She took a sip of the champagne, wrinkling up her nose like a bunny as the bubbles fizzed. ‘I really shouldn’t be drinking this. Before you know it, I’ll be spilling all my secrets.’
‘Feel free.’
She laughed and set her glass down. ‘Not unless you tell me one of yours first.’
Luiz leaned against the arm of the sofa. ‘I don’t have any. The press take care of that.’
He was acutely conscious of her gaze as it rested on him as if she were peeling back the mask of indifference he wore. He had spent most of his life pretending not to care what people said or thought about him. He had especially perfected the art in the company of his mother. He never let his mother think she had the power to hurt him. While Alejandro silently brooded over their mother’s critical comments, Luiz actively encouraged them, laughing them off as if life was one big game. He enjoyed the lovable bad boy role. He’d been doing it for so long it felt normal…and yet, when Daisy looked at him with that thoughtful gaze, he wondered if she could see a tiny glimpse of the sensitive boy he had once been.
‘All right,’ Daisy said. ‘I’ll go first. I once ate a whole block of milk chocolate and burned the wrapper in the fireplace so my father wouldn’t find out.’
‘How old were you?’
She gave him a sheepish look. ‘Twenty-three.’
‘Are you joking?’
‘Sadly, no.’
Luiz frowned. ‘What is his problem?’
‘Control is his problem. He finds it hard to love someone without controlling them. It drove my mother nuts.’
‘Why do you put up with it?’
She dropped her shoulders on an expelled breath. ‘I think deep down he means well. Besides, he’s the only family I’ve got.’
‘Yes, but this is the only life you’ve got. You can’t live it according to his standards.’
‘I know. That’s why I came to Vegas with the girls. He didn’t want me to go but for once I put my foot down.’
‘Clearly not hard enough if he sent a bodyguard.’
‘Yes, well, that’s my dad for you.’
There was a knock on the door, announcing the arrival of the midnight supper Luiz had ordered. He tipped the young staff member and closed the door.
Daisy was staring at the tray of food as if she hadn’t seen a meal for a year. ‘Is this all for us?’ she asked.
‘It’s just a snack.’
She touched a tentative hand to the tiered plate of ribbon sandwiches and buttery savoury scones. ‘I swear I’m going to chain myself to the treadmill when I get home.’
Luiz watched as she picked up a salmon and asparagus sandwich, biting into it with her small white teeth, her eyes closing in bliss. There was something so sexy about the way she ate. She savoured every mouthful, licking her lips and groaning in pleasure.
She caught him watching her and blushed again. ‘That’s the problem with denying yourself something. Whatever’s taboo is the thing you end up wanting the most.’