What kind of imbecile was her ex to not want her? It was no lie at all for Eduardo to look at her with raw desire and let the world see. He might not be able to offer her anything more, but that was one thing he could do. The irony was, she didn’t believe it. He could see it in her eyes. The ex had clearly been a jerk.
“Let’s shake on it.” He held out his hand. She cautiously put hers in his—her skin cool, her grip firm. The pleasure at finally touching her tightened his gut and a hit of electricity flashed from her fingers into him. She tried to pull away. Too soon. He tightened his hold, wanting to prolong the contact, to draw her so much closer—wanting to peel away that sheer white blouse to her camisole and the soft secrets beneath. Yeah, lust had him in thrall.
“One last thing,” he murmured, his voice raspier than hers had been before. “What is your name?”
Her eyes widened. She hadn’t realized they hadn’t shared that info? He chuckled. So did she.
“Nina Breslin,” she eventually answered, her voice sounding bedroom husky again.
His muscles clenched involuntarily and he quickly relaxed so he wouldn’t crush her fingers.
“I’m Eduardo Ruiz.” Reluctantly, he released her. “I’ll see you tonight.”
As he walked out of her store, the weight in his chest eased. He expected the call any moment about Caspar. He had two other patients not far from the same place, and while it was a given in his job, this time it seemed worse.
He couldn’t be bothered with his family putting on the subtle pressure that burdened him more than any loud argument. All he wanted was a night of lightness. Of heat. Of passion. An easy escape.
He wanted her.
He walked through the mall, heading toward the trains—passing clothing stores, chocolate, more jewelry. Exclusive, expensive jewelry in another class to the shiny stuff she sold but didn’t wear. He veered to look in the window of one such store. He gazed at the stunning simplicity of the stone on display. It gleamed like it was lit from within. It tempted—calling him closer. It made him forget sanity.
It was just like her.
Five
Of course it was too good to be true. As if she’d meet a gorgeous guy on a train and he’d offer to be her Prince Charming for the night so she could hold her head high around her slimeball ex-fiancé’s friends. As if the most genetically blessed man in the world would take a second look at her—and look like he wickedly wanted what he saw.
It was the stuff of fiction. She’d been at the pub twenty-five minutes already and was so glad she hadn’t been a total idiot and bragged about him. Maybe deep inside she’d known he wouldn’t show. Her bravado was greater than ever. But her smile felt fixed—it must be so obviously fake. It was worse than it would have been if she hadn’t met him this morning.
Good thing she’d gone into the cosmetics counter at the pharmacy at the wharf and had her make-up done before leaving. Not war paint, but pure defense. She felt queasy inside, her palms were cold and clammy—without the lipstick and rouge, she’d be colorless. Damn.
She lifted her chin, trying to stand tall and proud. Because she didn’t want to be this weak, this caring of what others thought. No more. She was made of tougher stuff.
But she did regret the little black dress—two steps too flashy. Not pub attire, but posh dinner. While it didn’t show cleavage, it was short and dressy and she had super high heels to go with it. She might as well have put a neon sign above her head flashing “desperate single woman.” Her explanation that she had another date after drinks rang false even to her own ears. But it was crazy to care so much about what they thought. She turned away from the door so the last bit of pathetic hope in her wouldn’t have her glancing over there all the time in case he’d turn up.
He wasn’t going to.
“So when do you go?” Nathan—Corey’s best friend—asked her.
“Next week,” she said brightly, wishing it was tomorrow. “I’m really looking forward to it.” And she was—that traveler anonymity would bring freedom from friends and family and past hurts.
“You don’t want to be here for all the summer fun now so many of us have come over?”
“No,” she said breezily, so used to answering that question. Truth was, her room at the flat had been booked by someone else already, so even if she wanted to stay, she had no place to sleep. But with all these people from Canada coming over—all these people she’d thought were friends but weren’t? She didn’t want to deal with anything more than this brief pub catch-up. She wanted to escape.
“And you’re traveling alone?” Nathan asked.
She nodded.
“Only for some of the time.” An accented voice answered behind her and a hand spread wide on her stomach, pulling her back against a body of burning granite.
Eduardo.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” His apology whispered against her cheek as he drew her into his space, one hand still on her abdomen, the other clasping her shoulder.
His warmth radiated out and encircled her. For someone who appeared so cool and haughty, he was extremely hot. Literally.
Nathan’s eyes widened.
She turned her cheek toward Eduardo and whispered back. “It’s okay.” She was so stunned he was there, she forgave him, just like that—and furthermore, leaned into his touch like the starved-of-affection creature she was.
His fingers played down from her shoulder to her hand—tickling her bare skin. Sensation slammed into her. She tried, but failed, to hide her shiver. She’d experienced sexual attraction before, but this was something else. This was intense enough to render her speechless and frankly, stupid.
His hold both tightened
