She lowered her head and shrunk into herself. He was now convinced she’d taken the brunt of some man’s foolishness and wished he could pummel him to bits.
He placed his hand on her arm, forcing her to look at him. “I will know. I promised certain things, in front of a priest. Matrimony is sacred and I, in good conscience, could not betray it.”
Now her expression filled with concern, as if she finally understood where he stood on marriage, vows, and promises.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know…you’d take it so seriously.”
Frustration spilled out in a heavy sigh. “And I didn’t know you’d take it so lightly.”
Her cheeks blossomed into a polished pink hue. She rushed out the words, “This was never meant to tie you down. You’re free, and not only from the state-run government you’ve left behind. You can live any lifestyle of your choosing, date any women who appeals to you, buy those things you’ve never been able to before, live in a nice place, all while doing what you love. I did this so you could enjoy those freedoms.”
His jaw clenched at her duplicity. “You did this for me? Or for your team? I assume you wouldn’t have offered yourself up if I’d signed with another.”
From the look on her face, he could tell he was right. She wouldn’t have given him the time of day if he’d chosen another team to sign with. It was the reason he hadn’t instructed Keith to shop him around. When you came from nothing, what was another million or two? He’d have enough to live well on no matter who purchased his services. He’d moved forward with the proposition not only for his mother’s sake but because he was attracted to her, her intensity, her passion for the game, her tiger eyes that gleamed. And that had been before that kiss at the altar. Her lips were soft, full, and flavorful and he wanted another taste.
Instead of responding to that, she popped the trunk and all but jumped out of the car.
“Let’s get you inside. I looked for something I thought would suit you. I hope you like it.”
He’d lost his exuberance for the move, knowing that she wanted nothing to do with him, that she was being forced into living with him. He hefted their bags out and closed the trunk.
“I’m sure it will be better than where I used to live.”
She attempted to take her bag from him, but he pulled away and strode toward the exit. She wasn’t far behind when she surprised him and asked, “Camagüey? Right?”
H was suddenly back there, wistful but not regretful.
“Yes. It is beautiful. The province includes a coastline of beaches.” He smiled at her. “The city is more inland, designed to deter pirates. I think you would use the word quirky. I would have liked to show you one day, but…I doubt I will ever be able to go back.”
Even if he could, even if he wasn’t considered a traitor, he knew he never wanted to live there again. When he’d been playing for his province, he was satisfied. He’d had no perspective of what existed outside his small world. It was only after he’d become part of the national team, traveled to other places on the global stage that his eyes were opened. Upon his return, he’d noticed how bad things really were. The revolution might have given them education, health care, and sports but it had come at a cost. It had taken away breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After years of his mother’s prompting, he’d finally decided they deserved a better life. The only way he could give them that was to turn his back on his homeland. Standing beside Alicia made him realize it hadn’t been as hard as he’d thought.
They stepped into the elevator as soon as the doors swished open, and she gravitated to a corner, as if to get as far away from him as she could.
“Look, Mateo. I’m only here to make sure you assimilate. The move here for me is temporary. Just until we leave for Sanford.”
She was picking up the thread of their earlier conversation, and he hoped her conscience was prickling her.
He said thickly, “Until we leave for Sanford. Then what? I’m on my own? Does it take only three weeks for someone to become Americanized?”
Her voice was tinged with emotion. “That was the deal.” She lowered her gaze and added, “You’ll be glad once you’re there and then out on the road. There’ll be women all over you.”
He taunted, “Do you think that that didn’t happen in Cuba?”
Her eyes widened and shot up to meet his. Had she never thought of that before?
“I’m sorry. I guess I—”
“Athletes are celebrities there. National heroes. We are hounded everywhere, and there’s no shortage of sexual exploits.”
He saw her eyes twitch. Good. It bothered her. Maybe he did have a chance to burrow beneath the armor she wore.
Deciding to remind her about her own forwardness, he said, “If I remember correctly, you were flirting in Cancun. Until you lost all interest in me as a man and saw me only as a ballplayer. You were close enough I was able to inhale your scent. Your voice was rich, resonant, seductive. You had a floral sundress on that showed your curves, and when you flashed your eyes at me, they held the promise of mystery and intrigue. Maybe I should have gone for a night in your bed, rather than a lifetime of commitment. You might not want to know this, but I took those vows seriously. How could I not? Matrimony should be sacred.”
She took a breath and said, “You can still enjoy that kind of celebrity. No one knows you’re married, and no one has to. You can live your life free of any kind of restrictions. You’re young, rich, and talented. Enjoy yourself. This…arrangement should only last a…short
