Love Against Duty

Chapter 4

Would you like me to tell you more about yourself, It is always fascinating to read someone, and you have given me enough.

A woman has only to look at you, and right away he assumed her words wrongly, his eyes sparkled as he held her without even touching her. We Spaniards have always been considered bullfighters, and we produce the best wine in the world, but I decided to go into a restaurant like the Italians.

Are you a bullfighter as well, Mr. Alonzo? She asked. Would you be enthralled if I were, or scared out of your wit? She really rolled her eyes at him. You don't have much discretion, do you?

Only when I find it suitable, and you have acted so calmly and sweetly in your reserved little way, do I feel the urge to offer some shock therapy. What if I were a criminal? Would you run away screaming? She stared at him, eyes wide in astonishment, feeling again that air of fear in her very bones. How fit and strong he looked; how dark and dangerous he might be. He could be dealing with the underworld, and right now there might be one of those small pocket guns hidden away in his inner suit pocket, sitting quietly waiting to be used. Casimiro Alonzo…his very name exudes dark feelings, about drug dealing, perhaps the Mafia, that dangerous and scary organization with its roots in Spain.

No, he muttered. You might not scream or run, but rather you will stay and fight tooth and nail for your pride, wouldn’t you? I think it’s worth fighting for, she said. Deep down in her heart, she felt a twinge of pain as she thought of her father, and that taint of shame that Christy tried so hard to wipe from Queen's life.

You will melt away like a candle stick if that cool, beautiful cloth of virtue were to be stripped away from your beautiful body, wouldn't you, Queen?

How do you know my name? We have never met before and hardly could’ve done so, as we move in different circles. He smiled briefly, so you don’t normally have this kind of talk with your fiancé? As if I would! I guess he won’t even think you’re capable of having such a conversation, Casimiro Alonzo said mockingly. For him, you’re like an egg that needs to be handled carefully so that you won’t break, or, let me say, a glass ball placed in a safe box for protection. For protection, you said, Mr. Alonzo, against what? He looked at her and smiled knowingly at men like me. Every now and then he showers you with gifts, the diamond ring, and diamond earrings, but does he ever drag you down into his arms and kiss you thoroughly, touch you in places that make you tremble with need? I know he doesn’t.

This has gone too far, Queen backed away and was brought up sharp against the pool table, with his movement as fast as light, trapped her there with his long, strong legs pressing against her, and his hands spreading across her hips, holding her. Instantly, all her thoughts and feelings stood still. Words eluded her, and she found herself looking into the bold, wicked eyes that were letting her know that women placed on a soft feather were not for him.

No, he said, not far enough. Hear the music, hear what they are playing. She listened wildly, but she couldn’t hear the music clearly due to the loud beating of her heart. Then she recognized the song—perfect, do you know it?

Let me go! She wriggled from side to side, feeling the tips of his fingers bite into her hip bones through the soft fabric of her dress. How dare you behave this way with me, What if someone comes in? They’ll think I want this… She tried to use her hands to elaborate, but she couldn’t because he trapped her. Don’t you? He teased me. Haven’t you been pining for a man to notice you all evening? Is that why you fled away from the music, which suddenly turned into a romantic joke?

You’re a monster! She gasped. Never in her life had Queen felt helpless, and at the mercy of a stranger, she fought and yet felt a desire to suffer. If she called out for Austin, people would come running, and she could say this man had tried to r**e her. They will believe her because she was Queen Jameson, the ward of a wealthy widow, and the fiancée of Austin Springhill—a girl who was known to possess good character and had never been known to flirt or throw herself around.

Yet, knowing all this, she grinds her teeth and fights quietly with this man, whose touch seems to set her body on fire. She belonged to Austin, and her life was already planned, but here she was like a shivering bird flying in bad weather.

Don’t call me names unless you mean it. He moved his face toward hers as he spoke the words. I mean every damn word I said! You’re despicable and shameless, you’re just out to make me look cheap. Oh, come on, he teased, if anyone caught us like this, then the calm and beautiful Queen would have an immediate defense. She could say things that would make me cower in shame. If you know that, then let me go before someone comes in; it is getting late, and my fiancé would want to take me home.

What a lucky young man, a drive along the beach road in the moonlight and then a goodnight kiss at the door of Greco Villa how come you know so much about me? She asked, I don’t know you, and I’ve never seen you before! No, he agreed, I love being at my hotel more than the club, but I have seen you at the Palace hotel in Greenville, and the hotel happens to be mine. You have stayed there with your aunt, haven’t you? Yes, Queen gazed at his handsome face, and she knew she wouldn’t have forgotten him had she ever seen him before. I don’t remember you.’