The third gave Mateo a tight-lipped smile, muttered something under his breath, and rushed after them, fear leaking from his pores.
I continued staring even when they vanished from sight.
“Elena.” Mateo called my name softly, summoning my attention.
“Is this…how you always greet yourguests?” I asked, turning my head to look at him.
“I didn’t expect you to be on time. I apologize.”
I found thathighlyinconceivable considering who he was but the bright smile he aimed my way rapidly diminished my discomfort.
Not in a suit, but a simple black button-down with the sleeves partially rolled back and a pair of slacks, he looked even better than he had the last time I saw him. Though it was impossible for me not to imagine what was underneath.
I bit back the urge to ask what I had just witnessed. It was none of my business, and I knew better than to speak on it. That was one of the saving graces about being partially raised around such things. I knew how to keep my mouth shut. My mother and father may have showered me with all the love and affection a girl could hope for, but neither of them was anything close to a saint.
I remembered many scenes just like this one occurring outside my father’s office when he thought Eva and I were sleeping, so as far as I was concerned, I saw nothing.
Mateo’s eyes roamed over me from head to toe, slowly taking me in. I’d chosen to skip wearing the revealing blue dress I’d initially picked out, going with a simple black one instead with lace quarter sleeves, a silk bodice, and a slightly flared skirt, paired with red bottoms.
It meant I wouldn’t have to worry about my ass cheeks or the ugly jagged scar on my left thigh making an appearance.
The mark was the result of a locker room incident my senior year of high school, coupled with the two on my wrists they served as a permanent reminder of a dark era I went through. He had yet to ask me about them, and I’d rather save that conversation for never.
“Bonita,” Mateo murmured as he finished making his appraisal. His eyes found their way back to mine. “Beautiful,” he translated for me.
“Thanks, you look…nice too,” I finished lamely, offering him a small smile.
“Your house is gorgeous.”
“I’m glad you think so, I plan for you to be here much more often. I’ll have to give you a tour. Are you ready?” he asked, passing off a white cloth to the man who let me in the house.
“As ready as you are,” I answered, following the movement with my eyes, diverting my gaze when I saw the blood he’d he’d just wiped from his knuckles that clearly wasn’t his.
“Good.” He flashed me another grin, showing a set of teeth that belonged in Colgate commercials. “Come with me.”
Those three words could have easily been misconstrued as a double entendre. Almost every word out of his mouth sounded like it was meant for seduction and sex.
My body certainly heard one thing, while my brain, heard another. Fortunately for me I’d opted for a strapless bra, because my taut nipples had a mind of their own.
I refused to acknowledge the effect he had on me, but judging by the look in his eyes, he already knew. And why wouldn’t he? He was the total package. He had an unapologetic swagger and envious confidence. A man like Mateo was well aware of his effect on the opposite sex.
Instead of taking the lead like I assumed he would, he fell into step beside me and interlaced our hands, guiding me back down the hall.
The intoxicating scent of his cologne filled my lungs.
When he stopped at a singular door I anticipated that it would lead outdoors, and it did, sort––of.
“Why do we need to go in there?”
My common sense wouldn’t allow me to blindly follow him into a garage. I mentally patted myself on the back for keeping my head about me, even if it was a task all in itself.
“Well, this is generally where people park their vehicles.” He spoke slowly, turning so he was facing me.
“Where are we going?”
“Elena.” He rolled my name off his tongue like it was a rare delicacy. He pulled me closer. “I want to take you to dinner. I want more out of this than a great fuck in a shitty bathroom.
“There are obviously certain steps that need to be taken to ensure that happens.
