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“She’s your love?” Aunt Rosa said in Spanish with a false cheer. Miguel knew she didn’t like him. “That’s good. I guess you will be going soon.”
She couldn’t be more obvious, but he didn’t allow her dislike to get to him. He’d dealt with it many times and had developed a thick skin. “She’s a friend, Aunt Rosa.”
One side of her lips curled in distaste, and she rubbed her arms. “The day is chilly. I will go to the house.” She raised her voice. “Jasmeka, you will look after the children.”
Both Antonio and Angel reddened. “We’re not children, Aunt Rosa.”
They spoke in unison, which Miguel had heard many times before. He had to agree with them that they weren’t kids, and watching them he’d learned that both were excellent swimmers. They would be fine.
Aunt Rosa gave the boys a lecture and then demanded the maid, who had assisted Jasmeka with the picnic baskets, see her home. Thiago released Miguel and wobbled over to a tree to slide down to the ground. He raised his flask to his lips and drank long and heavily. Soon his eyelids drooped.
Miguel turned toward the boys. Each had taken hold of one of Carmen’s hands, and they pulled her toward a three-person kayak. Carmen called out to him again, but he pretended not to hear. He still wasn’t sure what he should do about her. Yet, he didn’t want to let go of Jasmeka. If someone would have told him a few months ago, he would find himself in such a dilemma, he would have called them a liar. Shame washed over him, because he was seeing in himself what his father had struggled with all of Miguel’s life.
No, this isn’t the same. He wanted to believe he was different. He had no intention of leading either woman on while keeping the other in reserve.
As Carmen and his brothers disappeared around the turn of the lake, Miguel glanced over at Jasmeka. She was on her knees, setting out the food on a low wooden table that looked like a quality-made picnic table with its legs chopped low. Very convenient f
or an intimate family gathering.
He strolled over to her and dropped onto the blanket. Sitting back and bracing himself on his elbows, he watched her. Desire gripped him. He wanted to touch her, to draw her into his arms and kiss her. The scent of strawberries and cream teased his nose. Was it a dessert she had made, or was it her? He wanted to grasp her hand and kiss her fingers, but something told him she wouldn’t like that. Not when he hadn’t decided what he wanted.
“We can bring the grill down,” she said, distracting him from fantasying about her, “or we can stick with the sandwiches I made. Trust me when I tell you they’re so good you’ll eat until your stomach pops.”
He chuckled low in his throat. “I don’t want my stomach to pop.”
She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes playfully. Had she forgiven him? He took a chance.
“How about you come sit on my lap?”
She tossed a grape between her lips and chewed a few seconds before responding. “Will Carmen sit on it before or after me?”
Okay, she hasn’t forgiven me.
“Jas—”
She stood. “The food’s all ready to serve. I’m going for a swim.”
He was going to stop her, but she removed the wrap. Her rear came into view and those lusciously thick thighs. She wore a suit that looked like a bikini in the back and a one piece in the front. Her sides and back were bare, but her belly was covered. The suit gave him all kinds of ideas of taking it off her and he sat forward quickly before she could notice what she did to him.
“What are you looking at?” Her voice carried an annoyed quality to it, but she couldn’t hide the pleasure at his stare. “Carmen was practically naked.”
His chest constricted. She was jealous, and he was sorry he made her feel that way. “You’re so beautiful, I can’t help myself. Let me look if you won’t let me touch you.”
She scooted away from him and headed across the pier. He watched her hips sway, luring him to join her. In one fluid motion she jumped into the water and swam with easy grace. He wasn’t ready to stay in Texas because he loved his job. His life in New York satisfied him, but here was a new satisfaction, and its name was Jasmeka. She wouldn’t get away from him yet, even if he had to seduce her into his arms.
He dove into the water and swam toward her. Just before he could grab her, she turned and spotted him. A squeak of alarm escaped her, and she took off in the opposite direction.
“Stop, Miguel.”
He grinned and kicked hard. In a few strokes he caught her ankle and pulled. She sputtered and went under. He swam over top her and wrapped an arm about her middle, drawing her up to him. At the same time, he stopped swimming and brought them both upright. Tightening his grip, he spooned her and nuzzled the side of her neck.
“You’re not getting away from me.”
She shivered in his hold. “I have a choice in the matter.”
“Don’t fight me.” To demonstrate his knowledge of both her desire and her body, he licked the soft spot behind her ear. She was still sweet even with the slight taste of the water on her skin.
“Miguel!” She wiggled in his hold. He moaned in satisfaction. She stilled and then started fighting again. The second time he noticed she wasn’t trying very hard to get away. To him that was a clear invitation. He twisted her in his arms and covered that amazing mouth. Hungrily, he claimed her lips and cupped the back of her head to hold her close. She punched his arm with the side of a fist and then curled against him, grabbing both his arms to draw him to her.
