Pedro followed behind her and stood on the opposite side of the counter as she went into the refrigerator for a bottle of water. “We both know, looking the way you do, you can have any man you want.”
“Stop it.” Conversations like that embarrassed her and reduced her to nothing but body parts.
“You think he doesn’t want to sleep with you? If so, you’re a fool.” He spoke with firm conviction. “Are you telling me he never made a pass at you?”
“You’re making a big deal out of nothing.” Despite not wanting her physically lately, Pedro had a jealous streak. She had to allay his concerns.
“Answer the question.” He walked around the counter. “This rich guy sent you a bunch of flowers that must cost a small fortune, and never made a pass at you? As beautiful as you are? As sexy. You know you’re sexy, mami. So come on, I’m supposed to believe he didn’t notice, and you went to dinner with him and stopped by his house last night?”
Swallowing water gave Sonia a few seconds to come to a decision about her answer. She didn’t want to upset Pedro, but she didn’t want to lie, either. Still, she couldn’t risk him making a big deal out of her business relationship with Esteban, because that was all it was—a business relationship. Yes, she was attracted to him, but who wouldn’t be? He was an attractive man.
A strong chin, dark eyes that could be warm one minute and coolly assessing the other. Lips that looked kissable and soft, and a voice that was in and of itself a carnal delight. She was only human, after all. But this was business and business only. So why stir the pot when there was nothing to worry about?
“Not every man wants to take me to bed.” She immediately diverted her gaze to the drapes across the room.
Pedro harrumphed and stepped closer. He placed both hands on her hips, and for the first time in a long time, she didn’t welcome contact with him. His touch felt foreign, and she tensed, backing up until she touched the refrigerator. But Pedro didn’t notice. He followed, and smiled down at her.
“I’d hate to have to fight this bastard.” He kissed her, his mouth gliding gently over hers. “You still want to go to brunch?” He tugged her bottom lip between his teeth.
Sonia ducked her head and laughed, gently pushing him away. “I can’t talk if you’re kissing me.” Better able to breathe with the distance between them, Sonia answered, “Yes, I’d still like to go to brunch.”
“Cool. Let me change and then we’ll head out.” He kissed her again and walked around the counter. He lived in the building across the street.
At the door, he said, “Hey, you think Mr. Argentina would be interested in my résumé? Maybe you could hand it to him next time he’s in town, see if he has any openings at one of his restaurants or the bakery.”
Sonia couldn’t believe his one-eighty. One minute he wanted to fight the guy, the next he wanted a favor. One minute he seemed on the verge of telling her not to see Esteban again, now he was encouraging her to talk to him because it benefited him.
“His name is Esteban Galiano, and I’ll see what I can do when I attend the first party,” she promised.
“Gracias, ma belle.” He sent an air kiss and smile her way before disappearing out the door.
After he left, Sonia went over to the flowers and dipped her nose in the bouquet, inhaling the fragrance of the blooms. She picked up the card and read it again.
Thank you for last night and the pleasure of your company. I’ll call you when I’m back in town. Esteban.
It disturbed her greatly how much she looked forward to that call.
Chapter 9
“How late are you working tonight?” Sonia smoothed matte lipstick, a maroon color, onto her lips.
“That’s what you wearing?” Pedro asked behind her, standing at the door with his arms crossed over his white chef’s jacket. He’d come by before his evening shift at Azul.
“What’s wrong with what I have on? It’s a black turtleneck and a white skirt.” True, the outfit showed off her curves, but she couldn’t help the way the clothes fit.
For the past few days, the weather had been unusually cool and windy for the end of January. Disgruntled tourists huddled in sweaters and windbreakers, complaining the low temperatures had spoiled their trip.
“It doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Are you going to work or going on a date?” Pedro asked sourly.
Their gazes met in the mirror.
“Don’t start. You know why I’m doing this. Working for Esteban is a great opportunity, and I need the money.”
“Esteban? You’re on a first-name basis now?”
“He suggested we use first names.” She fastened a gold-plated bracelet on her wrist, not bothering to ask for Pedro’s assistance, and he didn’t offer to help. “I’m going to make sure he looks at your résumé. Do you still want me to do that or not?”
There was no guarantee, but Pedro worked hard and was good at his job. All he needed was the right contacts.
“You know I want you to give him my résumé. I just don’t understand why you have to dress like that.”
“I’m not wearing anything I wouldn’t wear with you.”
“That’s the problem,” he muttered darkly.
Sonia didn’t want to argue. She needed to get to the house early enough to choose the wines to accompany the meal Delores and the chef had prepared.
“You’re being ridiculous. I could literally wear this outfit to church, but I’m not going to stand here and argue with you because I need to go.” She stepped to the door, thinking he’d move out of the way, but he remained firmly in place.
“I want you to do well, but something about this whole setup bothers me. How many parties can one guy have?”
She refrained from sighing and calmly said, “He entertains business associates at his house when he’s in town.”
“I’ve seen pictures of him. He’s rich, good-looking, and I’m jealous, okay?”
She couldn’t believe they were having the same argument weeks later.
“Jealous of what? It’s not as if I’ll be alone with him. There will be nine, count them, nine other people there tonight, listening to me go on and on about wine.”
“And you do go on and on,” he said with a teasing smile.
His comment stung a little. Whenever she wanted someone to help her with location and topography drills of wines around the world, she always asked Jackie. They worked in the same industry, but Pedro never showed much interest in her work.
At least he was loosening up a little bit. “Stop worrying. It’s a job. That’s it.”
His smile broadened. “You’re a good woman, you know that? You’re so supportive, and I promise, I’ll make it all up to you one day.”
“I’m sure you will,” Sonia said.
“How are you getting to this guy’s house? Need me to call a taxi for you?” Pedro slid out of the way.
“He’s sending a car. It should be waiting for me downstairs.” Sonia slipped on her shoes and checked her appearance in the mirror one last time. She wanted to look her best—to make a good impression on the guests, of course.
Pedro eyed her. “I’ll walk you down.”
Outside, the Maybach idled on the street, and the minute they walked out, Abel exited the vehicle and opened the back door.
Behind her, Pedro cursed. Before she could walk through the gate, he stretched an arm in front of Sonia and halted her steps. “Wait a damn minute. That’s your ride?”
“It’s a car,” Sonia said, but deep down knew that wasn’t quite true. It was an experience, and she hadn’t expected such royal treatment.
Pedro glared at the vehicle, a deep frown arrowing down above his nose.
“This guy is pulling out all the stops.” His heated gaze switched to her. “He’s paying a nice piece of cash for these parties, sending you a ridiculous amount of flowers that I certainly couldn’t afford, and now he’s making sure that you travel in style.”
“He’s rich. He likes to flaunt it.” Son
ia pushed open the gate.
“Good evening, Miss Kennedy,” Abel said, white teeth flashing against his brown skin.
“Hello, Abel.”
Pedro followed, eyes widening with incredulity. “You two know each other already?”
“We met when I went to Esteban’s house to take a look at his wine collection,” Sonia explained.
“So you rode in this car before?” The words barely made it past Pedro’s rigid lips.
“Yes.”
“Huh.”
Sonia couldn’t delay any longer. Abel was waiting. “I’ll see you later.”
She smiled at the driver, but before she could climb into the car, Pedro took her by the arm and hauled her into a tight embrace, kissing her hard on the mouth. Stunned, she froze, not even kissing him back. He’d never done anything like that before.
When he withdrew, she stared at him. Abel, meanwhile, politely looked off in the distance.
“Wh-what was that?” Sonia asked, pressing her fingers to her lips.
“Thought you needed it.”
“I needed it, or did you?”
“Maybe we both did, as a reminder.”
He’d been territorial in the past, but this behavior was too much. “When I get back, we need to talk, because I don’t know what that was, and I don’t appreciate it.”
A muscle flicked in his jaw and his eyes flitted to Abel before they returned to her face.
“I’ll see you later,” Sonia said. She slid into the interior of the car, and practically melted into the soft leather.
Pedro remained on the sidewalk as the vehicle pulled away. The heads of a man and woman on bikes swiveled in the direction of the car as they eased along the road.
Staring out the window, Sonia clenched her fist in her lap. She was angry, but not at Pedro. She was angry at herself for the conflicting emotions that plagued her. Angry that she was looking forward to seeing Esteban, while annoyed that Pedro—her boyfriend—had kissed her.
Halfway to Esteban’s home, her cell phone chirped, alerting her to a message. She looked down and read the note from Pedro.
Sorry for being such a jealous ass. Forgive me?
She answered quickly before she had a chance to think too long. Yes.
We’ll do something nice next week. When I don’t have work kicking my ass.
Sonia stared at the choppy water as they crossed over the bay. In a few minutes, they’d arrive at Esteban’s.
She wasn’t angry anymore. Now she just felt like shit.
Esteban’s housekeeper, Delores, greeted Sonia when she arrived. She was a meaty woman with gray-streaked hair held in a bun, but a smooth, unlined face.
He was still getting ready, so both women set to work preparing for the guests. Sonia chose several wines for the tasting, which would take place pre-dinner. For the multicourse meal, she picked a red, with a rich, earthy flavor she thought would go well with the meat dish, and a white for the fish course.
When Esteban came out, he was scrumptious in a pale blue button-down shirt and dark slacks. Sonia averted her eyes and gestured toward the table. “Well, what do you think?”
“Lovely. Surpassed my expectations.”
Pleased, she turned to look at him again, but he wasn’t looking at the table. His eyes were on her, his hot gaze tracing the curve of her behind in the figure-hugging skirt.
A soft blush crept into her cheeks.
Esteban walked closer but stopped a few feet away. “It’s unfortunate you’re not accustomed to hearing compliments.”
Sonia clutched the back of one of the dining chairs as his gaze practically caressed her, sliding from her face down over her body.
Her heart raced. She told herself she hated the way he looked at her, but a little voice inside whispered, Liar.
Guilt deepened the heat in her cheeks.
“You clearly don’t hear compliments enough, or you’d be used to them.”
“I get compliments, but I’m not used to receiving those kinds of compliments from men I work with.”
“I find that hard to believe. I think…” He gave a knowing smile. “I think maybe you are not used to liking to hear those things from a man you work with.”
She didn’t have a comeback to the surprisingly accurate words. Luckily, the doorbell rang at that moment, and she was freed from the snare of his gaze.
The first guests had arrived, and she was finally able to breathe easier.
The couple included a Russian commercial designer by the name of Ivana, who looked to be in her late forties. She was tall and fair-haired, and an air of authority hovered around her even as she gave Esteban two air kisses. Her husband Craig was American, and closer to Esteban’s age. Everything about him seemed casual, from the disarming smile to the khakis and pullover shirt he wore.
By the time the other guests arrived, Sonia had completely relaxed. The group congregated in the spacious living room for the hors d’oeuvres portion of the evening, and she went on autopilot, mingling with the guests, chatting and explaining the vintage in their glasses. She explained the region where the grapes were grown, and pointed out the different flavors in each.
Dinner took place in the formal dining room and was served by other members of Esteban’s staff, under Delores’s supervision.
As far as Sonia was concerned, the night was a smashing success. She received plenty of compliments and liked knowing she’d educated the guests on a subject she was passionate about. After the last person left, she remained in the kitchen, corking the last of the wine that remained. Nearby, Delores and the two staff members, a male and female, cleaned up the kitchen and washed dishes.
Esteban entered the room. “That went well,” he said quietly to Sonia.
“I agree. It was…exciting.” She clasped her hands in front of her.
“I can tell. You’re glowing.”
She laughed. “This is what I love to do. Well, I’ll be on my way, unless you need something else?”
Esteban went to the far side of the kitchen, where a desk was set up in a cubbyhole with a computer and paperwork in neat stacks on top of it. He opened one of the desk drawers and removed an envelope. Handing it over to Sonia, he said, “I hope we can continue doing business together.”
“I hope so, too.”
He walked her out to the car and saw her into it.
“Good night, Sonia.”
“Good night.”
On the way home, Sonia removed the check from the envelope and gasped at the amount. She blinked, staring at it for a long time before calling Esteban. He answered on the first ring.
“There’s been a mistake. You overpaid me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“The amount on the check is double my normal fee.”
“I know.”
“If you know, then…why did you do that?”
“Because you deserve it.”
Her stomach tightened as the words hung on the air between them. “Esteban—”
“Good night, Sonia. I look forward to seeing you again.”
He disconnected the call before she could reply.
What would she have said even if she’d had the chance to reply?
She let out a tremulous breath.
What could she have said, except that she looked forward to seeing him again, too?
Chapter 10
“What are your plans tonight?” Sonia asked Jackie as they jogged back from a run along the beach. They’d had a good workout. The afternoon air was cool and dry, and instead of feeling tired, Sonia was energized.
“Same as last Valentine’s Day. Nothing. What about you?”
“Pedro and I agreed not to buy gifts this year.”
“Wasn’t that your agreement last year?” Jackie asked.
After they banked the corner, their strides automatically slowed to a walk, like they always did in that location.
“We did, but we’re both so broke we decided to skip this year, too.” She put some of the money she’
d earned at Esteban’s party back into replenishing her savings and repaid Jackie a portion of what she owed her.
Jackie snorted. “Sounds like that was Pedro’s idea, and it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
Sonia shrugged. “He doesn’t think about things the same way we do. He’s a man, you know.”
“Not all men are like that,” Jackie said.
“He’s been having a hard time because he’s trying to find a position that challenges him and a restaurant that recognizes his talent. You have to admit that he’s a very talented pastry chef.”
“I agree, but at the same time, we’re not talking about his talents as a chef—we’re talking about what kind of boyfriend he is. Whether or not he likes celebrating Valentine’s Day is irrelevant. He should be willing to celebrate for you.”
“Valentine’s Day is not that big of a deal to me.”
“Oh, bollocks. That’s what you say, but wouldn’t it be nice if he surprised you with a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers?”
“You’d make a terrible boyfriend. You know I don’t eat chocolate.”
“Oh right. Flowers, then—red roses, of course.”
“If he ever did something like that, I’d wonder what was wrong, because he’s not that kind of guy. He’s not spontaneous and doesn’t adhere to the restrictions and requirements that come with days like Valentine’s Day that force men into performing in these roles.”
“Ha.”
Sonia shoved her friend.
They neared the apartment building, and Jackie slowed to a stop.
“You’re not coming in?” Sonia asked.
“No. I’m going home to wallow in self-pity that I’m single yet another Valentine’s Day.”
“Why don’t we wallow in self-pity together? I’ll pop open a bottle of wine and we can order a pizza.”
“And then what am I supposed to do when Pedro comes by? No, thanks.”
“It’s Valentine’s night. He’ll probably be at the restaurant all night working.”
More Than a Mistress (Latin Men Book 5) Page 6