Page 29 of Secrets of the Six

I press a hand to my abdomen, my own stomach now doing somersaults at the retching sounds. Thank the Saints he didn't throw up inside. I might tolerate many things, but vomit isn't one.

"Can I buy you a drink?" A man's voice nabs me from secondhand nausea.

The barstool the drunk abandoned moments ago has been snagged by a man I not only recognize but should panic seeing in the city without Doña Otero present.

Don Rafael Canoso, one of the Soberano's councilmen, and the man in charge of the Night and Entertainment Districts. He's one of the eligible bachelors the Doña wants me to impress and somehow manage to weasel a proposal from. Knowing there's no way he won't recognize me later during the ball season, I have no choice but to slip into my role of Elena Lozano early and give her a bit of a naughty side. From his file, I'm sure Don Rafael isn't interested in a meek and quiet woman. He wants one who will challenge him, one who will be a prize on his arm but will surprise him when he least expects it.

He's certainly more handsome in person. His dark hair is faded on the sides with longer strands on top which fall to the right side of his face. He has a silver nose ring in his left nostril that signals despite him being a man of great wealth and power, he has a fun side – probably a dark side too. But it's his eyes that are so warm and inviting; makes me feel as if I've met him before, but I know that's not possible. I've crossed paths with the elite before, but not this one.

Aware I've been eyeing him head-to-toe far too long, I smile up at him and bob my head. "Sure."

"Your boyfriend won't mind?" I'm not sure if Rafael is prying to see if I'm engaged or if I'm out on the town solo, but as he swivels his knees toward me, closing the gap between us, I know without a doubt he's interested in me.

"Boyfriend?"

"I thought I saw you walk in with a man."

Rafael is much more observant than I anticipated he'd be. Clearly, he saw me follow Salvador inside. There's no denying it. Let's hope I can spin this in my favor.

"He's not my boyfriend, he's, my ..." Shit. Where was I going with this?

A wicked grin graces his handsome face, like a cat toying with a mouse. But it's his smile lines rippling across his cheeks that cause me to pause. Maybe I have seen him before while hiding in the shadows and watching couples dance during festivals over the years. He is the Master of the Night and Entertainment Districts after all. I hate that I can't place exactly when and where I've seen him before.

His interest thoroughly piqued; he tilts his head to the side. "Your…?"

I clear my throat and say the first thing that comes to mind. "My business associate."

"So, not your lover?"

"And if he was?" I ask, infusing a tinge of seduction in my voice.

Rafael leans closer. His chiseled jawline and tantalizing smile suck me in and hold me hostage. "I'd buy you a drink and see whose bed you wake up in tomorrow morning."

"Well, aren't you a smooth talker." My body is alight. Now I see why women are enraptured by this man. But two can play this game. I twist on my stool, so my shoulders are squared to his. Crossing one leg over the other allows the slit of my dress to reveal my upper thigh and just as I hope, his eyes dip down and heat when I put my boot along the footrest of his seat. "I'll take that drink now, Señor…?"

"Canoso," he says, his voice raspy. "Rafael Canoso." His line of sight lingers on my leg before he finally draws up to meet my gaze. I have him under my spell.

"Well," I smirk, "now you'll definitely need to buy me a drink, Don Rafael, since I know you can afford it."

"And does the purchase of that drink come with your name?" He smiles and my heart beats wildly inside my chest. This is where things could get risky, but I'll worry about that later.

"Elena."

Rafael takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. The softness of his lips makes me ponder what his mouth would feel like pressed against my own. "It's lovely to meet you, Elena."

With his free hand he waves for Shaw to approach and when he does, the bartender gives me a quick wink. Most likely proud I've taken his advice and flirted with the next man to sit beside me. "I'll have a whiskey on the rocks and my lady will have…"

I smile at Shaw and say, "The same."

Shaw quickly pours the drinks and slides the glasses to us, before scurrying off to help other thirsty customers.

"Your lady?" I pick up the glass and swirl the amber liquid around. "Awfully presumptuous of you."

He shrugs and clinks his glass against mine. "I'm used to getting what I want, Señorita."

"And what do you want?"

"Tonight?" He smirks against the rim of his cup when he brings it to his lips and the hair on my arms stand up. "You."