The Playboy's Touch (Book 2)

Chapter 6

Rachel

By the time we arrived to Enrique’s house days later, it was dark and I barley remembered getting off the carriage. All I knew was that I was led to my room and fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up with a sore back and legs. I heard the staff out and about in the halls and outside, but no one entered my room to wake me, which I appreciated. At home there were only three servants who knew of my condition. One helped me dress and bathe while the other two helped me navigate the house and the outside world.

I laid in bed listening to the different noises in the city. People spoke Spanish, the smells of the Spanish cuisine and the sound of new music filled me with a sense of hope. Hope that maybe I could experience something new here-something life changing.

There was a knock on the door and then Mother came in. She was wearing a lighter dress in a teal shade, her brown hair was braided elegantly and the family pearls clung to her neck. She opened the curtains a bit and smiled as she looked out the window.

“This city is truly beautiful. I haven’t been here since I last visited Celeste’s mother.”

I sat up and grabbed the comb from my bedside table and began to run it through my hair. “Maria and you were very close from what I remember you telling me.”

“Oh yes, Maria was the bravest person I knew. She was full of life and a passion for freedom. She intervened early on when your father began hitting me. She rained hell fire on him and brought in the Viscount, the former Earl Harris and Helen Sorensen. She wasn’t going to give up on me.”

I smiled, knowing Celeste would definitely do the same. “She sounds like an amazing woman, I wish I could have gotten to know her. I guess in a way I do, Celeste is her replica I hear.”

“She is, but Enrique is very much like her in many ways. I know he looks like his father but his heart is Maria’s.”

I looked at Mother confused. No one had ever said that. Celeste was her mother and Enrique was their father. Mother walked to my side and began braiding my hair.

“Celeste has Maria’s spirit but her father’s heart and mind. She is quick, stubborn and full of extreme emotions like her father. But Enrique and Maria share patience, forgiveness and selflessness.”

I smiled, it did all make sense. It was nice to know this about them both. Mother helped me up and helped me bathe. As she helped me put on my brace I asked her why no servants had bothered waking me or entering my room.

She smiled to herself as she pulled out my favorite pale yellow dress. “Enrique told them not to. He said they should give you space until you asked otherwise.”

I looked at her confused. “Why would he do that?”

She shrugged as she helped me dress. “I guess he knows you well enough to know that you like your space.”

Enrique

I was in my office with Rosa, a fellow lover who was on her way out. She had visited last night as I arrived and I was happy to blow off some steam.

She was a beautiful passionate woman. She was engaged but she wanted to enjoy her freedom while she could. Her red hair shone in the sunlight as she moved on top of me. Her skirts were pulled up and my pants down as she rode me. In the little time we had spent together she had learned how to be a skilled lover. I taught her many of the things she knew and with time she was able to find things she liked too.

She began to tighten around me and she was panting as she was getting close. I too felt my muscles tense as I began to reach my climax and as she opened her mouth to let out a silent scream she pulled off of me just in time as I let out my release.

We had come to an agreement in taking precautions to keep her from having a child for both of our sakes. When we calmed down she got up and began to fix her hair and dress.

“I should be leaving now. My betrothed will be visiting in a couple hours and I should wash myself.” She said.

I cleaned myself off. “You’re playing a dangerous game, being with me so close to your wedding day.”

She shrugged. “I know he’s out doing the same. Why can’t I?”

I kissed her goodbye and she hurried out the door. I went to the kitchen to fix myself a quick snack before I bathed when I saw Rachel eating by herself in the dining room. She was sitting by the large window that overlooked the busy streets. She had a plate of desserts on her lap and she watched everyone with interest. I was about to say good morning when she spoke up.

“Your lady friend didn’t do a good job of fixing her hair.” She laughed as she took a bite of a cake. “I can still see where you had your hand. Not to mention the bite marks behind her ear.”

I walked over next to her and saw Rosa getting in her carriage. If I was anyone else I wouldn’t have noticed but now that Rachel pointed it out it looked very obvious.

“I’m assuming that ruckus upstairs was you two saying goodbye?”

I was a bit surprised with her comment but went along. “Yes it was indeed. And it was a very pleasant goodbye.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure it was.” Then she scrunched her nose. “Well I don’t but I’ll take your word for it.”

My jaw dropped open at her being so open about her virginity. What were in those desserts she was eating? Had she always been this blunt? She was as bad as my sister. She looked at me and laughed.

“Don’t act so surprised. I’m unmarried at 26, I believe it’s implied.”

I composed myself and decided to go along with the conversation. “Well yes, but that doesn’t mean you could never experience anything. Marriage isn’t a requirement to enjoy yourself.”

She didn’t look at me but I felt her posture change. “I don’t think that’s an option for me. I’m not really someone a man would be open to sleeping with.”

I quickly looked her over. She was pretty, not extraordinary but pretty enough to tempt men. She was petite but a bit taller than my sister. She had curves that were hidden under her yellow dress but I was an expert in noticing these things. Her eyes were almond shaped and thick eyelashes framed her bright blue eyes. And her dark blonde hair was shiny in her simple braid. She wasn’t half bad.

“You don’t know that. I think I know a few men who would find you quite attractive.”

She looked at me surprised. “Really?” Then she looked away. “I don’t believe that. My body isn’t…like other women’s.”

I shrugged, dismissing her comment. Clearly she didn’t know men well enough.

“A mature man won’t care about things like that. Women’s bodies change and are different. Things like a little bit of fat, body marks and hair won’t matter.” I plucked a dessert off her plate hoping I had made her feel better. She looked at with both confusion and interest. “I’m sure you’re overthinking it Rachel. Wouldn’t be the first time.”