Love Against Duty

Chapter 2

Would you mind playing with me? He raised his glass and took a sip from his wine, let’s play; let me put you on a hot seat. I don’t play pool, she said in a calm voice. And I doubt if you are interested in scrabble. Already doubting me, darling, and we have only just met? He lifted his black eyebrow and moved closer to the pool table. If dancing can’t entertain you, then you must be here for something else. Do you think I was looking for company? She gave him a murderous look that made her eyes look dark. I came up here to escape from the noise for a while. Good, I get it, mi amor, you’re not the social butterfly, don’t call me that, call you what? He asked, Social butterfly or mi amor? Mr., do you know what I mean? Don’t act as if you lost your key. He looked at her as if he were confused, but he knew what she meant. Oh, you understand Spanish, then. She looked at him, and nodded her head just a little.

His eyes swept up and down her shapely figure in her black off shoulder velvet dress, and then he let his gaze dwell on her delicate face and thick, long lashes. But when warmed by a smile, a sensual quality crept in, but right now Queen was unsmiling and felt like disappearing from the room, except that she hated being chased away by a total stranger. She had never seen this man before; his face is a kind of face that you will see, and it will stick. Queen didn’t doubt that he was a foreigner, and then, because something about him makes her feel uneasy, she said coldly: And what are you, a waiter or a cleaner? Instantly, the white edges of his teeth clamped together, and a glittering light came into his eyes. You needed to say that, eh? All evening, I would say you have been in need of something or someone to vent your dissatisfaction with life.

You son of a b***h; how dare you say that to me, eh? Her blue eyes blazed, and she could have hit him, a complete stranger to her, daring to say things Austin wouldn’t have said had they been married for fifty years. Who the hell do you think you are?

Darling; didn’t you just hit a nail on the head? He gulped down the remaining wine from his glass, dropped the glass on the pool table, and said, I am in charge of the restaurant and club. Tonight I had a little meeting with the floor manager, and that is why I am here. And you should know that his office is on the same floor as this games room, and I saw you as I was about to pass the door on my way from the club, standing alone by a window, deep in thought, and that hit me as being rather off for such a young woman. I thought to myself that you looked like someone who needed to speak to a stranger, for with a stranger we can sometimes be more truthful than with a close friend. Just like candle wax, which in most cases has a certain truth to it.

He spoke knowingly, in that deep voice with a razor edge hidden away in it, and he made her look at him, into those arresting eyes of his, whose silver grey was a shield for his innermost thoughts. In a moment, Queen’s heart began to beat faster. It was so obvious that she felt sure he must have noticed it; she felt attacked by an awareness so unusual that she couldn’t look at him. She stammered. I was very rude just now. Somehow she dragged her eyes away from his, but even then she could feel his eyes upon her body, moving up and down her skin under those dark, lashed eyelids. I was lost in my thoughts, and you took me by surprise. I imagine what you would be thinking—that I am a kind of rich snob for the way I spoke to you—but you should know I’m not like other women or people who treat people who are not from here like nothing.

Don't worry, he said. A man in my business learns very early to grow thick skin, and you barely scratch me. Now, ¿Qué e preocupa? As we say it in Spanish, I don’t speak Spanish; I understand just a little, Just like I told you before, she replied, and she was anxiously aware that the situation had slipped from her grasp when she could have left quickly from the room and discharged him from her mind. What do the words mean? What is troubling you?

Her eyes widened and locked with his, for never in her life had any man asked her that; in her kind of circle, things like this are taken for granted that life is to be enjoyed, and pretty young women make it better.

That’s a very personal question, and you shouldn’t ask it. Her voice quivered slightly, and she looked left and right as if seeking a way to escape him. The drop down diamond earrings she wore swung against her cheeks. Her fingers nervously gripped her cotton handkerchief, and just then a hint of perfume stole from her skin—a sweet Victoria secret scent with a blend of raspberry and plum that makes her look classy.

Queen has never been so conscious of her difference from a man, he was so dark that he was bound to be dangerous; she was so fair with her blue eyes and ponytail hair style.

I do many things that I shouldn’t dream of doing, he said shamelessly. Such as speaking to a beautiful young woman of the upper class. Is it a Spanish trait to be so direct and personal at a first meeting? She bravely looked at him directly and saw shades of badass and hard work in that dark face.