br /> His mouth tightened. The look on his face was harsh. And yet vulnerable. Elise was stabbed with the visceral urge to comfort him, but she remained still.
‘I’m not sure what talking will achieve, querida. And sí, you were right. I’m jealous of every man who looks at you. Of every man you smile at,’ he breathed.
Her soft gasp landed between them. ‘It’s... I...’
‘It’s irrational. And deplorable, considering I know how detrimental such feelings can be.’ His gaze flicked to hers as if he was gauging her reaction.
Elise gave in to her need and cupped his cheek. ‘It’s only deplorable if you deliberately use it to hurt or manipulate. As for the rationality of it...’ She shrugged. ‘Nathan Ishikawa’s date was almost introduced to my irrational side when she flashed her cleavage at you for the third time at dinner. But I guess we all have our crosses to bear, don’t we?’
One corner of his mouth lifted. The harshness dissipated. He laid his hand over hers and pressed her back until her shoulders touched the wall. His gaze scoured her face with an intensity that bordered on fanatic, before locking on her mouth. ‘Smile for me, Elise mio. Just for me,’ he ordered thickly.
Her breath shook out, and her mouth wobbled with her first attempt. But her smile shone through and stayed when she heard his strangled groan.
‘You look nothing like her,’ he mused roughly.
Elise tensed. ‘Like who?’
‘A painting that briefly hung in my father’s study. The first time I saw you, you reminded me of that painting. But I see now it’s only a passing resemblance. Your smile, your face, is so much more exceptional.’
Some of the tension seeped out of her. ‘Was that why you reacted to me the way you did?’
He inclined his head. ‘Yes. I was captivated. I still am.’
She blushed. To cover her embarrassment, she blurted, ‘Tell me more about the painting.’
His face shadowed. ‘Regrettably, as with all things my father paid attention to, it caused too much friction for it to last. But there is one detail I recall though.’
‘Yes?’
Dark hunger scorched her. ‘She was nude.’
Her gasp was swallowed, her hand caught in his and curled against his chest as he kissed her, deep and long and masterfully. Elise moaned, strained closer until his hard body was imprinted against hers. The sound of clinking glasses and drifting voices finally made them part.
Alejandro’s face was stamped with the same naked hunger clawing through her.
‘I have waited long enough, querida. Tonight you’ll be mine,’ he commanded thickly. ‘Say the words, Elise.’
Her heart lurched, then sped up its beat. ‘I’ll be yours,’ she whispered.
His breath shuddered out. Cradling her hands between his, he kissed her knuckles, then drew her out of the alcove. Wordlessly, he led her back to the party.
Elise spent the rest of the evening drifting in a haze of anticipation and trepidation.
She’d pledged her virginity to a powerful, virile man who knew his way around a female body, whereas the circumstances of her upbringing had made her shy away from even the mention of sex. She knew the technicalities of the act, but beyond that she would be operating blind.
A hysterical bubble rose in her throat. Quickly swallowing it down, she tried to breathe through her nerves. She was still battling her way through her anxiety when Gael approached where she stood with Alejandro saying goodbye to the first wave of departing guests.
The brothers shook hands, a look passing between them that was almost too intense to witness. ‘Not bad for a good day’s work, huh?’ Gael joked, but his eyes shone with more than just triumph. They shone with pride, and yearning for acceptance, both of which Alejandro’s lopsided smile reflected.
‘You have my permission to pat yourself on the back now.’
Gael snorted. ‘That’s what the girlfriends are for.’ His expression veiled for a moment, then returned to Alejandro. ‘I’m heading to Spain in the morning. I’ll be back in time to join you for the first site tours at the end of the week.’
Alejandro had stiffened at the mention of his homeland. Imagining the subject disturbing enough to be dropped, she was surprised when he nodded. ‘Do you see her often? Your mother?’
Eyes a few shades lighter than his shadowed before Gael’s expression cleared. Shrugging, he said, ‘She visits me in California a couple of times a year. I’ve set her up in a villa outside Barcelona. I try to see her when I can.’
Mild shock lit Alejandro’s eyes. ‘She’s no longer in Seville?’