Yet, there he was with his dark hair and dressed in a black silk shirt. Did he fancy himself as some sort of black knight?
‘I...’ How was she supposed to respond? ‘Would you like to order the cocktail now?’
‘The screaming orgasm appeals, but I believe it would be better shared. Perhaps after you finish work tonight we could share one together?’
Oh my God. Was he for real?
‘Your English can’t possibly be that bad,’ she blurted.
The smile he delivered was so sexually explosive it had her gripping her order pad hard.
‘I assure you, my English is extremely good.’
‘But you just said...Did you just suggest...?’
He arched an eyebrow at her. ‘You find my suggestion surprising?’
That sealed it. He was definitely having fun at her expense. This man could have his pick of supermodels. Not a snowflake’s chance in hell would Ricardo Garcia angle for a date with her. The attraction she’d felt turned to bitter resentment. All the humiliation she’d felt over the years at the hands of the male species erupted to the surface.
How dare he toy with her!
A vivid memory flashed back. It gripped her hard and convinced her that Ricardo was the sort of man who’d flirt with an ugly woman, fuel her fantasies, and then dash those expectations as soon as the woman responded.
Well, she would never again be a hapless, desperate woman leaving herself wide open for a male to use or to put down. No way would she let this arrogant son-of-a-bitch get away with his little cat and mouse game.
Summoning every bit of courage she possessed, she angled her head to one side. ‘Your suggestion not only surprises me, it offends me. Let me tell you, señor, I’m far more discerning in whom I would share my orgasm with.’ It cost her, but she put both hands down on the surface of the table and leaned over closer to him. For a second that move backfired horribly as she was close enough to inhale the subtle masculine fragrance of his aftershave. She fought desperately to keep up her indignation and to resist breathing in his scent more deeply. ‘I’m not sure what you’re playing at, but if you’re looking for someone to stroke your...ego, you’ve come to the wrong woman. I’m not interested. I guess you’ll need to have your screaming orgasm all by yourself.’ She placed her order pad back in her pocket, picked up her tray and produced her sweetest smile. ‘I’m sure it won’t be the first time.’
Turning, she began to stalk off as best she could on legs that shook.
A single burst of baritone laughter followed her.
Fierce resentment still boiled within her and she was about to turn back and subject him to a scathing verbal attack when his hand on her arm stopped her in her tracks.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
The apology barely registered. It took most of her mental energy to fight the overwhelming zap of helpless need that arced through her at his touch. She swung back toward him and felt dwarfed by his sheer height as he towered above her.
No! She refused to be attracted to a heartless, egotistical individual who evidently thought he was God’s gift to women. She felt her lips flatten as she scowled at him and demanded, ‘You think this is funny?’
‘Forgive me. It’s just that you...Diablo, you’re magnificent when you’re all fired up and shooting daggers at me with your eyes!’
Magnificent? Who did he think he was kidding?
Yet, a glint of admiration had entered his eyes.
‘Who would’ve thought you’d possess such spirit beneath your bookish looks?’
‘Bookish looks?’ The insulting description set her teeth on edge. She gripped even tighter to her tray, resisting the temptation of hurling the empty glasses at him. ‘You are the rudest individual I’ve ever met. Why not just come right out and call me ugly?’
His eyebrows drew together. Seconds ticked by before he answered and she watched in speechless fascination as his eyes ran over each facial feature and swept down her body. Time stretched into an eternity as they faced each other— his hand still on her arm, her insides churning with a mixture of antagonism and attraction. ‘I couldn’t call you ugly because that would be a lie, wouldn’t it, Jessica?’
What? Her head drew back as his words sank in. ‘How do you know my name?’
Instead of responding, he managed to look mildly less arrogant. ‘I’m genuinely sorry to have offended you. All I intended was a little harmless flirtation, and perhaps a test to see how you’d respond to my suggestion.’
If she hadn’t been holding her tray, she would’ve wrenched away from his touch. The man was clearly deranged. A test? What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Squaring her shoulders, she glared at him. ‘It might suit you to relieve your boredom by picking out the most unattractive woman in the room and pretending to be interested in her, but that’s a cruel game. Plain women have feelings too, and I’m not as desperate as you obviously think.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘There’s nothing plain about the fire flashing from your eyes. The colour has risen to your cheeks and it emphasises your magnificent cheekbones.’ He shook his head slowly. ‘Despite what you believe, you have some good physical attributes.’
‘Oh, please.’ To her intense mortification she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. All the adrenaline that had revved her up depleted, leaving her fatigued. ‘Just let me go.’
But he didn’t remove his hand from her arm and, with his free hand, he reached up and removed her glasses.
‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ Her vision blurred. She still should’ve been able to make out his features clearly at this distance without her glasses, but the blasted tears compromised her sight. ‘Give those back!’
‘It’s just as I suspected. You have fabulous eyes.’ His voice resonated to a pitch that smoked right through her. ‘An unusual shade of emerald — like rare gems in an exquisite almond-shaped setting. They flame when you’re angry.’
Jeez. A thrill ran through her, making something indefinable blossom in her chest. Jett had labelled her eyes a dirty, moss colour. This stranger called them rare gems! The compliment caused her heart to do an un-choreographed series of acrobatic tumbles against her ribcage.
‘You do yourself a disservice to hide your eyes behind these glasses.’ One finger trailed down her cheek, but his touch seared all the way through to her soul. ‘Your cheeks and your nose could’ve been sculpted by a master. Your skin is soft and your complexion unblemished.’
No. She wouldn’t believe any of these lies. She refused to be mesmerized by that wonderful bedroom voice.
‘Good grief, you make me sound like an advertisement for an anti-acne crème!’ she retorted flippantly. Swallowing hard, Jess pulled her head back and broke contact with his touch on her face, but he still held her arm and his regard seared into her. None of this could be real. He was an ass, deceiving her the same way Jett had when she’d first met him.
But why? Jett had been after her savings. Ricardo Garcia must surely be wealthy if he’d been a formula one champion. Anyway, she didn’t have any money now, only debt.
‘I don’t know what you’re playing at, but this has gone far enough. I have to get back to work.’
‘This isn’t a game,’ he asserted.
‘Please let me go.’ She scrubbed at her eyes with the back of her free hand and blinked hard to improve her vision. ‘As obnoxious as you are, you’re a customer here Mr Garcia. I’d lose my job if I gave you the slap you deserve, and unfortunately I really need this job.’
He let go of her arm, but the intense interest in his eyes remained. ‘You do know who I am. I wasn’t sure you’d recognised me.’
‘You’re very conceited.’
His shrug was nonchalant. ‘Most people know who I am.’
‘Well I’m not most people and I didn’t recognise you. Another waitress told me who you are. Congratulations on your success.’ She mimicked his shrug. ‘I’ve never followed your sport, and if you think your fame m
akes the slightest bit of difference to me, or excuses your rudeness, you’re wrong.’
Rather than looking affronted, he looked at her with disbelief.
Wretched man!
Balancing the tray against her hip with one hand, she reached out, took her glasses from his grasp with the other and restored them. ‘I’ll have another waitress serve you for as long as you remain in the club.’
‘Wait. You asked me how I know your name.’
‘Obviously you asked one of the staff.’
‘You’re wrong.’
She took a slight step backward, unsure where he was going with this.
For a second he seemed to lose his demeanour of easy confidence. ‘I must talk to you, Jessica.’
‘You have been talking to me.’ His tension flowed straight into her. It made her tamp down her natural curiosity and exercise extreme caution. ‘I’m paid to work here. This conversation is over.’
‘I’ll wait until you’re finished work,’ he insisted.
‘No.’ This man may be stunning to look at, but so was a tiger. Every ounce of commonsense screamed at her that he was a dangerous predator waiting to pounce. Even though she still couldn’t fathom he would choose her as his prey, a survival instinct told her not to have any part of whatever he wanted to talk about.
‘Jessica!’ His hand shot out to stall her as she turned away. ‘You’re the reason I’m here. I flew in from Barcelona tonight solely to meet with you.’
Chapter Two
Jessica untied the short apron that was part of her waitressing uniform, and reached into the locker for her coat and handbag.
Tiffany burst into the small staff room. ‘I’m so glad I caught you before you left!’
‘Shouldn’t you be out there working?’
‘Lisa’s covering for me while I take a break.’
‘If you’re here to talk me into staying and listening to whatever Ricardo Garcia has to say, you’re wasting your time.’
‘But —’
‘No.’
‘Aren’t you the slightest bit curious?’ her friend asked in frustrated tones.
‘Curiosity killed the cat.’ Jess took out her things, closed the locker and started heading toward the door.
‘What if it’s got something to do with your father? He was Spanish, wasn’t he?’
The words stopped Jess in her tracks, and her stomach did a cartwheel.
‘Think, Jessica! Maybe your father has tracked you down and wants to see you? Or maybe he’s died and you’ve inherited a fortune? An inheritance would be the answer to all your prayers. You should stay and see what Ricardo wants.’
‘No.’ Her father had never bothered with her. If he wanted to see her now, he was twenty-six years too late. ‘See you tomorrow night.’
‘Ricardo asked me what time your shift ended,’ Tiffany called after her. ‘He’ll probably be waiting for you.’
Jess groaned. ‘You know darned well I got you to serve him so I wouldn’t have to speak with him again.’
The only response from her friend was a smug look.
‘The man could be some sort of weird stalker for all you know and you’ve told him when I’m leaving? Sometimes, you defy all common sense.’
‘Yeah. He’d so be a stalker!’ Placing her hands on her hips, Tiffany said, ‘It’s far more likely women would stalk him, not the other way around.’
‘Fine. I’ll deal with him if he’s waiting.’ Or she’d slip out through the rear exit. The idea of sneaking away appealed more than facing another confrontation with the Spaniard.
Even though part of her was dying to know what he could possibly want of her, self-preservation made her determined not to find out. Every instinct warned that Ricardo Garcia was dangerous to her equilibrium. He was too divine. Jess had to defend herself against the magnitude of her reactions to him. The last guy she’d been attracted to she’d married and that had been a disaster. Compared to what she’d initially felt for Jett, her attraction to Ricardo was seismic in proportion. ‘Goodnight, Tiffany.’
Decision made, Jess made her way down the corridor from the staff room and toward the door at the rear entry dock. Once in the dark, deserted alleyway, shivers of apprehension snuck along her skin and all the way up to the nape of her neck. It was unsettling to walk here at night. Thankfully, the well-lit, main road wasn’t far away. From there, it was only a short walk to her bus stop.
Jess nearly jumped out of her shoes when a cat disturbed a rubbish bin to her left. She walked for a whole block along the main road, before her rapid breathing steadied.
‘Jessica Harris.’
Recognition of his voice made her adrenaline surge in panic.
Out of the shadows of a doorway, a tall figure emerged. Before she could react, the man was at her side, his arm around her shoulders and the sharp blade of a knife pressed against her ribcage. ‘Don’t scream and you won’t get hurt. You and I are going to have a little chat.’
Screaming was out of the question. Her throat had closed over in fear.
Jess broke out in a sweat as he steered her out of the light and down into the nearest dark alley. A second later she was pushed hard against a brick wall, the knife blade still at her ribs.
‘I’ve been waiting for you, Jessica.’ His voice was menacing. ‘Trying to avoid me is only going to make things worse for you.’
‘Please, let me go,’ she begged as she looked up into his angry eyes. ‘I have no money with me. I don’t get paid until Monday.’
‘Your payment was due this morning.’
‘I can’t give you what I don’t have.’
His expression changed. ‘No, you can’t.’ His thin lips curved into a lewd sneer. ‘You can give me what you do have, though, can’t you?’ The hand holding the knife went to her shoulder while his other hand fondled her breast. His strength pressed her into the wall, and he was so close that she couldn’t raise her leg to knee him in the groin. ‘If you don’t have the money, we can always find another way to settle your debt.’
Jess closed her eyes on helpless tears and swallowed back the revulsion scalding her throat.
‘You’ll need to pay interest every time you don’t come up with the money,’ he threatened as his face loomed closer. ‘But, I’ll go easy on you. You can work off your interest in a different way.’
Disgust clawed at her gut.
‘You’d probably enjoy that, wouldn’t you, baby? A woman like you wouldn’t be getting any.’
Everything in her screamed in denial and she began to twist and squirm to make her escape.
‘You’re not much to look at,’ he continued, ‘but you’ve got great tits.’
No matter how desperate she was financially, or how bad things had been in the women’s shelter she’d occupied when her mother had first died, she’d vowed she’d never resort to selling her body for sex.
The sickening fondling of his hand stopped abruptly.
Her shoulder was released.
She opened her eyes at his sound of protest and her heart elevated as her attacker hit the ground.
‘What the hell?’ the loan shark demanded of the man who stood over him.
‘Don’t ever touch her again!’
She couldn’t see the face of her rescuer, but she recognised his rich accent instantly.
‘Stay out of it, you bastard!’ The loan shark scrambled to his feet, his voice thunderous but his words a little slurred. ‘She owes me money. This has nothing to do with you.’
In contrast, Ricardo’s voice was clear and controlled. ‘You come near her again, you’ll answer to me. Is that clear?’
‘Her husband owed me money. It’s her debt now. She co-signed the papers and she’s late with her repayment.’
‘Are you okay, Jessica?’ Ricardo asked.
Hardly. She shook like a leaf after being scared stiff she was about to be raped against the wall of the building — the same wall that still supported her. She could barely hold herself upright, but she managed
to answer, ‘I’m okay.’
‘Get out of here!’ Ricardo growled at the guy who’d held her.
‘I want my money.’
Ricardo reached inside his wallet, produced a wad of notes and a business card and thrust them at him. ‘If she misses another repayment, call me.’
Her attacker looked set to argue until Ricardo gave a nod and two burly-looking men moved forward from the darkness. Jess hadn’t been aware of their presence. Neither, it seemed, had her attacker.
‘I...I don’t want any trouble,’ he stammered, taking a step backward down the alley.
‘Wise of you,’ Ricardo proclaimed as he placed an arm around Jessica’s waist and peeled her off the wall. ‘Come anywhere near Jessica again, and trouble will certainly find you.’
She almost sagged against him. Although she was aware she should thank Ricardo for coming to her rescue, her tongue stuck uselessly to her palate. It was all she could do to put one foot in front of the other as he urged, ‘Come with me, Jessica. You’ll come to no harm.’
Shock set in. Given her fatigue, she probably reacted much more helplessly than she normally would have.
All she kept seeing was the loan shark’s intent as he decreed that she could settle her debt in another way. Her skin crawled at the memory of his hand cupping her breast.
She was thankful when Ricardo said, ‘You’re safe now. I’ll take you home.’
The loan shark started to run up the alleyway away from Ricardo and the two men who accompanied him. ‘Let him go,’ Ricardo told them.
The man must’ve considered he was far enough away to be safe, for he yelled, ‘Hey bitch! Don’t think this is over! He can’t protect you forever, and as soon as he forgets you, I’ll be there to collect on that interest.’
The blood ran cold through her veins.
Seconds later, a limousine pulled up along the kerb and she offered no protest when Ricardo urged her in. The Spanish racing champion had come to her rescue, and she was grateful. As the door shut and the car moved forward, Ricardo poured a drink into a crystal glass. ‘Have this.’
A Spanish Seduction Page 2
