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“I hope we find something today,” she said.
“We’ll give it a good shot.”
“I should get dressed. I’m anxious to see how our little family is doing.”
She meant the cats. Juan Carlos had almost forgotten about them. “Right. Let’s go check on them together.”
She rose from the bed and turned away. As she fitted her arms through the sleeves of his shirt, he glimpsed her lush blond hair falling down her back, the creamy texture of her skin, her rounded backside and the coltlike legs that had wrapped around him last night.
He sighed, enjoying the view and ignoring his body’s immediate reaction to her. He threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Hand in hand, they strolled out of the bedroom and into the living area.
“Shhh,” she said, spying the cat nursing her kittens outside the cage on a loop rug in front of the fireplace. “We don’t want to startle her.”
Duchess was resting with her head down, her eyes closed, allowing her five offspring to take their morning meal. Juan Carlos was moved by the sweet look on Portia’s face as she silently watched mama and babies. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and drew her closer, kissing the top of her head. How could he ever let this woman go? The answer was simple: he couldn’t. It wouldn’t be easy but he would convince her to stay. And marry him.
* * *
“Do you think Duchess will eat eggs?” she asked Juan Carlos as she scrambled four eggs in a cast-iron skillet. Morning sunshine brightened the kitchen, filling it with warmth. Bacon sizzled on the griddle and toast was cooking under the broiler. “I’ll put a little cheese on them.”
“You can try,” he said, pouring two mugs of coffee. “She’ll eat when she gets hungry enough. I’ll send Eduardo out this morning for cat food.”
She’d managed to get fresh water over to the cat without her running for cover. Duchess was still wary, but the kittens slowed her down or else she probably would’ve bolted when Portia set the bowl down. In time, Duchess would come to trust her. Sadly, she wouldn’t be around long enough to see it.
She had work waiting for her in Los Angeles.
It was for the best that she leave Alma. She couldn’t fall in love with Juan Carlos. He didn’t fit into her plans for a quiet, unassuming life. Yet spending time with him had been magnificent.
He came up behind her, kissed the side of her throat and ran a hand up her thigh. She tensed in all the good places. He’d asked her not to dress yet, and now she knew why. She was only wearing his shirt, which gave him easy access to her body. Not that she minded. Heavens, no. She loved him touching her. “I’ll be right back,” he said. “Coffee’s ready and on the table.”
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Don’t be so nosy. I’ll be back before you know it.”
She smiled and turned, and his arms automatically wound around her. “See that you are. Breakfast is almost ready.”
“Bossy, Princess,” he said, staring at her mouth.
Her heart skipped a beat and a moment passed between them before he kissed the tip of her nose.
She shrugged a shoulder. “Kings.”
He laughed and exited the back door.
Juan Carlos may have originally been a reluctant king, but there was no doubt in her mind that he was good for Alma and that he would put the country’s welfare above all else. As it should be. Alma had been through tough times under a ruthless dictatorship. The country needed a strong man.
So do you.
No, she couldn’t go there. The map was already drawn up for both of them, and after this little interlude, their paths wouldn’t cross again.
After she set the table, Juan Carlos returned holding a bouquet of tall azure flowers. “For you,” he said, handing her all but one stem. “Scilla hispanica.”
“They’re beautiful.” She lifted them to her nose. “Are these from the garden?”
He nodded. “Spanish bluebells. They’re almost a perfect match to your eyes, sweetheart.” He pinched off the end of the one he still held and fitted it behind her right ear. “There. Now you’re perfect.”
“Hardly,” she said.
“I think so.”
“You think I’m bossy.”
“Dressed like that, cooking my breakfast and wearing flowers in your hair? I can deal with a little bossiness.”
She shook her head. “You’re wicked.” And so very thoughtful.
“So I’m told.”
