AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Adrian rolled his eyes and turned his attention from the ballroom to Alejandro. His younger brother walked down the length of the carpeted balcony, his broad shoulders barely contained within the tailored sleeves of his tuxedo. While both of them sported the dark hair and chiseled features of the Cabrera family line, Alejandro’s stockier build had led many a tailor to curse when designing his suits.
But his rugged appearance served him well as head of Cabrera Shipping. Alejandro never shied away from hopping on one of the freighters that crossed the Atlantic and working alongside the deckhands as they braved rough seas to deliver cargo around the globe.
“I’m not hiding. Just taking a break from the crowds,” Adrian retorted as he turned his back on the party and moved toward the window. He drew the curtain aside to gaze out into the night.
Alejandro joined him. “I saw Jackie Harold rush downstairs. You’re supposed to seduce the women, not frighten them off.”
Adrian ignored his brother’s jibe and swirled the remaining wine in his glass. “The Cabrera Merlot is a success.”
The teasing smile disappeared from Alejandro’s face as he clapped Adrian on the back. “It is. Congratulations, brother.”
For a moment they stood side by side, surveying the impressive layout of New York. While Adrian’s heart would always rest in Spain, his jaunts to America provided a brief respite from his chaotic life in his home country.
Cabrera Wine had grown from a small operation just outside of Granada into a respected international brand under Adrian’s guidance. The resulting success came with a price—specifically the demand of time. Between meetings with the heads of marketing, business and accounting and trips to the various vineyards and wineries scattered across Europe, his schedule left little time for pleasure.
He shrugged off his musings. The success of Cabrera Wine would always take precedence. He’d made that choice eleven years ago and hadn’t looked back since.
“How’s Antonio?”
Alejandro chuckled. “Baby brother is celebrating the success of his most recent launch with a model in the Caribbean.”
Despite Antonio’s wild youth, the youngest Cabrera brother had surprised everyone by assuming control of a small real estate firm attached to the family’s name. Antonio’s opening of a luxury hotel in the French Riviera marked his third consecutive success since he had taken over three years ago.
Pride swelled in Adrian’s chest. Nothing could diminish the success he and his brothers had achieved.
“Madre is worried, of course, but she still acts like he’s five, not almost thirty years old.”
The mention of their mother momentarily overrode Adrian’s pleasure and crushed it under the old, familiar sense of anger. He squelched it and focused his attention back on the crowd beneath them, where energy and laughter pulsed through the ballroom.
He’d achieved this on his own. Other than the occasional visit, hismadrehad no place in his life.
“Antonio can take care of himself,” he said.
Alejandro picked up on the thread of warning in Adrian’s voice and swiftly changed the subject. “Are you coming back down?”
“I am. Although first I’m going to enjoy the rest of my drink. Alone.”
Alejandro held up his hands. “I’m going. While you savor your solitude, I’ll see if I can track down a suitable companion for you to celebrate with,” he threw over his shoulder.
Adrian ignored the jape. Yes, his brother was right. He hadn’t been tempted by anyone since the day he and his last lover had amicably parted ways. The release of the Merlot had consumed his every waking hour, even his dreams. He’d had no time for sex. And, with the aging of the Tempranillo almost complete, the next year would demand even more of his time.
But, while he preferred relationships with agreed upon terms, perhaps one night of passion was just what he needed.
Not with a woman like Jackie, he added mentally.A woman who was intelligent, savvy and sophisticated.
“Mr. Cabrera?”
The husky feminine voice slid over his senses and sent a flash of heat over his skin. He took another deliberate sip of his wine before turning his attention to the second woman who had invaded his space this evening.
Her.
The blonde woman he’d locked eyes with before Alejandro’s arrival now stood before him. The neckline of her dark blue gown plunged down in a V to the silver ribbon wrapped around her slender waist. From there the dress flowed into a long, billowing skirt that reminded Adrian of the waters of the Mediterranean before a storm.
His eyes drifted back up to her face in a slow, deliberate perusal. Lush silver-blonde curls enhanced her delicate features. Violet eyes stared back at him, and her caramel-colored lips were set in a firm line.
“Yes,” he finally responded, his voice cool, showing that, despite the unusually intense effect she was having on him, he was still in control.
She stepped forward and held out her hand, bare except for a simple silver band on her wrist. Adrian grasped her fingers, pleasantly surprised by her firm grip.
