by Holly Rayner
I reached for a black taffeta swing dress I’d scored at a vintage shop in the Village a few years ago. It was pretty, feminine, and perfect for dinner with Raul tonight.
I hung the dress on the back of the bathroom door before running a bath in the enormous tub. I poured the lovely scented bath oil the hotel provided into the water and mixed it with my hand before stripping down and stepping into the gloriously hot water. It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it.
Chapter 9
Tanya
The maître d’ led me to a booth on the wall of the restaurant Raul had chosen for us. I laid the gift-wrapped book on the table and slid into the booth, smoothing my dress over my knees when I’d settled into a spot.
“May I bring you a drink while you wait, señorita?”
“I would love a glass of white wine. Whatever you recommend that isn’t too dry.”
“Very good, señorita.” The man bowed and left me alone to toy with the ribbon on Rey’s book while I watched the door for Raul.
My stomach clenched with butterflies I hadn’t known still inhabited my body. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt like this before a date. Of course, I could barely remember the last date I’d been on. It had been far too long ago.
After the lovely bath, I’d enjoyed a nap on sheets so soft I was tempted to put them in my suitcase before I returned to the States. I wouldn’t, but it sure was tempting. I’d never felt such softness in sheets before.
I’d awakened refreshed and ready to spend the evening with Raul. He of the amazing green eyes and panther-like movements. I was looking forward to seeing him, just seeing him. Talking with him and getting to know him better was just a bonus.
My phone buzzed inside the tiny clutch I’d brought for the evening. I took my phone out and saw that it was Arlen. I cursed softly under my breath and stepped out to the vestibule to take the call.
“Good evening, Arlen,” I said, forcing a much more cheerful tone than I felt he deserved.
“Miss Owens. How are things going in Madrid? I see the expense account I set up for you has been significantly depleted.”
“I have to look the part 24/7, Mr. Cooper.”
“I’m not complaining, unless there’s been no progress.”
Apprehension twisted in my belly. What could I tell him? That I’d figured out Raul didn’t keep his plans on display in his office? That wouldn’t be enough to appease the man on the phone, I was sure.
“I’ve learned a negative rather than a positive, but I’ve been here less than twenty-four hours, you know. Things like this do take time.”
“What does that even mean, you learned a negative?”
“I learned where Raul Jimenez doesn’t keep his architectural plans and models. He doesn’t keep them in his Madrid office.”
“So where does he keep them?”
“If I were to offer an educated guess, I’m going to say somewhere private like a residence. He’s a very private man. He would never display something before it was certain he was going to complete the project.”
“I can see that about him. All right. What are your plans moving forward?”
I ground my teeth. This was not what we’d discussed in New York. In New York, Arlen had assured me that I would have complete autonomy.
I saw Raul’s limousine pull up outside.
“I have to go now. Raul is on his way to me. We’re having dinner. I would ask that you remember you promised me autonomy on this case. I will not be telling you my every plan and move while I’m here. I hope we’re clear on that.”
Before Arlen could do more than sputter into the phone with what I was certain was completely unjustified indignation, I hung up, tucked the phone back into my bag, and quickly returned to the table.
Spotting me a moment later, Raul made it over to me and lifted my hand from where it lay on the table. He kissed the back of my hand, sending delightful tingles racing up my spine. His touch immediately dispelled the irritation Arlen had set off in me.
He was a perceptive, intelligent man, Raul was. I sensed his power under the kind smile he bestowed on me as he took his seat.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
“Not at all. I haven’t been here more than a few minutes.”
The waiter came to the table with my white wine and a low, fat glass containing an ice ball and a honey-colored liquid that smelled divine.
“Your wine, señorita. And your tequila, señor.”
Raul took the glass, sniffed the liquor, and gave the waiter a folded bill which disappeared before I even saw it clearly.
“Muchas gracias, my friend. This is perfect after the day I’ve had.”
Raul sipped the tequila and his smile broadened.
“Perfect,” he said, toasting the waiter and the bartender who tipped his hat in reply.
“What kind of tequila is that, if you don’t mind me asking? It smells divine.”
Raul turned that gorgeous smile on me and something in my belly melted just a bit.
“It is a Clase Azul Ultra. Very rare. Would you like to taste it?”
I considered before answering. My only experiences with tequila had been of the kind that ended with my head in a toilet at the end of the night. Surely something as beautiful as what was in Raul’s glass wouldn’t have that effect on me.
“I would love to taste it if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind one bit.”
He handed me the glass.
“Allow the scent to flow into your nostrils before you sip it,” he said. “And then only sip it. This is not a tequila for shots, but for sipping over a stretch of time.”
I nodded and followed his directions. The rich, oaky scent filled my nose and I let just a bit of the liquid past my lips to lay softly on my tongue. The flavor exploded in such a surprising way that I couldn’t contain the “oh” that passed my lips.
“My goodness, I had no idea tequila could be that lovely,” I said, passing the glass back to Raul.
“Would you like me to order a glass for you?”
“Oh, no. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Tequila and I have a checkered past.”
“I venture to guess that’s because you’re American and drank that sludge that passes for tequila in the States. This, as you’ve already mentioned, is very different.”
Raul raised his hand, and a server was by our table before I could blink.
“Please bring the señorita a glass of the Clase Azul Ultra,” Raul said, and no amount of objection on my part would dissuade him or the server.
Chapter 10
Raul
I watched Tanya as she took the tequila from the server. Her hand shook just a little, and it made me grin. She was simply enchanting.
She took a deep breath with her nose in the glass, and I could tell she was reveling in the scent of the 250-dollar glass of liquor. I hadn’t seen anyone enjoy the Ultra like this in years. My friends were all too jaded to enjoy a tequila this much. I was enjoying watching her just about as much as she was enjoying the scent and taste.
She looked up and caught me watching her. Her face closed down.
“What? Am I doing something wrong?”
“Not at all. I was enjoying watching you enjoy your drink. I apologize for staring.”
I leaned back and took another sip.
“Tell me about yourself, Tanya. I know you’re a shrewd businesswoman, but what about the rest of your life? Are your parents still alive?”
“Regrettably, no. My mother died when I was very young. My father died when—well, not too long ago.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” I said with feeling. “It’s difficult to lose a parent. Mine passed when I was still a child, leaving me to make my own way in the world.”
“You seem to have done a good job of it,” she said.
“Yes, I’ve always been able to pull myself up when I’ve fallen. When they died, I took the small construction company my father had started in
his hometown and turned it into what is now Jimenez Industries.”
I felt my phone buzz in my jacket pocket and cursed softly. Tanya raised an eyebrow, and I pulled the phone out. It was my New York foreman, Rodney.
“If you need to take that, I don’t mind.”
I nodded and answered the call.
“Bossman, I hope I’m not interrupting. We heard from the lawyers today. Unless you can convince that pretty bird to sell you the land, the project is dead in the water and they’re going to go with Arlen Cooper.”
“Cooper? Damn it, that can’t happen. I refuse to lose to that man. I’m with Miss Stanton right now. I’ll make this happen, Rodney. You tell those lawyers to hold their horses.”
I stepped away from the table and walked outside, stopping to tell the server to take Tanya’s order so she wouldn’t have to wait for me. The chef already knew what I wanted. I ordered the same thing each time I came here.
I stepped outside and Marco stood up from his leaning position against the limo. He raised an eyebrow at me, but I shook my head to indicate I didn’t need his help.
“Rodney, I have all but closed this deal. I promise I’ll have a signature for the sale of that land before Miss Stanton leaves here in a week. Tell the lawyer to wait to hear from me before they make any other moves. They will have me to deal with if they sour this deal before I have a chance to make it happen.”
“Will do, boss. What do you want me to do with the men we hired?”
“Send them to another job. I’m sure someone can use them while we’re waiting. I swear Americans are the slowest people on the planet when it comes to making decisions.”
“You’re not wrong there, boss. I’ll send the boys to Queens. That project can always use additional hands.”
“Thank you. Call me when there’s something to report.”
“Will do. Talk to you soon.”
I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket. I hated being pressured and that was exactly what that fool, Cooper was doing. He had a ready-to-go proposal, but his design wasn’t what the client wanted. Mine was. So Cooper kept pressing the client, pointing out that there was one holdout on the land for my project but his could be done before I could even break ground.
I was going to punch that smarmy little jerk in the nose when I saw him next. I slapped Marco on the shoulder before I returned to the restaurant.
“I’ll have the chef send out your steak, okay? Unless you want something else.”
He tipped his head to me. “Steak would be great. Is the señorita enjoying herself?”
I shot Marco a questioning look. He rarely commented on anyone’s level of happiness, let alone a woman who was basically a stranger. It got my curiosity piqued.
“Do you have a little crush, Marco?”
“No,” he said without cracking a smile.
“Then why are you concerned with señorita Stanton’s level of enjoyment?”
“I’m not concerned, but wishing her an enjoyable evening. And you, too, señor.”
“Of course,” I said with a chuckle.
Marco must be getting soft in his old age. I slapped his shoulder once more and stepped back into the restaurant. I told the maître d’ about the steak for my driver and placed my order with the chef. Then I returned to the table where Tanya had sipped half her drink away and was looking a little glassy-eyed.
“I think I better feed you before you have anything else to drink,” I said as I reached the table, noting that her cheeks were now flushed, pink shining through the porcelain translucence I’d noticed in my office.
“That’s a very good idea,” she agreed.
I waved down a server and requested some bread to help stave off the intoxication at least for a while. Then I sat across from Tanya, noticing for the first time the wrapped gift on the table.
“Was I supposed to bring you a gift tonight?” I asked, confused.
Tanya shook her head and handed me the gift.
“No, that’s for Rey. It’s the first book in the series I mentioned to her earlier today. I thought she might enjoy having it tomorrow since we didn’t have plans until the day after.”
I looked at the gift and something softened in my chest. There had been only a few women in my life since Eloisa’s death. None of them had ever done anything for Rey. They’d paid lip service to liking children so I wouldn’t discount their interest in me, but they’d never talked to her or learned what Rey liked. Tanya was here to do business with me. She wasn’t here to seduce me, despite my ever-growing desire to seduce her, and she had taken the time to speak to my daughter and find a common interest. She’d made a promise to Rey and fulfilled it. I couldn’t ask for much more.
“I don’t know what to say,” I stammered.
Tanya gave me a look I couldn’t interpret.
“There’s nothing for you to say other than you’ll see that she gets it. Unless you really don’t want her to have the book.”
“You said it was age-appropriate?”
“Yes, I think I was probably even a little younger than Rey when I read the series. But I was always a precocious child.”
“I bet you were,” I said.
Tanya giggled, a sound that made me want to kiss her until she was breathless.
The server arrived with the fish Tanya had ordered, the bread and steak I’d ordered, and a glass of water for Tanya. I eyed the water with a raised eyebrow.
She grinned sheepishly. “I love the tequila. Far too much. I think I better switch to water. I wouldn’t want to do anything we might later regret.”
“I suppose one of us must be the adult here.”
Chapter 11
Tanya
“You know, you’re not nearly the tyrant your online presence makes you seem.”
“I have an online presence?” he asked.
I nodded. “I looked you up on the flight over here. The articles online talk a lot about how ruthless you are in business, but there’s very little about you as a person.”
Raul shrugged and sipped his drink. He’d demolished the steak he’d ordered and now lounged against the back of the booth. I liked a man who ate like a man. One who wasn’t afraid to admit he enjoyed his food. So many men now were afraid of enjoying food. Raul ate with gusto, seasoning his meal with spicy sauces and plenty of salt and pepper.
I’d enjoyed my salmon as well. It had been perfectly cooked and seasoned. The remains of our meal lay between us now. A deep distance lay between us as well. We’d exhausted the surface questions everyone seemed to ask on a first date and were now left with either moving on to more personal topics or ending the date. Neither of us seemed ready to end the date, so we were tiptoeing around the deeper personal topics instead.
“I’m a private person,” he said finally. “I prefer to keep my personal life for only Rey and me.”
“I can understand that,” I said. And I could. He was a wealthy widower. I was certain the line to his door was long and filled with less-than-honest women.
“Do you date much?” I asked, feeling my cheeks flare with color.
He saw the color and grinned at me.
“Not really. You?”
“Hardly at all. Why don’t you?”
Raul shrugged. “It’s difficult. I have responsibilities that most women aren’t interested in. They like the perks those responsibilities make possible, but they don’t want to deal with my daughter or the amount of time I travel to keep up with my business.”
“How could anyone not want to spend time with Rey? She’s wonderful.”
The light in Raul’s eyes at that moment was a thing of beauty. I knew he loved his daughter, but now I knew he treasured her presence in his life.
“She’s the biggest blessing in my life. The last bit of her mother left.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure it’s been hard to raise Rey alone. What happened to your wife, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I don’t mind. Not with you, I don�
��t. Eloisa died in a car accident five years ago.”
“I’m so very sorry, Raul,” I reached across the table and took his hand.
He looked at our hands, something soft in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“Gracias.”
He sighed and then took a deep breath.
“Okay, enough morose talk. I’d like to take you dancing. Shall we?”
I took his offered hand and followed Raul through the restaurant to the front door. He paused and handed the maître d’ a large stack of bills before we left.
“Muchas gracias, señor. If there is anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“You know this is my favorite restaurant, Rafael. Thanks for the excellent service as always.”
He pulled me out into the cool evening air and walked us toward the car where Marco stood, holding the door open.
“Where to, señor?”
“I’m taking the lady dancing, Marco. Find us a club.”
“Sí, señor.”
Raul and I got into the limo. Raul sat on the far end of the bench seat and opened his arms to me. I debated for a moment, but he looked so earnest, so welcoming. I slid across the seat, and Raul pulled me into his arms.
“This is all right, yes?”
I looked up at him and smiled.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. Sparks ignited in my belly and shot up through the top of my head. My body vibrated under his kiss. I wanted to wrap myself in his embrace and live in that kiss. That’s how good it was. My toes actually curled.
He released my lips, drew a deep breath, and let it out with a shudder.
“You are not who I expected, Tanya. How did I get so lucky to have you come to find me here in Madrid?”
“I was just wondering the same about you.”
“Do you dance? I didn’t even ask.”