Mad for you in Madrid (Building Love Book 3) Page 10

  Maybe tonight, wearing the outfit he bought her, she’d feel as beautiful and confident as she should. He hoped so. The whole point of the purchase was to boost her confidence. The woman seemed uncomfortable in her own skin. Even in Las Vegas, where she was decked out to perfection, there was a timid shyness about her. That dichotomy drew him in more than her beautiful appearance. What could possibly be going on in a mind like that?

  Daniel pressed his lips thin, barely hearing the butler who greeted him at the door. Once inside the mansion’s rotunda, he acknowledged his parents’ guests with automatic greetings: kisses, hugs, handshakes, and salutations given without any thought. He searched around for the only guest he was interested in seeing.

  She wasn’t anywhere in sight. Perhaps Elias was running late. His brother’s tardiness was notorious. Subtly letting their parents know they would not control every aspect of his life. Elias exuded passive-aggressive perfection. Daniel was not fooled. Underneath Elias’s façade was a man with the ability to be his own person. Unfortunately, Elias had not yet recognized this trait within himself. Until he did, Elias would remain bound to their parents.

  “Daniel, mi hermano,” Elias called from down the hall.

  Daniel whipped around, focusing not on his brother, but the beauty by his side. Lori was resplendent in green. The emerald color had transformed her into a jewel. The dress hugged every curve. Her petite body looked lush and ripe. His heart rate sped up. Would the spark between them ignite? Would she finally acknowledge the powerful attraction that hit him at the core? The thought made him heady.

  Lori pushed loose tendrils to expose the earrings he bought her. A rush of pleasure flooded him. When his eyes flickered to the necklace she wore, pleasure merged with giddy satisfaction. She bought a matching necklace. That notion almost made him grab her and sweep her off her feet. But first he needed to be sure her purchase wasn’t purely a fashion-based decision.

  She greeted him with a warm smile. “Hola, Daniel,” Lori said, her voice soft and lyrical.

  “You are lovely,” he said.

  “Why, thank you,” Elias replied in a fake feminine voice while extending his hand in a girly manner. “Frankly, I didn’t think you cared.” Elias shook with laughter, the movement sloshing the amber-colored liquid in his glass.

  Daniel placed a firm hand on his brother’s wrist. “Had too much to drink already?”

  “Considering we are standing in our parents’ house,” his brother answered in a hushed, conspiratorial voice. “I haven’t drunk nearly enough.”

  Daniel rolled his eyes.

  “I’m sober,” Elias said, letting out a hiccup. “Relatively speaking.”

  “Relatively? Is that a pun?” Daniel asked.

  Elias’s laughter once again threatened to spill the drink. “Sure. Pun. Honesty. Freudian slip. Whatever. I’m doing my damnedest to get drunk. This is my third one.” He held up his glass.

  Daniel took the glass from his brother and gave it to a server who passed by.

  Elias sighed. “Spoilsport.”

  “I’m saving your ass. If Mama and Papá see you drunk, they’ll kill you.”

  “You want to protect me,” Elias said in a singsong tone.

  “No, I want to kill you myself.”

  “It’s wonderful to be fought after, don’t you think?” Elias teased, directing his attention to Lori.

  “Yo no sé,” she answered. “No one’s ever fought over me.”

  Daniel stared at her in disbelief. You have got to be kidding me. I’d fight Elias for you. Right now.

  Lori’s forehead creased. “What’s wrong, Daniel?”

  “Nothing,” Daniel said. “I was merely wondering about your sudden use of Spanish tonight.”

  “Only little bits here and there to be polite. If people really heard my accent, they’d think I was trying to insult them.”

  Elias clucked his tongue. “Nonsense. Spaniards have kind hearts. Everybody will be thrilled to see you try.”

  “Thrilled to see me try, not thrilled to hear me try. Trust me, strangled goats sound more melodious than me.”

  Elias’s loud laughter caused several heads to turn. One attractive young woman glared. Daniel could swear the hostility was directed toward Lori, rather than Elias. The woman was probably one of Elias’s castaways. Jealousy was an ugly emotion.

  Ironically, Daniel was suffering from the same affliction. Green wasn’t only the color of Lori’s dress. Daniel was green too—green with envy. Good Lord, this woman is making me crazy. I’ve got to know if she’s interested in me. “I’m glad my gift inspired you to buy a present for yourself. The malachite necklace is a perfect match.”

  Lori opened her mouth to answer but Elias held up a hand to silence her. “I decided to complete the set,” Elias said.

  “Really?” Daniel answered coolly. “How did you know I bought her jewelry? Let alone what kind I purchased?”

  “Easy,” Elias answered, folding his arms. “When you didn’t answer your cell phone, I called your secretary. She told me where you were. When I called the store to get in touch, they told me you left. I asked them what you bought.” Elias smiled smugly. “I had them deliver the matching necklace to me.”

  “You’re kidding,” Daniel said, despite knowing the answer.

  Elias pointed to Lori’s neck. “Don’t think so.”

  “Please,” Lori said, “let’s not argue. I’m grateful to both of you. The whole point in my coming here is to help out Elias. Why don’t we go find your parents?” She turned to Elias. “I’m not sure exactly what I’m supposed to do.”

  “My parents keep hounding me to settle down,” Elias groaned. “You’re here to prove I am serious about marriage.”

  “You want your parents to believe that you and I are engaged?” Her wide-eyed expression would have been comical if Daniel had found the situation the least bit funny.

  “Yup,” Elias answered, his grin Cheshire cat wide.

  Chapter 17

  “Don’t worry,” Elias said to Lori. “In a few weeks I’ll make some excuse to explain our break up.”

  “Elias, lying about an engagement is a serious matter,” she said. “Why not be honest with your parents?”

  Daniel let out a harsh laugh. “Because they’re sick of all the news stories claiming Elias is a randy playboy. My parents think my brother’s bad press will hurt their business. They’ve already threatened to fire Elias. They could also cut him out of their will.”

  “You can hire me and end my problems, mi hermano.”

  “Nothing doing,” Daniel retorted. “Better you’re our parents’ problem than mine.”

  “Ouch,” Elias said, his voice light. “Well then, my agenda for tonight will go forward. A night full of subterfuge.” He shrugged. “Ready to convince them I’m turning over a new leaf, Lori?”

  “Go ahead, Lori,” Daniel said, the sarcastic edge dripping from his voice. “Convince them that you two are getting married. Make this an engagement party instead of a boring business event.”

  “Which reminds me,” Elias said to Lori, “you and I didn’t meet through business. Or through Daniel.”

  “Okay. How did we meet?” Lori asked.

  “Did you even think that far out?” Daniel asked Elias tersely.

  “You underestimate me,” Elias answered. “Lori and I met through a mutual friend.”

  “Which friend? When?” Daniel persisted. “The devil is always in the details, Elias. You know how Mama and Papá love details.”

  Elias waved Daniel’s questions away. “Everything will work out tonight. You’ll see.”

  “Fantastic to hear. We can find out right now.” Daniel pointed down the corridor to their parents, who were surrounded by a crowd of partygoers.

  ~ ~ ~ />
  Lori squinted in the direction where Daniel pointed. An attractive older couple stood in the epicenter of guests. Mrs. Vega, two feet shorter than her husband, had light-brown hair blown out in a chin-length bob. Her red satin gown and shoes shined. Her jewels were the real show stopper. The size of the diamond in her ring rivaled a grape. How many tens of thousands of dollars her enormous jewel cost Mr. Vega, Lori didn’t want to know.

  Judging by the way Mr. Vega dressed, the father wasn’t denying himself any expenses, either. The cut and fabric of his tuxedo screamed quality. The gold ring on his pinky bore a ruby exactly matching the color of his wife’s dress. Mr. Vega stood straight and tall, his chest puffed out. The man’s perfectly straight nose and strong jawline was a handsome, older version of Daniel’s.

  Elias waved to get their attention. Mr. and Mrs. Vega smiled as soon as they saw them. “Let’s go,” Elias whispered.

  “I hope this works,” Lori mumbled.

  “Probably not,” Daniel answered through a tight-lipped smile.

  “You lack faith in me,” Elias admonished in a soft voice.

  “Yup,” Daniel muttered.

  Elias ignored the jibe. When the parents were in reach, Elias grabbed his mother’s hand. “Mama, Papá, I would like to introduce to you to my girlfriend, Lori Cayne.”

  “¡Fabuloso!” Mrs. Vega squealed in delight and ran to embrace Lori.

  ~ ~ ~

  Mrs. Vega led the three of them toward the back of the mansion. Lori wondered whether Mr. Vega would join them. He had stayed behind to attend to the other guests. Perhaps it was better to deal with each family member individually.

  The crystals embellished on the bodice of Mrs. Vega’s red dress sparkled as she walked. The gown shined almost as much as the woman’s diamond ring. The cost of the garment was probably more than Lori’s monthly rent.

  Mrs. Vega scooted them into a private library. Dark wood shelves lined the room from floor to ceiling. Hundreds of books filled the shelves. Judging from the dust on the leather bindings, most of the volumes were quite old and unused. Leather club chairs, equally dark, sat around a carved wood cocktail table bearing claw feet. Lori wondered whether the books or the table was older. Clearly the Vega family valued antiques as much as business networking. A Persian rug, probably costing more than she had ever made, lay underfoot. The rug extended all the way to an unlit carved stone fireplace.

  The library was as stately as the rest of the house. From the minute the butler greeted her in the rotunda, she had fought the urge to gawk. Her strong desire to not embarrass herself, or her companions, kept her external reactions in check. With luck, she’d continue her socially savvy streak. She shoved a winning smile on her face, her only available armor.

  Mrs. Vega gave her a hug and spoke in Spanish, words flying out rapidly. Elias translated out loud, not knowing the extent to which Lori understood. “Lori is thrilled to meet you too, Mama. She is from America. She understands a little Spanish but can’t speak a word. Please use English.”

  Mrs. Vega’s mouth dropped open in surprise before firing back at her son in rapid Spanish. Lori silently translated. “America? I told you to settle down, but not halfway around the world!”

  Elias crossed his arms against his chest. His face turned beet red. “You did not put any restrictions on my getting a woman, Mama. You only said that I should get one.”

  “Use your brains, Elias. Should I get on a plane every time I want to bounce a grandchild on my knee? You know very well Daniel is not going to settle down. I will never get to be a grandmother the way things are going with him.” She stressed the word “him” sharp enough to be a weapon.

  “Hey, that’s not fair,” Daniel protested in English. “Leave me out of this.”

  Lori stood stiffly, mouth agape, watching the scene unfold. Mrs. Vega and Elias ignored Daniel’s interruption. Lori continued translating while they persisted with their argument.

  “Why are you talking about grandbabies?” Elias cried loudly. He twitched with exasperation.

  “Oh, so you are not going to marry this girl? Your father and I already told you that we are done tolerating your playboy ways.”

  Elias blanched.

  As if on cue, Mr. Vega strode in. The man was a few inches shorter than his sons, yet loomed large. “What’s going on in here?” he demanded in rapid-fire Spanish. “Why is everyone yelling? Thank God the guests haven’t overheard.”

  “I thought Elias was going to marry this young lady,” Mrs. Vega said, pointing a finger at Lori. “Now I am not so sure.”

  “Why are you leaping to conclusions?” Elias demanded. “I asked you to stop talking about babies. A ring hasn’t even landed on Lori’s finger—”

  “That’s the problem,” Mrs. Vega wailed. “You think your father and I don’t know about your running around? We didn’t succeed in business by burying our heads in the sand. We know how you toy with women.”

  “Son,” Mr. Vega said. “Your mother and I love you. But we told you that you must act like a gentleman before you earn a place in our company, and our wills. Getting a wife will be a solid start.”

  “You two don’t even know Lori. How can you possibly pressure me to marry someone you don’t know? It makes no sense,” Elias shot back.

  Mr. Vega turned his head to Lori and gave a warm smile. “I gather you speak English?”

  “Yes,” Lori said, her stomach tightening.

  “Tell us a little about yourself,” Mr. Vega asked.

  “Um, well. There’s not a lot to talk about, I guess. I’m a pretty quiet person. I graduated from college at the top of my class. I majored in business. I work full-time for my mom at her company, Cayne Corporate Communications, Inc. We’re based out of San Francisco, California. We do business all over the world.”

  “Are you close to your mother?” Mrs. Vega interjected. “I think a child should be devoted to their parents.” She shot both of her sons a squinty-eyed look.

  Lori bit the inside of her lip. “Yes, my mom and I are very close.” Too close. “I always listen to her.” To my detriment. “I believe family loyalty is important.” Assuming it doesn’t kill me.

  “How lovely,” Mrs. Vega exclaimed. “You are a hundred-percent correct. I’m pleased to hear you are a dedicated, loving daughter. You are the kind of child every parent should have.” She stressed the word should while shooting her sons another look.

  “Elias respects both of you greatly,” Lori said, praying she was right. “Daniel, too. I’ve heard only wonderful things. It’s an honor to meet both of you.”

  Mrs. Vega beamed. Her smile shone brighter than the sparkles on her dress. “You are a lovely young lady. No wonder my son picked you.”

  Before Lori could respond, Mr. Vega jumped back in to the conversation. “I haven’t heard of your mother’s company. I’ll have to Google it.”

  “No need,” Daniel said. “I’m quite familiar with Cayne Corporate Communications. They’re a very reputable firm.”

  Lori noted that Daniel omitted saying that he had hired Cayne. Maybe to keep the relationship focused on her and Elias?

  Mrs. Vega beamed. “I’m glad you have a nice, solid background, Lori. You seem like a lovely young lady. The type of woman Elias should marry. If he wasn’t set in his playboy ways.”

  “Okay, Mama, you forced my hand,” Elias spat in English. “I was going to tell you this later, but since you persist, Lori and I are engaged. She is moving to Spain next month, staying in my apartment until we wed. It’s time for us to start living together.”

  “Is this true?” Mrs. Vega asked in English, her eyes round with hope.

  “Of course it is, Mama,” Elias answered before Lori could protest.

  Daniel’s throat released a strangled sound.

  Mrs. Vega narrowed her eyes. �
�Don’t play with me, Elias. If you two are engaged, where is the ring? You said yourself that her left hand is bare.”

  Lori cringed. Of all the jewelry Daniel and Elias bought her tonight, none were the piece she needed.

  “The ring has been ordered,” Elias answered smoothly. “Lori deserves something great. The ring will be custom designed.”

  Mrs. Vega clasped her hands together in glee. “Congratulations,” Mrs. Vega squealed. I can’t wait to tell everybody!”

  Mr. Vega rocked back on his heels and smiled. “Good to see you grow up, son.” He winked at Lori. “Congratulations. Welcome to the family. We will celebrate tonight, after the guests leave.”

  “No,” Mrs. Vega answered. “The time for my waiting is through. We’re going to celebrate immediately.”

  “Now wait just a minute—” Daniel cut in.

  “No more waiting! I will finally see my youngest child settle down. I will be a grandmother.” She ran out of the library, Mr. Vega on her heels. Leaving Elias and Daniel alone with Lori.

  “Um, congratulations to us?” Elias said, giving Lori a lopsided smile.

  Chapter 18

  “Lori? Lori!”

  Daniel’s voice sounded faint. Lori opened her eyes. Why was she on the floor? And why was her head cradled in Daniel’s arms? If she hadn’t been so confused, she would have felt quite comfortable. Dreamy, even. Then she noticed Elias looming over her, his face contorted in a frown.

  “What happened?” she asked them, rubbing her head. Had she fallen? For this kind of family drama, she could’ve flown home to see her mom. At least she’d better understand the dynamics.

  Suddenly, her memory rushed back. “Oh my God. Your parents think I’m engaged to him,” she exclaimed, pointing to Elias in accusation.

  “You passed out,” Elias explained. “Daniel caught you.”

  “No thanks to you,” Daniel ground out.