‘I was. It’s such an amazing city and I’ve loved exploring and practising my Spanish.’ She reached out and touched his arm lightly, trying to ease his mind. ‘Anyway, you have far more important things to worry about. Are you making any headway with the board?’
‘There’ll be a meeting the day after tomorrow about the position. As far as I’m aware, they’ll reach a decision and I’ll know by the end of the day.’
She felt her lips stretch into a smile. ‘That’s good news. I’m sure they’ll elect you into the position.’
‘If they do, I have you to thank.’
‘I won’t be the one running the company. You’ll be elected because you deserve to be.’
‘You truly believe that?’ His hands rested at her waist.
‘Yes.’ It had been glaringly obvious from the moment she’d met him that Ricardo was a leader among men — a man who could be relied upon. He wore his confidence and command like a second skin and instilled reassurance into everyone around him.
Having been at his side every night at social functions, and listening to him speak with people, there was no doubt he possessed razor-sharp intelligence and shrewdness. He had a great vision for the company and the energy and determination to make his plans a reality.
Each moment they spent together, her admiration and respect for him grew. Each evening as he bid her a polite goodnight, her bed seemed colder and her heart grew a little heavier. She wanted nothing more than to claim Ricardo as her lover.
She’d kept in touch with Tiffany. Her friend had compelled her to think about what she wanted. Now, with Ricardo expressing his growing need for her, Jess had to make a decision. Did she hold out for a love that may never come along or did she relax the stringent moral code she’d held all her life and enjoy a mind-blowing affair with a man she thought so much of? Was the risk of heartbreak worth it?
‘Ricardo!’ The male voice interrupted her thoughts. ‘Shame on you for hiding away in your private booth instead of introducing me to this beautiful woman.’
On a soft hiss of impatience, Ricardo turned to the man who entered their booth uninvited. ‘Good evening, Juan.’
At a single glance, Jess took an instant dislike to Juan even though he was a classically swarthy Spaniard. Almost as tall and broad as Ricardo, Juan did not possess an authoritative presence. As Juan’s eyes travelled over her with undisguised interest, Ricardo moved. She was drawn firmly to Ricardo’s side, one of his arms wrapped possessively around her waist.
‘You must be Jessica. Manuel has told me about you and sung your praises.’ Juan stretched out his hand and Jessica reacted automatically. Instead of the handshake she expected, Juan lifted her hand to kiss it.
She stiffened as his index finger stroked along her palm. When his tongue tip traced her knuckle, she recoiled.
Ricardo must have sensed her discomfort. His hand shot out to Juan’s wrist, warning him he’d overstepped the mark.
Instantly the other man let go, Jess wiped the back of her hand down her dress and pressed herself closer to Ricardo’s side.
‘How could the press have got it so wrong?’ Juan’s voice held a hint of menace. ‘Although their colouring is the same, she looks nothing like Carla and is far too beautiful for a Lothario like you.’
Jessica tried to locate her voice. ‘I think we all know not to believe everything we read in the newspaper.’
‘Ah.’ His shrug was eloquent. ‘But there is often a grain of truth...’
‘Jessica has moved in with me.’ The words were a steely declaration.
Juan’s eyes lit with challenge. ‘More serious than usual then, but still I see no ring on her finger.’
‘That doesn’t mean there won’t be.’
What? Jessica only just stopped herself from exclaiming.
‘Then your intentions are serious, mi amigo.’
‘Never more so.’ Every word was delivered in a warning tone and with such conviction that Jess found herself shaken to the core.
This isn’t real. This is part of the act, she reminded herself sternly.
‘Who would ever have believed it?’ Juan’s smile seemed like a threat. ‘Still, settling down into married life would go a long way to helping you achieve your lifetime goal of running your family company, would it not?’
‘Sometimes goals change,’ Ricardo parried.
‘And sometimes they stay the same but cannot be achieved without some subterfuge.’ Juan’s expression was one of cynicism before he turned to Jessica. ‘Perhaps I can spirit you away from Ricardo before you commit yourself to a life sentence?’
‘I would hate you to waste your time trying,’ she replied.
‘Watch your step, Juan,’ Ricardo warned.
‘When can I expect to hear an announcement of your engagement?’ Clearly Juan was an adversary intent on causing trouble.
‘Not before the board votes,’ Ricardo returned smoothly. ‘Your implications that there’s an ulterior motive to our relationship are an insult to Jessica. I believe you owe her an apology.’
‘Forgive me, Jessica. I did not mean to offend you. I congratulate you both.’
‘I take exception to any suggestion that our relationship is anything other than genuine,’ Ricardo warned, ‘and if I heard such a rumour circulating, I would ensure the person who spread it was very sorry.’
Juan’s smile was tight and he gave a small bow. ‘Until next time.’
‘Not if I see you first,’ she said under her breath as Juan left the booth. Turning to Ricardo, she voiced her surprise. ‘You do realise you’ve just made matters worse? If he’s a blabbermouth, the whole of Barcelona is going to expect an announcement of our engagement.’
‘The guy was trying to hit on you.’ One hand rose in an agitated movement.
‘So you as good as marked your territory?’
His lips thinned as he warned, ‘He’s a man without morals.’
‘Lord save me.’ Her eyes wide, she shook her head with mock incredulity. ‘You — a renowned playboy — are warning me off another womaniser?’ She bent down to retrieve her handbag, expecting to leave the booth for the remainder of intermission. Ricardo arrested her movement.
‘I may have earned my playboy tag in my racing days,’ he told her seriously, ‘but those days are long over.’
She drew her upper body away from him and said sarcastically, ‘Of course they are. That’s why we’re covering up what could have been a scandalous affair with Carla and why I’ve already met the delightful Simone.’
The sound he made with his tongue against his palate was one of annoyance. ‘You would hardly expect me to have been celibate would you?’
She compressed her lips in exasperation. ‘Honestly, Ricardo, what you do or what you’ve done is none of my business.’ And it would do her well to remember that. ‘And, for your information, I don’t think much of Juan. Who is he exactly?’
‘An old adversary from the school yard.’
Jessica became aware of people re-entering the main auditorium below them. ‘Can we skip the rest of the performance?’
Ricardo’s response was to brush a kiss at her temple. ‘Of course. You don’t like the opera?’
‘I can’t concentrate on it, tonight. I think I’ve got too much going through my head now I’ve signed up for the on-line course.’
Or, maybe I’m just increasingly edgy sitting next to you and having you treat me and touch me like a lover when we aren’t lovers. Maybe I’m tired of warring with myself and I’m realising I badly want you to satisfy my body’s needs.
They left the booth and were making their way toward the exit of the theatre when Ricardo swore under his breath. ‘The man heading our way with the woman in red is Aberto Lorezzi, the banker.’
‘Oh, hell. Is that his wife with him?’
‘Yes.’
Carla Lorezzi. The woman who’d started this charade with her lies.
Heart pounding, Jessica ran her eyes critically over the Italian woma
n. It was true they shared the same colouring and were of similar height and stature, but that was where the similarities ended. Once again, Jess had an insight into the type of woman Ricardo was attracted to — sophisticated and cold as ice. Jessica was glad she didn’t fit the mould.
Aberto’s track toward them appeared deliberate, his eyes fixed on Ricardo with contempt.
‘Garcia,’ he said harshly as they drew near.
Ricardo inclined his head. ‘Aberto. Señora Lorezzi. It is my honour to introduce, Señorita Jessica Harris.’
Aberto’s lips pinched. The look he shot Jessica was one of pure disdain. ‘I’m a banker, Garcia. I know the value of the Euro and all it can buy. It seems some things are more easily bought than others.’
Jessica’s head snapped back at the deliberate insult.
Beside her, Ricardo stiffened. His fist clenched and his rage was palpable.
Adrenaline coursed through Jess. Sensing Aberto’s deliberate provocation she guessed the reason for it. The vote for CEO was approaching. It would be hugely detrimental to Ricardo’s chances for CEO if he were embroiled in a public slanging match.
‘It’s good you know the value of money and all it can buy,’ she slotted in quickly. ‘In your pursuit of it, I hope you don’t miss out on the things it can’t buy.’ Aberto’s eyes narrowed. Jess continued with a politeness that was entirely false. ‘Perhaps we’ll talk more another time. Ricardo and I are on our way home now, aren’t we darling?’
‘Have you decided to race the Garcia car in Monaco, Ricardo?’ Carla asked, ignoring Jessica’s attempt to leave.
It was the first time Jessica had heard mention of the race. She searched Ricardo’s face and waited for his answer.
‘My racing days are over,’ he replied firmly.
‘A pity,’ Aberto chimed in. ‘Fast cars and fast women were so your thing. It’s a pity to have lost your taste for one of the things that featured as such a priority in your life.’
The man was deliberately goading him.
Applying a little pressure on Ricardo’s arm, she sent him a loving smile and urged him toward the exit.
‘You looked better in a racing suit than you do in a corporate suit, Ricardo,’ Aberto taunted.
‘You’d do well not to challenge me on either track, Lorezzi,’ Ricardo replied.
Hoping her expression was pleasant and gave no sign of her inner turmoil, Jessica left the theatre on shaking legs. She believed she’d done the right thing intervening, but didn’t dare cast a look in Ricardo’s direction. Underneath the cool, superficial smile he wore, she felt anger continue to pulse from him.
When she reached the sanctuary of the limousine, Jessica sank thankfully into the plush leather seats. Ricardo didn’t join her immediately. Instead, he stood on the pavement and spoke to the chauffeur and head of security for a short time.
When he did join her, Ricardo reached forward wordlessly and pushed a button so the privacy partition slid up into place. The unusual action surprised her. She steeled herself, thinking she may be about to be admonished for her outspokenness.
‘You’re incredible!’ he voiced at last, but he sounded more amazed than angry.
She bit down on her lip for a second before she ventured, ‘Good incredible or bad incredible?’
He shook his head. ‘Good incredible. Unbelievably good for me.’
‘Oh.’ A great whooshing breath was expelled from her lungs. ‘That’s a relief.’
‘I’ve never felt so violent. Tonight I entertained the idea of throwing Juan over the balcony of our opera booth and giving Aberto the hard punch he deserved.’
She covered his hands with hers in a gesture meant to calm him.
‘Jessica, querida, you just prevented me from scenes which may have harmed my chances of becoming CEO.’
‘That was surely Aberto’s intention. He tried to goad you into an angry exchange, if not actual fisticuffs. I’ll bet he knows about the board vote.’
‘You don’t know how furious he made me by insulting you.’
‘Well, I’m glad you didn’t give him what he deserved!’
‘You believe karma will punish him.’ He raised her hands to his lips. The action reminded her of her earlier encounter with Juan. The difference in her responses to each man underlined the depth of her attraction for Ricardo. His lips sent delicious waves of pleasure all the way up her arm and through to her chest.
‘You’re one of a kind, Jessica. Exquisite to look at, intelligent, caring and honest.’
The all-too familiar physical consciousness hummed between them. Trying to diffuse it, Jess looked away from him and out through the window of the limousine. ‘This isn’t the usual route home,’ she observed.
‘We’re about to play tourist,’ he told her. ‘You’ve been sightseeing through the day, but I’ve monopolised your time each evening. You haven’t seen Barcelona’s Magic Fountains by night, so we’re heading there now.’
‘Thank you!’ His simple gesture of consideration touched her profoundly. ‘I’ve really wanted to see the display!’
It didn’t disappoint. From a spectacular vantage point of a walking overpass, they had an unobstructed view of the ever-changing display of colour and water patterns that were co-ordinated to music. The backdrop of the National Art Museum added to the grandeur.
‘Two thousand, six hundred litres of water are pumped through these fountains per second,’ Ricardo told her. He stood closely behind her. His arms looped around her waist and his breath tickled her ear as he spoke.
‘The colour and motion are mesmerizing.’
‘It isn’t the fountains that hold me mesmerized, querida,’ he husked.
Jess turned her head a little so she could look up at him. ‘Thank you for bringing me here.’
‘I’m very glad I did.’ His arms tightened around her.
‘Even though you were initially besieged by fans who wanted your autograph the second they recognised you?’
His shrug was one of resignation. ‘It doesn’t happen often.’
‘You probably don’t venture out publicly like this very often. I can understand why you have a security team to keep everyone at bay.’ If it hadn’t been for the security men, she suspected she would’ve been crushed in the rush of enthusiasm Ricardo’s fans displayed as they jostled to get close to Barcelona’s favourite son.
‘I don’t, and despite the lack of privacy, I’m enjoying being here with you.’ The short stubble on his jaw grazed her ear. ‘Have you visited the old town?’
‘Yes. On my first day here. I loved walking around the labyrinth of medieval streets and I discovered loads of interesting little shops down the hidden alleyways.’ There’d been oodles of atmosphere. The ancient Roman wall and gothic architecture blended with shows of patriotism as Catalan flags hung from many windows.
‘It comes alive even more at night with its cafes and Tapas bars. Would you like to go there next?’
Her heart surged. ‘Absolutely!’ She loved Barcelona, but she’d appreciate it even more with Ricardo at her side. ‘I know it’s getting late, but could we walk?’
His hands on her hips, he turned her in the circle of his arms so she faced him. The kiss he gave her was perfection in such a romantic, magical setting. It didn’t matter that they were amid thousands of tourists. Jess was only aware of Ricardo and the crescendo of classical music in the background as the water from the fountains shot high into the air.
‘We’ll walk,’ he agreed.
Walking wasn’t really what happened. On such a cloud of happiness, Jess felt more like she floated through the streets of Barcelona. Ricardo’s firm hold on her hand was surely the only thing that kept her from lifting off the earth. They passed by many sculptures and statues. Ricardo pointed out various buildings to her. Some of the things he told her, she’d already heard on her bus tour. She soaked up the information again, loving listening to Ricardo’s voice.
The Tapas bar was busy, but the owner greeted Ricardo warml
y and ushered them to a relatively private table which overlooked a busy square. Jess left the ordering to Ricardo.
‘Tonight has been wonderful,’ she told him.
It didn’t matter how many times she looked at him, she was always struck by his stunningly handsome features.
‘I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it, and now you’re about to enjoy some authentic flavours of my country.’ He reached across the small table and took her hands in his. The small caressing movement of his thumb against her skin was tantalising.
‘I’ve loved the food I’ve tried so far. Perhaps it’s my Spanish heritage,’ she told him. The instant furrowing between Ricardo’s brows reminded her she hadn’t told him that part of her background. ‘I told you my father wasn’t named on my birth certificate, but my mother did tell me once he was Spanish. I guess there’s no way your investigator could’ve known that.’
One eyebrow lifted as he asked, ‘Is that why you chose to study Spanish?’
‘It was probably my initial reason,’ she admitted, ‘but I do love the language and found I had an aptitude for it. Subconsciously, it’s likely it provided me with a link to the father I didn’t know. At one stage I even thought that if he ever came to claim me, he’d be surprised and proud that I could speak Spanish.’
He shifted in his chair. ‘Would you like me to ask the investigator to try to trace your father?’
‘No.’ She shook her head resolutely. Knowing he’d do that for her made tears gather in her eyes. ‘I really appreciate it, but I don’t care now who my father was. For years I let myself believe there must’ve been some kind of mistake and he hadn’t knowingly abandoned us.’ She shrugged. ‘It was a childish fantasy that he’d come looking for me and mum. I’ve grown up and it isn’t important to me. In fact, I’d rather not meet him.’
He gave her hand a squeeze, but said nothing more on the subject as their drinks arrived, followed quickly after by their food.
They spent a couple of blissful hours at the Tapas bar. Mostly, they conversed easily, although there were a few quiet moments which were heavy with the strain of the ever-present sexual pull between them.
A Spanish Seduction Page 11
