The Playboy's Touch (Book 2)

Chapter 19

Enrique

My mind was scrambled.

Once Rachel left I staggered back to my seat.

I knew I was tired but the moment I saw her, my mind seemed to clear immediately. I was focused on her-and only her.

When she stood in front of me, so confident and determined I only saw her, everything else seemed to fade away. I grew upset hearing her call herself foolish and a spinster-she was none of that. I knew I had insulted her the night before and I hated myself for it, but I’d be d****d if I let her think of herself in that way.

I didn’t know what had come over me, but without hesitation I walked to her. I had caressed her cheek, everything happened so quickly yet I had remembered everything in great detail. I could still feel her soft skin under my fingers, smell her, feel her close to me and hear her breathing quickly with me so close. I had lost myself in the sensation and had to snap out of it. Rachel and I weren’t close-we were barley friends. That’s why what she reached out for me I had stepped back, unsure what I would do or feel if she touched me. I saw the hurt in her eyes as she stepped back and walked away.

Again, seeing her walk away from me made me uneasy.

I didn’t know what was happening. I convinced myself that it was a mixture of my emotions from last night, and the fact that I hadn’t eaten or slept. I was still a bit upset, frustrated with Vicente, her and myself. I needed to take care of my needs and compose myself around Rachel. I didn’t know what I was doing but I couldn’t let it happen again.

We needed to get away. I needed to get out.

I called for my butler and he arrived in seconds.

“Yes my lord?” He said bowing.

“Please let the Sevilla family know I will be attending their dinner party tonight.”

“Right away. Will it only be you?”

I thought about it for a moment and shook my head. “No, the Thompson family and my father will be joining. Please let them know that we will be leaving at 5 o’clock sharp.”

“Yes my lord.” He said bowing and exiting.

The Sevilla family had grand dinner parties with music, dancing, great food and gossip. The best families would be there and it was always a fun night. I had originally declined the invitation a week ago, telling them I had to focus on my duties, but now it seemed like a great excuse to leave the house. I was beginning to feel suffocated and trapped and I didn’t know why.

Plus, today would also be a great night to help Rachel put into practice her flirting skills and her help me seek out a wife. That was after all, our agreement. We needed to stick to it and go our separate ways. No more distractions for either of us.

At 5 o’clock Oliver and I were waiting at the front door for Lady Thompson and Rachel.

“Women..” Oliver muttered as he looked at the grand clock on our wall. Him and I had been ready half an hour early.

“If my daughter heard you she’d rip your head off,” Father said laughing. He was walking down the stairs with Lady Thompson at his side. She looked beautiful in her dark blue dress and graying hair pinned back with pearl pins.

“You look beautiful Mother,” Oliver said as he grabbed her hand. She pinched his cheek and he laughed it off as he pulled away. Moments like these made my heart hurt- I wish I had Mother here. It didn’t matter how old I was, I yearned for her presence. Longed to have had more time with her.

“Where is Rachel? Do I need to drag her out of her room? I’m sure she’s tied herself to the tub so she doesn’t have to go.” Oliver grunted.

“Oliver! Don’t you say that about your sister!” Lady Thompson scolded him as she slapped his arm in a very playful manner.

“What?! You know I’m right! I’ll go get her. She can’t do this tonight.” Oliver claimed dramatically as he headed toward the stairs.

“I’d hate to prove you wrong brother, but well, here I am doing just that.” I heard her say.

I turned and saw her walking down the stairs with Mrs. Abarca’s help.

Time seemed to stop.

She was wearing a lavender dress with long satin gloves with purple bows on the ends. Her dark blonde hair was at the top of her head decorated with white flowers and a small diamond necklace clung to her neck. Her blue eyes looked at everyone but landed on mine at the end.

She looked absolutely breathtaking-I had never seen her like this before. She was.. glowing.

Her brother too seemed surprised and overjoyed. Her mother was grinning and I knew that it had been a long time since they had seen Rachel like this. As Oliver and her mother complimented her, Father leaned over to me.

“Shes quite beautiful isn’t she?” He asked.

I just nodded.

“Lucky is the man that has the opportunity to be by her side tonight.” He whispered. I heard a hint of encouragement in his voice but I only nodded again.

“Yes. I’m sure that both Oliver and I will make sure only the best of men approach her.” I responded.

Father didn’t say anything and I continued to look at Rachel. She truly did look stunning. I had planned to avoid her tonight- to find Rose or Diane and spend my evening and night with them. To only speak to Rachel when I had a question about a suitable woman she help her find a nice young man to socialize with-maybe even find Vicente after he apologized for his actions.

But all of that seemed to be harder to do now that I was looking at her.

And I loved and how radiant she looked when she smiled and felt beautiful.