The truth of his affection is clear as he stares at me. My cheeks flush with desire as my fingers ache to touch him. He doesn’t make a move, probably because my intentions haven’t been clear. But I don’t wait for him to ask—I lean in and kiss him, wanting nothing more than to press my lips against his. Despite it being only our second kiss, Anthony already feels like home.
My fingers find his hair, tangle within its strands, pulling him closer. I push my body against him, his chest rising and falling with mine as he breathes into me. I find my way to his lap and wrap my arms around his neck, wanting to never let him go.
I rock against him, and he hardens beneath my thigh. The effect I have on him makes me feel seductive and sexy in a way I’ve never felt before. He makes me want to be spontaneous, something I never do. If it wasn’t for the few people surrounding us, I’d have my way with him right here by the pool. Instead, I lean back as we come up for air. The grin that sits on his beautiful lips is delicious, and my heart hammers.
I don’t know where this can go, whether there’s an unlikely future or just big regret looming on the horizon. But I do know that this man keeps surprising me, and the kindness in his heart is something I can’t resist. His brooding soul has seen days as bad as mine, and despite how different we are, I want to be with him.
“Let me take you on a proper date.”
“A date?” Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help being elated at his request.
“Yes, a date.”
“Okay.” I try not to think about what this could mean.
Or what it’ll do to my heart when he eventually walks away.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Darya
“Are you excited?” Niloo’s enthusiasm is infectious, even through the speakerphone.
“I think I’m too nervous to be excited. I want to throw up.”
“Don’t be nervous. You’re just going on a date with Anthony Castillo. This, sister, is what dreams are made of.” I don’t have to see her to know she’s bouncing around her room like a rubber ball.
“How do you look? Mike, did you make her look fabulous?”
“Yes, I did, koochooloo.”
“Yay! Because God knows she needs some help,” she teases.
“Hey!” I protest when Mike nods in agreement. “You guys suck.”
“Oh, you know we love you,” Niloo confirms. Behind me, there’s a knock at the door. “Holy crap, is he there?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Eek! Go,” Niloo says. “Have a blast. Then call me immediately when you’re back, because I need to know everything!” Mike chuckles at her eagerness. “Oh, and Darya? I would really love for that phone call to be in the early hours of the morning, after you’ve done your walk of shame.”
“Amen to that!” Mike says, standing up.
“Oh my God, you two. Stop. I’ll call you later, Niloo. Love you.” I hang up and take one last look in the hotel room mirror.
“Let me get out of the way so I don’t mess up that first moment thing.” He shoos me over to the side so Anthony can’t see me when he opens the door. “Hey, Anthony. You two have fun,” he says as he bolts out of the room.
“Thanks.” Then Anthony’s gaze finds me. He stares, his eyes running the length of my body, starting at my strappy red heels, slowly rising across my tight black pants and fitted black blouse. His glance pauses momentarily on the gold locket nestled at my breastbone, then makes its way across my shoulders, finally resting on my deep red lips. A smirk tugs at his expression as he swallows hard, sending a rapid pulse of nerves through my limbs.
“You look beautiful,” he says, finding his voice.
“Thanks. You look nice, too.” It’s the first time I’ve seen him dressed in anything other than his concert gear of black jeans and T-shirts.
His fitted black slacks hug his legs as they feed into a pair of black leather ankle boots. A thin red V neck sweater stretches across his broad shoulders and chest. Can this guy get any hotter? Yes, actually, I decide when I realize the only tattoos I see are barely peeking out at me from beneath his collar. Such a shame to cover those up.
“We match,” I point out, voice hoarse against my parched throat.
“We do.” He runs the length of me again, and I swear his fingers caress my skin, despite the two feet between us. Tingles of lust and heat burst on the surface of my flesh. “Let me guess, Mike helped you pick your outfit?”
“Yes, I’m assuming he helped you as well?” At his nod, I shake my head. “That shit. Thought he’d be cute making us all matchy-matchy.” I laugh and Anthony joins in with the deep, rumbled chuckle I’ve grown accustomed to.
“I think it’s kind of cool,” he adds. “You ready?”
“Yes.” I grab my purse off the table and follow him into the hall. “So, what do we have planned?”
“It’s a surprise.”
As we make our way to the front of the hotel, I can’t help but wonder what type of vehicle awaits us. Car? Limo? Helicopter? What does a superstar travel in when he’s going on a date? To my surprise, there’s a silver Porsche parked in front of the valet pickup. Fancy, for sure, but not what I was expecting.
“What’s wrong?” As usual, he misses nothing.
“Nada,” I answer, hoping I can throw him off with my not-so-impressive Spanish skills.
“You don’t like Porsches?” He opens the door for me, and I slide into the passenger seat.
“No, I do. I mean, who doesn’t like Porsches? I just wasn’t expecting it.”
“What were you expecting?” he asks, as he slides into the driver’s side. I can hear the interest pique in his tone.
“Truthfully?”
“Yes. Always.”
“A helicopter.”
He stares at me for a moment, then the two of us burst out laughing.
“Now I feel bad that I didn’t take you to the heliport upstairs.”
“I prefer the Porsche, but this is my first time going out with someone famous. I have no idea how you guys do this stuff.”
“How about you just think of me as Anthony for tonight. Not the lead singer of some well-known band. Think you can do that?”
“Definitely.”
He smiles, wide and beautiful, then pulls away from the hotel, leaving behind any preconceived notions I may have had about the night. As he makes the first turn, his fingers find mine, easing my unsteady heart. I force myself to relax into the bucket seat beneath me. The Chicago lights blur into streamers of golds and greens as the car feeds into each turn with smooth control.
“Did you know I lived here for two years when I was younger?”
“No, I didn’t. Was this before the band?”
“Yeah. I’d moved here to get away for a while. I needed a change, and my uncle had an extra room. I was tired of the same old life, the same crowds, the same issues. I’d just graduated high school and felt invisible.” His voice is sleek, and his storytelling effortless.
“So what happened?”
“Life. Mom’s health took a turn and I had to make my way back. At that point, there wasn’t any money or time for me to finish my degree.”
“Is your mom okay?”
“She has rheumatoid arthritis that just got worse quicker than expected. She couldn’t work anymore. And Carlos was still in high school. I had to take over.” The light turns green and he presses on the gas. “I always wanted to finish college, though.”
“Really? What did you want to study?”
“Promise you won’t laugh?”
“I promise,” I say, giggling.
“You’re already laughing.”
“Because you’re making me nervous with the lead-up. Tell me. I won’t laugh.” I try to keep a straight face but his smile is so bright, I can’t help but want to meet it with one of my own.
“Wow,” is all the response I can muster.
“Your level of surprise is concerning.”
“No. You just seem to constantly surprise me, that’s all.”
“Keeps you on your toes.”
“Then how did you become a singer?” I lean back in my seat, this new information about Anthony thoroughly intriguing. “It’s like night and day.”
“Carlos, actually. He was naturally so musical, and it all came easy to him. He’d write songs and we’d sing them together, just for fun. That turned into singing at family gatherings, then friends would hear us and want us to play at their parties.” He flexes the fingers of his right hand then places them back on the steering wheel. “Suddenly, the rest of the guys had joined us and we were being booked for legit gigs,” he continues. “One night, Emmanuel heard us at a local bar. He knew Mateo from before and found out that he was a drummer in an up-and-coming band. The rest is history.”
“It sure is. History you’re still making.” We’ve been driving for about twenty minutes. “Where are we going?”
“So, you obviously don’t Google me but, if you had, you’d know that Chicago is actually my favorite city.” He pulls into a parking lot off the pier and stops in front of a boat tour company. “I wanted to share my version of it with you. I hope that’s okay?”
“That’s more than okay.”
My heart halts momentarily as I wonder how many other women have had the pleasure of seeing this city through his eyes. Despite wanting desperately to ask him if this is a usual outing, I refrain, not wanting to taint his obvious excitement. Or the romantic vibe that takes hold as he opens the car door for me then reaches out and grabs my hand, leading me over to the dock. There’s a gentleman waiting for us.
“Hello, Mr. Castillo.”
“Good evening, Marcos.”
“Are you ready for your tour?” Marcos glances at me with a toothy grin.
He stands aside and lets me get aboard, Anthony trailing closely. It’s obvious that the entire boat is ours, empty seats lining both sides. We take the steps up to the top floor where a woman sits at the front, microphone in hand, waiting for us.
“Hi, Mr. Castillo. Miss Zameeni. My name is Debbie and I’ll be your tour guide this evening.”
Anthony leads us toward the middle and motions for me to sit down. We are close enough to hear Debbie but still far enough to have some privacy. I settle into my seat as Anthony places his arm around my shoulder. I nuzzle in close. There’s a little commotion going on as Debbie talks to a man I presume is the captain. I stare at the water hitting the side of the boat, the lapping sound of the waves soothing.
“What are you thinking about?” Anthony whispers. His breath tickles my ear.
“Your life.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I hadn’t come on tour with you guys, I’d never have had a glimpse into what being famous really looks like. I mean we’re sitting on this boat right now and there’s no one else on it. You’ve basically had the entire thing shut down for us. It’s surreal to have that kind of influence.”
“Does it bother you?”
“No. Of course not.” I look up at him and see his worry. “I love that I get to see things through your eyes. It’s just different than what I’m used to.”
“You know, I’d give anything to be on a full boat right now. But I’d be surrounded by people wanting pictures and having conversations and wouldn’t get a moment to enjoy this beautiful night with you.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “I miss being normal.”
I lean in to him as he pulls me closer and rests his chin on my head. I’ve never thought about what it must be like to never have a moment of privacy. The real world views the famous with envy, wishing for the money and the glamour their lives portray. But being in the middle of it, I can’t help but think that maybe it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
The boat roars to life and the rumble vibrates through our seats. There’s a cold breeze, and I’m grateful Mike worked in a black jacket to go along with my outfit. Even so, the air is frigid and burns my cheeks.
The city slowly rolls by with the sunset as its backdrop. The orange glow bounces off the glass-lined buildings, creating a canvas of sherbet-colored swirls. We move in and out of the shadows, formed by the various shapes and sizes. Some tall and sleek, others modern and oddly arranged.
The streets still buzz with people who make their way into stores and shops, retiring for food and drinks in restaurants and bars. But the sounds are drowned out by Debbie’s voice and the constant hum of the motor.
I lean against Anthony’s shoulder as he wraps me protectively beneath his arm, laying light kisses against my temple and my forehead. I melt into his side, watching the passersby going about their business without the slightest clue that everything in my life has suddenly changed. I’m on a boat with the lead singer of Ternura, and no one is the wiser. My own little unbelievable secret. Who would have known that taking over Trina’s shift would land me here?
Anthony gives me his own personalized take on Chicago as he whispers memories in my ear, giving me a private glimpse into who he really is. One I’m aware he doesn’t share readily. His candor makes me dizzy with desire, and I press into him farther, aching for the comfort he’s providing without even knowing it. One I didn’t know I needed.
One tourist site after another comes into view as Debbie points out striking details of the skyline, giving names to distinct buildings and describing their origins. We don’t stop, just continue down the river, listening to Debbie educate us on the city’s history. I’m content seeing it from this distance, happily cocooned in the beauty of the feeling brewing inside me.
“Three…two…one.” Anthony counts down as the sun makes its final descent. The city lights flicker on like fireflies claiming the night sky, one by one, plunging us into the celestial glow of the evening.
A gentle kiss meets my temple, sending chills up my spine. I turn and look into his eyes. Deep pools of midnight secrets stare back at me, taking my breath away. I want to know everything there is to know about him, every heartbreak, every success. Every insecurity and every time he was brave. I want to know it all.
My introverted self is both frightened and ecstatic to be so far out of my depth. To have this kind of a connection with a man is something I’ve never experienced before. It’s new and exhilarating, yet it terrifies the hell out of me.
The boat comes to a stop, docking back where we started.
“Ready?”
I’ve been so lost in my daze that I haven’t even noticed the ride was ending. My focus was consumed by the smooth soft fingers wrapped around mine, the protective weight of his arm resting across my shoulders, the soft touch of his lips against my flesh.
He stands and reaches his hand out to me, gently pulling me out of my seat. We slowly make the descent down the staircase, lazily strolling hand in hand. Which is why I almost scream when we’re greeted with three tank-like men in black awaiting us on the first floor. Despite it being Travis and his men, I still take a step back, crashing into Anthony, and he chuckles.
“They take some getting used to.”
“No shit.” I keep forgetting that Anthony has a security detail that follows him everywhere. When the hell did they even get on the boat?
They don’t speak, but I catch Travis trying to hide a smile. He nods and steps aside, allowing us to exit. Anthony walks me over to the car, and I notice the black SUV parked a few spaces away from us, for his men.
“I seriously can’t get used to that. They’re everywhere, all of the time. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Travis stays in the same room as you.”
“Are you asking me if my room is free later, Dr. Zameeni?” He smirks, the innuendo burning hot as he cocks a brow. My cheeks flush, but something about th
e intensity in his expression makes me gutsy. I haven’t had a man stare at me like this for a long time, and now that he is, I don’t want him to stop.
“I’m just trying to figure out what I’m working with,” I reply. I don’t think he was expecting me to meet his advances. He laughs with surprise.
“I like a woman who plans ahead. And don’t worry, my room is bodyguard free.” He smirks. “But before you take me home, I was thinking we could grab a drink and some dinner.”
“I’m glad you understand that if I end up in your room, it’s because I’m the one taking you home. And not the other way around.”
“Oh, there’s not a doubt in my mind that you’d be the one in control.”
The car purrs to life and heat courses through my body, making me wet with desire. He reaches across the center console and wraps his hand around mine. The skin-on-skin contact makes my insides tingle.
I’m totally going to need that drink now.
Fifteen minutes later, we pull up to a restaurant called the Delicate Delusion.
We enter into what appears to be a flower shop. It’s cozy and green, and the walls are filled with baskets of flowers. The hostess stands behind a counter with a large brass cash register.
“How adorable,” I say.
“Wait till you see the inside.”
“Mr. Castillo,” the hostess says. “This way.”
I’m curious where “this way” is when there aren’t any doors. But to my surprise, she grabs the wall to our left and pulls it open. It’s a small entrance feeding into a larger room that looks like an old-school library in an English manor. The walls are covered in interesting art, some of it scenes from Alice In Wonderland. There’s a burlesque dancer up on a platform, dancing. Suddenly, the chandeliers start spinning.
“Pretty cool, right?”
Set to Music Page 15