“I didn’t waste my time.” He leaned closer. A frisson of heat raced through her body. “I’m not just interested in the farm—I’m interested in you.”
She gulped and her mouth became moist. “What? Why?”
“I read some articles about you. How you use innovative hydroponics. Your progress on sustainable farming. How you make sureyour employees have access to health care. How you worked nights. How you excelled in school, danced, and still farmed alongside your parents. How you commuted back and forth during school to make sure you could still help out.” He licked his lower lip. “You inspire me. And I like to surround myself with people I admire.”
Was she in a dream? This handsome man was throwing out compliments like she dispersed fertilizer. He was smiling at her. Staring at her. He had called her beautiful. He seemed to be interested in her not just as the owner of a farm, but as a woman.
A drop of mist from the sky fell on her skin, waking her up from her fantasy. Oh no, was it going to rain tonight? She prayed the weather wouldn’t ruin her night.
He took a step closer to her, their breath commingling in the air.
No, no, this was too intense already. She took a big step back.
Her guard went up. Way up. This smooth-talking millionaire couldn’t possibly want her. He was a playboy. She had seen pictures of him online, shirtless on a yacht with bikini-clad models and influencers to his left and right, front and back.
Girls who looked like Blanca, not her.
Nope. Not having it. He was flattering her. He had to want something.
She was confident in her intellectual prowess and her business skills, but she was realistic about her place in society, her place in her family, and her place as a woman. She wasn’t a natural beauty like Blanca or a faux fox like some of the girls she saw online with plastic surgery and identical sculpted features.
This man could not be trusted.
He was a devil in Joseph’s clothing.
Chapter Seven
Carolina turned away from him, not responding to what he’d just said. Her loose hair cascaded over her shoulders and framed her pretty face. “We need to go inside. Father Juan and the rest of the carolers will be here shortly.”
“Got it. Let’s go.” Enrique followed Carolina back into the church, a safe distance behind her to give her space.
Carolina had stood close to him a few seconds ago, her body softening toward him. Her skin glistened under the courtyard lights. But then her body had stiffened, and her tone had changed. Had he said something wrong? Maybe he’d overstepped again with his compliments. But he had meant every word.
Enrique had never really had any trouble communicating with women. He didn’t like to play games and was always open with his feelings and honest about his intentions. Though he had spent the last few years casually dating, he never led women on. He hadn’t asked for any sort of relationship with Carolina and wasn’t even sureif she wanted to date him. He had just told her how much he admired her.
Oh well, he couldn’t worry about it now. He had Las Posadas to lead.
Back inside the church, he found Ramón and Jaime talking to each other, and Rosa, Linda, and Julieta sitting together in a pew. Tiburón was chatting with Blanca. Enrique chuckled, admiring his friend’s pursuit of her.
Enrique looked around the church, a place where he had never felt comfortable. This one was opulent, but a tad intense. There were several bronze statues of Jesus on the walls and some dramatic religious art depicting the Virgin Mary and the Last Supper. Enrique felt guilty and he wasn’t even sure why. It was nothing like the casual beachside church he often passed and had been to several times in Pacific Beach, which had a big sign out front that said “Saints, Sinners, and Surfers Welcome.” People attended services in bikinis and board shorts. That house of the holy was definitely more his vibe.
He looked over at Carolina, who was praying by the altar. She was obviously devout—she was playing the Virgin Mary, for God’s sake. Then again, he was playing Joseph. Surely there had to have been a man who was better suited for the role.
Ramón had left Jaime and caught Enrique’s arm. “You owe me big-time for this Three Kings getup. It wasn’t even necessary! I still can’t believe you agreed to play Joseph for this woman.”
“Not for her—for the business, Ramón. For us.” Enrique smirked. “And besides, you’ve done crazier things. You proposed with an entire mariachi band. And didn’t you serenade Julieta with old-school Spanish ballads in a garden the night you met?”
Ramón turned up his hands. “Fine. You got me. I don’t knowwhathappened the night she and I met. Maybe it was the costumes or theatmosphere or the holiday... but I was so drawn to her. I suppose I’m a romantic.”
Enrique turned and studied the gorgeous woman at the altar, her head still bowed in prayer, her long lashes fanning over her cheeks. It almost felt like he couldn’t look away. There was something about her... maybe in another time, another place, he could have asked her on a date. She was smart, beautiful, and strong—everything he admired in a woman.
But you need her for her business acumen, not another notch in your belt.
“You don’t like this girl, do you?” Ramón asked, as if reading his mind.
Enrique shook his head. “No. Carolina’s pretty and smart, but she has a life and business up here, and I love San Diego. It would never work.”
“Right, it wouldn’t. She’s also religious, and her family is very traditional.” Ramón pointed to her, still in the corner, clutching her rosary beads. Or counting them? Maybe it was some prayer. Enrique had no clue. “And you, José, are not.”
