Either way, she had to get out of there.
She dashed back down the hallway.
Romeo clutched a drink in his hand. “You okay?”
“No, I’m not. This is a mistake. I need to go.”
His face twisted with confusion. “What happened? I... We were having a good time.”
“We were. I... I just have to go home. Now.”
“Are you sure? We can just talk.”
“No. I want to leave.”
Romeo exhaled loudly and ran his hand through his hair. “Fine. I’ll drive you.”
“Nope. I’m good.” If Romeo drove her home, she’d lose all control of her mind, give in to her hormones, which did not care if he was a Montez, and end up doing him in the back seat. Well, his McLaren didn’t have a back seat, but that was beside the point. “I’m calling an Uber.”
He shook his head as she reached into her purse and ordered a ride.
Breathe, Julieta, breathe.He had been a gentleman. The least she could do was be civil. “It was nice to meet you, Romeo. You have a beautiful voice.” She paused and threw in a small jab. “You’re really talented. Maybe you should’ve pursued music instead of business.”
And with that, she opened the front door of his home and left. She checked her phone and confirmed her ride was on the way.
The salty ocean air blew through her hair. She would’ve liked to have spent a night out here in paradise, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Julieta’s fists clenched. At least she hadn’t slept with the enemy.
As she waited, she savored the taste of the beach on her lips. A soft, lilting melody rang through the air—her favorite song, which he’d played earlier.
She looked up at the balcony. He sat on a chaise, holding the drink he had prepared, staring right at her.
Man, he was hot. And better yet, he had been kind.
Her ride pulled up and she hopped in.
She didn’t belong in his beachfront mansion. And just like a rejected bachelorette, she headed home. Back to the barrio, where she belonged.
Chapter Seven
Ramón sat on the balcony of his condo and watched Juliet get into a car.
What had just happened? The night had been going great. She’d been totally into him until she’d gone to the bathroom. He’d thought for sure she would spend the night with him. What could have set her off?
He downed the drink he made for her in one shot and went back inside his house.
Women, man. He would never figure them out.
Ever.
Confusion coiled inside of him. Had he come on too strong? No, dammit. She had been the one to ask to go back to his place. Ramón hadn’t even tried to take her home with him at that point. He had intended to buy her a drink, then hopefully win her over.
He threw his hands up in the air. It was probably for the best that she went home. The last thing he needed was an all-night-long sex fest to distract him from his mission—owning the property in Barrio Logan.
Even if that distraction was in the shape of a very charming chica.
It wasn’t meant to be. He would celebrate tomorrow instead. But it would unfortunately be without Juliet.
