"Are you bringing this lovely lady with you to the Kennedy Center Spring Gala?"
"Of course," Rafael said proudly, kissing her forehead. "We lost touch after graduation, but now that we've reunited I'm not letting her out of my sight!"
The cardiologist left, and they continued through the main floor. Paris glanced into the cocktail lounge, but was careful not to make eye contact with anyone. She wasn't ready to tell her dad she was dating and hoped they didn't run into any of her father's friends or business associates. Curious about something Rafael had said earlier, she turned to him and asked, "Why did you introduce me to Austin as your girlfriend?"
"Because you are."
"But I've only been back in town for a couple weeks."
Rafael stopped at the entrance of the library and pulled her inside the empty, sun-drenched room. "We need to talk privately, and I don't want anyone to interrupt us," he said, resting his hand comfortably on her waist.
Amused, she hid a smirk. "Go on, Mr. Morretti. You have my undivided attention."
Rafael took her hand, kissed it and placed it flat against his chest. "At this point in my life I'm looking for a woman with my heart, not my eyes, and its leading me straight to you."
Moved by the sincerity of his words, she draped her arms around his neck and gave him a deep, sensuous kiss. Her heart overflowed with love and admiration as they feasted on each other's mouths. His touch was magic, and his caress roused her hunger.
"I can't get enough of you, Paris. I want you every second of every day, and I'm not ashamed to admit it," he whispered, nibbling at the corner of her lips. "It's time to get you home and out of this dress."
"Why wait?" Paris flashed a cheeky smile. "Let's make love in your BMW!"
"We could get arrested."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take."
Rafael cocked an eyebrow. "Don't start nothing won't be nothing."
"I'm starting it, right here, right now." Stroking his forearms and rock-hard chest excited her, and suddenly all Paris could think about was making love to Rafael. She saw his eyes widen, sensed his growing desire and knew she had him right where she wanted him. "I have to make sure you don't forget me when I return to Atlanta-"
"You're not the kind of woman a man forgets."
"Not even a man who has young beauties throwing themselves at him every day?"
"Paris, you are and always will be the only woman I want."
His cell phone rang, and he wore a contrite expression. "This will only take a minute." Rafael took his iPhone out of his back pocket, checked the number on the screen and put it to his ear. He was only on the phone for a few seconds, but when he ended the call his face was a dark, angry mask. "That was Elite Security. The alarm went off again."
"That's the second time this week."
Rafael shrugged a shoulder. "It's a pain in the ass, but I have to go check it out."
"Isn't that your vice-president's job?"
"I prefer to handle these matters myself."
"You need to learn to delegate."
"Delegate?" he repeated, scratching his head. "What's that?"
"Rafael, I'm serious. You deserve time off just like everyone else."
"And what do you suggest I do during this proposed time off?"
"Me!" she quipped, planting another quick kiss on his lips.
They exited the country club and admired the sprawling manicured grounds while they waited for the valet to bring Rafael's car from the parking lot. Seconds later, they were driving through the streets of Arlington, Virginia, listening to the radio and trading jokes.
"How long will you be at the office?" Paris asked, admiring his handsome profile. He still gave her butterflies, even after all these years, and she suspected that would never change. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, you need to rest. You've had a long week, and you deserve some R & R."
"Isn't that the truth!" Paris enjoyed being back in her hometown and loved spending time with Rafael, but working with her father day-in and day-out at their Washington headquarters was stressful. He was brisk with her, never satisfied and impossible to reason with. If not for Rafael, she'd be drowning her sorrows at the nearest bar. "Drop me off at the train station, and I'll take a cab back to the hotel."
"And risk some slick-talking businessman sweeping you off your feet? No way." Shaking his head as if he was trying to clear the image from his mind, he placed a hand on her leg and tenderly stroked her thigh. "I'm taking you to my place and that's final."
"My, my, aren't we bossy."
His laughter filled the car. "I admit it. I'm selfish. I want you all to myself."
You won't get any complaints from me, Paris thought, gazing adoringly at him. I feel the same way, Rafael. I want to be with you and no one else.
* * *
Paris opened the stainless-steel fridge, selected a bottle of white Zinfandel from the bottom shelf and strode down the darkened hallway, humming her favorite Miguel song. She'd spent the afternoon cooking and cleaning Rafael's bachelor pad and was anxiously awaiting his arrival. Wanting everything to be perfect for their romantic dinner, she polished the silverware, sprinkled red rose petals around the master bedroom and lit heart-shaped scented candles.
Paris caught sight of her reflection in the dresser mirror and paused to examine her appearance. Her hair was a mass of loose curls, her lips were red and glossy and her cleavage was perfect. Rafael had selected the white lace negligee yesterday at Discreet Boutiques, and Paris couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw her sexy ensemble.
At the thought of him, a girlish smile overwhelmed her mouth. Pulling back the curtains, she peeked out the window and glanced up and down the street. The sky was dark blue, filled with clouds and threatening evening showers. What's taking him so long? Paris wondered, for the umpteenth time, checking her diamond wrist watch. He should have been home hours ago!
Paris heard her BlackBerry ring, grabbed it off the dresser and put it to her ear. "Great timing, Kennedy. I was just thinking about you."
"You were supposed to call me back on Wednesday, but you never did. What gives?"
"Sorry, sis, but things have been crazy here for the past few days."
"Is work keeping you busy or that sexy new man of yours?"
Paris swallowed hard and licked her dry lips. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy with me. I know all about you and Rafael Morretti."
"You do? Who told you?"
"Girl, please, pictures of you and that gorgeous heir are all over the gossip blogs."
"There are?" Stunned, Paris dropped into the tan arm-chair. "But we've been discreet."
"Kissing at major tourist attractions isn't exactly being discreet," Kennedy teased with a laugh. "Did you know he tweeted a picture of you guys at the White House?"
The news boggled her mind. "I didn't even know he had a Twitter account."
"Wait, there's more. Underneath the picture he wrote, 'Reunited and it feels so good'!"
Kennedy sighed dreamily, as if she was watching a love story on TV, and spoke with unbridled excitement. "I showed it to my coworkers, and they all oohed and ahhed. Paris, I'm so happy for you. You finally found a great guy. You. Go. Girl!"
Kennedy cheered, and Paris burst out laughing. Caught up in the moment, she spoke openly about her relationship with Rafael and told her sister about all the wonderful things he'd done for her over the past two weeks. Feeling guilty for monopolizing the conversation, Paris asked Kennedy about the kids and their fun-filled afternoon at the Georgia aquarium. "How is Anthony doing? Does he like his new job?"
"No, he hates it, but unfortunately he hasn't been able to find anything else."
"Talk to Dad," Paris advised, hoping her headstrong sister would finally take her advice. "We could use someone with Anthony's skill and expertise in our IT department."
"Speaking of Dad, have you told him you're dating someone?"
"No. The less he knows about Rafael the better. He's always believed the Morretti family was bad news, and once he gets something in his head it's hard to change his mind."
"Dad might disown you if he finds out you're seeing Rafael behind his back." Kennedy spoke in a soft, soothing tone, but her words were still a powerful blow. "You wouldn't be his favorite anymore. Could you handle that?"
As long as I have Rafael I have everything I need. The thought shocked Paris, but it was true. Deep down, she'd always dreamed of reuniting with her first love, and now that Rafael was back in her life she didn't want to ever let him go. What they had was special, rare, unlike anything she'd ever experienced and it was worth fighting for. "Can we please talk about something else?"