Page 10 of Conflicted Desires

I looked him over. Wavy brown hair, sharp nose, cleanly shaven, and wearing a grey suit that was a touch too tight. He was kinda good-looking and had a friendly smile, but I was in no way attracted to this man.He had nothing on Luca or Nico.

Come on Catalina. Give it a chance. It's not what he looks like, but what's on the inside that counts.

Maybe he had a sweet soul and we had things in common that attracted me to this man.I had to give my boyfriend a chance.

"I'm sorry. Please don't take offense. I don't remember anyone."

He just nodded and silently put the car into gear, driving slowly out of the driveway. He appeared sad, and I felt sorry that I was the cause of it.

This was so awkward.

I cleared my throat. "So, uh, how long have we been together?"

"Only six months. Six months before you disappeared that is."

"And how did we meet?"

"Through your father. I was his lawyer and handled his affairs. We met at one of his financial meetings."

So, a short-term boyfriend, who is smart, knows the family business, and knew my father. Promising.

He glanced over at me. "Do you remember anything about your father's businesses and his work?"

I shook my head, "No. Nothing."

"Well, I'm sure it will come back to you in due time.” He grinned. “Meeting you was definitely the highlight of my job."

I smiled wanly, wishing I could remember. "What is it that you like about me?"

He glanced at me curiously. "Why do I feel like I'm being tested?"

"You're not. I just-, I'm just trying to figure out who I am."

He shrugged. "That's easy. You are Catalina. The most beautiful, kindest, and most intelligent woman I know. You're a businesswoman, a leader in your field. You’re modest about it of course. But on top of all that, you're a bit of a bad ass."

"Really?" This was news to me. "How so?"

"I don't know any female that would ride a motorbike at midnight with a shotgun to protect the vineyard from vermin."

"I did that?"

"Yep. Right in the middle of a party you were holding."

"Wait…. I ride motorbikes?"

"Sure do. Your father taught you when you were young. You both went riding together at least three times a year."

I sat back in my seat, pondering what he'd said. Flashes of the open road playing in my mind. An older man, riding beside me.

I shook my head of the thoughts. The small snippets of my life that were coming back, although welcoming, only confused me further.

We pulled up to a lavish restaurant and I let Brad take my hand and lead me inside. We were seated at one of the best tables in the establishment, and from here had a beautiful view overlooking the ocean.

The food was divine, and as I got to know Brad better, he grew on me. He seemed like a funny and genuine guy, and what he lacked in physical charisma, he made up for with his kind and humorous personality.

But when I looked up to see the sexy blonde, leaning idly against the bar with his dazzling smile, I swear my heart skipped a beat.

Nico!

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