‘Okay. I’d love to,’ she said, finally throwing her hands up in surrender. When Maria translated for her an enormous grin lit up the tiny woman’s weatherbeaten face.
They stepped outside just as the ambulance sped away. Although it was winter, the sun was high in the sky and Annie could feel it warming her skin. She felt a shiver of anticipation. This holiday was turning out to be not at all what she had expected!
Unsure of where they were going or how they were going to get there, Annie was dismayed when Mama Castillo lifted her voluminous skirts and climbed onto a small moped, indicating that Annie should jump on behind her.
Annie looked to Maria for confirmation.
‘She says she will take you. I will walk. It is not far. Just up there.’ Maria pointed up a narrow road towards a cluster of whitewashed houses. ‘In the hills,’ she added.
‘Could I not walk with you?’ Annie said doubtfully. But Maria shook her head decisively. ‘No, you must go with Grandma. She says it is too far for an English woman to walk in this sun. I am used to it. It is better if you go on the bike.’
It seemed to Annie as if she had little choice in the matter. Mama Castillo looked in no mood to debate the matter. Reluctantly Annie climbed on the moped and hoped for the best.
In the event Annie kept her eyes closed as they raced up the hill, scattering chickens and goats in all directions. For the whole of the ten-minute journey, Mama Castillo didn’t slow down once, not even for a group of men trudging up the hill in front of them. It was obvious to Annie that she only had one speed, and nothing and no one was going to slow her down.
When they eventually stopped outside a farmhouse perched on the side of the hill, Annie felt a huge wave of relief. There had been moments when she’d been sure that she wasn’t going to survive the journey.
As soon as they climbed off the moped they were surrounded by what seemed to Annie to be most of the village. There were a number of young men, at least two of whom bore a striking resemblance to Raphael, as well as half a dozen women. There were also children, almost too many to count, running around the large courtyard, squealing and laughing.
Overwhelmed by the noise, Annie stood back, feeling suddenly shy. Why on earth had she agreed to come here? she wondered. After a few minutes a stunning woman with thick wavy hair and hazel eyes detached herself from the crowd and came across to Annie holding out her hand.
‘Welcome to our home,’ she said. ‘Mama told me you helped Sophia and her baby today. Sophia is a cousin of my father’s so we all are in your debt.’ So this dark-haired beauty must be Raphael’s sister. Annie could see the resemblance in the high cheekbones and sensuous mouth.
‘It was nothing,’ Annie replied. ‘I was glad to help.’
‘My name is Catalina.’ The woman continued. ‘I heard Raphael was there too.’ She stood on tiptoe, looking over Annie’s shoulder. ‘So where is my brother now? He promised to be here.’
‘He went with Sophia and the baby to the hospital. To make sure there were no complications. He said he would come as soon as he was finished there.’
Catalina pouted. ‘That’s Raphael for you, always working. We don’t see him very often. He is supposed to be on holiday with us, just for these few days, but we’ve hardly seen him. Pah! But seeing as it is our cousin he is attending to, I won’t tell him off when he comes.’
And then, before Annie had a chance to say anything, she was being led into an enormous farmhouse kitchen where a large table had been laid out as if to feed the five thousand. It was covered with bowls of fruit and olives and large platters of paella as well as other Spanish dishes that Annie couldn’t identify, but which smelled delicious. Soon she was part of the chattering group, absorbed into their friendly warmth that needed little translation. Catalina made some introductions, but there were too many for Annie to possibly remember all their names. It seemed that she had guessed right and the two men she had thought were Raphael’s brothers turned out to be just that. Apart from Catalina, there were another two women who were his sisters. Annie had just been guided into a seat at the table when Maria, smiling shyly appeared silently at her side where, after squeezing in beside her, she remained for the rest of the meal. Gazing around the crowded table, Annie couldn’t be sure who Maria belonged to. As far as she could tell, all the children appeared to be shared.
During a spell when no one’s attention was on her, Annie wondered wistfully what it would be like to be part of a family just like this one, and in an instant the sadness came flooding back. She squeezed her eyes closed, forcing back the never-far-away tears. She would never know.
When she opened her eyes again, it was to find Raphael looking down at her, his dark-winged brows knotted in puzzlement. His eyes had an intensity that made her feel as if he could see into her soul, and as he held her gaze Annie thought she recognised an answering sadness in their depths, but knew she had to be mistaken. What could this vibrant, gorgeous man have to feel unhappy about? As far as Annie could see, he had everything. Her eyes swept the happy chattering family again; at least, everything that mattered.
He leaned over her. ’Don’t be so sad,’ he murmured in her ear.
She could smell his aftershave and his breath on her cheek was like a caress. Her heart gave an involuntary leap. What was it about him that made her feel like a schoolgirl with her first crush? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such an instant and powerful response to a man. In fact, she couldn’t remember responding like this to a man ever—and that included Robert. Maybe it was the Spanish sunshine and the couple of glasses of sangria that had been served with lunch. Whatever it was, she couldn’t deny she was pleased that he was back before she had made her excuses and left.
‘I’m not sad,’ she retorted. There was a sudden lull in the conversation and her words rang out around the table. To her acute embarrassment, all eyes swivelled her way. There was a moment of deathly silence before everyone resumed their conversations. Annie felt herself blush to the tips of her ears.
‘How is Sophia?’ she asked, determined to change the subject.
‘Mother and baby are doing fine,’ he said. ‘She told me to thank you again.’ Then he turned towards the others and said something in Spanish to which they all raised their glasses. ‘To Sophia! To Annie!’ If it were possible, Annie felt more self-conscious than ever, and it seemed by the broad grin on his face that Raphael was enjoying her discomfort.
All of a sudden she wanted nothing more than to put as much distance between herself and this man as possible. She stood, almost knocking over her wineglass in her haste to get away. ‘Thank you for the meal, but I really think I should be going,’ she said breathlessly. ‘I’ve taken enough of your family’s kind hospitality.’ She stumbled as her head spun with the sudden movement.
His hand shot out and grasped her wrist, steadying her. The touch of his fingertips seemed to burn her skin.
‘I will take you. Where are you staying?’
‘Oh, no, it’s quite all right. I’m sure I can find my own way. My apartment is opposite the church. It won’t take me more than half an hour to walk back. And after that meal, I could do with the exercise.’ She was miserably aware that she was babbling on, but she seemed powerless to halt the words erupting from her mouth. The longer she was in his company, the more she felt like a star-struck schoolgirl.
‘Anyway, you haven’t had a chance to eat yet.’ She checked her watch. ‘It’s almost 5.30! You must be starving by now. Please don’t worry about taking me.’
‘It is no trouble. My mother would never forgive me my poor manners if I didn’t see you home. I told you how for-midable she can be. I wouldn’t put it past her to—how do you say?—box my ears!’
Annie laughed, suddenly relaxing. ‘Okay, then. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for that,’ she said. ‘But I insist you have something to eat before we leave.’
‘Only if you promise me you will stay a little longer.’ Then he frowned. ‘But forgive me, I
am stupid. You are sure to have someone waiting for you? Back at your apartment?’
‘No,’ Annie said heavily. ‘I’m on my own, so there isn’t really a need for me to rush away.’ If she were honest with herself, the last thing she felt like doing was returning to the little flat she had rented. After two weeks of her own company, she was heartily sick of it. Besides, there was something about this family group that made her feel warm and wanted. Perhaps just for tonight she could pretend she belonged and forget about her life back home?
Raphael looked puzzled. ‘You are here in Spain on your own? Over Christmas? And New Year! How can that be?’
Annie had no intention of telling him the truth. The last thing she wanted was his sympathy. ‘I thought a little bit of winter sun would be nice,’ she said.
If anything, Raphael looked even more perplexed. ‘It is winter here, too,’ he said.
‘‘At home, right now it’s snowing.’ Annie had to laugh. ‘I can assure you there is no comparison.’
‘Whatever,’ he said, grinning back at her. ‘I for one am glad you came to Spain.’ There was something in the force of his gaze that sent shivers of anticipation up Annie’s spine. ‘And I know Sophia is, too,’ he added.
The last comment was a reality check. Of course, Annie thought. Why would a man like Raphael Castillo be interested in someone as ordinary as her?
It was growing dark by the time they left and Annie felt a pang as she was subjected to dozens of warm embraces and repeated pleas to return and see them again. All in all, it had been a magical afternoon, and she wished she could stay for ever. But, of course, that wasn’t possible. She had her own life to return to even if it was a lonely and barren one—in more ways than one. Just as Raphael opened the wrought-iron gate to the road, Maria came running over and flung herself into Annie’s arms, burying her face in Annie’s shoulder. Annie felt her heart contract as she cuddled the little girl, breathing in the scent of oranges on her skin. What she would give to be able to hold her own child in her arms.
She released the little girl as Mama Castillo called to her with softly spoken words and Annie watched Maria cuddle up, the inevitable thumb back in her mouth, in the older woman’s lap. Regretfully Annie gave a final wave, before following Raphael down the dirt road away from the house.
‘Who does Maria belong to?’ she asked. ‘She is such a sweetheart, but she seems so…I don’t know…lost.’
‘Ah, little Maria,’ Raphael said slowly. ‘Her mother, my cousin, died suddenly a few months ago. Her father…’ he sucked in his breath, his mouth tightening with disapproval. ‘He is weak. He left Maria behind. What kind of man is that? If Maria were my child, I would do everything I could to keep her with me.’
Suddenly the warmth drained from his eyes and Annie shivered. Instinctively she knew that Raphael was not the kind of man to give up anything he thought he had a right to. He was not the kind of man she would ever want to cross swords with.
‘He must have been in some state to abandon his child. People do all sorts of things that are out of character when they are hurting,’ Annie said. But she couldn’t really understand how any father could abandon his child—especially when that child had just lost her mother. It was too cruel.
‘There is no excuse,’ Raphael said curtly. ‘A father has his duty. How he feels is of no importance when it comes to the child.’ He looked away, but not before Annie read the bleakness in his eyes. ‘So now she lives with my family. She loves my mother but she still grieves for her own,’ Raphael went on. ‘She is sad—like you—but every day she is getting stronger.’
There it was again. The reference to her sadness. Was she so transparent? Or did this man just seem to be able to see into her soul?
They walked along the narrow road, the scent of the heavily laden orange trees that edged the pavement drifting in the still air, the velvet sky punctuated with stars. He asked her about her job, and she told him about Penhally Bay, how much she loved living there and how much she enjoyed her job at the hospital. He listened closely, then he told her about his job in Barcelona. That he missed the countryside and regretted that he wasn’t able to see his family more often. He grinned down at her.
‘As you can tell, we Spaniards are big on family. What about you?’
‘I have my parents and a brother as well as a sister. They both have small children. My brother lives in Australia and my parents are going to stay with him there for a few months after their cruise. My sister is in Scotland with her family.’ She slid a glance at him. ‘I envy you, having your family all so close,’ she admitted.
Once again, she thought she saw a shadow pass across his face. But when he smiled she knew she must have been mistaken.
‘It’s not all good. I have to put up with my sisters and my mother wanting to know everything about my life. Dios, they never give me peace.’
Before Annie knew it, they were outside her apartment. The nearby houses were draped in Christmas lights, lighting the cobbled street.
She didn’t want the evening to end and it seemed as if Raphael didn’t either. He hesitated then said, ‘If you are not too tired, there is this little restaurant a few minutes’ walk away. It has the most excellent tapas. And I am suddenly hungry again. Will you come with me?’
She let her gaze sweep his muscular frame. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on it as far as she could see. Where did he put all that food?
‘Okay,’ she said softly. ‘It’s my last night. I might as well make the most of it.’
He steered her towards a small restaurant behind the church. It was packed inside, but there was no one sitting at the outside tables in the plaza.
‘Do you mind if we sit here?’ Annie asked.
‘Of course. If that is what you want.’ He took off the thin sweater he had been wearing, revealing a short-sleeved shirt. ‘But I insist you put this on.’
Sensing that it would be useless to argue, Annie slipped the sweater on over her shoulders. It smelled faintly of a mix of citrus aftershave and the warm tang of his scent. It was much too large, falling almost to her knees and slipping off her shoulder. Her breath caught in her throat as he leant forward and turned up the cuffs. The gesture was both tender and erotic and as his fingers lightly brushed against her bare skin, Annie felt darts of electricity tingle up her arms.
Raphael studied her slowly, his smile turning up the corners of his mouth and creasing the corner of his eyes. Annie thought yet again that she had never seen a man so gorgeous yet so sure of his masculinity. A part of her, sensing danger, wanted to run from him as fast as she could, but at the same time she knew that she couldn’t bear to see him walk out of her life. At least, not yet.
When their order of seafood arrived, it felt like the most natural thing in the world for Raphael to feed her small morsels of lobster and shrimp with his fingers. The touch of his hands on her lips sent small explosions of desire racing through her body.
Then, without saying anything, they stood and Raphael took her hand again. She led him back up the path to the front door of her apartment. Knowing that what was about to happen was beyond her control, she opened the door and, keeping her hand in his, went inside.
‘Are you sure?’ he said. He looked into her eyes and it was as if he knew her most hidden thoughts. Despite the ready smile, she saw something in the depths of his ebony eyes that mirrored her own pain. All she wanted was to give comfort and to be comforted in return. The rest of her life could take care of itself.
‘It’s not too late to change your mind.’ His voice was soft, yet there was an undercurrent that caused her pulse to leap.
‘No,’ she said, stunned by her brazenness. ‘It’s what I want.’ She knew she was risking danger. Not that she didn’t trust him—she instinctively knew he would never harm her. But she could no more resist her need for him than she could walk back to Penhally Bay.
He picked up her hand and pressed it to his lips. She shivered as shock waves of desire coursed through her bod
y. She had never experienced lust like it before, but she wasn’t naive. She knew what those dark brown eyes were asking her. She didn’t want to play games. All she felt was an overriding need to be held in his arms—to have her femininity reaffirmed. It had taken such a beating in the last few months. Surely just this once she could throw caution to the wind and take a chance?
He dropped her hand and pulled her hard against him, one hand on her hip, the other cupping her bottom. She could feel every muscle of his hard chest through his T-shirt and the pressure of his thighs on hers. Flames of desire flooded her body and she turned her face up to his, seeking his mouth. He brought it down on hers, gently at first and then harder as he seemed to draw her very soul. She snaked her hands around his neck, pulling him closer. She was drowning, her legs weak with her need for him.
He pulled away. She could see that he too was shaken by the strength of their mutual desire.
‘Are you sure?’ he asked gently. It was all she could do to nod, then with a triumphant smile he picked her up and, holding her close in his arms, he carried her up the stairs and into their own private world.
Later, when the sun was beginning to lighten the sky, she lay on one elbow, looking down on him. Asleep he looked softer, more vulnerable somehow. He had been a passionate but considerate lover, taking his time with her, waiting until she cried out with her need to have him inside her before he took her. She smiled. Several times he had taught her things about her own body that she hadn’t known. Time and time again he had brought her to a climax that had left her shuddering and almost tearful with release. She traced a finger over his lips, memorising the contours of his face, knowing she would never see him again. But it was almost all right. In one wonderful night he had managed to heal something inside her that she’d thought was beyond repair. And for that, she would never forget him.
Brides of Penhally Bay - Vol 4 Page 17