It hit her now, the same need for the comfort of Andrés’ embrace again, for him to tell her that everything would be okay while he held her. The compulsion was so strong that she bit her lip to keep from rushing to him and burying her face against his chest. Though more than anything, she wanted to feel his heart beat beneath her cheek.
But she knew the impulse was foolish. Andrés wasn’t here to offer comfort or help ease her fear. No, if anything, he would soon become the source of it.
Chapter 5
With agonizing slowness, he looked her over in a visual caress from head to toe, lingering on her stomach. His eyes glittered with anger and his mouth tightened into a grim slash. He moved toward her, his stride resolute and terrifying.
Chloe’s pulse jerked, bouncing into double time. The room shifted around her. She had the strongest urge to run, to turn and flee like the devil was on her heels, but her legs refused to cooperate. And like hell would she give him that satisfaction anyway.
How could he possibly be here? She hadn’t even called him twenty-four hours ago and he lived half a world away.
Stay strong. She lifted her chin, folded her arms across her chest, and waited to meet him head on.
“Good evening, Chloe.”
He arrived in front of her, his expression once again unreadable and his demeanor relaxed. But she wasn’t fooled; she could sense the furor beneath. Her stomach did a series of flips and another harsh shudder ran through her body.
“I’m working,” she finally blurted, hoping to hold off whatever confrontation he had in mind.
“Yes, I see,” he murmured. “When are you off? I will wait.”
Her breath caught. “You can’t—”
“She’s free to leave early.” All of a sudden Martha was at their side, smiling at Andrés. “I’m supervising this shift and since we’re slow, I see no problem with her leaving.”
“Ah, you’re not only lovely, but also a compassionate woman. Thank you,” Andrés murmured, and Martha giggled in reply.
Chloe bit back a groan. Of course he would charm her friend. He could charm a snake from its skin with a smile.
“Shall we then?” Strong fingers curled around her arm, and though Andrés’s words were spoken calmly, she knew he wasn’t giving her a choice.
“I need to grab my jacket,” she said, almost numb now. She pulled away from his grip and walked into the back.
After she removed her jacket off the wall hook, she spun around and found him right behind her. She stumbled away from him, her heart slamming into her chest, until she was literally against the wall.
“You are even more beautiful than I remembered, Chloe.” He gave a half smile and reached out to caress the strands of hair on one of her braids.
Beautiful? Hardly. They were from two different worlds. How had she ever thought she stood a chance with this man? She looked like she’d just come off a farm, and Andrés would’ve fit in at a political dinner. Still as overwhelmingly handsome as ever, he was dressed impeccably in a tuxedo that probably cost more than her month’s pay.
“Just stop, Andrés. If you came all this way for me, then you can just turn around and go home,” she said vehemently.
“What makes you think I came for you?” he asked silkily and arched a brow. “You’re carrying my child, cariño. Or have you forgotten?”
Chloe blanched and let out a ragged breath. For a few minutes she’d been so overwhelmed with seeing him again, had been caught up in the familiar passion and turbulent emotions that she’d been foolish enough to think she was the motivation for him being here. Once again, she took home the prize for being a top-class fool.
“Though I certainly wouldn’t protest you in my bed, Chloe,” he murmured and moved his hand to the back of her neck, pulling her forward. “In fact, I believe we have unfinished business.”
“No.” She pressed her hands against his chest to halt his advance. He couldn’t touch her. If he touched her, she would be as lost now as she was in Valencia.
But he ignored the objection, swooping his head down and capturing her mouth in a thorough kiss that claimed.
Her mind screamed to stop him. She struggled furtively in his hold, but her traitorous body responded and welcomed his touch again. She was the desert and he the water she’d been denied. In the end her lips parted helplessly beneath the experienced pressure of his mouth.
Pleasure warmed her body, sizzling through her blood and searing her soul. It was a reminder of just exactly how much this man could affect her. His tongue found hers, teasing a response from her.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”