The Valquez Seduction

While he was on the phone ordering room service he watched her slip on a bathrobe. She gave a little wincing movement as she walked away from the bed. Something slipped in his stomach. He’d hurt her. ‘Are you OK?’

She gave him one of her bright smiles. ‘Of course.’

He put the phone down and came over to her, tipping up her chin to look deep into her clear blue gaze. ‘I was too rough with you.’

Her forehead pleated in a protesting frown. ‘No, you weren’t.’

He stroked her reddened chin where his stubble had prickled her soft skin. He heard her breath softly catch. Saw her pupils dilate. Watched as the tip of her tongue came out to dart over her lips. Felt his own body quake with want as she put her hands on his chest. Her pelvis was within a millimetre of his. He could feel the magnetic pull of her body drawing him inexorably towards her. His erection swelled, tightened, ached. It was all he could do not to crush her to him and slake the wild lust that threatened to overwhelm him.

He put his hands over hers and gently but firmly removed them from his chest. ‘You need to pace yourself, querida. We have plenty of time.’

‘Three days…or is it two now that today’s over?’

Luiz ignored the odd little ache below his heart as he selected a bottle of champagne from the minibar. He popped the cork and poured two glasses, handing one to her. ‘It’s two.’

She took a sip of the champagne, wrinkling up her nose like a bunny as the bubbles fizzed. ‘I really shouldn’t be drinking this. Before you know it, I’ll be spilling all my secrets.’

‘Feel free.’

She laughed and set her glass down. ‘Not unless you tell me one of yours first.’

Luiz leaned against the arm of the sofa. ‘I don’t have any. The press take care of that.’

He was acutely conscious of her gaze as it rested on him as if she were peeling back the mask of indifference he wore. He had spent most of his life pretending not to care what people said or thought about him. He had especially perfected the art in the company of his mother. He never let his mother think she had the power to hurt him. While Alejandro silently brooded over their mother’s critical comments, Luiz actively encouraged them, laughing them off as if life was one big game. He enjoyed the lovable bad boy role. He’d been doing it for so long it felt normal…and yet, when Daisy looked at him with that thoughtful gaze, he wondered if she could see a tiny glimpse of the sensitive boy he had once been.

‘All right,’ Daisy said. ‘I’ll go first. I once ate a whole block of milk chocolate and burned the wrapper in the fireplace so my father wouldn’t find out.’

‘How old were you?’

She gave him a sheepish look. ‘Twenty-three.’

‘Are you joking?’

‘Sadly, no.’

Luiz frowned. ‘What is his problem?’

‘Control is his problem. He finds it hard to love someone without controlling them. It drove my mother nuts.’

‘Why do you put up with it?’

She dropped her shoulders on an expelled breath. ‘I think deep down he means well. Besides, he’s the only family I’ve got.’

‘Yes, but this is the only life you’ve got. You can’t live it according to his standards.’

‘I know. That’s why I came to Vegas with the girls. He didn’t want me to go but for once I put my foot down.’

‘Clearly not hard enough if he sent a bodyguard.’

‘Yes, well, that’s my dad for you.’

There was a knock on the door, announcing the arrival of the midnight supper Luiz had ordered. He tipped the young staff member and closed the door.

Daisy was staring at the tray of food as if she hadn’t seen a meal for a year. ‘Is this all for us?’ she asked.

‘It’s just a snack.’

She touched a tentative hand to the tiered plate of ribbon sandwiches and buttery savoury scones. ‘I swear I’m going to chain myself to the treadmill when I get home.’

Luiz watched as she picked up a salmon and asparagus sandwich, biting into it with her small white teeth, her eyes closing in bliss. There was something so sexy about the way she ate. She savoured every mouthful, licking her lips and groaning in pleasure.

She caught him watching her and blushed again. ‘That’s the problem with denying yourself something. Whatever’s taboo is the thing you end up wanting the most.’

Isn’t that the truth? Luiz thought. He hoped his expression was giving nothing away of the struggle he was enduring to keep his hands to himself. He wanted her so badly it was a throbbing ache. Worse than hunger. Worse than thirst. It was like being addicted to a potent drug. The craving ate away at his self-control until he could think of nothing but sinking into her hot, warm tightness. ‘Isn’t that what holidays are for? Relaxing the rules a bit?’