The Latin Lover

Had she given up hope too soon?

She searched his eyes and her hopes were dashed anew.

Not a chance.

Just one look at the hostility emanating from those dark depths and common sense prevailed. Alejandro had the look of a man who wanted to do someone some serious damage, and right now she was the only one standing in the line of fire.

She shivered and shifted nervously away, wanting to get out of range, knowing there was nowhere in the small shop that would afford her sanctuary. “I don’t understand what you’re offering? A second chance at what, exactly?’

‘I will take you back as my lover. All will be forgiven.’

This time she laughed out loud. He was forgiving her? Did Alejandro’s arrogance know no bounds? And to think that for a half-second she’d imagined he’d come back because he’d suddenly discovered he loved her.

‘You’re forgetting something, Spaniard. I left you. I neither need nor want your “second chance”.’

Her laughter had been bad enough, cutting through the tense atmosphere and leaving jagged edges, but to refer to him as if she couldn’t even bear to mention his name…His teeth ground together, his jaw jammed tightly closed. Things had not been that bad between them. Of that he was certain.

‘You would not have me believe you have forgotten my name? A name you cried out so frequently and with such passion?’

‘You know I wasn’t trying to insult you. I was trying to keep this conversation impersonal.’

‘But it has always been personal between us. Or should I say—’ he hesitated, daring her to turn her eyes away ‘—intimate.’ He caught her reaction, the widening of her eyes, the kick of her chin as she swallowed back on her shock, and he knew she hadn’t forgotten. ‘We are good together. Why would you throw that away?’

‘Because I’m perfectly happy with my life just the way it is.’

‘I don’t believe you.’

‘And I don’t care what you believe. You can take your second chance and go home.’

His eyes took her in, scanned her like radar, swallowing her whole. ‘You’ve lost weight.’

‘I’ve been busy.’

‘Too busy to eat?’

She shrugged and averted her eyes, but not before he caught the clouds rolling across them. Money problems could do that to people, he knew, but she would soon find her money problems were a thing of the past. “I would make sure you ate.’

She snapped her head around. ‘And what would you expect in return?’

‘Nothing you wouldn’t want to give me. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t miss our lovemaking.’

She turned away, throwing her hands out wide. ‘Look, what’s the point of this? Whatever we had is over, and it’s pointless to try and reignite it.’

‘I don’t have to reignite anything. I can see the fire burning now in your eyes, no matter how much you try to deny it. You’ve burned for me ever since I walked through that door.’

‘I left you…’

‘You left before we could extinguish the flames!’

I left to save myself from burning up completely.

Behind Alejandro the tiny bell tinkled, and a burst of cool air swirled into the room before the door was jammed home. A customer entered, smoothing down the grey tendrils escaping from the tight twist behind her head as she stood to one side in her navy-coloured corporate attire, oblivious to the tension in the room, patiently waiting her turn.

Leah had never been so grateful for an interruption in her life. ‘Your trousers are ready, Mrs Turner,’ she said, reaching for the package like a lifeline.

The customer looked from Leah to Alejandro, who had angled himself towards her. ‘I don’t want to push in…’

Alejandro smiled and gave a small bow, holding out one arm to her, suddenly all Latin charm. ‘Please, I would be honoured if you would be served. I am not exactly a customer—more a friend visiting for old times’ sake. It is a pleasure to meet a friend of Leah’s.’