Carmen shrugged, forked up the last fried ripe plantain, and wolfed it down. “Nothing … well, maybe,” she admitted reluctantly.
Connie narrowed her eyes and studied her sister, knowing that there were many things that could be bothering her. Her upcoming test to be licensed as a Registered Nurse, the student loans to be paid off, and finally, Paul Stone. “If it’s about money --”
Carmen’s head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. “Money? No, luckily your husband is one nice boss. He just gave me a raise the other day.”
She nodded, picked up her soda, and took a quick sip. “How’s the studying going?”
Her sister shrugged half-heartedly. “Okay, I guess. But I really need to put in a lot more time over the next few weeks and I’m worried that Paul might not understand.”
Now Connie knew the source of her sister’s concern. “Paul has a lot of responsibilities himself. I’m sure he’d understand,” she urged, but seemingly failed to convince her sister.
“It seems to me Paul just likes to have fun. I’m not complaining because in the past two months we’ve had a lot of fun together. We’ve been to the Seaquarium, the clubs down in South Beach, windsurfing …”
Connie listened as Carmen ran off a litany of places she and Paul had been to and knew now why Paul looked as haggard as he did. To be taking Carmen to all of those places and still keep up with his work, he must be burning the midnight oil regularly.
“I mean,” Carmen railed on, gesturing with her hands in frustration. “I like to do things, but there’s more to life than just fun.” She ended her sentence with a huff.
“I’m shocked to hear this coming out of your mouth for a change. That was my number one line to you during high school.”
“That’s not fair,” Carmen shot back and at the hurt look on her face, Connie felt chagrin. She reached out and took hold of her sister’s hand. “I’m sorry, sis. It’s just that you and I are so different that way and I could never understand. You had your fun, but you also accomplished a lot and I’m very proud of you. Never doubt that.”
Carmen’s eyes glinted at her sister’s comment and it was all she could do to not start bawling. She had been feeling so out of sorts lately, not herself. She was used to being in control of herself and her life, but now with Paul, that had all seemed to change. “I really like him,” she admitted to Connie.
“How much ‘like’?” her sister pressed.
“Really like,” Carmen replied. “He makes me feel things I ….” She tossed her hands up in confusion.
“Have you slept --”
“No, Con. It’s not like that. Not yet anyway.” Carmen glanced down at her plate, deep in thought before facing her sister again. “You remember when we were talking about precautions?”
Connie nodded. “I know you and the Rivera boy --”
“Did it once. Just once, although I made you believe otherwise. There haven’t been any others since then.”
Connie was relieved and glad that her sister had such sense in today’s age of assorted sexual diseases. “And Paul?” she asked.
Carmen shrugged and started to shred her napkin into confetti. “He touches me and I melt. I think of what I want him to do … I’m doomed, Con.”
She reached out and stopped Carmen from continuing to tear the napkin into little bits of paper. “You’re in love, Carmen. And I think he cares as well.”
“I can’t tell. He’s never serious. He always wants to be doing all these things. It’s almost as if he’s never done any of them before.” It was part question, part statement, hoping Connie had more insight into the man who had attracted her so.
The waitress came over then, took their dessert orders, and cleared away their plates. Connie resumed their conversation. “I get the feeling that maybe this is all new for Paul. He’s always been too serious, almost stodgy. Not all that friendly. At first I thought it was snobbiness, but now,” Connie motioned with her hands, the uncertainty clear. “I think he’s lonely and insecure. Not all that sure of how to deal with people. You’ve changed that and him.”
For the better, Carmen thought, her faith sure that their relationship was one that was worthwhile. “But how do I get him to stop being … I don’t know … up, all the time. I want him to know all of me, including the part that’s not all fun.”
Connie thought of the files sitting on Stone’s desk, ones she knew he had to have reviewed by Monday. She wondered if Paul had asked Carmen out for the weekend and asked her sister.
“Yeah, although I don’t know where he plans on taking me,” Carmen replied, her tone disheartened.
“You have studying to do, don’t you?” Connie asked.
Carmen rolled her eyes and groaned. “Tons and tons of it. Before I know it, the test will be here and I want to be ready.”
“Tell him that. Tell him you want to see him, but have work to do, is there anything he has that you can do together?”
Carmen considered what her sister had said. She wanted Paul to see another side of her. Wanted to know for herself, as well, that they could enjoy themselves just by being together. What Connie proposed would accomplish both. “How’d you get so smart about men,” she teased her sister, smiling as the waitress brought over the flans they had ordered. The egg custard looked sinfully rich and was coated with a syrupy caramel.
“I had a good teacher,” Connie said with a grin.
Carmen chuckled, reached over and gave her sister a hug as the weight of her problems slipped off her shoulders.
#
Paul had been taken aback by Carmen’s request at first, then realized it was the answer to his problems. He had been worrying for the past day or so how he would get the files reviewed and still be able to see her this weekend. They hadn’t spent a week in the last two months without seeing each other and he always looked forward to their time together.
She made him feel young and alive. Worthwhile. It had been so long since someone had made him feel as if he was worth loving and caring about. But that had made him worry that he couldn’t fail her. That was the reason he had planned all their outings with such care, trying to make sure she’d have fun. Not to say that he hadn’t had fun as well. He did. More fun that he’d ever thought he was capable of.
But now she just wanted to spend some time with him. She’d study and he’d work. It seemed easy, but he didn’t see how it could be so simple. As he packed up the files to work on over the weekend, he mentally itemized all that he had to get done before he picked her up and brought her to his home. After all, he wanted it to be perfect for her.
It was the only way he could be sure to keep her with him.
#
Paul’s home was on the Coral Way in Coral Gables. It was only about twenty minutes from her parents’ house and yet light years away. His home was blocks from the country club, Venetian Pool, and the Biltmore Hotel, in a neighborhood known for its beauty and sense of history. An upscale area.
She stepped out of his SUV and appreciated the elegant lines of the neo-classical style villa home from the sweeping drive in front of the house. The building was two storied with an impressive entrance. A pair of tall columns held up a portico and served to call attention to the front doorway. Dark colored double doors were centered at the back of the portico and framed by tall, narrow windows on either side. Positioned before each of the windows were large terra cotta pots planted with sculpted topiary bushes. Above the door sat a semi-circular stained glass window. It was done in earth tones, matching the ivory of the stucco walls, dark brown of the woods, and the rusty orange tiles on the roof.
The garden in front of the home was in tune with its Miami environs. On either side of the main entrance, a large palm mirrored the soaring lines of the portico columns. Other scattered palms gave the house shade while beautiful tropical plants, some of them in a bloom of riotous colors, tastefully accented the architecture. “It’s lovely.”
He smiled, held out his hand, and grabbed her bag of boo
ks from the car. “I’m glad you like it.”
She took his hand and he gave it a playful tug, escorted her up the walk and into his house.
Inside his home was equally well-appointed. The furniture was classic European antiques in rich fabrics. Linens, silks, and brocades. In the foyer a long chest of drawers in a rich mahogany held a large crystal vase filled with a gorgeous arrangement of flowers. Freesia, lilies, and lilacs, all in fragrant bloom. The chest sat centered beneath an octagonal mirror that opened the space by reflecting back the rest of the home. Two antique arm chairs sat on either side, upholstered in a nubby cream-colored fabric.
Beyond the foyer there was a large living room. The walls here, like in the foyer, were ivory, but with a darker glaze for texture. One wall of the room was dominated by a large entertainment system housed in cabinetry that had been custom made to match the period antiques in the rest of the room. Two lush overstuffed sofas in deeper ivory fabrics faced one another. A white marble-topped coffee table sat between and was artfully draped with a rich brocade fabric.
The far wall was all glass, showing off a large limestone terrace and pool. He pulled her in the direction of the back of the house and as they reached the end of the spacious living room, she noted the room opened to the right to an equally gorgeous and airy dining room, and a smaller breakfast nook.
“Your home is lovely,” she reassured as she noted the almost expectant look on his face.
He seemed to relax before her eyes and smiled, motioning her through an open French door which led to the patio. “I set us up out here next to the pool. I thought it might be more relaxing.”
It was heaven, she thought. A long rectangular pool was surrounded by the limestone terrace and gardens. Limestone blocks were stacked on the left side of the pool to create a waterfall of sorts where water cascaded down the different levels of the blocks. Worked into the limestone were colorful ceramic tiles which echoed the earth tones throughout the house.
She turned, sighing in delight at their “work” area. Set beneath the canopy of a large palm tree was a wrought iron table and two chairs. Two cushioned chaise lounges were set slightly away, but still in the shade. Between the two chaise longues and on either side were small tables, for holding their papers and other materials, she guessed. In the background, the sounds of the water as it rushed over the stones, of wind-rustled foliage, soothed and enticed.
“I may find myself hard pressed to work,” she admitted, dreamily thinking of how easy it would be to sink into the comfort of the chaise and soak in some sun instead.
“Me, too,” he said and drew her near. “But for different reasons.”
Carmen leaned toward him and dropped a quick kiss on his lips. “Maybe that will keep you satisfied until later.”
Paul wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. “No, but this might,” he said as he took her mouth hungrily, almost possessively, giving no quarter until Carmen melted against him.
She dropped her bag and slipped her hands up his back to hold him near. Moaned in protest, as he pulled away.
“Hungry?” he asked.
Carmen nodded and teased, “But not for food.”
There was no doubt in his mind that despite the playful nature of her response, there was more to it. He could see it in the flush across her cheeks and the darkening of her milk chocolate eyes. But he would wait to take her up on her offer. “Lunch first. Then studying. And then ….”
“Dinner?”
He laughed, gestured to the table and chairs and Carmen sat, primly unfolded the napkin from her place setting.
She waited for him as he joined her, pulling the cover off a medium-sized platter which held a mound of shrimp salad on a bed of thin avocado slices. “Please, help yourself,” he said and picked up a napkin covered basket, removed the cloth to reveal several rolls and croissants for her to choose from.
“Thanks,” she said and chose a croissant, waiting as he served her some of the salad and avocados and then served himself. Afterward, he lifted a pitcher and offered her a drink. “Fresh lemonade or I can go inside and get some soda.”
“The lemonade will be fine, thanks,” she replied. “This is all very nice, but you don’t have to go out of your way, Paul.”
Paul studied her, not sure she was being totally honest. In his general circle of acquaintances, everyone expected something. But as he examined her face, it was open and without any hint of deception. He wanted to return some of that honesty. “The people I’m usually with -- my family’s friends and acquaintances -- always want things just so, expect certain niceties that are some somehow supposed to --”
“Make you think that you care?” she interrupted and reached out for his hand. “Is that what all our dates have been about? Don’t you know that you don’t have to prove yourself to me? I like you just the way you are.”
Paul nodded, unable to find his voice, but held onto her hand tighter.
Carmen winced from the grip of his hand and he tempered his hold. But she seemed to know he needed more right now. She rose, walked to him, and he shifted his chair away from the table. She sat on his lap and drew his head near, cradling it to her breasts. “We’ve had a lot of fun the past few weeks. But I think we could have fun just being together, without you always trying to live up to all those expectations.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and savored her caring, the security her arms offered. After long minutes, he whispered hoarsely, “I like you, too. Just the way you are.”
Carmen dropped a kiss along the edge of his brow, softly whispering, “I’m glad, because I wasn’t sure I could live up to your expectations.”
He pulled away and raised his head until his lips were brushing hers. “You shattered all my expectations, Carmen. You’re more than I could ever have hoped for.” Paul moved his mouth against hers then, telling her even more with the language of his lips.
Carmen sensed it in the way he held her, gave her his heart with the way his lips cradled hers, loving, treasuring. She gripped him tighter, wanting him to know she cared as much as he. The kiss went on and on, gentle, tentative, giving. When it finally ended, she felt cherished in a way she never had before.
She looked at him and he was smiling easily, his aquamarine eyes glittering brightly. She dropped one quick kiss on his lips, jumped up, and announced, “Time for lunch and then work, remember?”
Paul chuckled, wiping at the stray tear at the edge of his eye. As she returned to her chair and settled herself in to finish lunch, Paul filled her glass. She smiled at him, forked up some of the shrimp salad he had made, and he smiled back, thanked whoever it was up there that had brought her to him.
Chapter 7
In the shade of the tree, it stayed cool throughout the day as Paul read his case files and Carmen copiously took notes and highlighted portions of a review book.
Paul had glanced over more than once as she worked, noticing her intensity as she studied the materials for her upcoming test. It was a new side of her and it intrigued him. He wondered whether she gave everything she was interested in this much attention.
She raised her head, seemingly musing over something she had just read, and noticed his perusal. “Something wrong?”
He shook his head and laid down the file he had just finished reading. “Just fascinated.”
“An interesting case?” she asked, clearly unaware she was the object of his attentions.
“Very,” he replied and rose, afraid he would be unable to stop himself from blurting out too much too soon. “I’m going to fix some dinner.”
Carmen put aside her books, pen, and highlighter. “Let me help.”
He hesitated for a second then nodded, held out his hand and helped her from the low chaise lounge. But when she would have walked away to the house, he brought her near, and embraced her. “Thanks,” he said and dropped a kiss on cheek.
“For what?” Carmen asked.
Paul smiled. “For suggesting we could get together
like this. I don’t know how I would’ve finished my work this weekend otherwise.”
“I’ve gotten a lot done as well, so there’s no need to thank me.” A slight gust of wind kicked up, shifted a short lock of hair down onto his forehead. Carmen reached up, fingered his hair back into place, and a shiver of desire danced along his insides.
Paul took hold of her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “Most women I know wouldn’t have considered this much of a date.”
Carmen opened the hand he held and brushed her fingers against his lips, tracing their hard outline. The soft brush of his evening beard tickled her index finger as she swiped it across his upper lip and she smiled, glanced up at him. “Most women you know are fools then.”
His brow furrowed as he considered what she said, and she reached up, smoothed it with her fingers.
“Why?” he finally asked.
“They should have been satisfied just to have your company,” she replied, somehow knowing he needed this kind of reassurance. That few in his life had ever taken the time to just be with him. She eased out of his embrace, but held onto his hand and pulled him in the direction of his house.
“Come on. We are going to make each other dinner and then hang out and relax.”
Paul smiled and followed her without further hesitation.
#
Dusk began to set as he finished eating the dinner Carmen and he had prepared together.
Paul settled back into his chair, his belly full and replete from the simple meal. A sirloin steak, which Carmen had marinated with onions and lemon juice, baked potato, and salad had never tasted so good. Better than any gourmet restaurant and he knew it had little to do with the food and everything to do with the delightful sprite sitting across from him.
Carmen finished the last bite of her steak and wiped her mouth with the napkin. “That was delicious,” she said earnestly and he smiled, appreciating her joy of life.
“I’m glad you liked it. Would you care for dessert?” he asked, thinking of the strawberry shortcake he had purchased that morning.
Faith in You Page 5
