Mad for you in Madrid (Building Love Book 3) Page 8

  She put her feet on the cold floor and trotted over to the bathroom to clean up. Unless Daniel had changed his mind, he would be her sightseeing escort as well as her client. Tardiness was not an option.

  The steam shower relaxed her muscles. Her mind drifted, losing the tension from the project, the rough flights, and jetlag. Stepping away from the warm water was as hard for her as a butterfly leaving its cocoon. She dried off, figured out how to plug the hotel’s hairdryer into an odd electrical socket, and hurried to apply makeup. There was no time to do more than brush her hair into a ponytail and glide on eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick.

  If her skin was still a bit puffy from the trip, so be it. Her goal was to impress him by looking professional, not like a movie star. Besides, even if he was warming up to her business-wise, any personal interest in her was gone. Elias’s interest in her, on the other hand, was more apparent. Despite Elias’s outrageous flirting, however, their topics of conversation were strictly friendship based.

  Why am I nervous? This trip is strictly business. My only goal here is to get Mom’s task done so I can finally take some time off work. Get a life. Lord, I really need one.

  She plowed through with getting ready, determined to make the best of the day. A wrap-around red nylon dress was travel-perfect. Lightweight for the summer weather and creaseless. She strapped on tan sandals with a wedge heel, ripped open a granola bar she’d stuffed in her purse, and headed out the door.

  The minute she stepped out onto the narrow street, a black Mercedes sedan pulled up in front of her, blocking her path. The car’s backseat window rolled down. Daniel’s head leaned out. “I thought it’d be more convenient to pick you up.”

  “Wow. Car service. I wasn’t expecting this. I was going to walk to your building’s lobby to meet you.”

  “I know.”

  The driver of the car got out and opened the back door for her. The chauffer, a man in his mid-fifties dressed in a black suit, made a sweeping gesture for her to get in. Lori stepped into the car. The driver politely closed her door and they pulled out into traffic.

  “Coffee?” Daniel asked, pointing to the cup holders.

  “My second wow for the day. Very thoughtful of you. Thanks.”

  He placed the paper cup in her hand. Warmth radiated through her skin. Gently, she blew through an opening in the plastic lid to cool it down.

  “I figured the caffeine would help after yesterday’s flights,” he said. “Besides, you Americans love coffee.”

  “You’ve got that right. I indulge anytime and anyplace.”

  He gave her a quizzical look. Had she made an inadvertent double entendre? “Coffee in the morning is best though,” she hastened to add. Then she drank the too-hot liquid to shut herself up.

  The Mercedes wove through traffic on the narrow side street until edging its way onto Gran Via. The boulevard bustled with cars and pedestrians. The thick crowd obscured her view. “Where are we going?”

  “Carlos will drive us around central Madrid. We’ll visit Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, and the Egyptian Templo de Debod. If all that doesn’t wear you out, I’ve got one other destination for you. We’ll see how our morning plays out.”

  “We’re going to see all of those places today? Sounds like an ambitious agenda.”

  “We can accomplish this with Carlos driving. He’s a speed demon. With him at the wheel, our schedule is doable. These sites are not far from each other. It’s the Madrid traffic that’s the concern.”

  She sat back in her seat, smiling while she finished her coffee. Today was going to be exciting.

  ~ ~ ~

  Daniel felt his lips curve into a smile. He had no idea why Lori’s pleasure was so paramount to him. It made no sense. But neither did dwelling on it. He sat back in the leather seat determined to enjoy a rare moment of harmony with her.

  “Thank you for arranging our excursion this morning,” she gushed. “Not to mention taking time out from your busy schedule. I really appreciate it.”

  “De nada. I’m happy to do it.”

  “I’m the one who should be happy. It’s kind of you to go through all this effort.”

  “It’s not altruism. The more of Madrid you see, the more information you can convey to your mother. I need you to have a solid idea about what my hotel can mean to an American tourist.”

  “Of course.” She gave him a pleasant smile and turned away to look out the window.

  Hmm. Maybe that sounded a little too business-y. He let out a stiff cough. “Our personal interaction would benefit as well.”

  She gave him a bland smile. “You don’t need to worry about me. My goal is the same as yours: getting a successful job done.”

  He frowned. Why was he always locked in a strange dance with Lori? He was Daniel Vega, damn it. A highly successful man. A fearless entrepreneur. Yet around her, he sounded as awkward as a teenage boy. If he wanted to get to know her better, why couldn’t he simply say so? For a man who communicated expertly in business, his personal communication sucked.

  If he was struggling with their relationship, Lori had to be doing worse. She was apparently afraid of her own shadow. Completely unaware of the power she held over him. Or he guessed, the power she had in her mother’s firm. It wouldn’t surprise him if she were a far more valuable asset than her mother let on.

  Carlos stopped the Mercedes on a crowded side street. Car horns blared behind them.

  “We’d better get out quickly before we start a riot,” he instructed.

  She scrambled after him. Daniel gave Carlos instructions before allowing the chauffer to drive away.

  Lori’s head whipped around in all directions. “Busy area. There must be a gazillion people shopping in these small stores.”

  “This street is quite busy, yes. We’re going inside a courtyard through this entranceway. It will be a little less crowded.”

  The historic military-like courtyard inside glistened in the sunlight. Judging from her audible intake of breath, Lori was quite impressed. “You like it?” he asked unnecessarily.

  “This courtyard is wonderful. A real step out of time.”

  “Let’s walk, shall we?”

  “I’d love to.” She placed her hand on the crook of his arm. The physical contact sent a surprising shockwave. He schooled his face to hide the big, goofy grin threatening to reveal itself. Snap out of it, Vega. “There are a few places here where we can order tapas,” he said, leading her through the courtyard. “There’s also coffee. Gelato. Wine. Whatever you want.”

  “And that!” she gasped.

  His head turned to where she pointed and he laughed. The hanging meat in the delicatessen window would be rather surprising to an American—dozens of huge pig legs attached to the ceiling by their hooves. The thick thighs pointed toward the floor. “Those are pig legs. Jamón Ibérico is quite popular. Care to try some?”

  She scrunched up her face. “You want me to eat unrefrigerated meat hung from the ceiling by a hoof? I’ll pass.”

  “I assure you, Spaniards aren’t the only ones who enjoy this delicacy. The pork is shipped throughout the world at top dollar prices.”

  She squinted at the deli window. “All the thighs have little plastic cones hanging from the bottom.”

  “Yes, to catch the fat.”

  “Again, pass. Not great for my diet.”

  “You don’t know what you’re missing. I hope this doesn’t mean you’re going to pass on other delicacies. Spanish gelatos are quite tasty.” He could practically see the wheels spinning in her head. Smoke would be coming out soon. He did his best not to laugh. “Come on,” he said. “There’s a little shop in the corner that is one of my favorites.” Without thinking about it, he grabbed her hand and tugged her along.

  The impact of the touch was immediate. War
mth spread within him as well as without. Amazingly, Lori must have felt the electrical connection too. Their eyes locked.

  “This way,” he said gruffly.

  Chapter 14

  The gelateria’s outdoor café tables sat empty. “Take a seat,” Daniel offered, gesturing to a table abutting a flower cart. “I know it’s early in the morning to be eating gelato—”

  “Nope. Never too early.”

  Daniel stifled a laugh. “In that case, I’ll order for us. What flavor do you want?”

  “Amaretto. Do you think they have it?” she asked, her voice rich with optimism.

  “Probably,” he said, knowing damn well they did. He’d ordered amaretto at this gelateria dozens of times. He refused to confess she had selected his favorite flavor. “Let me go inside and check. Excuse me a minute.” He disappeared into the shop and ordered. Due to the early hour, there were no lines. Moments later, he was sitting down to join her.

  She eyed his cone, which looked suspiciously similar to hers. “Did you copy my idea?” she teased. “Or does Madrid sell only one flavor?”

  “Fine. I admit I have a weakness for amaretto. You are not going to commandeer my favorite treat. I won’t stand for it.”

  “Actually, you’re sitting. Not standing. Your posture admits defeat.”

  “No defeat. Merely a truce.” It was hard to eat gelato while laughing. The melting concoction threatened the pristine condition of his clothes. He snuck a glance at her. Each flick of her tongue looked more tantalizing than the treat. Were her seductive swirls deliberate? “Lori, I think we should talk. Our communication has been our downfall. Clearing the air will help.”

  She moved the gelato away from her mouth. “Okay,” she answered, shifting in her seat.

  “I’m sorry I was annoyed with you,” he confessed. “I wasn’t happy to stand around waiting for you at the casino. I felt blown off. It took a while for my ego to recover. You said you were held up by something you couldn’t avoid and I believe you.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly. “I feel awful about what I did. I did try to fix the situation. I asked the cashier if she knew where you were. My heart sank when she said you had left. If it helps you any, I feel stupid. Dumb for listening to my mother . . .” Her words trailed off and she visibly cringed. “Forget it. I’m only making this worse. My mother’s input is great when it comes to work. Her firm will do a great job with your—”

  He waved off her words. “We’re not talking about business. We’re speaking on a purely personal note. I’m not going to hold this against your mother.”

  “Good,” she said, letting out a hard breath of air. “I hope you don’t mind I’m going to hold this against my mother.”

  He laughed. Clearing the air had apparently turned an emotionally unfavorable forecast into the perfect summer day. “No need for you to be angry with your mother. As fate would have it, we did manage to see each other again.”

  Her face brightened. “Yes. Here we are. Enjoying a beautiful tour of Madrid. Thanks to you.”

  “We have a lot left to see. I arranged our destinations in a way that made geographic sense. We’re not that far away, however, from the optional afternoon add-on.”

  “Are you going to tell me what it is? Or are you going to torture me?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize tying you up for torture was an option.”

  She flushed. The streaks of red on her face made him feel hot too. Although in a location further down. “Relax, I was referring to the royal palace.”

  “Oh, I would love to see it,” she said, before her smile faltered. “Sorry. I meant to say if time allows.”

  “Time will definitely allow if we go straight away. I’m a flexible guy. I can take things out of order.”

  She was already up and out of her chair, the gelato dripping on the stone floor of the courtyard.

  “I gather that’s a yes,” he muttered in amusement. He followed her out of the courtyard and onto the street. Daniel texted Carlos to meet them and in minutes they scurried into the Mercedes.

  The morning had gone well. He had told her more than he ever thought he would. There were limits to how much further he’d reveal. He had deliberately not mentioned he was still attracted to her. He would also not admit that her broad, genuine, smile lit up his day. Or that she lifted up his mood. He would never tell her that touring Madrid was as much a pleasure for him as it was for her, regardless of the fact he already knew these places intimately. And the last thing he’d ever tell her was that she was the first person he had emotionally reached out to in ages.

  Amazingly, she hadn’t brushed his overtures off. Instead, she offered him information about her own emotional state. He wouldn’t admit how much that meant to him either.

  This was new ground for him. The same way Madrid was new ground for her. While she explored the sights, could he explore a potential relationship? Something more meaningful than a one-night stand? Lori had a lot to offer. Even if she didn’t have enough confidence in herself to agree.

  Carlos stopped the car at a traffic light down the street from the royal palace. “There it is,” Daniel said, pointing out the window.

  Lori’s mouth dropped open. “Here’s my third wow for this trip. Holy smokes.”

  “The outside is nothing in comparison to the inside. Just wait.”

  An impressive black iron gate gilded in gold graced the palace’s border. She grabbed his hand like a giddy child. “Can we go inside? Is it actually allowed?”

  “Sure, to anyone who pays the entrance fee. Historic landmarks don’t maintain themselves, you know.”

  “I’ll pay whatever the amount is.”

  “Don’t worry, it’s not expensive. Today is my treat, anyway. A whole day for you to get to know my city, in addition to my project.”

  “Best of all,” she said, her eyes shining bright, “is my getting to know you.”

  He didn’t answer her. If he did, diamonds and roses would pop out of his mouth. A fate worse than wearing his heart on his sleeve. Daniel got out of the car and walked stiffly to her side to hold her door open.

  The day was full of promise. The summer sun warmed his skin. Her words warmed his heart.

  Chapter 15

  Lori sprinted out of the car before Daniel could catch up with her. She ran through the palace gates. The stone courtyard inside was gigantic, a sprawling monolith a city block wide. Stone gatehouses and black iron lampposts marked the path to the palace’s main entrance. Lori closed her eyes and pictured marching imperial guards from centuries ago.

  The palace framed three-fourths of the courtyard. Open archways on one side of the building provided a breathtaking view of the city. In the central part of the building, looming colonnades surrounded impressive main doors. Above these doors, carved stonework graced oversized windows. On the very top of the building was a masterful centerpiece, a gilded clock surrounded by statuary and a richly carved coat of arms.

  Lori pulled out her smartphone and snapped dozens of pictures, praying her device had enough memory left. Hundreds of other tourists were doing the same. Little wonder. The palace was the most impressive edifice she had ever seen. The Spanish court of centuries ago obviously wanted to humble anybody who dared enter the gates. Hundreds of years later, the structure still did its job.

  “Impressive, isn’t it?” asked an amused voice next to her. She whipped her head around to see Daniel.

  “Absolutely amazing. I’m at wow number four.”

  “You’re keeping count?”

  “Sí,” she quipped.

  The corner of his lips twitched. “I thought you felt uncomfortable speaking Spanish.”

  “I have no choice. I can’t be disrespectful to the royal court.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him along.

&nb
sp; “I feel like a British prisoner. Taken into custody. What did I do to deserve this rough treatment? Sink the Armada?”

  “Very funny.”

  “Well then, if I’m innocent, let me go.”

  “Never,” she said, gripping his hand tighter. Multi-lingual signs pointed the way to the ticket counter. Once Daniel made their ticket purchase, they climbed up an enormous marble staircase. A vast white and gold ceiling appeared. At the ceiling’s apex was a baroque painting of Heaven. Surrounding this main painting were smaller paintings and bas-relief shields. “Rococo style,” she remarked. “I’ve never seen this style in real life. I feel like I’ve been teleported into one of my architecture books.”

  “Your love of buildings is the same as mine,” he marveled. He gazed into her eyes and smiled. “Something unique for us to share.”

  “Yes. Wonderful, isn’t it? We’ll be perfect companions for each other.” She tugged him along. “Please, I can’t wait one more minute. Let’s go see everything.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Daniel allowed himself to be dragged around by Lori like a young child. Weirdly, rather than feeling insulted, he was drawn to her enthusiasm. He had toured the royal palace himself a half-dozen times before. Yet seeing the palace through her eyes gave the experience fresh excitement.

  Lori trotted alongside him in the corridor, periodically stopping dead in her tracks to stare at various antiquities. Is she trying to memorize every object in the palace? At her fifth stop, he let her linger a few minutes before gently nudging her along. “If you keep staring, security will wonder if you’re trying to steal.”

  “Security should haul me away right now.”

  “Sounds serious.”

  Her intense gaze at a two-foot tall gold gilt clock was lustful. “I blame the palace curators. If they allowed tourists to take photos inside, I wouldn’t be tempted to steal their antiquities to remember.”