The Latin Lover

re? But I could use the time…’

Leah assured her she’d be fine. Besides, she didn’t want anyone here to witness whatever was going to happen next.

The door closed with a click, and the tinkle of the bell finally died away.

‘What do you want?’

‘I came to find you.’

‘Well, congratulations. You found me. And now you can do me a favour and just unfind me.’

He took a step closer. ‘Leah—’

But she held up one hand. ‘Don’t you understand, Spaniard? I just want you to go!’

‘And I want you back.’

‘Why? So you can dump me, the way you planned? So you can exact your revenge on me for daring to leave you?’

‘Leah, it wasn’t like that.’

‘Wasn’t it? You mean you didn’t come back here and blackmail me back into your bed specifically so you could dump me when you were through?’

He turned his head to the ceiling. ‘Mierda! I was so wrong. But I was crazy. Nobody had ever walked out on me before. And I wanted you so badly.’

‘Only so you could pay me back. When the Caloundra deal came up, it provided you with the perfect opportunity. You could exact your revenge and have your night-time entertainment taken care of at the same time. How convenient.’

‘It wasn’t like that.’

‘I think we both know that’s a lie.’

He put his hands atop his head, then brought them down in a rush, holding them out in supplication towards her. ‘I’m not proud of what I did. But don’t you see? I had to get you back.’

‘And you couldn’t drop me a line and tell me you missed me or ask me to reconsider?’

‘You must understand. I am a proud man, and you had struck at my very core by walking out on me. Some questions I find hard to ask, especially when I suspect the answer will be no, and, given the vehemence of your exit, how could I expect you to say anything else? I had to find a way to convince you to say yes.’

‘You might have tried!’

She spun around, pushing back her hair with one hand. But he was probably right. Unless he’d professed his undying love for her she would have said no, and love had never been in his vocabulary until, it seemed, very recently. But he might have tried. Instead his actions had been carved with one thought in mind, whatever he claimed. He’d wanted revenge and he’d set out to get it.

She dropped her chin to her chest, shaking her head as she turned. ‘It doesn’t matter. It’s over.’

‘How can you say that? You confessed that you love me. You agreed to become my wife.’

She laughed. ‘In my defence, that was before I knew you were practically betrothed to another woman. I know you’re a man of large appetites, but I’d say two wives might be one too many—even for you.’

‘I am not marrying Francesca, whatever Catalina thinks. Why should I want a simpering wife when I could have a passionate woman beside me? A passionate woman who knows what it takes to make me burn?’

She swallowed. Had he moved closer to her while her back was turned? She could swear she could feel the heat emanating from him, making her burn. ‘Because she’s an heiress and I’m a nobody.’

‘You have never been a nobody.’

‘Catalina—’

‘Is jealous of you.’ This time she saw him edge closer, closing the gap between them until he was close enough that she could pick up his own individual scent, the combination of soap, tangy cologne and testosterone rolled into one dangerous package. ‘Because you have more skill in your two hands than she will ever have in her entire body. So she puts you down. You should not let her. You are more than a match for Catalina and any number of Spanish heiresses.’

He reached out a hand towards her and she watched it, mesmerised. She felt his fingers brush through her hair. Felt the kiss of his skin on her throat. Felt herself waver.