“Coming along. We’re headed there next week. Call it a little pre honeymoon.” I shifted my gaze toward Navarro and his response was to offer a stern look.
“So when is the wedding?” Genevieve asked, winking as she did. “We need to start planning.”
“Hold on,” I said. “Not so fast.”
When I yawned on purpose, Navarro offered his husky, purposeful growl.
“She refuses to set a date,” he told them.
“Just keeping my options open. There are so many handsome men in Spain.”
“I won’t hesitate to lock you in the house,” he told me.
Everyone laughed and I noticed the caterer had finally returned with my special request. About damn time. Just then, Kruz and Christine moved through the crowd, Christine breaking away and rushing toward me.
Her squeal was just one of the many things I adored about her. She was bubbly and every time Kruz was around her, he lit up like a Christmas tree.
“We have our eye on several pieces,” Christine said. “For the office.”
“Absolutely,” Genevieve added.
“When are you coming back to work?” Jago asked Navarro, his grin indicating he knew the answer.
“I’m perfectly happy in retirement. Besides,” Navarro mused, “I need to keep this one in line.”
“Never going to happen,” I told him in a singsong voice.
As the group chatted, I took the opportunity to reflect as I noticed the happy faces on customers or those just here to appreciate art. Or perhaps to be a part of what one Barcelona newspaper had called the event of the season.
I meandered away from the group, shaking a few hands and answering several questions of curious customers. All the while, I sensed Navarro watching. Every time I caught his gaze, heat shifted across my jaw.
There was so much chemistry between us, a connection that had grown even stronger over the last few months. Were we still a bit like oil and water? Of course, but that added to the spice and excitement.
As I headed for the small kitchenette, I felt him right behind me. Before I had a chance to head inside to check on my special treat, he pulled me back against him into the shadows.
“You keep trying to run away from me. You should know better.”
His voice was like smooth velvet sliding across my naked skin. Tingles erupted everywhere, tiny prickles dancing across my skin.
“What will you do if I escape your handsome clutches?”
He nuzzled against my neck, his whisper dark and dominating. “I don’t think I need to answer you.”
“Mmm… No, you don’t. I might need to escape just to see what you’ll do.” I pulled his arms around me, intertwining our fingers. “Thank you for this and everything.”
“I should be the one to thank you.”
“Why?”
“Because you gave me a reason to live.”
I melted into the man, holding the seconds of together time as long as possible.
“Have you spoken to your father?” he asked.
“This morning. He’s going to try and drop by later.”
“Working with Rafael on making fake diamonds?”