Chapter 10
933 Words
Rachel
The next morning I was knitting with mother in the tea room when the butler came in and announced that Vicente was paying a visit to Enrique but since he was busy, he’d be waiting with us in the tea room.
I felt my stomach drop but didn’t react. Mother didn’t need to get any ideas.
Seconds later Vicente walked in with a bright smile on his face. His light brown hair was combed back but a stand fell over his forehead.
“Good afternoon ladies.” He greeted.
“Good afternoon,” Mother and I replied.
I suddenly felt self conscious with my simple bun and plain gray dress.
“I do hope it’s ok that you caught us unprepared for guests Mr. Hernández. Rachel and I were planning on staying in today.” Mother said reading my mind.
Vicente sat down and looked at me and smiled. “There’s nothing to apologize for my Lady.”
“How has your day been so far Mr. Hernández?” I asked casually.
“Quiet well Ms. Thompson. It’s a bit cloudy today for my liking but I believe it’s nothing compared to London.”
“Truly it’s not.” I replied smiling.
We were both smiling at one another when Mother cleared her throat and got up. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to step out for a moment.”
Mother gave me a small smile and left the room. She left the door open out of modesty but there was no one outside.
Vicente and I sat in silence until he spoke up.
“It was great seeing you last night at dinner. You did look very beautiful.”
I looked at him wide eyed-I couldn’t remember the last time I had been complimented.
“Oh..uh.. thank you.” I mustered out. I knew I should have complimented him back but my mind was blank.
“The color green suits you very well I must add.” He said and I looked at him still in shock. “Your skin looks very lovely against it.” His eyes raked over my body and I squirmed under his gaze. What was he seeing?? Did he like what he saw?? Or was he doing this for fun and was teasing me??
He looked at back up at me intensely with his hazel eyes and I felt my face get hot. I had to say something!! When had I grown at a loss for words??
Before either of us said anything the butler walked in and told Vicente that Enrique was ready to see him.
Vicente walked to me and took my ungloved hand and kissed it. This was the first time in my life that I had felt a man’s lips on my skin and I shuddered at the touch.
He grinned and kissed my hand again.
“Until next time Rachel-and I hope it’s very very soon.”
I smiled and nodded like an i***t.
Soon.. very soon. I’d see him soon.. and maybe next time it’d be more than just a gentle kiss on my hand.
Enrique
Vicente walked into my office was a huge grin.
“I do have to say, I think Rachel likes me very much.”
I looked up from the finance books I was looking over. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I was just with her as I waited for you. And she blushed and held her breath around me. And she grew flustered when I touched her.” He said.
He sat across from me and my eyebrows shot up. “You touched her?”
He nodded. “I kissed her hand too-skin to skin. I felt her pulse speed up. I complimented her too.” He leaned back on the leather chair and gave me a crooked smile. “I told her she looked beautiful last night and that the color she wore made her skin look soft. She had no words.” Vicente said. He always took pride in rendering women speechless. Never out of malice but it still fed his ego.
Although I had heard countless stories like this from him before, it irritated me a bit. He shouldn’t have told Rachel all of that. Not because she didn’t deserve it or it wasn’t true-because it was. She looked beautiful last night. But she wasn’t used to male attention, nevertheless having multiple compliments thrown at her. Then followed up by physical touch. Rachel was a strong woman but she still had weak points.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Vicente asked confused.
It wasn’t until then that I realized I was glaring at him.
“I thought you wanted me to get to know the girl.. and I am. She’s brilliant and beautiful..” he said.
“No I do-I do. Just.. be careful.” I said in a serious tone. “Rachel is brilliant, she truly is, and strong. But she’s an unmarried woman Vicente. There are limits to her knowledge and experience.”
Vicente nodded. “I do understand Enrique. I would never overstep. You know me- I’d never allow a woman to feel uneasy around me.” He leaned forward and looked me straight in the eyes. “I thought you knew that.”
“I do, I do.” I said. And I did. I had never met a man more respectful than him. But this was different..
“Just.. take it slow my friend.” I said getting back to my books. “It’s different with Rachel .”
- Writer
