Page 52 of His Innocent for One Spanish Night

‘Do you know what?’ she interrupted, and looked right at him. ‘I like you.’

It was the bravest she had ever been. Braver than flying to Jerez or walking into a flamenco studio. Braver than coming to his door to admit she’d been foolish. Just brave.

‘I have an awful lot of hang-ups, and sometimes I forget them when I’m with you. Maybe I like the fact that we can go nowhere. That I can talk openly to you.’

Even with her face on fire, even cringing with embarrassment, Emily could not think of anyone else she could have had this conversation with.

‘I don’t want it to be a big deal—except it is. I don’t want to be a virgin and have some guy telling me that if I’ve waited this long then I ought to be “very sure...” as if I don’t know my own mind.’

‘Hey...’ He winced at his own choice of words. ‘I just said that—’

‘Well, don’t say it again. Because I am sure. I want you—physically, at least. It doesn’t mean I’m going to fall in love with you. I know you’re not interested in long-term. I just want to make love with someone I want.’

‘Fine,’ Alejandro said. ‘I won’t warn you again. I’ve already told you I’m a bastard.’

‘I want to be like the storks,’ Emily said.

‘God, no.’ He shook his head. ‘I looked it up. They are monogamous for the life of their mate...’

‘I meant,’ Emily said, ‘I don’t want there to be anyone else for as long as we last.’

‘That’s my rule too.’

Finally some common ground.

‘And I have another rule,’ Alejandro said. ‘We have to be discreet.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I don’t want anyone finding out about us.’

Her eyes narrowed. She was not quite sure as to his reason.

‘Emily, I don’t bring my entire life to work.’

‘Youhavebroken things off with Mariana?’ she checked.

‘Yes. I’d just reminded her that we were over on the night we met,’ he told her, and then asked a question of his own. ‘If you know I’m that much of a player, what are you doing here?’

Emily gave a tight shrug.

She wasn’t feeling quite so bold now. She’d liked it better out in the vineyards, when it had just happened so easily. Now she felt a little as if she were in the doctor’s waiting room, and that at any moment she’d be called in.

God, she was so jumpy, but trying not to show it, Emily thought, as he came and took a seat on the sofa beside her.

‘Why didn’t you dance tonight?’ he asked. ‘Aside from...’

He didn’t want to say Fernando’s name, Emily realised.

‘How come you didn’t get up on the stage?’

‘Because I would have looked ridiculous.’

‘Why? You were looking forward tojaleo.’

‘Yes. When I thought it was going to be held in the studio.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m really not very good at dancing. Eva says I’m like a tree that won’t bend.’

‘Maybe this will help... I’ve got you a present.’

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