Raphael arched dark brows. ‘Does anyone choose to fall in love?’ As Cesar’s personal bodyguard until a few days ago, Raphael had been a silent witness to the other couple falling in love, and he did not believe it to have been in the least as smooth and pleasant as Beth’s words implied that it was.
Perhaps it was now that Cesar and Grace had acknowledged their love for each other and were planning their wedding, but certainly not initially, when the sparks had flown and they had argued about almost everything except the attraction building so rapidly between them.
Much as he and Beth now argued about everything…
No, it was not the same at all, Raphael dismissed determinedly. Much as he might be attracted to Beth Blake’s fiery nature and her beauty, and the supple and desirable curves of her slender body, where she was concerned Raphael had no intention of allowing that attraction to become anything more than visual appreciation. She was Cesar’s beloved little sister returned to him, and as such Beth could never become one of the numerous women who had fleetingly shared Raphael’s bed these last fifteen years.
Which were the only relationships with women Raphael allowed in his life, having learnt of a woman’s treachery at a young age, from his own father’s second wife.
‘Probably not.’ Beth gave a grimace as she answered him. ‘But Grace at least has her love for Cesar as reason to try and embrace his lifestyle.’
‘And you do not have love for Cesar, and your parents, as a reason to try and do the same?’
It was impossible for Beth to miss the censure in Raphael Cordoba’s tone. And no doubt, if she took off those damned sunglasses of his, she would find that same censure in those piercing blue eyes. ‘Stop twisting my words, Raphael,’ she murmured instead. ‘And how can I possibly love three people I didn’t even know existed a couple of weeks ago?’ And there, in the proverbial nutshell, was the reason for Beth’s feeling at a loss as to how to deal with this situation.
She wished she could remember Carlos and Esther as having once been her parents, even the arrogant Cesar as having been her brother, but the truth of the matter was that Beth had absolutely no recollection of any of them. Furthering her belief that she couldn’t possibly be related to them, no matter what those blood tests said to the contrary.
Time would take care of that, the two older Navarros had assured her, together and individually. Time they obviously expected Beth to spend here in Argentina getting to know all of them…
‘Not a day has gone by this past twenty-one years when they have not all thought of you.’ Obviously Raphael Cordoba didn’t feel the same degree of patience towards her in that regard. Or any patience at all, judging by the coldness of his expression as he looked down the length of his arrogant nose at her.
Beth sighed heavily. ‘And I’m sincerely sorry for that. But only in the way any third party would feel after hearing of the abduction of the Navarros’ baby daughter, and the heartache they have suffered in the years since,’ she added firmly.
His jaw tightened. ‘You do not consider that Carlos and Esther have already suffered enough heartbreak on your behalf?’
‘That’s hardly fair—’
‘They are also two of the kindest, warmest people I have ever known.’
‘I’m sure they are.’ Beth looked pained. ‘But I’ve already had, and loved, two sets of parents. A third one not only seems unlikely but…well, excessive.’
Raphael’s eyes narrowed. ‘The difference is that they are your natural parents—’
‘Why is it that none of you will even try to understand why I just can’t accept that?’ Her own eyes darkened almost to the same black as Cesar’s when he was angry or upset. ‘Why I can’t accept any of this? And why I have to go back to England,’ she added determinedly.
‘Everyone is trying—’ He bit back the steely rebuke he had been about to deliver as he instead straightened his shoulders determinedly; arguing with the person he was employed to protect was not conducive to building the trust between them that was necessary in such situations. A trust Beth Blake stubbornly refused to give him. This was something he would need to speak to Cesar about when they were able to speak privately together. ‘If you will not stay in Argentina for the Navarros’ sake, you might at least consider it for Grace’s. She is, after all, arranging her wedding next month to Cesar.’
‘Ooh, low blow, Raphael,’ Beth murmured dryly. ‘If all else fails bring in the sister angle.’
He gave an unapologetic grin. ‘Is it working?’
‘Of course,’ she acknowledged heavily.
Raphael didn’t enjoy seeing the dejected look on that beautiful face. ‘If it is any consolation, Grace argued constantly with Cesar, too, when they first met.’
Beth raised blond brows over surprised brown eyes. ‘Your point being?’
She looked so much like her older brother at that moment that Raphael had trouble holding back his derisive laughter at Beth’s continued insistence that she couldn’t possibly be related to the Navarro family. At this moment she was undoubtedly every inch a Navarro!
‘My point being that the Navarro family cannot be all bad if Grace has learnt to love them in such a short time,’ he drawled dryly.
Beth tilted her head as she gazed up at him quizzically for several seconds. ‘You like my big sister…’ she finally murmured slowly.
‘I do, yes,’ Raphael confirmed without hesitation. Grace Blake was as feisty and outspoken as her younger adopted sister, and was without a doubt the perfect match for the often remote and arrogant Cesar.
Beth gave a derisive smile. ‘Then perhaps there’s hope for you yet, Raphael!’
He arched dark brows. ‘In what regard?’
‘In regard to your belonging to the human race, after all, rather than the unemotional robot I had thought you to be!’ she retorted.
Raphael drew in a hissing breath at the deliberate insult. ‘You will go too far, Gabriela!’
‘And then what?’ Beth chose to ignore his no doubt deliberate use of that name. This time…
‘Then I might have reason to prove to you just how much of a robot I am not!’
Beth looked up at him searchingly, wishing—not for the first time today—that his piercing blue eyes weren’t hidden behind those damned sunglasses. Although perhaps not—no doubt his gaze would be as razor-sharp as his tone…
‘Is that supposed to scare me?’ she prompted lightly.
It was now possible to feel the laser-sharpness of his gaze through those protective shades. ‘There are far more…enjoyable ways of subduing a disobedient woman than scaring her,’ he drawled softly.
Beth felt a shiver of reaction down the length of her spine. Not of fear, but of arousal…
Which was the real reason she constantly felt the need to challenge this man, of course. She had never been so physically aware of another man in the way she was of Raphael Cordoba. Of those arrogant good looks. And the sheer power of that muscled body beneath those perfectly tailored designer suits. Even the way Raphael smelt, sandalwood and lemon and pure healthy male, was enough to put all of her senses on alert. So much so that Beth was usually aware of his presence in a room before she even saw him. It was not a comfortable feeling for a woman who had believed, until she met this arrogant Argentinian, that she was cool and sophisticated when it came to her reaction to men.
Hot and bothered more accurately described her reaction to Raphael Cordoba!
‘“Subduing a disobedient woman”?’ Beth gave him a derisive glance. ‘Do you have to behave quite so much the Neanderthal?’
He gave a tight, humourless smile. ‘I assure you, no woman has ever had reason to complain about my…methods of securing their submission.’
Beth would just bet they hadn’t! The man was sexual seduction on two long sexy legs, so what was there to complain about?
Plenty, when Beth really didn’t want to hear about the other women Raphael had been involved with.
‘Then more fool them,’ she sna
pped disgustedly before turning on her heel and striding off in the direction of Cesar’s apartment.
All the time aware of Raphael as he continued to follow two steps behind her.
Just as she was also aware, by the tingling sensation quivering down the length of her spine, that those piercing blue eyes were now levelled intently on the gentle sway of her denim-clad hips and backside as she walked in front of him…
CHAPTER TWO
‘OH BUT—’
‘I think we should let Gab—Beth go back to England if that is what she wishes to do,’ Cesar gently interrupted his mother as she would have voiced her protest to Beth’s reminder that she was due to fly home tomorrow.
He surprised Beth with that support; she had felt sure that the arrogant Cesar would be just as opposed to the idea of her going back to England tomorrow as his parents obviously were. Maybe Grace’s more reasonable attitude was having a beneficial influence on the man, after all!
Beth smiled her gratitude across the luncheon table at him. ‘Thank you, Cesar.’
He nodded. ‘Raphael will accompany you, of course.’
A premature gratitude, obviously! ‘I don’t think so—’
‘And I will arrange for you to fly back in the private jet—’
‘Stop right there, Cesar!’ Beth bristled just at the mention of bodyguards and private jets. An indignation that only deepened as she saw the mocking smile curving Raphael Cordoba’s chiselled mouth as he appeared to be on watchful guard outside in the hallway—while obviously listening to their conversation. ‘I have a perfectly good return ticket booked on the commercial flight back to England tomorrow—’
‘Carlos…!’ A distressed Esther looked at her husband appealingly.
‘Perhaps it might be better if you were to accept Cesar’s offer,’ Carlos Navarro reasoned gently.
‘I’m sorry, but I’m really not comfortable doing that.’ Beth grimaced apologetically. ‘And I certainly don’t want or need Raphael to accompany me anywhere—’
‘Be reasonable, Beth…’ Grace interrupted quietly but firmly even as she touched Beth’s hand cajolingly.
‘I am being reasonable.’ Beth knew that she sounded, and no doubt appeared, childishly mulish rather than reasonable. ‘No one else but the people seated around this table—and Raphael—’ she shot him an impatient glance as she saw that mocking smile had now become a smirk ‘—is even aware that you all think I’m Gabriela—’
‘We know that you are, honey.’ Esther smiled across at her warmly.
Beth swallowed down the emotional lump that had formed in her throat at the unconditional love she saw shining in the older woman’s eyes. ‘Yes. Well. As you know, I still have difficulty accepting that.’ She avoided meeting any of their gazes as she stared down at the dining table, totally unable to deal with the hope she knew was shining in Carlos’s and Esther’s eyes, the censure in Cesar’s, the understanding in Grace’s, let alone the mockery she knew she would see in Raphael’s piercing blue eyes now that he was no longer wearing those dark glasses. ‘Until Cesar can supply me with further proof, I’m still Beth Blake as far as I’m concerned. And Beth Blake has a home and a job in England to go back to,’ she added firmly.
Cesar scowled darkly. ‘I assumed when you said you wished to go back to England that it was only so that you might close up the house there and deal with any other affairs—such as resigning from your place of work—before flying back here.’
‘Why on earth would you have assumed that?’ Beth gave a pained frown. ‘I worked hard to get my degree, and I love my job, so why would I want to give that up?’
‘Possibly because you are Gabriela Navarro, and as such have no reason to work?’ Cesar grated harshly.
‘Even if you do prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’m Gabriela—’
‘We already have.’
‘I will still refuse to sit around here like some pampered poodle—’ Beth broke off as she heard a snort of what she was sure was laughter from the direction of the hallway. Nor was she convinced otherwise by the bland expression on Raphael Cordoba’s face when she gave him a long, suspicious glance before turning slowly back to frown at Cesar. ‘I wasn’t brought up to sit around painting my toenails—’
‘Oh, I feel sure a “pampered poodle” would pay someone else to paint their toenails,’ Cesar snapped.
‘You aren’t helping the situation, Cesar,’ Grace cut in with soft reproof.
His expression softened as he smiled down at the woman he loved. But that smile faded as he turned back to Beth. ‘I am sure that Grace would rather you remained here and helped her with the arrangements for the wedding.’
‘Raphael already tried the sister approach,’ Beth told him wearily.
‘And?’
‘And of course I’ll come back for the wedding; I am the chief bridesmaid, after all. But, in the meantime, Grace has Esther to help with those arrangements.’ The latter was an argument she knew Cesar had no answer to. His mother was in her element with the arrangements for his wedding to Grace. ‘Which leaves me free to return to my life and job in England until a few days before the wedding.’
Cesar breathed impatiently down his nose. ‘Perhaps we might…compromise, in that you agree to take a month’s leave of absence from your place of work to come back here—’
‘A month’s leave of absence?’ Beth repeated incredulously as she sat up straighter in her chair. ‘Asking for this week’s holiday just after I had started working there didn’t exactly go down well!’
Cesar’s mouth firmed stubbornly. ‘Then perhaps I should consider buying the company, in which case my first instruction as the new head of that company would be for you to take a month’s leave of absence.’
Beth only wished that he were joking, or at least being sarcastic, but, as she was only too well aware, Cesar was as rich if not richer than several small countries, and so perfectly capable of doing exactly as he said he would.
She turned to give Grace a disbelieving shake of her head. ‘And you’re actually thinking of marrying this megalomaniac!’
Grace gave a husky laugh. ‘I most certainly am. Don’t worry.’ She gave Beth’s hand another conciliatory pat. ‘He improves with acquaintance!’
This time there was no mistaking the sound of Raphael’s throaty chuckle. Beth turned to look at him challengingly. ‘Perhaps you should come in here and join us if you have something to add to this conversation?’
Raphael eyed her mockingly. ‘I am merely an employee…’
This time it was Beth who snorted. ‘I think we both know that, as a long-term friend of Cesar, and head of his security worldwide, you aren’t “merely” an anything! Besides which,’ she continued firmly as Raphael would have spoken, ‘as this conversation has revealed that you’re expected to come to England with me, it would seem to concern you as much as it does me…’ she added with a frown.
‘Yes, come in and join us for coffee, Raphael,’ Cesar invited smoothly before turning to request another cup as Maria brought in the tray of coffee things.
Raphael had found time to speak to the other man before lunch, in regard to Beth’s resentment of having him as her bodyguard, a concern that Cesar had dismissed by assuring him, whether Beth liked it or not, there was no one else to whom Cesar would entrust his sister’s safety. And Cesar knew firsthand just how stubborn the Blake women could be; Grace and Beth might both be adopted, and from completely different parents, but their stubbornness of character was undeniably similar!
‘Please do join us, Raphael.’ Esther turned to smile at him warmly as she poured the coffee for all of them once Maria had returned with the sixth cup. ‘With all that’s happened this last few days I haven’t had chance to ask how your family are,’ she prompted gently as Raphael strode into the dining room.
All that had happened these last few days had included Esther’s own stay in hospital after a car crash in which she had thankfully only received a blow to the head and bruising. She was no
w fully recovered, but the incident had quickly been followed by the shock of having Gabriela return to them in the guise of Beth Blake. Both were reason enough for her not to have found the opportunity to enquire after the family Raphael usually managed to avoid seeing whenever he was in Argentina!
‘All well, the last time I asked, thank you,’ he dismissed lightly as he folded his length down onto the seat a smiling Carlos had pushed back for him.
‘Does your family live in Buenos Aires?’ Beth’s curiosity obviously got the better of her.
Raphael met her gaze coolly. ‘No.’
‘Then where—?’
‘I believe we were discussing the arrangements for your return to England,’ Cesar cut in decisively.
Beth continued to look at the bland-faced Raphael for several minutes longer, sensing some sort of schism in regard to his own family, a schism the Navarro family seemed well aware of. Not that anyone was going to explain that to her any time soon, if Raphael’s closed expression was any indication. ‘No, you were discussing it.’ She turned back to Cesar. ‘I’ve already stated what my own arrangements are.’
‘Those arrangements are unacceptable,’ the man who would shortly be her brother-in-law—if not her actual brother!—dismissed with his usual arrogance.
‘Not to me.’
‘Beth, try to understand how Cesar and your— His parents feel,’ Grace encouraged softly. ‘They’ve already lost Gabriela once,’ she added.
Beth felt what was becoming a familiar sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach.
Having no children of her own yet—never having come even close to being involved in a serious relationship, let alone thought of having children!—Beth found it hard to completely relate to the tragedy of having a child abducted when she was only two years old, followed by twenty-one years of not knowing what had become of her.
It became even more of a nightmare when she considered that the Navarros so obviously believed she was that child returned to them!
A Touch of Notoriety Page 2