Page 48 of Bad Rio

“More than all right.” Reaching up to straighten his bowtie, Becca took in every facet of his appearance, from his neatly brushed hair to his gleaming dress shoes. She decided it wouldn’t do any harm to tell him the truth. “You’re a gorgeous man, Rio.”

“Think so?” He grinned. “Does that mean I might get lucky later tonight?”

Becca shrugged, deliberately allowing her breasts to sway. The stretchy black sheath dress fit her every hill and valley down to her lower calves. The mermaid style covered the bandaged wound on her leg and plunged scandalously low in front. Her slim arms were bare. She wore no bra and when she moved, a tantalizing curve of side breast showed.

Instantly, Rio’s gaze dropped to her cleavage. “You’ve got a little exhibitionist in you. Don’t you?”

Her cheeks pinkened. “I don’t know.” She glanced away.

He pulled her close, ran his finger down her neckline and drew a pattern over the tops of her breasts. “It’s okay, Becca. I don’t mind.”

“Really?” She sought his gaze. “My other boyfriends didn’t like it. You know, if I wore something revealing. Or if ... if I wanted to flash someone. Just for fun, you know? They were threatened.”

“As long as all of this,” he cupped her breast, “is just for me, I’m not threatened.”

Becca caught her breath, and met his gaze. “I’m just for you.”

Rio placed his hands on her rear and pulled her close to kiss her thoroughly. Lifting his head, he gave her a wicked grin. “Promise to flash me every once in a while?”

She nodded.

He fingered the black dress. “If we don’t go right now, this scrap of fabric is coming off.”

Becca hesitated, tempted. After their visit to her family business, and Rio’s insistence on what he called a mini-tour, she appreciated his intellectual curiosity. It was a trait sorely lacking in her recent boyfriends. He’d expressed genuine interest in how things were done at the warehouse, and seemed to admire her efforts. He’d made her feel good about her drive, her attention to detail, her hard work. Heunderstood.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t afford to miss her father’s political event. Sighing, she picked up her bag and headed for the door. With even greater reluctance, Rio followed.

****

Their cab pulled smoothlyup to the gates of the grand San Antonio mansion. Since Becca’s car was still parked at her condo carport, and the rusty beater Rio had rented wouldn’t do, they used a car service.

The home’s Spanish Colonial architecture created a mood of charm and grace. White, with a barrel tile roof, the house featured carved stone columns wrapping around windows and porches. Soaring stone arches rose gracefully from the ground floor to a high second story. Mature Monterrey oak trees grouped around the curved driveway flanked by well-trimmed hedges. Every light in the house and gardens had been turned on and the compound blazed.

As their driver wheeled away, they approached a man guarding the gate. As part of her father’s security detail, Becca realized he was someone she knew.

“Can you get us by him?” Rio muttered into her ear.

“I think so.” She greeted the man. “Hi, Gill. How are you? How’s Emily?”

“Good evening, Miss De Monte. Emily is well.” He glanced over a clipboard and looked troubled. “I—I’m sorry, but you’re not on the list tonight.”

She squeezed Gill’s arm. “I know. I’m surprising my dad. He doesn’t know I’m coming. Don’t radio up to the house.”

Eying Rio with clear misgivings, Gill hesitated. “I don’t know, Miss De Monte. It’s against policy.”

Rio returned his gaze coolly.

Becca took Rio’s hand in hers, and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Come on, Gill. My date and I will only be here for a little while. I just want to surprise Daddy. He won’t be happy with you if you stop us. Now, don’t say a word and I won’t tell him about this.”

“I’m not sure...”

As though he hadn’t answered, Becca casually walked past him, still linking hands with Rio.

Gill looked confused.

When they were several yards past and he made no move to stop them, Rio whispered, “Nice work.”

At the soaring front door, they were greeted by two men dressed in black directing guests into the main salon. Expansive stone-cut travertine flooring led to stone wall plaster finishes and cathedral ceilings.

---