Restlessly, he rose from the chair and stared out the window.
He’d only wanted to sleep with her, but from that first night, he’d known once wouldn’t be enough. Twice wouldn’t be enough. And even though she’d agreed to his proposal, a part of him rebelled at the thought that she was, indeed, like other women. And reminded him of a bitter truth he’d learned as a young adult: a man could have anything, if he paid the right price.
Sonia arrived at Esteban’s home with a rapidly beating pulse. She was actually going to do this. And why not? Why shouldn’t she capitalize on her looks? Why shouldn’t she have nice things, even if only for a short time? Why continue to deprive herself out of some misplaced sense of guilt when she’d done nothing wrong? Esteban wanted her company and would pay an obscene amount to have it. She was the one in control.
Ready to negotiate, she traipsed into his home with her head held high, and he led the way into the living room. Esteban, wearing a plain white T-shirt that showed off his thick biceps, stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass with his arms crossed and his intense gaze resting on her face. Behind him, one of the boats that showed tourists where the stars lived chugged by.
“I’m glad you came,” he said. “What changed your mind?”
“I realized you were right. We are good together. We do have chemistry. And I enjoy the lifestyle that you offer.”
He nodded, studying her with perceptive eyes. “You said you have conditions.”
“Before we get started, you’re not married, are you?”
His eyebrows shot upward. “Of course not.”
“Can’t be too careful,” Sonia muttered. She let out a breath. “I want the first month deposited before we begin.”
“Fine.”
“I don’t want anyone to know the type of arrangement we have.”
“No problem. My arrangements are always confidential.”
“My apartment is my sanctuary. You have no right to come there unless invited.”
“That’s going to be a problem.”
“Why?”
“That’s not part of the contract.” He lifted a paper from the table that she hadn’t paid attention to before. It was only one page, but it took her by surprise.
“Contract?”
“I spell everything out in black and white, to ensure there’s no confusion.”
She took the sheet and reviewed each line, noting the agreed-upon sum would be deposited into the bank account of her choice every month. There was also a clause that stipulated they both get tested for STDs and she must agree to get on the pill.
Her eyes zeroed in on the paragraph that stipulated she move in with him. “You never said anything about me moving in with you.”
“I prefer to have you here with me. In my house.”
“I want to keep my place.” She felt the control she was certain of slipping away.
“That won’t be possible. I want you here,” he said firmly.
“Why? So you can keep tabs on me?”
He smiled slowly but didn’t answer the question, and he didn’t need to. That was precisely why.
“You feel you can’t trust me.”
“I don’t trust anyone.”
Sonia swallowed. Having this conversation was strange, but maybe all couples should have a blatantly honest conversation before they entered into a relationship, no matter how clinical or uncomfortable. Maybe then there would be fewer problems if relationships started with a contract that laid out each party’s role and each party’s expectations.
“Fine. I’ll live here.” It was a small price to pay, and the house was beautiful.
“Anything else?” he asked.
She glanced at the contract again. “You never mentioned I couldn’t have a job, either.” His stipulations were not exactly what she’d anticipated. She was moving in with him and couldn’t keep her place, and now she couldn’t even have a job.
“You won’t need a job, and it would pose too much of a problem. From time to time you’ll need to travel with me, and of course attend events while I’m here in the States. You need to be available, and that won’t be possible if you have to ask permission to take time off.”
He picked up a pen and extended it to her.
Sonia took the pen and stared at the sheet of paper. She was really going to do this.
She signed on the top line, and he signed below it. After folding the document in half, he set the agreement on the table.
“Now let me give you a proper tour of the place.”
He took her throughout the house, introducing her to rooms that she had not seen before. He showed her the additional bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms upstairs. They didn’t enter Delores’s quarters, but Sonia knew the exact location now. A tour of the grounds followed, and she saw his pearl-gray GranTurismo, the Porsche, and the guest house where Abel resided.
They made their way back indoors and entered the living room. Moving into his mansion made her feel as if what little control she’d hoped to maintain was slipping through her fingers like water.
“Without a job, what exactly am I supposed to do all day?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know what women of leisure do all day.” He sat in one of the armchairs. “But I know that a job will get in the way, so it’s not a good idea for you to have one.”
What else could she do? Shopping, hair appointments, massages, and manicures and pedicures came to mind. After all that, she’d still have plenty of hours in the week, even worse when he was out of the country.
“You look lovely today,” Esteban said. “Come here.”
She swallowed. “You come here.”
A smirk filtered across his lips, as if he’d heard something very amusing. He unfolded his long body from the chair and walked over to her. She held her breath the entire time. He cupped her chin in his hand and angled her head up so he could look her directly in the face. As he dipped his head close, she saw a gleam in his eyes—a ruthlessness that sent trepidation tripping through her chest.
“Make no mistake who is in control in this relationship, Sonia. You are my mistress. I’m the one in control.”
“Are you sure, Esteban?” Sliding her mask into place, she aimed a sultry smile at him and slipped an arm around the back of his neck. His eyes narrowed as she rose onto her toes. Tugging his head down to hers, she kissed him, determined to take charge, a confident seductress about to get what she wanted.
She’d give it a year, like she’d told Jackie. No more than a year, and she’d save all her money and move on. Until then, she could pretend that this was like any other relationship.
She didn’t have much time to think about anything else. Esteban angled his head and roughly slid his fingers into her short hair, tugging her closer by the belt loop in her jeans. His firm mouth was demanding as it moved over hers, and already she felt the scales tipping in his favor.
He lifted her into his arms, and her legs and arms immediately wrapped around him. She fell deeper into the kiss, savoring his mouth and the strength in his biceps as he carried her back to the bedroom that was now equally hers.
He undressed her swiftly and easily, and within minutes, his hard body pressed into hers and she was pleading with him, begging in a trembling voice as she gripped his firm backside and he thrust deep and hard. When she came, it was almost a relief.
It was frightening how quickly she had acquiesced to him, and frightening how easily she’d given in to his demands. As if in the back of her mind she’d been worried she would lose this connection with him for good.
“You’ll move your things in tonight,” Esteban said, bowing his head to her breasts. He sucked a nipple into his mouth, and her still-sensitive body shivered in response. He’d just given her an incredible orgasm in the middle of the day with the sun’s rays slanting through the window.
And still she thirsted for him. Still she wanted more.
Chapter 23
Eight months later
The mi
ld breeze blowing across the patio ruffled the curls on Sonia’s head. She’d fallen in love with Argentina. Of course, it helped to have friends here.
She surveyed the expansive grounds of Esteban’s estate in Nortada, a wealthy enclave on the outskirts of Buenos Aires that was essentially a city within a city, with its own schools, stores, sport center, and other amenities meant to accommodate the wealthy owners behind the gated boundaries.
Esteban lived as lavish a life here as he did in Miami. Last time they visited, he’d had a royal blue and black Bugatti Chiron delivered, bringing the total number of sports cars he owned in Argentina to eleven. The interior of the two-story mansion was decorated with beautiful sculptures and art, including bold pieces by photorealistic painter Audrey Flack, and more of the subtle beauty of his favorite artist, Benito Quinquela Martín. High-end furniture filled each room, some purchased in Argentina, other pieces imported, like the solid maple mid-century Danish chair and desk in his home office.
One of Sonia’s new friends, Nadine Alesini, sat beside her on a patio chair, holding her fourteen-month-old son, Nicolás. Nico, as they called him, was playing with an old cell phone they let him have. He liked gnawing on it and punching the buttons to hear them beep.
Nadine was African-American, with a bright smile that immediately welcomed Sonia into their tight circle. She was the wife of Esteban’s friend and business associate, Cortez Alesini. Sonia’s bond with the other woman was cemented when she learned Nadine was also from Atlanta. They spoke in detail about familiar places and restaurants, and discovered they even knew a couple of the same people.
While the men had taken a day trip to São Paulo to meet with a real estate developer, Sonia and Nadine had not too long ago returned from a shopping trip with the baby, the couple’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Antonella, and her older cousin. As it was December, the teenagers were taking advantage of the southern hemisphere’s warm summer climate and splashing around in the pool.
“Señorita.”
Esteban’s Argentine housekeeper was wringing her hands. Marta was a petite woman, with her dark hair cut in a short, tapered style.
“Yes, Marta?”
“Would you like to look at Saturday’s menu? I think something is wrong, but I’m not sure. I want to make sure I have what Sr. Galiano wants.”
Cortez and Esteban had planned an informal meeting for when the real estate developer and his wife came to Buenos Aires to expand their business interests in Argentina.
“Sure, I’ll take a look.”
Nico’s eyes followed Sonia’s movement as she stood, and he dropped the cell phone on his mother’s lap and outstretched his hands to her.
“No, Nico, leave her alone,” Nadine gently chided her son, and set the abandoned toy on the table.
“I don’t mind. He can come with me,” Sonia said.
“He’ll get in the way,” Nadine said uncertainly.
“No, he’ll be fine. Won’t you, sweetie?” Sonia lifted the little boy into her arms, and he grinned up at her with bright-eyed, adorable innocence. “He’s got me wrapped around his little finger,” she admitted. She’d fallen in love with him from the first day. He was such a friendly baby, and so full of energy.
She went into the house with Nico on her hip and reviewed the catering menu on the laptop screen on the kitchen counter. After a quick scan, she immediately identified the problem. Pointing at the item, she said, “We can’t have the soy because one of the guests is allergic.”
“Ay. I knew something was wrong, but I could not remember.” Marta muttered in Spanish and shook her head.
“Wasn’t there a choice of chorizo and smoked shrimp canapés?”
“Yes.” Marta nodded.
“Add those to the menus, too.”
“Sí, señorita.”
“Did you hear back from the band?” They’d tried to secure a local band Esteban liked, but didn’t know if they could because of the short notice.
“Yes, I did, and they agreed to play. The señor will be happy.”
“Perfect. Sounds like we’re ready for Saturday.”
“Sí. The wine and special glasses you ordered were delivered today, the menu is almost ready, and I will make the staff to use the new linens on Saturday.”
Nico squealed and kicked his feet.
“He is happy, too.” Marta smiled and pinched his cheek.
Sonia grinned and dropped a kiss to the opposite cheek. Nico smelled like babies do—sweet and as if he’d been doused in powder. She took his little fist between her fingers and wiggled his hand playfully. He giggled some more, with an adorable laugh that created a little twinge in her chest.
She had never thought of herself as the maternal type, but for a split second she got caught up in the entire scene—holding Nico on her hip and reviewing the plans for the dinner party with the housekeeper. It all felt so foreign, but at the same time, familiar. Comfortable. An achy sensation—like longing—blossomed in the pit of her stomach.
“We’re all set, then, Marta?” she asked, shaking off the feeling.
“Sí.” Marta looked up from the email she was in the process of typing to the caterers.
“Bueno.” Sonia went back out to the patio, and Antonella and her cousin were now lounging poolside playing with their iPads.
“Did he behave himself?” Nadine asked.
“He was an angel.” Sonia handed the baby back to her.
“Are you Mommy’s good boy? Huh?”
“Mama, goo boy,” Nico said.
Nadine smiled, lifting him above her head and lowering him close enough to kiss his nose. She did that repeatedly, and he loved the little game, laughing and grabbing at her face with each iteration.
“Mom, can we go back to the house to watch a movie?” Antonella asked.
“Yes, you may. Did you already call Joachim?” Nadine asked, referring to the family driver.
“Yes.” Antonella hopped up from the chair with a towel wrapped around her torso, and her cousin followed suit. “Want us to take Nico with us?”
“You can, or I can keep him.”
“We can take him. We don’t mind.” Gabriela, Antonella’s cousin, crouched to eye level with Nico. “Want to come with us?” She held out her hands, and he immediately went to her.
“You all be careful,” Nadine said.
“We will! Bye, Miss Sonia,” Antonella said.
“Bye, girls,” Sonia said to them.
They disappeared inside.
“She’s always so willing to spend time with her little brother,” Sonia remarked.
Nadine nodded. “I’m lucky, for sure. It gives me a break, and he absolutely adores her.” A flicker of sadness entered Nadine’s eyes. “I don’t know if Esteban ever told you, but Cortez and I had another baby, in between those two.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“We lost him,” Nadine said quietly.
“Oh, Nadine, I’m so sorry.” Sonia touched her arm. Nadine had been so kind and friendly since they met, and it hurt to think what she and her husband must have gone through.
“It was a long time ago, but it was hard.”
“I can’t imagine.”
Sonia’s phone beeped on the table between them, and she glanced at the screen. Right away, she felt a rush of excitement when she read the text. “It’s Esteban. He said they’ll be back around nightfall.”
“He’s checking in,” Nadine teased.
“No, he likes to keep me informed, that’s all.” Esteban always kept her updated on his schedule.
A ghost of a smile hovered around Nadine’s lips.
“What?” Sonia said.
The smile widened into a knowing grin. “You’re good for him.”
“Who? Esteban?”
She nodded.
“What do you mean?” Sonia asked.
“I’d given up hope he’d ever settle down. Now I’m not so sure.”
“Not because of me,” Sonia said, although her heart raced. The tightne
ss in her chest deepened when her friend nodded.
If she was good for Esteban, he was certainly good for her, too. In a short period, she’d met so many people thanks to him—some of them acquaintances meant to be kept at arm’s length, but a few select ones became genuine friendships, like her relationship with Nadine.
He’d opened her up to a whole new set of experiences, and as a result, her world view had expanded. She was taking online Spanish classes and had seen marked improvement, mostly in understanding the language. Her speech still needed quite a bit of work, but she was getting there.
While this was her third trip to Argentina, her passport had accrued stamps from other countries around the world. The weekend of her twenty-eight birthday, he’d chartered a plane for her and three girlfriends to Cabo San Lucas, where he covered all their expenses. They stayed in a private villa, partied at local clubs, and Sonia took a giant leap and even learned to scuba dive.
“Definitely because of you. It’s hard to explain, but Esteban is different.” Nadine bit the tip of her finger as she thought. “As far as I know, he’s never brought a woman here.”
Sonia didn’t know that. She’d assumed she was one of many.
“And I think he’s more relaxed with you,” Nadine continued. “He has a full staff to take care of his needs, and Marta does a good job, but Esteban is the type of man who thinks if he tells you something once, he shouldn’t have to tell you again. He can be a little…how do I put this delicately…abrupt with his staff.”
Sonia smiled. She’d seen it herself. “He doesn’t like the details.” He was a perfectionist, and he expected perfection in the people he employed. Because of that, he tended to have a short fuse when it came to mistakes or what he considered shortcomings.
“No, he does not. I’m sure he’s glad to have you around to help. Other than Abena and maybe one other person, I don’t think I’ve seen him trust anyone else this much.”
She and Abena coordinated the management of the household staffs here, in Miami, and his Caribbean property. Esteban never had to concern himself with planning meals or taking care of landscaping, or making sure the cars were properly maintained on schedule. Anything concerning his places of residence, she and Abena took care of, and it was obvious he’d gladly relinquished those responsibilities.
More Than a Mistress (Latin Men Book 5) Page 14