Mad for you in Madrid (Building Love Book 3) Read online

  “Sorry for tonight,” Daniel apologized again. “I was shocked to learn Elias invited you as his date. I knew the result would be crazy. I should have told my brother no.”

  She placed a hand lightly on his arm. He would have reveled in her warmth during other circumstances.

  “It’s okay. I’ll get over it. We can’t control our family members. Believe me, I know.”

  “You’re being charitable. What you went through tonight was ghastly.”

  “Why don’t we focus on brighter things?” She smiled. “I have a present for you. Can I give it to you now?”

  “A present for me? I’m touched. Especially after everything my family and I put you through . . .”

  “You gave me gifts. Two of them,” she pointed out.

  I’ve got more money than you. Not to mention a burning desire to take you to bed. “That was different. I wanted you to feel as comfortable as possible while you helped my brother out.” He paused. “Trust me when I tell you that buying the gifts was my pleasure.”

  “Great. We agree.”

  “On what?”

  “On how pleasurable it is to give a gift. I want to thank you for showing me around Madrid. More importantly though, I appreciate your forgiving my gaffs.”

  “I enjoy being around you, Lori. I hardly need a present.”

  Lori’s blush gave a lovely rose tint to her cheeks. She turned away from him to search inside her purse. “Here it is,” she said, taking out a small gift bag.

  “What is it?”

  She handed him the bag. “Open it, silly. What gift-giver would answer such a question?”

  He pulled out a three-inch object wrapped in white tissue paper. He tossed the paper aside and a ceramic miniature of the royal palace appeared in his palm. Its colorful paint gleamed.

  “There’s something else in the bag,” she prompted.

  He reached in again, feeling a flat square shape wrapped in another tissue paper cocoon. His hands hurried to rip the paper off and he chucked the wad into a corner of the car.

  Lori pretended to tsk. “Yeesh, Daniel. Didn’t you ever hear the slogan, reduce, reuse, recycle?”

  Ignoring her laughter, he lifted up the present. This one was another miniature, a magnet of Velázquez’s Las Meninas. Daniel smiled. He was fond of the historic painting. It portrayed the young princess Margarita Teresa in the royal palace, surrounded by her doting entourage. It was one of the most famous paintings in the Museo del Prado, practically a symbol of Spain itself.

  “Both of the miniatures I bought for you are symbolic,” Lori explained. “You made me feel like a princess.”

  Daniel carefully placed the items back in the bag, his heart lifting. He was usually the one who did all the buying. In fact, gifts from women was not the norm. Then again, nothing about Lori was “normal.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Thank you for these. When did you get the chance to buy them? We’ve kept you pretty busy.”

  “I’ll say.” She laughed. “I picked these up at the palace gift shop,” she explained with a wink. “I didn’t really have to go to the bathroom.”

  “I guess not.”

  “I wasn’t sure when I should give them to you. I missed my opportunity earlier today. I should have done it when you came to my hotel room. Your presents were such a surprise that my mind blanked.”

  “Understandable. I give amazing gifts.”

  “Agreed.”

  “You look lovely wearing them, by the way.”

  Pleasure flushed over her cheeks. “Thanks to you.”

  “Anything else I can bestow?”

  “Sure. Vodka.”

  “I’ll buy a bottle for you next time.”

  “Next time? Sounds risky. Before I agree, tell me if this was a typical night for the Vega clan. High stakes drama with lots of cloak-and-dagger action. Not to mention a random, pissed-off blonde.”

  “I’m happy to say that tonight was not typical. Most of the time I see my family we sit around and talk. There must be something about you,” he said, brushing a loose, brown tendril from her face. “Wherever you go, a night filled with drama ensues.”

  “Oh, fine. Blame me.”

  “Blame you? I want to kiss you,” he said, forcing his voice to sound light. But the truth in his statement reverberated throughout the car, loud as gunshot. Might as well be honest with her. She had pierced his heart in a way he had never thought possible. “Lori, how you handled tonight was stellar. In fact, everything about you is stellar. You are a shining star. One of the many reasons why I find myself attracted to you.”

  Wide eyes stared up at him. Doe-like orbs filled with hope and shyness. She was like a startled deer in the forest. Drawn to a mate, yet frightened. If he acted too fast, she would bolt.

  “Are you involved with Sophia?” she asked softly.

  “My involvement with her was short lived, and completely over.” It shouldn’t have even happened. What was I thinking?

  “Not in her mind.” Lori fidgeted with her hem of her emerald dress. “She is very pretty, you know. Gorgeous, even.”

  “She could be Marilyn Monroe incarnate. Doesn’t matter. She doesn’t mean anything to me. Despite her come on, I don’t mean anything to her, either. I never told her anything to make her believe otherwise. What we had was no-strings-attached.”

  Her smile wobbled. “Some people confuse sex with love.”

  “I don’t know how.”

  “Easily, I guess. After my father walked out on my mom, he left the country to run off with a twenty-one-year-old. He was convinced he was in love.”

  Daniel’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  “Yeah. I saw some pictures of her. She’s a foot shorter than my dad and has bright-red hair. He’s practically bald. They looked like Mutt and Jeff.”

  “Who?”

  “Cartoon characters from old-time newspapers.” She shook her head. “Never mind. I’m trying to say that I admit my mother is difficult to deal with. What my father did to her though was deplorable. He also cut off contact with me.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Thanks. Like you said, family is not always perfect.” Despite her easy quip, Lori frowned. “I’m only three years older than the girlfriend. I find that disturbing. I think she went after my dad because she learned about his large inheritance.”

  “Your family has a large inheritance?”

  “No, he does in specific. My dad’s last name is quite well-known. I took my mom’s last name when I started working for her company, at her request. I was glad to deflect unnecessary attention away from myself.”

  “Are you going to tell what his last name is?”

  “Whitmore.”

  Daniel’s eyes widened. “The newspaper mogul family?”

  “From four generations back, yes. Don’t be too impressed. Ever since online social media started, stock in my great-grandparents’ company has greatly gone down. My father now lives off a very tight trust fund. It’s so restrictive that my mom busted her butt to afford the life she thought she’d be getting. Starting her own company turned out to be a lot more lucrative than marrying my dad. He enjoyed the lifestyle my mom provided. He wouldn’t have been able to spend nearly as much without her.”

  “Money always becomes the focus in a family, doesn’t it?”

  “Eventually, yes. My parents married for love. Too bad the relationship didn’t last. My dad walked out. I understand some of his perspective. Not all of it though. His dating a twenty-one-year-old didn’t make me want to reach out to him. It really put a wrench in the works.”

  “Is he still with her?”

  “I heard they got into a huge fight. She had a one-night stand with somebody who has even more money. She got her upgraded model and dumped
my dad.

  “Ouch. Let’s forget about her. Sophia, too.”

  “Works for me.”

  “No woman could be better than you anyway,” he said, gazing into her eyes. Not wanting to succumb to his growing desire to kiss her, he straightened his back to prevent leaning too close. “Tell me more about your father,” he said in an attempt to re-shift their course.

  “Okay, how about this piece of irony? Of all the places in world, my father moved to Madrid. My coming here on business is a crazy coincidence. I’ve never even left the U.S. before.”

  “He’s in Madrid? That is a surprise. Are you sure you’re not going contact him while you’re here?”

  “Want some more irony? He’s back in the States. He had to fly to California to attend another divorce hearing with my mom. She keeps making claims on his American assets because she’s angry. She knows those assets are out of her reach. I think she wants him to spend everything he has on lawyers and airfare.”

  “I see.”

  “She keeps telling me that men are to be avoided at all costs.”

  “Even me?” Daniel asked quietly. His hand crept up to her face. So soft and vulnerable.

  Lori inched away from his touch. “Let’s change the topic, please. I don’t want to make either of us uncomfortable.” She shifted restlessly until sitting squarely in her seat, hands folded in her lap. The wheels in her head turning loud enough to make the silence deafening.

  “Lori, we can’t keep shutting each other out. I think it’s time to talk to each other. Really talk.”

  “Where do you want to start?” she asked. Her voice sounded curious and yet filled with caution.

  “Let’s talk about the attraction we obviously have for each other.” He kissed the back of her hand. The effect lingered on his lips and traveled south to his belt line. “Your mother is wrong, Lori. Not all men are bad. I’m not bad.”

  She stared at him, her body visibly trembling.

  “I’ve been wanting to make love to you ever since Las Vegas,” he quietly admitted. “I think you want to be with me, too. Tell me that I’m right.”

  Chapter 20

  Lori’s head was spinning, and it wasn’t from drinking the limousine’s stock of Madeira. Wine lingered on her lips but she needed to taste so much more. Carlos’s presence in the front seat was a damper on her rising libido. The driver might understand English and overhear them. “Is this the best idea?” she whispered to Daniel. “Maybe he can hear us.”

  “Is what the best idea?” he whispered back. “Having a potential witness to my affection? Or my wanting to make love to you?”

  Lori felt the color drain from her face. Blood must have found its way to her chest. Her heart rate was soaring.

  He laughed loudly. “You’re not going to have a heart attack, are you?”

  Great. I must look like a scared idiot. Which I probably am. “Why are you concerned?” she answered sourly. “Aren’t there hospitals in Spain?” Sure, she was turned on, but if he was going to make fun of her, he didn’t need to know it. Besides, too many things could go wrong if she did what she really wanted to do—rip open his tuxedo and have at him, regardless of Carlos’s location.

  “We have many fine hospitals. You’re not going. Why should the doctors get to see you naked instead of me?”

  Maybe she did need a doctor. She was feeling flush. Feverishly hot. Try to cool down, Lori. She closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing.

  After a moment of calm, her mind involuntarily pictured Daniel lying next her. Naked. Sweaty. Lori shivered at the unwanted thought. She conjured up an anti-image to throw a metamorphic bucket of cold water on her head—Mom looking as dour as possible. It worked. The temperature of her raging, hot hormones went down a few degrees. Another bucket might douse her flame altogether. She could try . . .

  “Relax,” Daniel’s smooth voice persuaded. “You don’t need to be embarrassed. Carlos speaks many languages. English is not one of them.”

  “You tease me too much.”

  “I’m not teasing right now. My desire to make love to you is very sincere.”

  A deep need rose from within her core. Tentacles of warmth rising. Circulating. Taking hold.

  She tightened her thighs in a futile attempt to stem the tide. Begged the rational part of her brain to respond. Forced herself to listen to logic instead of her libido. Chanted a mantra to give herself inner strength. Do. Not. Fall. For. Him.

  The words, however, were easier said than done. In the few, brief love affairs she’d had in life, none were like this. They’d been tepid, tentative explorations. Child’s play when compared to being with Daniel Vega. She was not ready for a man like him. Their relationship would never last. She was introverted, awkward, and inexperienced. Hardly someone who would be able to hold onto a worldly multi-millionaire for long. Especially a man as handsome as Daniel.

  Beautiful, elegant, confident women flung themselves at him all the time. Without any effort on his part. Tonight was proof. If Lori had the guts to be with Daniel, at what point would he finally succumb to temptation? Proving right her mother’s ‘Don’t trust men’ theory.

  Lori winced as an image of Daniel in bed with another woman involuntarily sprang up in her mind. She quickly slammed the door on the bedroom scene. Whether or not she was ready to admit it, the only woman she wanted to picture in Daniel’s bed was herself.

  What would happen if she took him up on his sexual offer? Saying no would be almost impossible. A child rejecting the most tempting treat in a candy store. While the candy magically cried out to be eaten.

  What would happen if they decided to date? The complications with their families would already be unbearable. His parents would be angry about her participation in Elias’s deception. Her mother would be angry over her involvement with a client. Especially a client as powerful and well-connected as Daniel. Not to mention the entire Vega family. Either way, I lose.

  “Lori,” he said softly, “I won’t pressure you, of course. I am only being honest with my feelings. You’ve captivated me since the moment we met. I find you breathtakingly beautiful. You have a heart of gold. So shy and fragile and yet you willingly put yourself out on a limb for anyone in need. Even my crazy brother and me. Wanting nothing in return for your trouble. People ask us for favors all the time. Not you. You’re an anomaly. Your intention is to give.”

  He kissed her knuckles. Heat seared from her fingertips to her toes. She fought the urge to respond.

  “You are funny,” he said between kisses. “You are unique. I’ve never met anyone like you. You can handle me.” He let out a small laugh. “You’ve won over my family. My parents included.”

  “No one has ever said anything like this to me before.”

  “No one’s ever admitted they have a crazy family?”

  “Ha ha.” Damn, he loves getting under my skin. A related thought, one of her guiding his hand underneath her dress, involuntarily popped into mind.

  As usual, what she wanted to do was the exact opposite of what she should do. Remember Mom’s warning. Don’t trust men. Never get personally involved with a client. Lori bit back a sigh. Good Lord, I’ve done both. How did I manage this in only a few days? Daniel’s family wouldn’t be the only ones who would kill her if she slept with him. Her own mother would be first in line. Screwing up this job would make life back home a living hell.

  It made no sense for Lori to be attracted to Daniel anyway. Personality-wise, he was her exact opposite. Extroverted. Confident. Gregarious, when he wasn’t acting like a terror. Someone who pushed her past her comfort zone. Made her dive into waters much too deep. What is wrong with me?

  Until she met Daniel, suppressing her own desires had been easy enough. Her shy nature, along with her own family drama, had kept her at arm’s length from most people. Now that
she was in Daniel’s arms, wanting him as much as he wanted her, her resolve was weakening.

  Daniel entwined their fingers. Their eyes locked.

  Her heartbeat quickened. Mouth watered. Flesh quivered. Maybe no one will find out if I sleep with him. Just this once. Who is going to know?

  “I sincerely want you, Lori. I would never take advantage of you. Or treat you like a one-night stand.”

  His words were magic. She was done being a back-seat passenger on life’s journey. Letting her mother haul her around to whatever destination she dictated. It was time to slam her foot down on the gas pedal and to stop hitting the brakes.

  Daniel touched the side of her face. “Please, be with me.”

  Heat blazed where his fingers trailed. “Yes,” she said, her voice rich with desire.

  The corners of his lips twitched upward. His fingertips trailed her lips.

  She turned her head to kiss that hand. As slowly, and sensuously, as he had.

  Daniel barked an order in Spanish for Carlos to drive faster.

  ~ ~ ~

  Lori stepped out onto a narrow cobblestone street, Daniel by her side. Elegant lampposts lit up the dark night. “I feel like I’m in a fairytale. This street is picture perfect. Old and beautiful.”

  “I own houses in many cities but Madrid is my home.”

  “I haven’t traveled much. If I did, I’m sure Madrid would be my favorite place to be too.”

  She followed him to a brownstone building set back further than the other townhouses on the street. She was glad Daniel’s building had extra distance from the curb. Iron pillars were all that marked the low-level sidewalk from the portion where the cars would drive. Another set of iron pillars, thinner and more decorative, marked the boundary line for Daniel’s home. The iron was painted black. On top of the posts, tiny sculptures of miniature lions stood proud. Planters overstuffed with annuals flanked heavy, carved wood doors. She tilted her head to gauge the building’s height. Four stories, by her rough estimation. Bigger, if it had a cellar. “Impressive,” she remarked. “Really quite lovely.”