Unfortunately, she had gotten happy and giddy too fast. Killian had crossed half of the distance between them when a tall, dark-haired man stopped him and patted him on the back.
Penny cocked an eyebrow, curiously studying the new guy.“Well, well…”she thought,“I haven’t seen you before. Who are you, handsome?”
The stranger was so bulky that she was pretty sure he belonged in a gym, not at a fancy cocktail party. The expensive suit fit him amazingly, but she could tell he would’ve felt more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. Also, he was young. He and Killian were the youngest men in this room, and the only reason why Killian was attending the party was because he was Goldman’s heir. So, what was the dark-haired stranger doing here? He wasn’t a banker, nor a politician. He was too young to have had achieved the level of fortune and influence the old, crabby guys who were present had. Or, was he? Maybe she was too quick to judge?
When she realized all her questions were about to be answered because Killian was bringing the guy over, she inhaled and exhaled deeply and slowly a couple of times. Why was she suddenly feeling all tingly? Yes, the man was hot as hell, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t met other sexy guys before. She’d even dated a few.
“Penny, I’m so glad to see you!”
She giggled when Killian pulled her into a warm embrace and held her there for a second longer. She realized then just how much she’d missed him. He was tall and good-looking, but he’d never been her type. So, no, she had no intention of marrying him, as her parents were still hoping. But she would have enjoyed spending more time with him.
“I want you to meet Enzo Salvador,” he released her and turned to the man politely waiting at a distance. “Enzo, this is Penelope Walton, my father’s personal assistant and close family friend.”
“Encantado.”
Enzo’s fine manners took Penny’s breath away. He looked straight into her eyes, bowed slightly, and took her hand into his. When he kissed her knuckles, Penny felt her knees tremble and her stomach tense in anticipation. Anticipation of what? Electricity ran up her arm and almost made her jolt in surprise.
Killian laughed cheerfully. “Enzo is from Spain, but don’t let him fool you. His English is perfect.”
Penny smiled shyly. She couldn’t look away from those intense, green eyes.
“Encantada?”
“¿Hablas Español, cielo?”
“N-no…” She understood the question, but not the last word. “Cielo?”
Killian shook his head in amusement. “Please don’t mind him, Penny. He’s a charmer, and he says that to all girls.”
Enzo finally released her hand. He turned to Killian and punched him in the shoulder jokingly.
“Why are you never on my side?”
“Not this time, my friend. Penelope is very dear to me and my family. If my father finds out you’re flirting with her, the deal is off.” He laughed wholeheartedly as if to show he was, in fact, kidding.
“Deal? What deal?” Penny was confused. Aside from the fact that Enzo’s slightly accented voice made her whole body tingle, she’d never seen Killian being so close and chatty with someone who was not his brother, Zane. If he had managed to charm Killian, who’d never really had male best friends because he was too competitive for that, then Enzo was, indeed, a charmer.
“Enzo here owns a flourishing business in Central Spain, and we’re in talks of Goldman Corp making a serious investment.”
Penny took a deep breath and turned to Enzo. Why was it so hard to address him and look him in the eyes at the same time?
“What kind of business? I don’t want to pry… I’m just curious.”
He smiled and took a sip of his champagne.
“Have you ever been to Spain, Ms. Walton?”
“Please call me Penny. And no, I haven’t.”
“Well, Penny… Imagine acres and acres of harsh, arid, rocky land. That’s the La Mancha region, where I was born. Now, what do you think one can do with this unfriendly land that would also turn a good profit?”
“Err… I’m sorry.”
“Grow sheep.” He smiled widely. “But not just any kind of sheep. The best suited for the unbearably hot summers and the freezing cold winters we get in La Mancha are the Manchego sheep, and they give the most delicious cheese you’ve ever tasted.”
She blinked in surprise.“Richard Goldman wants to invest in Spanish sheep farms?”She made sure not to express her thoughts out loud. The last thing she wanted was to offend the gorgeous Latino lover who was currently undressing her with his gaze. Not that it was too much of an effort… Her burgundy dress already left little to the imagination.
“Fascinating,” she whispered.
