by Nana Prah
She smothered her waffles with maple syrup. “Either we’re going back home, or we’re moving on to a place with an even hotter nightlife. Which one is it, Astacio?”
He chuckled at her exaggerated pout. A childhood move of sliding his index finger and thumb across his lips, twisting and then tossing away the key indicated that he wouldn’t reveal their plans.
“Fine. I’ll wait. But can you tell me what we’re doing for the rest of the afternoon? I’ve never been to New York before.”
At the thought of providing her with yet another new experience, his excitement spilled out into a grin. “What would you like to do?”
“Go to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.” She pointed her index finger skyward. “To the tippy top of both. Oh, and Broadway and—”
He raised his hands and laughed. “Babe, we only have time for one.”
She blinked up at him with a look of surprise for a moment before clearing her throat. “The Empire State Building.” The enthusiasm in her tone had reduced.
“What was that look for? Is your food okay?” He spread a generous dollop of cream cheese on his bagel.
“You called me ‘babe.’” She glanced at him through her lashes and giggled. Was she nervous? “I’m sure you must call everyone that since you’ve been doing it a lot with me lately.”
He never called people by anything but their name, not even the women he’d bedded. He’d never been into the pretense of it. Never really felt it, but it had come so naturally when they’d been together. “Nope. Just you.”
At her brows knitting together in confusion, he stood, leaned over the table, brushed his lips against her forehead and sank back into his seat before he could cross the barrier and kiss her the way he desired. “If you want, I could stop.” Gravity would have a greater chance of failing than of him keeping his offer.
“Um...no. It’s okay. I mean, it doesn’t bother me.” She lowered her gaze to her plate and raised a syrup-drenched waffle to her mouth.
What did it mean that she didn’t mind? Damn, he hated second-guessing himself. It wasn’t his style. Whatever he wanted he took, and he wanted her. Yet he kept holding back, watching her reaction to everything. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who had to let go of their past. “Okay, then hurry up and finish eating.” While I fall deeper in love with you every moment we’re together.
He’d keep the promise he’d made to her last night and take the art of seduction to an unforeseen level. By the time the night ended, she’d understand her position—as his woman. No more running away. For either of them.
Chapter 17
The panoramic view of the clear blue sky above New York seen from the top of the Empire State Building stole Tanya’s breath. “I can’t believe we’re a hundred and two stories in the air.” She didn’t care if she looked like a tourist as she got closer to the barrier. Could she fit her head through the bars? “This is amazing. Take a picture.”
He extended his arm for her camera and clicked away. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
Today, he’d hid his true identity with the Isaac Graham costume he’d worn to observe her club on their busiest night. She smiled up at him, relaxing for the first time since they’d left the hotel. Her stomach had been tied in knots since they’d almost kissed that morning. Not enough to keep her from the scrumptious breakfast, though. Something had shifted between them and she couldn’t tell if it was good or bad, so she’d kept the conversation light as they’d ridden through the streets of New York in a chauffeur-driven town car.
Stepping closer to him, she said in a low voice, “Why did Isaac make an appearance today?”
“I personify him when I want to relax and keep a really low profile.”
Unable to resist, she reached up and stroked his beard-free cheek. “How come people can’t recognized you? It’s not like you use face masks and completely hide your features.”
He turned his head and kissed the palm of her hand. The full mustache tickled, but not enough to depress the zing it sent coursing through her. He grasped her hand and interlaced her fingers with his. “I learned a long time ago that people see what they want. It’s why I’m so confident that I won’t be recognized no matter which disguise I wear.”
They took a leisurely stroll around the periphery, mingling with the crowd gawking at the city. “I bet I’d be able to recognize you no matter what you looked like.”
He squeezed her hand. “Is that so, Ms. Carrington? Should I take it as a challenge?”
She laughed as she pulled him to an empty viewing machine. “You can do whatever you want with it. But I’ll always be able to tell it’s you.” Not just by his sexy dimples and skin that could pass for almost any cultural group because of its fine light brown tint. Miguel’s aura pulsed off him. It was no wonder the cameras had loved him from such a young age. Add his outrageous lifestyle to his handsomeness and well-toned body, and he was someone no one wanted to look away from.
“Okay then. Challenge accepted. You won’t know when or where, but I will thwart you.”
“You can try, but it won’t happen.” She hesitated before releasing his large hand so she could hunt for money in her purse to see a magnified view of the city. Once the eyes of the machine popped open, she looked into it, rotating the machine at all angles to take in as much as she could.
Before long, the tower viewer clicked off. Tanya contemplated paying for another session, but she missed Miguel even though he stood only a few feet away. She turned to find him with his hand outstretched to help her down from the step. Her heart rose to her throat as she accepted his gallant offer.
“Would you like to look through another scope?” He tucked her fingers into the crook of his arm.
“I’m good. How many times have you been here?”
“This is my first time.”
Tanya leaned back to look up at him. “Really?”
“I’ve seen the city from a helicopter a few times.”
“Of course you have,” she said drily. She could expect nothing less from the heir of a dynasty.
Chuckling, he stopped at an empty space that included a view of the river. “I was here on business. Not pleasure.” Stepping in close behind her, he wound his arms around her waist. The warmth from his body even through his layers of clothes made her overheat in her coat as she leaned back against him.
“Have you heard from Josh?” she asked in an attempt to divert herself from fulfilling the urge to turn and press her lips against his. Why did he have such a demanding effect on her? She barely had control over herself when he was around.
Miguel stiffened. What was that about? “It’s been a while, why?”
“Just wondering.” She rested her head against him, hoping he’d take the invitation of her exposed neck and kiss her there. Just one would suffice. Maybe not. “Every time I see a body of water I think of him.”
“I know what you mean. Bridges are his thing.”
Did she have the nerve to ask? The conversation she’d had with Josh when he’d tried to get her to accept Miguel’s offer had lingered in her thoughts. She’d had trouble believing it at the time, but maybe her brother hadn’t been pulling her leg. “Did Josh ever...” Heat flooded her face. What was she doing?
He placed his hands on her shoulders and pivoted her to face him. His contact-lens-covered dark brown eyes looked concerned, and she felt even more embarrassed. “What?”
Now that she was staring into his too-handsome face, she couldn’t ask. “Um, tell you he was dating someone? I’m worried about him. He travels so much that he might not meet anyone to settle down with. And I don’t want him moving all the way across the world if he finds someone while working.” Shut up. Clamping her lips together, she turned to look at the city, but he wouldn’t let her.
His gaze pierced into her eyes. “Josh will be fine, but that’s n
ot what you were going to say.”
“You still haven’t told me where our next destination is.”
“Woman, if you don’t ask your question I’m going to—”
“What?” She quirked her lips to the side in a challenge. He’d always been able to get what he wanted from people, especially women. Yet Tanya would never relent unless she wanted to. Right now, holding her tongue and keeping things on a friendly level instead of reverting back to awkward again was a better idea than blurting out her thought.
Dipping his head closer, his breath fanned against her ear when he said, “I’ll kiss you in front of all of New York.” The way he nipped her earlobe had her nipples hardening.
She gulped, trying to keep her face expressionless. She had half a mind to take him up on the offer. Hell, she wanted him to follow through, but did she want their first kiss after ten years to be in public, where they’d eventually have to stop instead of make love? Would he make love to her? She’d thrown herself at him last night and he hadn’t been tempted by her. Maybe his sweet words had been to lessen the blow of rejection.
Pouting, she poked a finger into his shoulder. “You are so spoiled.”
His rich laughter drew attention. “I’m the youngest—and might I add, cutest—child in one of the wealthiest families in the world. Tell me you didn’t expect anything different. What were you going to say?”
Unable to look him in the eyes, she focused on his chin. She may as well get it over with. “The last time I spoke to Josh, he mentioned that...” Her heart thudded hard and fast. This was crazy. Why couldn’t she just spit it out? “He said he told you back in college to stay away from me.”
The sigh came from deep within his chest. It must be true. She snapped her gaze up to his, hoping he’d deny it.
“Your brother is one of a kind. He sees a person for who he is. Back then, I needed that.” He rubbed his jaw. “I still need it. I live in a world with pretentious people who’ve always wanted something from me.”
“Hey!” The protest left her mouth before she could recant it. She’d never wanted a thing from him. Other than his undying love.
Those perfect dimples appeared as he grinned down at her. “Except you. And my family, along with a very elite group of people I’d trust with my life.”
Warmth radiated from chest to limbs at his admission, happy to be on such an exemplary list. Would I have acted differently toward him if I’d known he was an Astacio from the beginning? Without a doubt, she knew the answer was yes. But while she might’ve initially been starstruck, she’d have gotten over it.
He’d been the only person outside of her family and Becca who she’d been completely comfortable with. That’s why she’d cried for weeks with the devastation of losing him.
The cool air rustled her hair and he smoothed the wispy strands behind her ears, lingering for a moment before releasing her. An intense magnetic draw nagged her to suck on his full bottom lip. To see if the fake mustache would scratch her skin, and to finally express the pent up passion she’d held in for so long.
“Back then, I was a mess. Wild doesn’t even begin to describe me. I went to a strict, all-male boarding school straight through high school. When I got to college, it was as if—” he circled his open hands on either side of his head “—the freedom and being around women all the time had gone to my head. Completing my college education didn’t matter. Partying, drinking and having as much sex with as many women as possible did.”
Tanya cringed at the sudden pain in her chest. Why should his past hit her as if being stoned by a mob? “And then you had to deal with the rape charges.”
His eyes dulled and her heart bled for him. “That was the lowest point of my life. All my friends deserted me even though I was innocent and cleared. It didn’t take long for the news to follow me to Ohio State, and when Josh finally found out, he asked for my side of the story.” Miguel smiled and shook his head. “That’s when I knew we’d be friends for life. I couldn’t do anything to jeopardize that bond.”
Understanding fully dawned. “Including screwing around with his sister when he warned you not to.” He’d actually broken her heart to maintain his friendship with Josh. Not because of her weight, like she’d presumed.
At least he had the decency to look sheepish by bowing his head. “Especially that. I’d lost a couple of friends in high school by messing around with their sisters. Granted, I was younger and dumber, and the only reason I even went out with them was because of easy accessibility during school breaks. The first year of college is a blur of ultimately stupid decisions and their eventual consequences. Losing Josh’s friendship was out of the question.”
“What about me?” Her voice trembled. The tears building behind her eyes wouldn’t allow her to sound any other way. Why was ancient history bringing back the pain in full force?
She swung around, almost losing her balance as the city came into view as a blur.
What would be the point of knowing the answer to the question? They were in business together, not a romantic relationship. After his birthday bash, they’d return to being strangers. Only this time would be more devastating because of the maturity of her love for him. Yes, she’d had feelings for him before, but she’d realized over the past few days that they’d been infantile. The immensity of knowing true love weighed heavily on her chest because there would be no happily-ever-after for them.
He slipped around her. “Baby, you were the hardest thing I’d ever had to give up in my life.” A soft kiss landed on her cheek just before he tucked her close to his body. “I was a stupid kid who didn’t know what a wonderful woman I’d found in you. Otherwise, I would’ve tried to make it work between us while maintaining Josh’s friendship.”
She pressed her hands against his back and clung to him. He felt so right.
“I had a lot of growing up to do, and as much as I hate to admit it, I would’ve hurt you.” He pulled away to look her in the eyes. “More than I did with my callous words.”
“So you were trying to protect me by choosing Josh over me.”
A flicker showed through the brown of his contact lenses. What she wouldn’t give to see his true eyes at that moment. They always told the truth. “Yes. I wasn’t good for you back then.”
Deep in her soul, she knew they could’ve been happy together if he’d taken a chance on her. At least that’s what her fantasies had told her. Over the years, his running around with women, partying all over the world and generally enjoying life without caring that he’d destroyed her had killed those dreams. “And now?”
He arched an artificially enhanced brow. “I’m a changed man.”
“Because your parents wanted you to be.”
He shook his head. “No one can make someone change. In the end, it was my decision.” Stooping, he came eye to eye with her. “Don’t tell the old me, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
The intensity of his stare unnerved her. She let out a nervous giggle and tried to lessen the heaviness of the moment. “I wish I could go back in time. Do you remember when we had that discussion on time travel?” When uncomfortable, change the subject.
His all-seeing stare left her knees a little weak so she shifted her gaze and lifted her camera. “How about some more pictures?”
As if coming to a decision, he waited a moment before standing to his full height. “I’m a better man, Tanya. There’s no other way to prove it than to be it.” He reached out for the camera, and their hands touching damn near electrocuted her. “I’m ready for you.”
Her heart galloped. What did he mean? Did he want her the way she’d dreamed of back in school and, to be honest, every day of her life since then? Not a day went by when he didn’t cross her mind. The images varied, including one where she was shaking sense into him to the extreme opposite where she was looking up into his beautiful face while wearing an elega
nt lace wedding gown and pledging her love and life to him forever.
Rather than get clarification on his declaration, she angled her upper body toward the camera, pouted over her shoulder and kicked her foot behind her in a silly pose. At his laughter, the tension lightened.
“All right now, don’t hurt nobody. Now give me shocked.” She did as he ordered. “That’s it, give me deliriously happy.”
She smiled wide enough to show all her teeth.
The camera clicked and he looked her in the eyes. “That’s it. Gorgeous. It’s the look I’m expecting to see when the papers say that your club is the place to be.”
He took another picture and she was sure when she spent time going through them later, she’d see love reflected in her eyes, because she felt so much of it for him. It didn’t matter that they lived different lifestyles, that her brother didn’t want them together, their past, or any of it.
The one thing she couldn’t escape was the fact that she loved him with all her heart and would stop running scared. Maybe she’d be the one to seduce him, overwhelming tangle of fear be damned.
Chapter 18
“Welcome to Miami. Bienvenido a Miami.” The Will Smith song had set itself on replay in Tanya’s head from the moment the pilot said where they’d be landing.
Within the past two days, they’d flitted through the East Coast and she loved it. Almost as much as she did Miguel. No longer wishing the emotion hadn’t snuck up on her, she enjoyed being with him and took advantage of his affectionate manner. They’d held hands while strolling through the bustling Manhattan streets that afternoon. She couldn’t help wiping the mustard off the corner of his lip and letting her finger linger after he’d taken a bite of a piping hot pretzel.
And she’d already become spoiled by his complete attention. There had only been a few times when he’d taken a call regarding work, and he’d kept the conversations short. When they’d reached the hotel room to get their things, she’d found three more outfits lying on her bed.