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A menagerie of scents stemming from onions, bell peppers, cilantro and culantro, which made up a batch of sofrito and recaito, whetted Amelia’s appetite. She and Nate had certainly worked up one before arriving tonight. Coming to his feet, Nate broke up the two-second-too-long hung from Ignacio and clasped his uncle on the back for a half hug.
“All right, all right,” said Nate. “Hands off my woman.”
Ignacio cut a look over at Amelia and winked. “I knew you were special the moment Nate said he wanted a table for two.”
Heart fluttering when Nate turned his gaze away for a brief moment, Amelia smiled. “For real?”
“I would not lie,” said Ignacio, crossing his heart with his index finger. “And I can honestly say I understand why he wants you all to himself. You are absolutely beautiful.”
Nate cleared his throat. “Need I remind you she’s my date?”
“Two handsome men fighting over me?” Amelia inhaled deeply.
Dear MET executives,
Sizzle with salsa on this small island town with the Torres family, where the men all have the same taste in beautiful women. I would like to schedule a pitch session to discuss Keeping it in the Family.
Sincerely,
Amelia
“Uh-oh.” Nate waved his hand in front of Amelia’s face. “Tío, we need to hurry up and get some food in her.”
Ignacio nodded and excused himself, backing away from the table with the promise of such fine cuisine that she’d go home with him instead of Nate. After Nate seated Amelia, she watched him sit back down, smoothing the front of his blue shirt. The white one he’d worn before lay tattered on the floor in their bedroom, courtesy of her. And she didn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt for doing so. Being able to make love to Nate wherever and whenever was liberating.
“Don’t think I didn’t catch the faraway look in your eyes,” Nate said; a twinkle sparked in his green eyes.
Amelia batted her lashes over the single candle between them. A soft trumpet solo played on the stage below. “What?”
“C’mon, tell me what the idea for a reality show was.”
“The only thing I am willing to share is that it was about family.” It was mostly the
truth.
Nate rested his elbows on the table. “You miss your old job, don’t you?”
Since telling him the little white lie about losing her job, Amelia never had found the right time to confess. Besides, anytime someone brought up her career, Nate found a way to change the subject. Just the other day he shut down any conversation Kimber wanted to have over the whole reality show topic.
“I worked really hard to get where I was, Nate,” Amelia answered with a thoughtful sigh. It was the truth.
Climbing the ladder had been her priority before she was placed on leave. Now, not so much. It had been what she wanted to share with Nate last night before walking in on her grandmother and Pastor Rivers’s lovemaking session. The thought caused her to cringe. Eyes closed tight, Amelia shook her head. When she opened them, Nate was sitting back in his chair with a brow raised. The corners of his full lips were turned upward in an amused grin. Wanton desire electrified her system. She had to look away. If she didn’t, she was sure she’d climb across the table and into his lap.
In order to keep her clothes from coming off so fast in front of these strangers, Amelia turned her attention to the patrons of the restaurant. Even though she’d resolved her feelings about Southwood, something on the dance floor caught her attention, or at least someone did. Amelia shook her head and blinked. Natalia Ruiz. The familiar figure was cuddled close to a large person and had turned her face into his chest. Perhaps Amelia was seeing things. Her desire for Nate meant more than her desire to break up the dancing lovers’ embrace just to satisfy her curiosity.
“Are you all right?”
Nate’s deep voice brought her out of her daze. “I’m fine.” She turned her attention back to her handsome date.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said.
“I’m glad I’m here, too,” Amelia said. “I can’t believe I have never been to Villa San Juan before. I can’t wait for you to show me around.”
“After dinner, we can take a walk down to the pier. Do you like history?”
“Love it.”
“Great, there’s an old bench we can hang out at and talk.”
