Gently, he eased his arm around her shoulders. She nestled into his chest and fit him perfectly. There was a certain ease being around her. Had he really only met her a few days ago?
Carolina looked up at him. “I did enjoy walking with you at Las Posadas. I feel bad that I was so distracted about my father.”
“Don’t. I had a great time.”
The waitress brought their appetizers. Enrique squeezed lemon juice on the calamari and drenched it in the spicy aioli. The crunch from the breading was perfectly crispy.
“So, enough about me. Tell me more about yourself. What exactly do you do for the Montez Group?”
Enrique took a sip of water and pondered how exactly to answer this question. “Well, I love to cook, actually. I wanted to go to culinary school, but my father wanted me to attend college.” Enrique regretted not going after what he loved, but it had all worked out. “There, I found my passion in farming. I have a small farm in Encinitas that we use for the test kitchen. I grow rare herbs.”
“Oh, that’s so cool. Which ones?”
“Hoja santa. Epazote. Achiote.”
She stroked his hand. “Oh—that’s so great. I don’t grow those. I’d love to see your farm.”
“I can’t wait to show you. But yeah, so for work, I mainly secure the produce, do contracts with the farmers. It’s not that exciting, and I’m bored. But that’s part of the reason I wanted to meet you and work with you. I wanted to be more hands-on, make a difference.”
She batted her eyelashes at him. “I think it’s so great that you really want to be part of the solution.”
Their entrées arrived, and Carolina marveled at the beautiful plates of rich food.
She twirled her pasta. “This is so fabulous. I’m having such a great time; thank you again.”
He winked. “Anytime, sunshine.”
They finished their dinners and shared a Mexican-chocolate lava cake. The dark sweetness oozed on the plate and the vanilla ice cream cooled the heat.
After Enrique paid, he took her hand and led her outside to the dance club entrance. He tipped the bouncer, and they went inside.
Bright lights cut the floor like lightsabers and dance music blared from the speakers. Girls did shots at the bar as men vied for their attention. It was so loud that Enrique had to raise his voice so Carolina could hear him.
“Would you like to dance?” He held out a hand.
“I’d love to! Can you salsa?”
He grinned. “Yeah. I can. My mother forced me into cotillion classes at Mr. Benjamin’s in La Jolla, and I was a chambelán at many quinceañeras. In college, I took some ballroom and Latin lessons.”
“Well, aren’t you the Renaissance man.” He laughed and pulled her into a dance hold. The bass from the music vibrated into the floor. Carolina came alive with the movement. She swayed back and forth, swinging her hips and twirling in his arms. Enrique grabbed her by the waist and spun her around a few times. She placed her hand on his chest, which sent a jolt through his body.
She was so damn sexy. His hand lowered to her incredible ass.
Enrique leaned in and kissed her on the neck. “You’re so hot, babe.”
She grinned and tossed back her hair in a quick dip before he swept her close again. Enrique imagined she would look just like this in bed—carefree, passionate, and wild.
He whispered into her ear, “I’m so glad you told your father I was your boyfriend.”
“I am, too. And I’m glad Blanca tricked us, or we never would’ve met.” She kissed him right on the dance floor for the whole club to see. Her hot tongue darted into his mouth. Feeling her tight, sexy body against his was almost too much to bear.
She pulled away, breathless. “I never want this night to end.”
Chapter Sixteen
Carolina and Enrique danced until her feet ached. This night had already been one of the best in her life. Free from the responsibility of her family, Carolina was in control. Her hair was frizzy and wild, but she didn’t care—with Enrique, she felt like the most beautiful girl in the world.
Carolina downed a final shot of tequila. Enrique put his arm around her and led her out of the club.
