Page 19 of Midnight Surrender to the Spaniard

‘Emily, it’s your wedding. Please don’t worry about me. It’s going great, isn’t it?’

‘It is, but we’re about to head off. Although I think the party will go on for ages. Don’t forget—breakfast in the hotel with the family tomorrow.’

And then back to the real world.

Emily continued, ‘Oh, Anna, I’m so pleased you’re here.’

‘As if I’d miss your wedding!’

Anna felt a stab of guilt, because had her mother refused to look after Willow then she would have missed it. Of course she would never tell Emily that. Perhaps when she had her own baby she might understand the constant push and pull of motherhood—it would have been hell to miss Emily’s wedding, but Willow came first.

Willow wouldalwayscome first.

And, because of that, she hadn’t danced or been held in four years. Then she amended that thought. She hadn’teverdanced or been held the way Sebastián had danced with her and held her...

There was cheering and clapping as the happy couple headed out through the gorgeous cellar, waving to their guests and moving into the plaza, where they were sent off with more cheering and good wishes, and then the exuberant Spaniards turned back to party on in the bodega.

Returning to the party, even though it remained lively and noisy, Anna knew immediately that Sebastián had gone...

‘Would you like to dance?’ a young man invited, but Anna politely declined.

She didn’t want to dance with anyone else. She knew absolutely that it would never be as good as the dance she’d shared with Sebastián.

She walked out of the bodega in heels that now really hurt and tried not to notice again the stained-glass windows that reminded her of a church...

As if serving her a warning...

Anna sighed as she acknowledged it.

She would not be spending the night with Sebastián.

She stepped out into the square and walked past the stunning water fountain towards the hotel. The concierge gave her a nod, and the night porter greeted her and pulled back the heavy metal doors of the elevator that would take her up to her suite.

Tonight they reminded her of the bars of a prison.

And Sebastián had offered her one night of pure freedom...

‘Perdóneme,’she said, blushing as she turned away from the lift and walked across the reception area before turning to the left towards the arched wooden door.

It was unlocked, so she opened it, then stepped into what looked like a forbidden garden. It was another courtyard, with romantic Spanish music playing and soft lights twinkling.

And waiting to greet her as she entered was Sebastián.

He had removed his shirt and tie and she discovered she had been right: he didn’t wax or shave.

Goodness, he was stunning...

‘Now,’ he said, walking over to her and then dropping to his knees and removing her shoes, ‘we can dance as we want.’

CHAPTER FOUR

THERELIEFOFshedding her shoes was nothing compared to the relief of his naked skin on her cheek.

No, not relief...

She was shaking as his hand went to her underarm zipper and slid it down.

‘Did your friend warn you about me?’

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