The Playboy's Touch (Book 2)

Chapter 18

The next morning I woke up groggy and confused. All night I had dreams of Enrique as a boy-crying alone and scared in the hall when he was told his mother passed away giving birth to his sister.

I couldn’t imagine the pain he had endured. I had lost my father yes, but I didn’t consider that a loss. He was a horrible man. Maria on the other hand was kind, patient, funny and brave-from what I had heard. I tried imagining losing my mother. Never seeing her smile, hearing her laughter or hugging her tightly, feeling her warmth and smelling her flowery perfume. My stomach twisted at the thought of not having her.

I was still confused as to why Enrique would be so scared that something had happened to me. We weren’t exactly close but it made some sense; anyone would be worried if someone they knew appeared to be missing.

I bathed and dressed myself very early since I couldn’t sleep. When Mrs. Abarca entered my room I was already working on putting my brace on. She immediately rushed to my side and helped me.

“My lady! Why didn’t you call for me??” She exclaimed in shock. “You could have hurt yourself! Slipped.. tripped!”

I smiled at her, her concern warmed my heart. “Mrs. Abarca, i am quite capable of bathing and dressing myself. It just takes a bit longer.”

She frowned as she adjusted the brace over my stockings. “Yes I see that. But if you use excess force you can hurt yourself. Your knee will be tired and in pain by late afternoon.”

I looked at my knee and it’s twisted figure never failed to disgust me. The way the bone stuck out to the side and made my leg look like a broken tree branch disgusted me. Because of this, my leg wasn’t proportionate-the top and bottom were different shapes. I wanted to cry out of anger and disgust every time I looked at it.

“It’s not so terrible my lady,” Mrs. Abarca said as she stood. She fixed my skirts and pulled my hair back into a simple bun. “I’ve seen worse.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s still not disgusting..or shameful.” I muttered.

She shook her round face and took out a white ribbon from her pocket to wrap around my hair. “There is no shame. It’s your body my lady.”

I stood after she finished and looked towards the window. “Yes. But I wish it wasn’t.”

Mrs. Abarca turned my head so I was facing her. Her eyes were sad and it looked like she had a few tears. Her rosy cheeks dropped down in a frown and she shook her head again. “Don’t say that.. you are beautiful. It pains me to hear you speak like that.”

I wanted to argue with her, to tell her that I knew she was only telling me that because she felt sorry for me. Because that for some reason older women felt it was their job to uplift young and pitiful girls.

But I didn’t. I knew Mrs. Abarca had a kind heart and didn’t deserve my anger. So I just smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

“Thank you for helping me. But I must head out. I have some apologies to make for my behavior yesterday. Would you happen to know where my mother and brother are?”

“Yes, I believe they’re just waking up. They should be down for breakfast in about an hour.” She closed her mouth but then smiled and spoke again. “But the Viscount is in his father’s office. He’s been up early, like you. If you want to talk to him as well..”

“Yes, I should apologize to him as well. Thank you.”

She nodded but as I walked away I saw her reflection in the mirror and she was grinning from ear to ear.

Like Mrs. Abarca said Enrique was in his father’s office. I knew it was his office now but he always referred to it as his father’s. I knocked on the door lightly and he said to come in.

When I did I saw him hunched over books with numbers, sums, names and signatures. He looked stressed and tired- I had seen this exact face and position with Oliver countless times when he was going over our estate ledgers and land numbers. Enrique didn’t even look up until I cleared my throat.

When he did I noticed how red his eyes were, that his shirt was untucked, hair tousled and lips swollen from how much he was biting them. He looked absolutely exhausted, but he looked.. good too.

“I won’t distract you long but I just came here to apologize for my actions yesterday. I was childish and not thinking straight. As a 26 year old spinster I should have known better, and I’m sorry for causing everyone so much panic.” I said quickly.

Enrique just looked at me, his eyes boring into me. So I continued. “And your were right, I was acting dumb and foolishly. I was being immature and it won’t happen again.”

Still no response.

I wanted to ask him if he was going to say anything and even repeat myself but before I could he spoke.

“No.” He said in a tired and deep voice.

I looked at him confused. “No what?”

He stood up straight and walked over to me. The way he walked, tired, powerful and focused on only me sent a shiver up my spine. When he was standing in front of me he looked at me closely as if trying to read my mind. With him being so close i could smell his cologne. He smelled clean and like pine and his usual smoky smell. I looked him straight in the eyes and regretted it immediately.

As if not thinking and acting on impulse he reached out and touched my cheek with his fingertips. A small gasp left my lips as I felt his large warm hand caress me. His touch was feather like and gentle but it was so strong and firm at the same time. He touched my cheek for a couple more seconds, watching his own fingers touch my skin, as if he was trying to memorize the feeling and moment.

“Enrique…?” I said, my voice barley above a whisper.

He looked back at me, his eyes cloudy with something I didn’t recognize. Once we made eye contact he pulled his hand away immediately as if he had been burned and stepped back. The moment he did I missed having him so close.

“What do you mean no?” I asked again, a part of me curious to know what he meant and the other hoping the question would bring him close to me again.

He cleared his throat. “I meant no-you’re not a spinster.” He straightened himself and suddenly the intensity in his eyes were gone and the stoic Enrique was back. “And you’re not dumb, I’m sorry I even said that. I know I can’t take back what I said but I want you to know I said them in a moment of anger but I should have known better to say such things.”

“But you were right..” I said, walking towards him. I wanted to be near him again. “You were right about everything. I’m sorry.” As if out of instinct I reached for him.

He took an immediate step back when I got close and piece inside of me seemed to crack. I took a step back too, regretting the decision my body made for me.

We both looked at eachother, not knowing what to say or exactly what had happened.

But I didn’t stick around to ask or wait for more.

I just turned and walked away.