Sabrina took a deep breath. “I know.”
Her gaze traveled over his face, and she could see the pain in his eyes—the source of his fury. Any number of women would have been happy to be in her position, but she’d thrown it all away with a reckless act.
She’d hurt the only man she’d ever loved, wounded his pride, and tossed everything he’d ever given her back in his face. If only she could take it back. She wanted to ease his pain, and selfishly, she wanted to stop her own, too.
She lifted a tentative hand to touch the smooth skin of his face. “Renny…”
His nostrils expanded, and a tremor shook his body at her touch.
“Deus,” he said, his voice a thickened groan.
His face contorted, and she sensed the internal struggle within him. He didn’t want to want her, but he did. They were both helpless to the pulse and beat of the intensity between them.
“Renny, honey,” she whispered, “forgive me. I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
Hesitantly, she edged closer, and when he didn’t withdraw, she pressed a light kiss to his neck. He still didn’t move, so she pressed another one, and another to his Adam’s apple, traveling to the other side of his throat with tender kisses across his skin.
Desire blossomed inside of her as another tremor, stronger this time, wracked his body. Then, with a guttural groan, he wrapped his strong arms around her waist and his mouth landed on hers—not soft and tender like hers, but hot and demanding.
She leaned into him, her heart soaring. He wanted her and she wanted him. She’d never had any desire to cheat; that night had been an anomaly. Renaldo was all she needed, all she wanted.
With no resistance from her, he pulled her into the doorway of one of the buildings and drew her closer, sandwiching her between him and the wall, making her breasts swell against the press of his hard chest.
Sabrina let her purse fall to the ground to freely lock her arms around his neck. She opened her mouth, swaying under the force of sexual desire that claimed her body. Renaldo groaned, smoothing his hands up the back of her thighs, dragging the hem of her dress with them. His hands roamed possessively over her hips and the bare cheeks of her buttocks, exposed because of the thin piece of fabric nestled between them.
How she’d missed him, missed his touch.
He buried his face in the curve of her neck, his heavy breaths heating her skin as his hand skimmed across the damp material between her legs. Sabrina angled her hips toward him, opening her thighs wider to make it easier for him to caress her there, where her wet body pleaded for more.
She found his mouth again and initiated another kiss, but he took control by darting his tongue between her lips, scraping past her teeth to make masterful, erotic strokes. His mouth moved over hers with fluid control, yet it was a demanding, all-consuming kiss. She shivered in his arms as their tongues tangled and their moist lips devoured each other.
It had been so long since she’d felt this rush, this heat. His taste and scent were intoxicating.
His hand went to the back of her knee and lifted her leg so that it hooked around his waist, and she could feel the pressure of his hard length on her abdomen.
He slid his other hand down the soft curve of her bottom, squeezed one of her cheeks, and continued the slide between her legs until one long finger slid along her covered slit and flicked her engorged clit.
Her lower body jerked at the intimate touch. What rushed through her was indescribable, dizzying, and a tiny sound left her throat. Her need for him was unprecedented, and she rocked her hips against his, gasping into his mouth, moaning and aching for relief. She wanted him here, now, against this wall, with a desire so explosive she no longer cared what he thought of her.
“I need you…need you, Renny.”
The admission was a breathless whisper that bared the truth to him. She feverishly kissed his lips, his chin, and dragged his lower lip between her teeth. She caressed his head, ruffling the short, silky strands with her fingers.
His breathing was shaky as he directed his mouth to her jaw line, down to the erratic pulse at her throat, his kisses moist and hot. He dragged his hand to the front and slid it between her legs, moving it slow, sliding backward, then forward, before his finger flicked her clit again. She trembled, clutching his shoulders, and he made circles on the damp crotch of her panties, drawing out the torture. The oppressive ache in her loins was too much. She needed him, as much as she needed the blood in her veins.
Sabrina reached between them and covered his raging hard-on with her palm, the heavy weight of it filling her hand. She was reaching for the zipper on his pants, when all of a sudden he pulled back.
“Não!”
He took two steps back with a suddenness that left her off balance, the wooden frame of the doorway supporting her shaky-legged stance. Their mutual passion had them both heaving deep breaths, staring at each other with blatant hunger.
“Sedutora,” he rasped, swiping a hand across his mouth.
He stepped back into the alleyway and turned his back to her, running the same hand down the back of his head. She noticed how his fingers trembled. Disappointed in the turn of events, Sabrina pushed her dress back down, her unsatisfied need a physical pain.
“Six million, and not a penny more, no matter how enticing you are.” The words sounded torn from him. “Take it or leave it. You move back in. If you choose not to, then I take my chances with the mayor.”
Her heart hurt at the suggestion that she was trying to seduce him into giving her more money, but the fact that he’d gone up another million brought home the importance of having this deal finalized. He’d explained it to her once—the significance of família. The ideology was commonplace in a country where the preservation of the family was paramount. Here, the familial bond made it a societal requirement that those who were better off help their relations. Nepotism was actually a positive thing.
She’d found it difficult to comprehend at first, but after so much time in the country, she came to understand. If this deal fell through, family members who expected to have some role in it would suffer. No doubt promises had already been made that needed to be fulfilled. This is where she had the upper hand, because Renaldo’s Latin pride would not allow him to let them down. She could call his bluff, press home her advantage, and try to squeeze even more money out of him, but ultimately, that’s not what she wanted.
“Six million, Sabrina,” he repeated, waiting for a response, his back still to her.
It wasn’t a hard decision to make for practical reasons. In thirty days, she could exit the country six million dollars richer and have the funds to start her own company rather than working for someone else.
Yet she wanted to tell him no, she wouldn’t leave, that she wanted to stay and fight for her marriage. She didn’t want to take the money and then be forced to disappear from his life forever, but she’d be fooling herself to suggest anything other than what he offered.
Her explanations hadn’t changed his opinion of her. He only wanted her to do what he demanded and get out of his life.
Tears filled her eyes. “I accept your offer,” she said quietly.
“Of course you do.” Another swipe at her character. The explosive chemistry between them wasn’t enough to kill the anger and pain. “We have contracts to sign. Let’s get this over with.”
* * * *
Today had not gone as planned at all.
Renaldo climbed the stairs to the second floor of his home. He walked across the thick carpet of the second living room, filled with heavy, dark brown leather furniture and contemporary tables made of beveled sky blue glass tops. The upper rooms were housed around the living room: a guest bedroom and bath, a hall bath, two offices, and the master suite and its bathroom. Against the wall, a small bar and kitchenette sat side by side, so that the upstairs could be self-contained.
Renaldo went to the bar and poured himself a scotch.
He thought back to the pained look in S
abrina’s eyes when he’d called her a puta. Why did he want to comfort her, gather her close and tell her everything would be okay? Why was he the one feeling guilty when she was the one who’d been unfaithful? And why the hell was his body still throbbing hours after he’d touched her?
He tossed back the scotch.
The apartment didn’t feel the same. He’d lived alone before she moved in, but without her there, it seemed emptier than before. It no longer felt like home.
He picked up the decanter, poured himself another drink, and then walked over to the doors leading to the rooftop terrace. Outside was an infinity-edge pool, which at first glance gave the impression that one could fall off the top of the building, but a solid wall of Plexiglas prevented such a catastrophe from happening. A patio set with an umbrella and lounge chairs finished off the outdoor retreat.
He sighed. He hated her for what she’d done. Even though he couldn’t trust a word that came from her lying lips, he couldn’t ignore the feelings that arose as a result of seeing her again—which showed the extent of his idiocy.
He tossed back the second drink.
He would have preferred to have never met her in the bar in Chicago that night. Whoever had said it was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all was an idiot. Either that or they had never loved and lost like this.
He couldn’t believe the situation in which he found himself, needing the aid of a woman he couldn’t trust and could barely stand the sight of.
A sudden burst of rage combined with agony blasted through his body and he clenched his fist. The tumbler in his hand shattered, shards of glass slicing his skin. Shocked, he watched as small drops of blood ballooned and slid from his fingers, joining broken glass on the soft carpet.
Merda.
And to think, she hadn’t even moved back in yet.
Chapter Six
Sabrina drained the last of the coffee in her cup and set it in the kitchen sink. She still hadn’t fully recovered after the meeting with Renaldo, even though it had taken place two days ago. Thinking about him and that kiss made her feel as if there was a barrage of moths flailing their wings inside her stomach.
She closed her eyes and relived the moment as she’d done countless times already. She remembered how his powerful body pinned her against the doorframe, the intimate caress of his hands between her thighs, his mouth plying her lips with kisses and torturing the skin of her neck.
A shudder ran through her and she shook her head. She had to stop replaying it; it only made her want him more.
And he didn’t want her. His body did, but he didn’t. He’d been angry about his reaction to her; he didn’t want to have anything to do with her. She needed to remember that and focus on getting through the next few weeks.
The contracts had been signed that same day, and Renaldo had expected her to move in immediately.
“He’ll just have to wait,” she muttered, knowing he wouldn’t be pleased.
He was used to people falling all over themselves to accommodate him. But she’d decided to move in over the weekend. All she had to do was pack a few suitcases with enough clothes to hold her over during the weeks at the penthouse.
She went into her bedroom to check her reflection in the mirror and straightened the jacket of her black suit.
Because of their separation, she not only needed a way to make money, she wanted to stay busy, too. She’d decided to finish out the week at the firm where she’d been offering her consulting services. Her schedule was flexible, although she stuck to the same routine—going in mid-morning and leaving six hours later. The project was almost wrapped up, and today she planned to tell the onsite manager that her last day was Friday.
The American firm, Midas Investments, Inc., was based out of Los Angeles and had set up a satellite office in Sao Paulo to facilitate a joint venture between them and a Brazilian company. She’d found out they were looking for a consultant after scouring the classified ads. They’d hired her the same day of her interview, stating it was because of her ability to speak Portuguese and her experience in mergers and acquisitions.
Jewel had been so happy when she found out Sabrina was moving back in with Renaldo, Sabrina felt guilty about not being able to share the details with her cousin. Unfortunately, she had no choice in the matter because the confidentiality agreement Renaldo had her sign forbade her to say a word to anyone.
As a good faith gesture, he’d already wired two million dollars into an account she still had in Chicago. The balance of the funds would be deposited after the probation period when the mayor could no longer cancel the contract.
Thirty minutes later, Sabrina stepped off the elevator onto the floor occupied by Midas Investments. She was greeted by the receptionist before she went into her temporary office. After working for a while, she looked up when a gentle knock sounded on the office’s open door.
She smiled when she saw Rick, one of the analysts from Los Angeles.
“Hey, there,” he said. His dark hair always looked disheveled and windswept. “Got lunch plans?”
“No, I sure don’t.” Sabrina glanced at the time on her cell phone. The morning had flown by. “How about in the next thirty minutes? I’m giving this cash flow valuation one more review before I hand it over to Jonas.” Jonas Abramson managed the office and everyone working there reported to him.
“We’re going to miss you around here. You only have a few more days, right?”
“Yes, and then it’s sayonara. I’ll talk to Jonas when I’m finished with this and make sure I’ve tidied up all the loose ends since I won’t be back next week.”
She was going to miss working in the small office. It made her feel useful and filled the hours with activity—activity which didn’t allow her to think about her dead marriage and pending divorce.
“Well, you’ll have to get in line,” Rick said. “He’s got some hotshot executive in his office behind closed doors.”
“Oh, really?” Sabrina scanned the valuation report, only half-listening to what Rick was saying.
He dropped into the chair across from her and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Yeah, a local guy. What was his name again…? I think it’s a common name. It’s…Salvi—no…” He snapped his fingers. “Silva! That’s it. Silva.”
Sabrina’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately looked up. “Silva?”
Rick hadn’t made the connection because Sabrina had used her maiden name, Porter, when she’d applied for the consulting job.
“Yeah, da Silva. He’s some local big shot.” His brows drew together. “Hey, what’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“When did he get here? Do you know what he wants? How long has he been in there?”
“Whoa, I don’t know the details. I only know what the receptionist told me, and she said that this guy was a big deal around here. Jonas was excited to see him and told her to hold all calls while they met.” He looked at her curiously. “Do you know this guy?”
“I’m not sure. Like you said, Silva is a common last name.” If it was Renaldo, why was he here?
“Well, according to the receptionist, he’s pretty tall, and these are her words, not mine…’gorgeous with midnight black hair.’ Sound like your guy?”
“Yes.” There was no doubt in her mind it was him.
“Who is he?”
She hesitated before answering. The staff knew she was married, but she’d never given them any details. “He’s my husband.”
“Your husband?” Rick dropped his foot to the floor and sat up in the chair.
“It’s a long story.” Sabrina rose from the chair. “I better go see what he’s doing here. Thanks for the heads-up, Rick.”
“Uh, yeah. Sure. No problem.”
Sabrina left him and within seconds found herself in front of her boss’s secretary. She guarded Jonas like a bulldog, and she refused to allow Sabrina into his office until Sabrina told her that he was meeting with her husband. Even then she
picked up the phone to double check.
Sabrina took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
“Sabrina!” Jonas sprang from his chair, a huge grin on his face. “Look who stopped by.”
Renaldo sat there, looking amazing in another one of his three-piece suits. His gaze ran all over her before coming back to her face, and she felt that look in every nerve ending.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I came to talk to a friend.”
“A friend?” Sabrina looked from one to the other. “I didn’t know the two of you knew each other.”
“We do. If I’d known he was your husband, I would have given you a bigger office.” Jonas winked and laughed. “We met a couple of years ago at a business function when I first visited Sao Paulo to scope out locations. Renaldo was kind enough to give me some advice on the real estate market.”
“I would have had him lease space in one of my properties, but we didn’t have anything that fit his needs at the time.”
Jonas chuckled. “You still helped me out a great deal, and I appreciate it. Your knowledge was invaluable.”
Sabrina stared at Jonas. He was practically drooling over Renaldo. She’d never seen him so excited about a visitor.
Renaldo rose slowly to his feet. “I was explaining to Jonas how much your assistance is needed back at SDG. He’s been gracious enough to release you early from your contract obligations.”
Sabrina swung her head back to the manager. “I promised you I would work out the rest of the week. There’s no need for you to make special concessions for me.”
“Nonsense.” Jonas waved away her concerns. “You’re pretty much finished, aren’t you? And anything you haven’t had the chance to review, I can have one of the other analysts take a look at. You’re so thorough, I’m sure there’s nothing for us to worry about.”
“But Jonas—”
“Thank you for understanding, Jonas,” Renaldo interrupted. “I’m sure you’re aware how dedicated my wife is to any task she tackles. I’m looking forward to having her back at headquarters to help me on this project.”
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