The Playboy's Touch (Book 2)

Chapter 15

Rachel

The next couple of days I found myself smiling more. I stood in front of a mirror practicing my smile- a normal and bright one like Enrique taught me. But I went from nightly practices to genuine daily smiles.

Mrs. Abarca was braiding my hair when she tapped my shoulder. “So much smiling lately. It’s nice to see.”

I shrugged. “I guess I’m just used to smiling now.” I looked at my reflection and noticed that I looked.. pretty. I actually looked pretty.

“Does this have anything to do with a handsome man?” She asked.

I thought back to my recent walk in the park, a dinner at a beautiful restaurant two nights ago and my trip to an apothecary yesterday with my mother where several young men had smiled at me and even introduced themselves. Many of them were handsome and although I knew it headed no where, it felt great to be noticed.

I just smiled at Mrs. Abarca and shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Well… the young Viscount and you have been spending so much time together. It’s lovely to see.” She said grinning.

“Oh! That’s not it!” I exclaimed. “Enrique and I are friends. That’s it.”

She only smiled as she finished the intricate braid and helped me into my light green dress.

“Well aren’t you a beautiful sight señorita?” I heard a charming airy voice say behind me.

I turned and saw Vicente standing at the entrance to the back patio. I was outside enjoying the sun and he had caught me off guard. His light waves shone almost orange in the sunlight and his hazel eyes were clear as honey. He walked to me and leaned down to kiss my hand. Again, he turned my hand so that he could kiss my wrist-skin to skin. When his lips touched my wrist I felt giddy-like I had just won a prize.

When he pulled back I smiled at him, the bright smile Enrique had me practicing for nights now. Vicente stood there, smiling back at me, and I realized he hadn’t let go of my hand.

“Would you like to accompany me Miss Thompson? I was here to visit Enrique but he always to be out. It’s a lovely day and you mustn’t spend it locked up here,” he said waving to the Cortez’s grand home. “I know a delicious pastry place a few streets down, I know you’ll just love it.”

“Oh..um. I don’t know if I should..” I said. Both concerned for neither my mother or brother being here and that I’d be going out with a man.. and I’d be walking. “I’m not much of a walker to be quite honest. And my mother isn’t here to chaperone..”

He held his hands up and smiled. “No pressure señorita. We could always take my carriage, and you are free to take any servants here as your chaperone. But my offer still stands if the next time I’m here you are willing and wanting to accompany me.” He gave me a kind smile that warmed my heart. I couldn’t remember the last time a man smiled at me like that.

He began to sit on the chair opposite of me when I spoke up.

“I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go.”

He raised his thick eyebrows. “Are you sure?”

I nodded and slowly got up. “But let’s do take your carriage. I’m very clumsy, I’m afraid I’ll injure myself before we arrive.” I hoped he believe my lie.

He grinned and nodded. He lended me his arm which I took. His body radiated a comfortable warmth and I couldn’t help but smile again.

For the first time in my life I was going to spend time alone with a man-a man who was possibly interested in me. Anything could happen now, and I felt like I was on top of the world.

To Vicente’s credit, the pastry shop was incredibly charming and it smelled of fruit, warm flour and fresh tea. He told me to pick anything I’d like, therefore I ordered a cup of raspberry tea and a small pastry with countless fruits on the top. Vicente ordered a small slice of chocolate cake and a cup of raspberry tea as well.

As we waited he found us a table outside at the front where we could see the carriages drive by, people stroll and walk their dogs. He pulled out the chair for me and helped me sit.

He sat across from me and smiled. “I can’t be too careful. I wouldn’t want you to fall on my watch.”

Although I hated any reference to my falling or tripping, I couldn’t get mad at him. I just shook my head and smiled.

“Of course not. I feel completely safe with you.”

Our food arrived and we chatted for hours. He told me about his father’s wine business, his investments in meat, fabric and spice trading. He also mentioned how he attempted to attend university but along with him not fitting in with his classmates, he also couldn’t afford it. So he decided to travel and work with his father instead.

“My father is a hardworking man, he provided for my mother and I no matter what. There was never an instant where we needed anything and I can never thank him enough.” He said smiling to himself.

He then asked me about my life and my interests. When I tried responding I realized I didn’t have answers. I struggled to answer the most basic and easy questions. Vicente would smile and change the topic, still trying to get to know me in some way.

“I’m sorry..I just..I never realized how dull I was.” I said, more to myself than him. How could I have lost myself, or even refused to create myself all this time?

“So many years I spent in the shadows avoiding people but it turns out I was actually avoiding myself.” I said, confused and upset. “I don’t even know who I am..”

He reached over and gently held my hand. “That can happen, it’s not your fault Rachel.”

I nodded but didn’t truly believe him. For the first time since I had been with him, I felt self conscious and insecure. Everything I had ever bottled in was beginning to surface and I could feel my face get hot with embarrassment.

“I think it’s best we get you home,” Vicente said getting up and calling his carriage over. It was almost sunset and realized I had lost track of time. I only nodded and slowly rose. He helped me into the carriage and as we drove off I felt like crying.

It had been such a beautiful afternoon.. we talked about everything. I had gotten to know him so well and yet when it came to me everything dulled.

It always did.

“Stop overthinking so much Rachel.” Vicente said.

I looked at him and he was observing me. “I’m not overthinking.” I argued.

“Hmm, the crease between your eyebrows says otherwise.”

I frowned and he laughed. “I had a lovely time with you today. Despite you thinking otherwise.”

“Do you read minds?” I joked.

He laughed and shrugged. “Maybe. But even if I did..I meant what I said. I enjoyed today with you, and I think that’s hard for you to believe because no one has ever said that to you.”

I nodded and smiled at him-I couldn’t lie to him. And I didn’t want to.

In that moment I realized I cared for Vicente. I genuinely liked him.

He was easy and fun to talk to and was patient. I wasn’t just attracted to him anymore and I didn’t only care about him finding me attractive-I cared about our friendship too.

As we stopped in front of the Cortez house he leaned over and looked at me playfully with his large hazel eyes as he wiggled his eyebrows. “Would you be willing to join me for another pastry adventure again?”

I was about to answer when there was a roar from outside.

“RACHEL!!!”

I froze in place-Oliver’s voice boomed and I didn’t know how to respond. I slowly looked out the carriage window and saw him charging towards us. His usual boyish smile was gone and he was furious.

But before he could reach us someone flung the carriage door open and pulled out Vicente by his jacket. The carriage shook as Vicente was slammed against it.

“Vicente!!” I shrieked, immediately concerned for his safety and angry at whoever as doing this. As quickly and safely as I could, I stood and began to get out when I heard Enrique’s voice cold and furious. If I thought Oliver’s voice boomed-it was nothing compared to his.

“WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??” Enrique said pushing Vicente against the carriage. “WHY WOULD YOU TAKE HER AWAY LIKE THAT? WE WERE WORRIED SICK!”

Vicente was shocked but not scared. He only tried to wiggle out of Enrique’s strong grasp and calm him down.

The sight if Enrique doing this angered me and I took the fan in my hand and threw it at his head.

“Rachel!” Oliver gasped as he reached me. He grabbed my arm and helped me down. He was shaking with anger but he looked horrified at what I had just did.

“Let him go Enrique!” I demanded.

Enrique turned to me, his black eyes hard and deadly. His nostrils flared and he looked much bigger and imposing than usual. But I didn’t care-he didn’t scare me.

“I told you to let him go! Or do I need to throw my shoe next?” I threatened. I was now face to face with him, both of us furious.

Without losing eye contact with me he slowly let go of Vicente and I turned to him immediately. I noticed him looking at Enrique and I both amused and confused.

I turned back to Enrique who, although still was fuming, was also calming down as he looked me over. He looked at me as if trying to make sure I was ok. His concern and attention caught me off guard and gave me goosebumps.

“Enrique.. I’m fine..” I whispered, reaching out to him trying to calm him.

But before I could reach him he turned and strode into the house.