Not meeting the older man’s eyes, she shifted into drive. They’d reached the end of the road, literally. Another large gate blocked their path, only this one opened on its own. More than likely, he had a remote or security that had been alerted to their arrival. She prayed for the former.
Palm trees lined the driveway, the lights under each one illuminating the drive. His gardening bill must be outlandish with all the flowering plants dotting the landscape. Her musings of his staff came to a stuttering halt as they pulled to the front of his home.
Sitting front and center was a work of art. Stained glass windows greeting you at every corner and the mix of stone and concrete made the house an architectural work of genius.
So engrossed in her first sight of his home, she didn’t see his car pull into the garage, nor him get out and stand with his hands on his hips staring at her. A knock on the driver’s window nearly made her scream her head off.
“What the hell are you doing?” she asked, once she’d rolled her window down.
“I was waiting for you to pull your car inside, unless you want to leave it out overnight.”
Gasping at the suggestion, she licked her lips. “No, I never leave her out.”
She noticed for the first time the six-car garage. He had two other cars and a couple of motorcycles inside, leaving one space open for visitors. The thought of all the countless women whose vehicles had occupied the spot sent another pang to her heart, which she banished immediately.
Nodding, she slowly eased into the open space. His garage was immaculate. Not a drop of oil, or any other thing you might find in a garage, marred the pristine floor that looked like it had been polished recently.
She jumped when he opened the door, so engulfed in her own thoughts. This was it. If she got out of her car, there was no turning back. The sound of the heavy bay doors closing put paid to her choice. She wanted this, had wanted at eighteen, and every day since if she was being honest. He was always the star in her fantasies, and, for tonight, he was offering her exactly what she wanted. With her mind made up, she let him help her out, and followed him inside.
****
Lorenzo held his breath, waiting for Angel to step out of her car. He hadn’t realized how much he needed her to follow him of her own accord. He could have led her back to his office at the club, could have seduced her while they were both still hot and horny from their dance, but he wanted her to agree to be with him because she wanted to, not because her body needed release.
She placed her small hand into his much larger one. Such a simple gesture that screamed she trusted him. He would do everything in his power to protect her, to cherish her, treat her like the treasure that she was.
Not for the first time, he wondered if she was still a virgin. When he’d given her the necklace, he’d hoped it would act as a reminder for her to protect her heart. Now, here he was preparing to, what?
He was playing for keeps, that’s what he was doing. Convincing one hot-blooded Cuban woman of that fact would be a test of his merit. Five years ago, she was still too young. She’d needed to go out and see the world, become an adult. Not get engaged to some lowlife millionaire who screwed anything with a vagina.
Chapter Four
She followed Lorenzo into a spacious kitchen, kitted out with state-of-the-art appliances in stainless steel. It reminded her of her mom’s kitchen, a place where you could whip up a gourmet dinner or a simple grilled cheese. In a word, it looked like home. Sadness swamped her that some other woman would one day be cooking meals for his children, threatening to make her turn tail and run, but she pushed it aside.
He stopped beside the huge granite island, his back moving up and down like he was taking deep breaths. Butterflies took up residence in her stomach, and time seemed to stand still. The sound of the clock ticking on the wall was overly loud in the quietness of the pristine room. Seconds or minutes passed, and still he didn’t say a word, nor face her.
She began to fidget. Maybe he’d changed his mind, or maybe he didn’t know how to tell her to leave. Thoughts swirled around her brain, each one worse than the last.
“Do you want me to leave?” she blurted.
“Good God, no,” he yelled and spun on his heels fast, with what she thought was anger turning his normally brown skin a light shade of red. She stepped back, only to realize she hadn’t even completely entered the kitchen.
“No? Then why…?” She waved at him, waiting for him to say something to set her at ease.
“Do you want a drink?” He walked over to the fridge and motioned to the inside without answering her.