Fire and Midnight

by Sandra Renee Appet

  She raised an eyebrow. “Can’t wait,” she said and gently closed the door. Ryan waited until he heard the click of the lock before heading to the elevator, leaving one of the most captivating women he’d ever met.

  Chapter Five

  Jane pivoted on her toes a few times, checking her reflection in the hotel room’s full-length mirror. She admired the only dress she’d brought for the trip as it swirled around her knees. Suddenly self-doubt reared its ugly face. Why did she suggest they continue the date? Date. It really wasn’t a date at all. It was a business arrangement. Why was she trying so hard? She paced the floor and stopped at her opened suitcase. He’d take one look at her dress and would think she was trying too hard. A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts as she dug through her suitcase for a pair of jeans. “One moment,” she called, and then caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror again. She looked good. Damn good. “Screw it. At least, if I embarrass myself, I’ll never see him again,” she muttered, and tucked her jeans back into her luggage.

  She strode to the door, flipped open the locks, and swung it open. “Hi.” She gave Ryan a slow up and down perusal, quelling any doubts she had about spending day two with Ryan the almost ex-Cowboy. After all, she’d consumed more wine and sangria than usual the night before. Her tipsy state, the dinner, and the romantic gondola ride could’ve clouded her judgment. The thought had crossed her mind that her Spanish prince could have actually been a frog. A really good-looking frog.

  Her breath caught. If he was part of the amphibian family, he was the hottest and sexiest specimen she’d ever seen. His chiseled features were more defined in daylight. His blue shirt turned his eyes an even darker shade of delicious, if that was possible. A pair of khaki shorts showed off his tanned legs, with a smattering of dark hair. Her pale legs were a stark contrast to his golden skin. She hitched her thumb toward her suitcase. “I was thinking about changing into jeans.”

  “It’s a beautiful day, and you look amazing just like that.” Ryan wasn’t shy in the way his gaze trailed down her body. “Ready to go?”

  “Ready.” Jane grabbed her purse and caught another glimpse of her body. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were flushed. She almost didn’t recognize the happy young woman who gazed back at her. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt so carefree.

  He guided her toward a sleek black convertible. What was it with men and cars? At least it wasn’t red like Nick’s new toy. A muffled ring sounded and he reached into his pocket. “This is the one and only call I’ll take today. I promise,” he said, pulling out his phone.

  “No problem,” she mouthed.

  “Hey, Gretch. … No sea bass left? We should’ve sent Victor to the market early. I had a feeling you wouldn’t get there in time…”

  Then his gaze met hers, sending a warm tingle through her body. She was sure her embarrassment must show on her cheeks, but his smile was worth it.

  “No, it’s fine, get the cod, but call George and let him know he needs to come up with a kick-ass cod dish for tonight’s special.” Ryan held her gaze as he opened the passenger door. “Don’t forget to pick up the shrimp and scallops… Yeah, I know you’re not stupid. Thanks. See you later.” Ryan chuckled as he ended the call and closed Jane’s door.

  “Everything okay?” she asked when he slipped into the driver’s seat and turned on the engine.

  “Everything’s fine. I sent Gretchen to the seafood market for the first time, and she got there a little late for sea bass, which was supposed to be one of tonight’s specials. The good thing about fish is there’s always a substitute.”

  “I’m keeping you from your restaurant responsibilities, aren’t I?”

  He shot her another warm smile. Damn, she could get used to those lips, preferably on hers. “My staff keeps telling me I need to take time off and give them more responsibility. A few of them, like Gretchen, Victor, and Chef George, have been with me from the beginning. I trust they can take care of things when I’m not there. This is good for them and good for me.” His fingers grazed her hand before he palmed the stick shift. “Are you ready to start the adventure?”

  “Oh yeah. Where are we going?”

  “You can’t visit San Antonio without touring the missions. First stop is Mission San Jose.” He revved the engine, and they were off. The ends of her hair floated around her head as they drove out of the city. She couldn’t help stealing an occasional gaze at his muscular thighs as the sun beat down on her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if it was what Charlotte had in mind when she suggested Jane jump back in the saddle, but Jane couldn’t think of another place she’d rather be.

  ****

  They bypassed the reception desk and opted to tour the grounds on their own. Ryan rattled off interesting facts as they walked, and Jane soon figured he must know more about the missions than some of the guides. She couldn’t help but stare at him in wonder as he explained the significance of the famed Rose Window.

  “I’m boring you, aren’t I? There’s a great shopping area not far from here—”

  Jane placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’m not bored at all. It’s just that you have such passion for this place. You make it come alive.”

  “It’s funny you say that. Uncle Pascal used to take my sisters and me here all the time. ‘You must understand your roots,’ he’d say. At the time, I used to be bored out of my mind, but as I got older, I understood the importance.” His eyes scanned the crumbling buildings of the Mission. “I take Isabel here all the time.”

  “Isabel?” Jane fought a twinge of envy niggling at her belly. She had no right to be jealous of a woman in Ryan’s life. The weekend was a business arrangement.

  “My niece. My sister Maya’s daughter. Although you would never know it. Maya’s very serious. I’d guess you’d call her rigid, if you’re being nice. I bet most people think she’s something that rhymes with witch. But Izzy’s such a happy-go-lucky little girl. She’s a lot of fun.”

  Jane studied his face. “She must take after her Uncle Reyo.” She wondered if Ryan was putting on a show or if he was the real deal.

  She must’ve stared at him too long.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  She smiled. “I was wondering what it was like to have such a rich family history. I guess you could call me a mutt. Part Italian, part German, with some Scots and Irish sprinkled in.”

  “That explains those adorable freckles.” He tapped the tip of her nose, and she felt the heat rise again in her cheeks.

  “It also explains how everyone around me knows when I’m embarrassed.” She turned in an attempt to hide her blush.

  “That’s pretty adorable, too.” His fingers grazed her back. “How about we head to lunch? I know a great place for empanadas, best in town, and it’s right down the street.”

  “Then what are we waiting for, Reyo? Let’s go,” she said, and impulsively grabbed his hand. She froze and glanced at his hand in hers. When did she become bold?

  “Shall we?” His lips curved into a grin that almost turned her bones to chocolate pudding. She tried to pull her hand away, but he held on.

  ****

  He loved the way his given name rolled off her tongue, and he wondered what she would sound like when he kissed her … or touched her … or…

  Whoa. Reel it in. He steadied his breath and concentrated on navigating the streets. Within a few minutes he pulled into the dirt lot, parked under the chipped hand painted sign and cringed. “I’m sorry. I’ve been here so many times and the food is so good, but I forgot what a dive it was. We can go somewhere else.” He shifted the car into reverse.

  “Are you crazy? It looks fantastic. You can’t tease a girl with promises of the best empanadas and then take her somewhere else,” Jane said, lifting her hands up.

  Ryan shifted back to park and laughed. “Okay. Besos it is.” He strode to the passenger side and opened the door for Jane. “It’s not much better inside.” He pointed to the restaurant’s exterior. />
  “Not every place can be as nice as Vine,” she said with a wink as he pushed the door open.

  “Sit anywhere you like,” the waitress called from her perch at the bar. “I’ll be over with some menus.”

  Ryan chose a booth away from the other diners.

  The waitress followed and handed them two plastic menus with frayed edges. “What can I get you to drink?”

  His eyes tipped to Jane. “Their sweet tea and margaritas are equally great here.”

  Jane’s gaze trailed along the drink selections. “A Cadillac margarita please, on the rocks.”

  “Salt?” The waitress questioned.

  “Of course.”

  Ryan smiled. “Make that two.”

  Jane smiled after the waitress left. “I don’t often drink in the middle of the day, but, I don’t know, I’m kind of in the mood to celebrate.”

  He folded his arms. “And what are you celebrating?”

  “I’m celebrating the ability to kick back, have some fun and relax. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to do any of that.” Her shoulders seemed to relax, and he loved the smile that appeared on her face. He could get used to that smile.

  Their drinks arrived, and Ryan raised his glass, realizing he’d been in the same boat. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a day off. “To working hard but playing harder.” As the words left his mouth he had a vision of what it would be like to play with the woman sitting across the table. He had a feeling her mind went in a similar place as her glass met his with a heavy clink and her gaze moved to his mouth.

  “Know what you’re having?” the waitress interrupted.

  Jane cleared her throat and scanned the menu. “It all looks good. Why don’t you order for the two of us?”

  “Can’t go wrong with the empanada platter for two.”

  “Sold.” Jane plucked Ryan’s menu from his fingers and handed them to the waitress. She turned back to Ryan after the waitress left the table. “I’m having a great time. Thanks for showing me around. San Antonio is really a special place. I can see why you’ve never wanted to leave.”

  “Actually, I spent some time away from this place. Had a full ride to UCLA for football.”

  Jane smiled and tipped her glass to him. “Impressive.”

  “I always knew I wanted to run my own restaurant, so I majored in hospitality. After graduation a couple of the guys asked me to go into a restaurant deal with them in L.A., and it was a great spot. But in my heart I knew L.A. wasn’t for me. Plus, my brother-in-law needed help in his construction business. So I came back home.”

  “Do you ever regret your decision?”

  Ryan pinned her with his eyes and smiled. “I make it a rule not to regret anything in life.”

  Their gaze was broken by the appearance of a platter filled with an assortment of empanadas accompanied by side dishes of rice and black beans.

  “It smells amazing,” Jane said.

  “Tastes even better. Dig in.” Ryan watched as she took the first bite, closed her eyes and groaned. He loved her appreciation for good food. They chatted about their visit to the mission while polishing off the platter.

  “I’ve never tasted anything as good as this.” Jane popped the last morsel into her mouth.

  Ryan smiled and finished his last bite. “I know my empanadas. So, now that we’re sufficiently nourished, want to continue the tour?”

  “I don’t think I can move,” Jane said and laughed. “You certainly know how to show a girl a good time. Mind if I ask you a semi-personal question?”

  Ryan folded his arms and leaned back. “Shoot.”

  She straightened her back and looked him in the eye. “Are you the real deal, or are you just playing the role of attentive escort? Either way is okay, but I need to know.”

  Her gaze darted away for a split second but returned to meet his stare.

  “I’ve enjoyed every minute of our time together, and that’s not an act,” Ryan said.

  Her eyes softened, and she nodded once seemingly accepting his answer. “So what’s the business really like? Do you ever blur the lines between what’s real and what’s not?”

  “Sometimes it didn’t feel like a job at all, and sometimes it was the worst job possible.” Ryan was about to tell her the real reason he’d left the escort service when the waitress approached the table.

  “Can I get you anything else today?” the waitress asked.

  “The churros here are incredible,” Ryan suggested to Jane. “Do you have a sweet tooth?”

  “Of course I do, but I’m stuffed.”

  “Just the check, please,” Ryan said to the waitress. She ripped a slip of paper from her pad and left it on their table. “In that case, I have other plans for dessert,” Ryan told Jane with a grin.

  “I figured you did or I’m sure a plate of churros would already be headed our way.” She tilted her head. “You seemed like you were about to say something, before the waitress came by.”

  “It was nothing.”

  “Come on. Out with it. You already know far too much about me, since you were privy to my bio. Now it’s your turn.”

  He rested his elbows on the table. “Fair enough. The main reason I’m leaving the business was exactly what you said. There’s a blurred line between what’s real and what’s not. I started to feel hollow.”

  Jane searched his face. “Like you were just filling obligations?”

  “Sounds like you know something about that.”

  Jane nodded. “Sadly I do. Even though Nick was the one who cheated, I felt like the bad guy for breaking up our marriage. He just threw the whole situation in my lap and wiped his hands clean. He was like: ‘Here you go, Jane, clean up my mess.’ Honestly, it would’ve been easier—cleaner—if he’d just left me.”

  “You didn’t leave him right away?”

  She shook her head.

  “I took the coward’s way out. I did nothing for a long time, almost as if it hadn’t happened. Then something snapped. I remembered how happy I’d been the year before, and I realized the bastard had already been cheating on me at that time. There I’d been, in oblivious bliss with my doting husband and perfect family, and he was buying his girlfriend lingerie for their next rendezvous. It really pissed me off, pardon my crudeness. When I finally told him that I was filing for divorce, I think he was relieved. We both were.” Jane managed a smile.

  “There was nothing cowardly about what you did. Everyone deals with things differently.” He’d had many clients who stayed with cheating husbands for a number of reasons. He could never understand how a man could disrespect his wife in that way. He’d happily trade a case of his best wine for a few minutes alone with Jane’s asshole ex-husband.

  “It was just a matter of survival and doing the right thing for my son.” She shook her head. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to move on. What’s next on the tour?”

  “Well, just like me, this is a multi-heritage tour of San Antonio. How would you like to taste the most amazing strudel in America?”

  “We’re eating again? I hope there’s a stop at a gym, at some point.”

  “No gym, but I promise we will get some exercise.”

  “Very well. Lead the way.”

  ****

  They were soon in the middle of one of his favorite parts of San Antonio where well-maintained houses with manicured lawns and picket fences lined the wide streets. “This is known as the King William District. Lots of Germans settled here in the early 1900s. It’s where my father’s family lived, and where he met my mom when he returned from serving in the Air Force. It’s also the home of the best bakery around.” He parked on a side street, and they walked a few blocks before stopping in front of one of the more modest houses. “This was my grandparents’ home. I remember climbing that tree with my cousins.” He pointed to an old elm tree in the front yard. “I was the youngest of the bunch, so they’d make me climb up, then leave me there until one of my sisters came to rescue
me. They said I always needed to be rescued. I swear, they still think so.”

  “One of those families, huh? Well, you’re lucky to have them. I’m an only child, and my father died when I was little. My mother worked a lot, so I felt pretty much alone during most of my childhood.”

  Ryan’s gaze moved from the house to Jane. “Whether you have a big family or none at all, I think everyone feels alone sometimes.” He laced his fingers with hers and gave her hand a tug. “How about that strudel?”

  He led her around the corner to the largest home on that street, which had been converted into a restaurant.

  “I forget how busy this place gets.” People stood along the porch and walkway leading to the entry. “Stay here a sec and I’ll check the wait time,” Ryan said, and squeezed her hand gently before letting go. He charmed his way up to the front of the line, hating to leave Jane alone. He’d hoped an old family friend was working the hostess stand and could pull a few strings for him. No such luck. The wait was so long, he could bake his own strudel in the amount of time it’d take them to get seated, but he thought of another plan as he returned to Jane. “The wait’s at least an hour, but I have another idea. Come with me.” Ryan winked and slid his hand into hers, startled by how natural it felt to hold her slender fingers in his. He led her to the back of the restaurant and in through a side door. “Most people don’t know you can get pastries to-go back here.” A small counter in the back held a glass case filled with cheese, apple, and berry strudels, sticky buns and muffins. “What will it be?” Ryan asked.

  Jane’s gaze swept over the glass case. “Everything looks delicious! What do you suggest?”

  “My favorite is the traditional apple strudel.”

  “You read my mind.”

  Ryan handed her the bag containing the pastry, forks, and napkins as he grabbed two coffee cups. Once outside, he nodded to the river beyond the restaurant’s flower garden. “I know the perfect place, and I don’t think it will be crowded.”