Love Against Duty

Chapter 3

And she felt a certain fascination at finding herself quite alone with a man who was unafraid to approach a stranger and speak so directly. It was appropriate, for she was Christy Parkview’s adopted daughter, and he said she was in charge of the restaurant and club; they were unlikely to meet again after tonight.

Well, he murmured, What do you read in my face? That you like work and a little hellfire as well. Yes, I am a businessman, and I have plenty of iron in various fires. And what is life without irons to bend, fires to walk through, and sugar to taste?

She flushed slightly at the final analysis, and at once he smiled, and there was a sudden sweet charm to that smile. He lifted his hand and placed them on the pool table, and Queen stared at the Armani customized gold wristwatch on his wrist, which speaks wealth and class. His suit was richly tailored, and it fit him perfectly.

She thought to herself, This man is his own man, and he doesn’t give a f**k about what anyone thinks of him.

You're probably quite famous, she decided to say.

You can say that again. He smiled and showcased his white teeth. And what are you if you aren’t the sleeping beauty, a novice virgin? In a ball gown and diamond slippers? Never could she recall having this kind of verbal exchange with a man before—a verbal fight that was more thrilling than brushing off the physical attentions of a man.

Some women have a sheltered temperament and don’t know how to express it. Is that what is bothering you? You cannot make up your mind whether you want to walk down the aisle or have your freedom. You don’t know sh*t, she paused as he gestured at the diamond ring on the third finger of her left hand. She glanced at the ring as the stones sparkled, which Austin had given her with his sweet smile, and which Christy saw and nodded with satisfaction. All at once, Queen felt muted, as if she would have given anything to be on a ship and sail through the night and pretend that she was free. Who are you? She moved closer to him and raised her chin. ‘Merlin the magician?

I am Casimiro Alonzo, and there are some people who are allowed to call me Cas. He looked directly into her eyes, holding them captive with his attractive grey eyes. I don’t imagine it would surprise you, darling, that my father picked pockets while living in Spain, but he came to America and established himself. I am part of that. That is what I am.

You look as if you’re one of the brigands of a tropical island. He had gotten under her skin, and a kind of fear of him shook through her body. In every way, he was a man. Possibly a hurting man, and suddenly she shifted her leg wrongly where she stood, and she was caught and held by him as if those lean fingers were holding her.

Thanks, he murmured. It takes a saint to recognize a sinner. You’re welcome, she replied, and she felt that she had scratched more than the surface of his thick skin, as he had called it. But only as far as the threshold, if I dared to overstep the line, would you step on my silver heel? Have you any skeletons in your closet? Hasn’t everyman? I don't have a wide knowledge of men. Some could be fairly saintly, I imagine. Saints get more of a kick out of crosses than kisses. You would know, of course, as you are the very opposite of a good man.

A man of iniquity? A man who doesn’t let sin or godliness rule him. What rules you? She let her eyes flick up and down his strong, attractive body, and because she is acquainted with Austin friends, young men who kept fit due to sport, Queen knew a male body in perfect trim when she saw one, even though this man was a bit older than Austin and his friends by a few years.

Work, ambition to get ahead in your particular field. You don’t let grass grow under your heels, do you? An assessment that is hardly in keeping with being called a brigand. They take what they want. I said you looked a brigand; I didn’t say you’re a stealer of other people’s valuables. What about another man’s woman? In that area, you will be less honorable. We are quite alone, you and I, and as he spoke, his eyes moved up and down her shapely figure in the soft fabric of her dress. What if we put your judgment of me regarding women to the test? My fiancé has fought and boxed with professionals, would you like to have your Spanish nose put out of joint?

A glimmer of arrogance stole into his eyes, and he brushed his hand on his short black hair. You are a forbidden fruit, eh, with a diamond brand on you? You could say that, despite the jesting of their exchange, Queen could feel the air of real intention in this man’s attitude. This man wouldn’t think twice about sleeping with a woman if he fancied her, and never before had she come up against this kind of sudden s****l urge, definitely not with Austin. With the girl he intended to marry, he was a complete gentleman. Queen had never let herself imagine what he might be like with a pretty young waitress or other women.

I have never had this kind of conversation in my life before, especially with a man. She thought the words were only said in her mind, not knowing they were loud enough for him to hear, and there is no way she can withhold them. She looked at him in confusion, and suddenly he moved closer to her, and she felt he had swallowed her. That’s because you are not a social butterfly, and you’re not an extrovert; rather, you’re an introvert, darling, with many things going on in your head.