by K Ayers
He took her hand. “I didn’t think such a thing. Besides, for whatever reason, you are uncomfortable with my wealth. I sense you do not even like it.”
Cassidy shrugged. She wasn’t quite ready to go down the ‘my ex-boyfriend was a rich asshole’ road.
A small chirping sound came from Alex’s pocket. He pulled out his cell, looked at the screen and frowned. “I must make a call. Sit and finish your coffee.” He squeezed her fingers. “Just work.”
“You’re playing CEO hooky, aren’t you?”
Alex winked at her as he walked away.
“Wow, he’s got a great ass.” Cassidy whispered into her coffee remembering the feel of the muscled cheeks beneath her fingers.
Alex’s arm waved in the air in agitation while he spoke. His voice was raised, and he was speaking rapidly in Spanish.
Looking around San Miguel, Cassidy took a deep breath. Her earlier anxiety was rapidly ebbing away now that she was with Alex. When the right moment came, she’d ask him if he’d like her to stay a few extra days. This didn’t feel like a casual fling to Cassidy, but she didn’t trust her instincts. Just look at her relationship with Chad.
I’m already in love with him.
The thought made her set down her coffee cup. People didn’t fall in love in less than forty-eight hours, did they? Cassidy glanced towards Alex who paused in his conversation to look up at her and smile.
Maybe you could fall in love at first sight.
She punched up the airline app on her phone, looking to see if there were flights available later in the week. It wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.
◆◆◆
Fuck.
Marta was in San Miguel. More specifically, Marta was at his house drinking coffee with Marisol. Why would his ex-girlfriend show up now? Alex hadn’t spoken to her in months.
Cassidy was scrolling through something on her phone. She would pause every couple of seconds to sip her coffee and shoot a glance his way.
His plans to invite Cassidy back to the hacienda to stay with him flew out the window. “Just tell her I’m out at a meeting for the day,” Alex told Carlos, his cousin and driver. “I won’t be back and she’s wasting her time. Get her back to Mexico City.” Carlos needed to handle this. What the hell did he pay his cousin for? “What do you mean Marisol told Marta I was in town with a woman?”
Fuck.
Marisol worshipped Marta. Of course, his housekeeper told Marta of Cassidy’s presence in the house last night and what Alejandro was doing today. It was a huge breech of loyalty to the person that paid Marisol’s paycheck, but he’d deal with her later.
“I’m taking Cassidy for a tour of the church and then we’ll probably have a late lunch. Just get Marta’s shit and Marta out of San Miguel.” He punched the hang-up button and took a deep breath before walking back to Cassidy. Then he put his phone on mute.
“Work?”
His heart beat harder when she smiled at him. As an engineer and a businessman, Alex was taught to make logical decisions. There was nothing remotely logical about his attraction to an American doctoral student with hair the color of autumn leaves. Alejandro didn’t care. She was right for him as unbelievable as that was. And after last night, he and Cassidy belonged to each other.
“Nothing, querida. Only a business matter. Carlos will handle it.”
“Carlos?”
“My cousin. He is also my driver and sometimes bodyguard. Carlos always stays in a guest house. He rarely comes to the main house which is why you didn't see him while you were there.
"Bodyguard?"
"Mostly, cousin." Alejandro assured her.
After finishing their coffee, Alejandro stood and took Cassidy’s hand and led her down a narrow alley towards the center of town. Hand in hand they strolled down the long narrow main street of San Miguel, in no hurry to get to their destination, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. They stopped to peek into an art gallery and a pottery store until they finally stood before the church.
Cassidy’s face was almost worshipful as she gazed at the massive stone structure. She let go of his hand and bounded up the steps, barely glancing back as she walked through the arch that marked the entrance.
An hour later, Alex still stood patiently as his little professor read every plaque, hazel eyes glowing with excitement that only a true student of history could appreciate. She was so lovely. So impassioned. His heart contracted in happiness as he watched her.
“I’m sorry.” She laughed in apology, running to the other side of the church to examine what looked like an old wooden shoe box.
Alejandro supposed it was a relic of some sort. He didn’t care. What he cared about was Cassidy’s sheer pleasure in viewing the old church.
He walked over to one pew facing the altar and took a seat. The atmosphere of the church was still and calm. A few other visitors wandered around the old structure, but they spoke in hushed, reverent tones. Vega Petrol and the responsibilities that ruled his life seemed unimportant. Even the thought of Marta couldn’t destroy the sense of peace he felt being with Cassidy. He was content to watch her to examine every single bit of dust in this church if it would make her happy.
She is the only woman I’ve been with who cares nothing for my wealth or family. I think she’d be happier if I was just an engineer.
If someone had told Alejandro a week ago that his entire life was about to change, he would have snorted in disbelief and gone right back to work. A week ago, he hadn’t believed in love. Nor did he believe in love at first sight.
Today, Alejandro Vega believed in both.
TEN
I will have to learn Spanish.
Cassidy didn’t think the lessons would take. Listening to Alex speak to the hostess at the rooftop tapas bar, she wished for the hundredth time she had an ear for languages.
The touch of Alex’s hand on her waist guided her gently to a table at the edge of the patio. The table was tucked back in a far corner and had an amazing view of San Miguel. He pulled out a chair for her before sliding into the seat next to her.
“Malbec?” He suggested to her as he motioned to a pretty young waitress with bright red lips. “I think you will like it.” Alex ordered the wine and some other things Cassidy couldn’t make out. Tapas, probably.
The waitress eyed Alex with appreciation, saying something in Spanish before moving off to get their wine.
“Do you ever tire of that?” Cassidy watched the waitress return to behind the bar, her eyes on Alex the entire time.
“Of what?”
Cassidy just raised a brow. He knew exactly what she was talking about.
“She recognizes me.” The broad shoulders gave a careless shrug. “Probably knows she’ll get a big tip. The Vega family, especially my father, is flashy.”
“Flashy?” There were many ways Cassidy would describe Alejandro Vega but flashy wasn’t one. As handsome and wealthy as he was, Alex hadn’t flaunted his money or his status in San Miguel. “No, you aren’t flashy. Expensively dressed maybe, but not flashy.”
Alex looked down as his Foo Fighters T-shirt. “This is not expensive.”
“Hmm. I doubt you were in regular seats for that. I bet you partied with the band after.”
A lopsided smile was her reply. “A good guess.” He shook his head. “You may be the only woman I’ve ever met who isn’t overjoyed that I am—,” he hesitated, “affluent. Why does it bother you?”
Because I’m afraid I won’t be enough for you. I wasn’t enough for Chad and he proved it in the most horrible way.
Cassidy looked out over the city spread below them, marveling at the view. Her insecurities weren’t Alex's fault. He’d done nothing to merit her distrust.
“Later, then.” His fingers ran over hers in a gentle caress. “There is something I want to talk to you about.”
“Will I like it?” A pit formed in her stomach expecting the worst.
“You will like it. At least I hope that you do. I’m moving my company
and—”
A vibration shook Alex’s pocket cutting off the rest of his sentence. Taking out his phone he glanced at the screen. “I have to take this.” He did not sound happy.
“Don’t get up,” she waved her hand as he stood. “I need to go to the ladies, anyway. I have something I want to talk to you about too.”
Alex already had the phone to his ear and flashed her a quick smile.
Cassidy wandered over to the bar and asked where the restrooms were. Whatever happened at Vega Petrol must be serious. Alex was gesturing with his hands again, and he looked seriously pissed.
She was so intent on Alex that as Cassidy turned the corner she ran smack into a tall, voluptuous woman with a cascade of dark hair.
“Perdone! I’m so sorry!” The woman said with a laugh. “My head,” she made a circular motion, “is not where it should be.”
The woman was incredibly striking, beautiful in a way that movie stars were. She seemed oddly familiar but Cassidy was positive they’d never met.
“It’s my fault. I wasn’t paying attention,” Cassidy assured her. “I was too busy looking at the view.”
The woman laughed and flipped her hair. The tank top she wore left little to the imagination and her jeans appeared to have been painted on her long legs.
Cassidy had always wanted to be tall with legs that went on for miles.
The woman’s eyes to search the patio for someone. Her eyes widened, and she said something in Spanish. Turning back to Cassidy she smiled again before walking towards the patio.
The woman wore stiletto heels with her jeans. She barely wobbled.
Cassidy sighed and looked down at her tennis shoes before walking into the bathroom. Alex said no more silly shoes.
He’s bossy. Complicated. Sexy. I’m crazy about him.
After she checked her makeup and adjusted her ponytail, Cassidy sat on a bench inside the ladies' room trying to collect her thoughts. The last twenty-four hours had been wonderful. Already Cassidy felt in sync with Alex in a way she never had with any other man. Did he feel it too?
Why does that woman look so familiar?
She did one last check of her face before leaving the bathroom and walked back out to the patio. Halfway across the rooftop, Cassidy stopped. The gnawing pit of dread in her stomach opened wide, threatening to swallow her. This couldn’t be happening to her again.
The beautiful dark-haired woman from the bathroom and sat at the table with Alex, or more correctly, sat in his lap.
Cassidy realized where she’d seen the woman before. On Alex’s arm in a photo of an art gallery opening. The pair looked cozy in the photo and certainly looked cozy now.
How stupid can I be?
Her heart screamed that what her eyes saw couldn’t possibly be true. She panicked, spinning around to head back the way she came. All she could think about was getting as far away from Alejandro Vega as she could.
◆◆◆
Alejandro would fire his cousin. Or possibly murder him. The only job he’d given Carlos the entire trip had been to make sure that Marta left the vicinity of San Miguel immediately.
“Mi corazon,” Marta breathed as she tried to situate herself more fully into his lap. Her breasts pressed against his chest. The suffocating scent of her gardenia perfume filled his nostrils.
Alex tried to push her discreetly off his lap, but she refused to budge.
Marta wiggled against his crotch. She tried to press her bright red lips against his and Alex turned his head. “Get off my lap. I don’t want to cause a scene, Marta, but if you don’t move, I’ll stand up. Do you want to end up on your ass with everyone watching?”
The red lips pouted, but she moved to the seat beside him. “Mi amor, I know you are angry with me about Sebastian.”
“I’m not angry.” He wasn’t. At least not about Sebastian.
“I came to make it up to you. Sebastian means nothing to me. It’s you I love.” Her hands reached for him.
Alejandro caught her fingers. “I don’t care about you and Sebastian. I never did.”
Marta sat back, her dark eyes glistening with tears. “It was a mistake, Alejandro.”
“No, Marta it wasn’t.” Alejandro didn’t want to be cruel. He and Marta had some good times together. He appreciated her creativity and sense of style. And the sex had been great.
I never felt for her the way I feel for Cassidy.
“I don’t love you, Marta. And if you would be honest with yourself, you don’t love me either.”
“No! Alejandro—”
“Stop, Marta. Please.” He implored even as his eyes searched for Cassidy among the groups of people on Luna’s patio. Where was she? “I know about the others. Sebastian wasn’t the only soccer player you entertained.”
Marta paled. She blinked rapidly as if she were about to cry and bit her lip. A calculated move for sympathy.
Alejandro raised a brow. “You should go.” He’d seen plenty of Marta’s dramatics and wasn’t interested in seeing any more.
“Who is she?” Marta’s face suddenly hardened. Her voice lowered and took on a scathing tone. “Marisol told me you had a woman at my house—.”
“My house, Marta. It’s my house.” Alejandro had reached his limit, and he’d had enough of Marta. “I understand you took the liberty of using one of my drivers to bring you here and now you will use him to take you back. Tonight.” He took out his cell phone and sent a text to his cousin. “As a matter of fact, your driver will be here in minutes with your things. I hope we can part as friends.”
“Fuck you, Alejandro.” Marta hissed and stood. Holding her head high she looked down at him. “Don’t come crawling back to me when things don’t work out with your little Americana.”
Marisol was definitely fired. He wondered how much the housekeeper had told Marta. “Goodbye, Marta.”
His ex-girlfriend spun on her heels and stalked out of Luna with a walk that would make runway models jealous. Cassidy would have taken two steps and fallen on her ass.
Again, Alex looked towards the entrance, knowing the bathrooms were just to the right of the bar. Was Cassidy sick? He was about to go look for her when the waitress returned to ask if he would order any food.
“I’m waiting for my friend to return.” Dread tickled through him as he said the words. Cassidy should have been back by now.
“The redhead? She left Mr. Vega. I guess something happened because she was in a hurry. She ran into me, and I nearly lost the tray I was carrying.”
Shit.
Cassidy had seen Marta, probably on his lap, and she had immediately assumed the worst. He had to find her and fix this situation. Pulling out his cell phone, he punched the dial screen and stopped. Cassidy had never given him her number and Alejandro hadn’t asked for it. He’d been so sure of his intentions towards her and their blossoming feelings for one another, it never occurred to him that Cassidy would have doubts. He didn’t even know what hotel she was staying at. Alejandro stupidly just assumed that after spending the day together, she would naturally come home with him.
“She’s right, I am an arrogant snob.”
“Excuse me?” The waitress leaned down over him. “I get off at seven.”
“Have a good evening.” He threw some money on the table, already walking towards the exit, ignoring the painful ache in his heart. She left the restaurant without giving him the courtesy to explain. Is that what she thought of him?
Maybe he should just let her go. Maybe he was kidding himself and his attraction to Cassidy was only lust. She was just different. Unique. She would go back to Houston and get her doctorate. Marry a nice boy from Texas and have a family.
Fuck that.
Cassidy belonged to him even if she didn’t think so at the moment. Calling his assistant in Mexico City, Alejandro instructed him to find the number for the Luxe office in Houston. Hopefully, he could find Cassidy before she left San Miguel.
ELEVEN
Cassidy grabbed her carryon and m
oved quickly through the security line to wait for her Houston flight. The airport was filled with good-looking dark-haired men, but none of them were Alex. A part of her had hoped he would come after her and make some grand gesture and give her an explanation for what she saw.
But he didn’t.
I was just a fling. A diversion for Alex before Marta showed up. He only pretended he wasn’t involved with anyone. No wonder the housekeeper didn’t like me. I was the other woman. The very idea made Cassidy sick to her stomach.
“I’m such an idiot,” she whispered to herself.
In a daze, she handed over her boarding pass and made her way down the plane. Perfect. Her seat was all the way at the end. The latrine odor would follow her all the way to Houston.
“Probably wasn’t even the first woman he’d made fucking pasta for.” The flight attendant would think she was crazy if she kept muttering to herself.
Cassidy shrugged and swung her overnight bag in the compartment above her head. Plopping down in the seat she wondered if it was too early to order a Bloody Mary. She rubbed a hand against her chest to stop the pain from radiating all over her body. Chad had hurt and humiliated her. But this was far worse. It felt as if her soul had been wrenched from her body.
“Bring on the damn refreshment cart,” she hissed under her breath and told herself that what happened was for the best. She didn’t fit into Alex’s world, anyway. How could she think they had a future together? More importantly, how could she keep from bursting into tears on the fucking plane?
I misread the situation. I misread Alex. I mean, just look at Marta. Who the hell could compete with that? I’m not even Alex’s type.
As the jet ascended into the early morning sky, Cassidy kept her eyes shut, swiping at the tear that ran down her cheek.
Definitely worse than Chad.
◆◆◆
Alejandro paced across the lobby of the Azul hotel before stopping again before the young man at the front desk. Azul was a small boutique hotel tucked away in the historic district that appealed to traveling artists and museum curators. He should have known Cassidy would stay some place like Azul. The hotel appealed to academics and artists.
