Obviously, he knew what was going on, you ditz.
“Sure. Of course,” I tell Javier, realizing my thoughts have gotten away from me and I need to wrap this up. If the ache between my thighs wasn’t the clue that it’s time to go back to the hotel, then Javier’s heavy stare should be. I let him guide me to a bench a little further down the road, and when we sit he turns toward me to speak.
“Why did you feel it would be appropriate to bring him tonight, Raina?” he asks through a bared smile, and it’s then I realize he’s facing everyone, so presumably they’re watching the exchange.
“It’s odd for you to think I wouldn’t bring my fiancé.”
“I showed kindness by purchasing his ticket to fly here.”
“After you demanded I come!” I practically yell, and as I do, Javier hisses through his teeth. Lowering my voice, I continue. “I told youno, and you still purchased the tickets. You’re lucky I have compassion and hate to let a trip go to waste.”
“You are my wife, Raina. What was I supposed to do? I need you by my side as I bury my father.”
“And infour months? When you need me by your side to claim your title? Which, by the way, is a very archaic practice. I looked into it, you know. It’s not exactly the most common thing to do these days. Practically nonexistent, and not evenlegallyrecognized.”
“I know,” Javier agrees, which I’m surprised about—I didn’t expect him to actually be honest since I’ve sensed he’s been overexaggerating his situation since the moment he showed up on my doorstep. “It is an old family tradition—a town tradition, more so—that I must uphold. Madrid andRibera del Duero are two very different regions, as you will see. Where I am from, it’s more…how you say…old school. I promise it will make more sense when you see it tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Of course. I did not fly you here simply for one evening’s dinner. Tomorrow you are to drive to the countryside of Ribera del Duero and allow the Moreno family to give you a taste of the life you are missing. The life I could give you, if you let me.”
“I’mengaged, Javier. And the life you could give me if I let you? You said it yourself—I’m only here as a pawn. You don’t want to get married, so don’t try to pull on my heartstrings by making me think I’m your one and only shot at a happily ever after.”
He laughs, and something about the way he’s looking at me raises my hackles. “For you, Raina, a man could change. And you have told me you’re engaged to that man you brought along, but I have yet to see any proof.”
“Really? You need proof?” My fingers find the long chain around my neck, and I pull the engagement ring from where it hangs between my breasts. “I can’t exactly wear it in front of your family, now can I?”
“Speaking of,” Javier retorts, opening one side of his coat and burying his hand inside the concealed pocket. In one fluid movement, he produces a faded burgundy leather box and opens it, revealing a lovely antique marquise diamond on a gold band. “An heirloom. My great-great-grandmother’s ring. If you would be so kind as to wear this for the remainder of your trip, I willcollect it from you before you leave and keep it safe until you return again.”
My fingers hover against my lips as my eyes dart from the ring to the man holding it. “I can’t wear this, Javier.”
“Oh, but you must. It has been saved for my wife, and it has been killing my mother to know it has sat in our family’s security deposit box throughout our first year of marriage,darling.” He says the word darling with a hint of venom, and this time when I look into his eyes, I see an edge reflected I haven’t seen before. His gaze darts to the ring Luciano gave me, still in my hand, before connecting with mine again, and suddenly, it hits me.
He feels threatened by Luciano.
I threw a wrench in the perfect plan he concocted in his head, and that doesn’t sit well with him. He knows Luciano could blow it up in an instant and he’d have a lot of explaining to do to his family.
Still, I believe what he told me is true. Javier just wants to put on this show in front of them so he can continue to live his bachelor lifestyle without the pressure of his family bearing down on him.
And he needs me to help him do that, I guess.
Securing my fake engagement ring back between my breasts, I hold my left hand out in front of Javier. It trembles as he slides his family’s ring on my finger, and once it reaches the base, he whispers, “Gracias.”
Nodding once, I stand from the bench and pull him into a hug, not only for show, but because I feel like he could use one.
“What is the plan for tomorrow?” I ask, wanting to be prepared.
“We memorialize my father. Tomorrow, we celebrate him, and on Sunday, we bury him. Please be out at the finca no later than eleven. It will take time to get there, so have yourfiancéplan accordingly.” Taking my hand, he laces our fingers together and we walk back to where his family and Luciano are waiting.
Luciano’s eyes darken as he looks at where we’re connected. Every fiber of my being screams for me to drop Javier’s hand, but his family is watching, and I know how crucial it is for me to lean into the attentive wife charade.
Battling against the bile in my throat, I lean into Javier and rest my head on his chest in an affectionate embrace. Toying with the button on his shirt, I look at his mother and smile. “Thank you so much for a beautiful evening and for welcoming me and my brother into your family.”
“You’re welcome, my dear. We’re just so happy we were finally able to meet the woman who’s captured our Javi’s heart.” She steps forward and outstretches her hand, which I take and move toward her. She pulls me close in a tight hug and whispers, “You’re everything I ever hoped for in a daughter-in-law. Take care of mi hijo.”
“I will,” I whisper back, letting my eyes fall shut. I feel horrible that I’m deceiving this nice woman—this entire family. And for what? A man I had a one-night stand with.
My eyes get misty with guilt.
