the sofa to join them. She made a grab for him and put him back with his sister in the carrier while she made a home for them in the guest bathroom with their cat box, food and water dishes.
A bubble bath in her own bathroom followed, and she stayed in until her fingers wrinkled. She wrapped herself in a towel, stretched out on her bed and played over possible phone conversations with Alejandro until she was certain she could manage it.
She pressed in his number. Her number was blocked, so maybe he wouldn’t answer, but he did on the second ring. He had a marvelous deep sexy voice, and she spoke softly. “Hi, this is Ana.”
“Where did you go? I hadn’t had nearly enough of you. You forgot your bra, so you’ll have to come back.”
She made her voice soft and low. “I didn’t forget. I left it as a memento. You could bring it to El Gato next Sunday if it’s cluttering up your place.”
“It’s not. I’ll use it to create a shrine. I miss you already. I can’t wait until next Sunday to see you. Let me take you to dinner tonight.”
“Don’t you study on Sunday nights?”
“I told you I’m taking the day off. We’re both too thin. It’s no fun to eat alone. Do you want me to come get you, or would you rather meet somewhere?”
She’d washed off his scent but could still feel his warmth deep inside. She’d already blown whatever good intentions she’d had, but a casual dinner wouldn’t get her in any deeper. She coughed to clear her throat and named a place not too far from her condo. “I’ll meet you there.” She ended the call cradling Juliet on her shoulder. She’d completely forgotten to ask if he liked cats.
After she’d disappeared, Alejandro had been afraid he’d never hear from her again. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but she’d given him the best orgasm of his life and he’d been lucky he hadn’t passed out on the floor in front of her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d met a woman he’d wanted to see again and had to call his father to brag.
“Mark today on your calendar. I’ve met a girl I like, and you didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“I’ll make a note of it right now. What’s her name?”
“Ana.”
“Ana what?”
“Do you plan to sic your detectives on her?”
“It’s always wise to be careful.”
“You’ve blamed me for being too careful, and now I’m not careful enough?”
“Do whatever you like. Does she know who you
are?”
“No, but I’ll tell her soon.”
“You may think she doesn’t know, but I’ll bet she does. Women can smell money on a naked man.”
“Good-bye.” He hung up and left his cell phone on the table. His father’s fortune had tainted every relationship he’d had. Ana was a sweet girl and not overeager to plant her hooks in him. He wished she’d given him her last name so he could do some detective work on his own and was immediately ashamed the thought had even crossed his mind.
Chapter Three
Ana had plenty of time to get ready for their date, but Goth Girl never went out at night, nor did she ever meet anyone for dinner. With the size of her wardrobe, she could pull something together. An architect who intended to build low-cost housing wouldn’t want to date an haute couture model anyway. It was only a convenient rationalization, but so what? She hadn’t wanted to see a man in months, and she definitely wanted to see Alejandro again and again.
A long-sleeved black dress from the back of her closet looked good with her flat-heeled boots. She wore red lingerie, black lace stockings and the pale lip gloss Goth Girl required. Her nails were a flame red, which she supposed was out of character, but Alejandro hadn’t noticed that afternoon. She added onyx earrings and silver bracelets to complete the look. Fashion depended upon appropriate accessories, but she wasn’t making a fashion statement tonight.
She draped a black cashmere shawl around her shoulders, picked up a small clutch bag and paused to glance at the full-length mirror. Disappointed she looked more like herself than a Goth devotee, she started over with slim-fit jeans, a snug black T-shirt and a black blazer. She searched her jewelry box for a clever steampunk fish pin made of brass gears and springs and pinned it on her lapel. She could have worn heels and not towered over Alejandro, but stuck with the flat-heeled boots.
She had a black bag with a shoulder strap and tossed the clutch back onto the closet shelf. She checked the mirror again, struck an aggressive pose and was satisfied she’d be fine, unless a real Goth group eating at the restaurant recognized her as a poser. Her Porsche was in the condo’s underground garage, but no Goth fan would drive such an expensive car. She practiced walking with a jerky stride on her way there, but as she entered, she worried she might be recognized even in a black wig. Alejandro was waiting for her in the bar. She went straight to him rather than pause at the reservation desk.
Alejandro took her arm and led her to a small table. “When I didn’t find you when I woke up, I was afraid you hadn’t been real. You’re definitely real tonight, but you look different somehow, more grown-up.”
He’d added a jacket to his dress shirt and jeans and was the same man she’d seen earlier. She glanced down at her blazer and jeans. “I could go home and try again.”
“No, you look beautiful. I didn’t mean to insult you. What do you want to drink?”
She supposed she ought to order beer and drink it from the bottle, but her disguise didn’t have to go that far. “White wine.” She took a small sip when they were served. “You looked very different to me when I saw you this afternoon, so if I look different to you now, I understand.” She dipped her head to let her wig swing forward to brush her cheeks. That afternoon, he’d been concentrating on more appealing parts of her body and hadn’t discovered her wig. She’d known he wouldn’t.
He reached for her hand. “Let’s start again. I like the sultry artist look. I hope the rest of your afternoon was good.”
She smiled and licked her lips. “It didn’t compare.” She pulled a photo from her purse. “Someone gave me a couple of kittens, and I need to find them a home. Here they are napping on the sofa.”
“They are cute. Are you sure you want to give them away?”
“Positive. My mother never allowed me to have a pet, so I’m not used to having little creatures underfoot. I told you I travel for work, so I can’t keep them.” His gaze was so warm and sympathetic she was tempted to tell him about the cascades of roses and other gifts, but a freelance photographer wouldn’t attract such devotion. Instead, she offered only a sweet smile.
“When are you leaving town?” he asked.
“Wednesday, I’m doing a fashion shoot in Mallorca.”
“It sounds like fun, unless the models are all prima donnas and give you a hard time.”
Feeling as though she’d stepped out of her life to commentate from the sidelines, she took another sip of wine. “The best are very considerate and fun. I enjoy working with them.”
“Only the best?”
“That’s all I’m willing to say. If word got around I’d bad-mouthed a model, I might find myself out of work.”
“You’re pretty enough to be a model yourself.”
“Thank you, but I prefer staying behind the camera.”
Their table was ready, and she insisted he take the seat facing the other diners, while she sat with her back to the room. She hid behind her menu. “Their filet mignon is excellent, as is everything I’ve tried.”
“You come here often?”
“No, just once in a while.”
“The way you stop by El Gato?”
He was teasing her, and she liked it. “I’m more often at El Gato than here. You must have favorite places too.”
“I do, but last week I had to take my father’s place at a charity auction, and I don’t do well when I’m forced into a tux.”
He had to be talking about the event she’d attended, but she hadn’t seen him there. She wondered if he’d noticed her, or rather, Ana Santillan. “A tux is nothing compared to what women have to suffer through to look good for a black-tie event.”
“It’s not the tux that’s the problem. It’s having to sit with strangers and make idle conversation.”
“That is a strain.” She focused on the menu and then glanced over the top. “Couldn’t you use some investors for your low-cost housing project?”
“I could, but an auction to benefit sick kids isn’t the right place to pitch my ideas.”
She rubbed her toe along his calf. “I understand. I’ll bet you look very handsome in a tux.”
He laughed and set his menu aside. “You are different tonight, and it’s not just your clothes. You didn’t say more than a couple of words the first time we met. This afternoon is an incredible blur, and tonight you sound as though we’d just met.”
“I don’t mean to disappoint you.” She lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “The sex was great, but it takes a while to get to know someone, and I haven’t been out on a date in a while.”
“Bad breakup?”
She took a deep breath. Santos didn’t deserve a comment, but his father did. “The man I loved died.” She didn’t confide that Miguel would undoubtedly be the love of her life.
He looked horribly embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s just that we seemed so close this afternoon, and…”
She reached across the small table for his hand. “Don’t apologize. We do get along well. The people who know me know, and it’s no secret. He had a weak heart, and his death wasn’t unexpected.”
“I’m still sorry I asked. I ride in bike races—not the Tour de France, but amateur competitions—and I’m fit. I can give you a health certificate from my physician if you like.”
“Thank you, but no.” He was so sincere, and other than one overwhelming truth, she was giving him only a thin veneer of her life. She felt only a snippet of guilt and clung to the fun of the moment.
“We’re supposed to be thinking about food.” He gave the menu a quick glance, and when their waiter returned, he ordered the filet mignon, and she asked for a spring-vegetable-filled empanada. “Tell me about the chef your mother married.”
Grateful for his curiosity, she sat back and relaxed. “Andre is short, round and makes the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted. If my mother hadn’t seen him first, I might have married him myself.”
“I could learn to cook.”
He looked as though he’
d make the effort, and he’d been such a giving lover, she wished they’d met while she was being herself. “I think you ought to focus on architecture.”
“I’ll be finished in June. I’ll never be finished really, because there will always be something more, or new, to learn.”
“Like photography, but the continuing challenge is good.”
Their conversation flowed so smoothly she was surprised by how quickly the evening passed. She ordered a lemon tart for dessert as an excuse to stay longer. “I love these. They have the sweetest zing.”
“So do you.” He took a bite of an apple baked in a flakey crust. “This is good too. We could order after-dinner drinks and stay until this place closes. Or we could go to your place and check on the kittens.”
Her home, with some of her magazine covers framed in her bedroom, was definitely off-limits until he knew who she was. “Not tonight. I have an early job, and…”
“I understand. I have an early class. But I could just look at the kittens. Then if you don’t find someone to take them, maybe I could keep them at my place while you’re on Mallorca.”
His generosity made her feel all the worse. “Thank you. I’ve just realized Fatima will be back tomorrow, and she can care for them while I’m away.”
“If you have her, then you can keep them,” he suggested.
The man definitely had a point. “I don’t really want to, Alejandro.”
He nodded. “May I give you a ride home?”
“It isn’t far.”
Looking alarmed, he leaned forward. “You can’t walk around the city alone at night. We’ll either go in my car or I’ll walk you.”
She reached for his hand and gave him an affectionate squeeze. “There’s usually a taxi out front. I’ll take one.”
“Is hiding where you live part of the Goth persona?”
“Mystery is part of my allure.” She winked at him and finished her tart. There was a taxi available. He opened the door for her and handed the driver several bills. It was an awkward moment, and when he leaned close to kiss her, she grabbed his shoulders and kissed him with the same passion she’d shown that afternoon. “I’ll call you as soon as I come home from Mallorca.”
