Page 10 of Seductive Desires

“Mr. Ramirez wants to buy this piece. Start on the invoice, okay? I’m going to run upstairs really quick.”

Oh, so you trust me now? How convenient for you. I tried not to scoff as I stormed back into the kitchen. The paperwork was in the cabinets, since the kitchen wasn’t used anyway. I pulled out a blank invoice, filling in the information as quickly as I could.

I felt him behind me before he said anything. He had a presence that filled whatever room he walked into.

“Mariana… What happened last night?”

I flinched. I was worried that's why he was here. Did he even want to buy the painting or was he just using it as an excuse to call me out.

“I… I don’t know what you mean…” That’s a lie, but I was stalling. Maybe if Carlos came back, he’d let it go.

“Really? Because one minute we are wrapped around each other, and the next you’re running faster than Usain Bolt to get away from me.” That almost made me smile so I leaned farther over the paperwork. I couldn’t look at him.

“I thought we were both into what was happening.”

“We were…”

“Then why did you run?”

My hand paused, hovering over the paper. I didn’t know what to say. I was embarrassed? You’re out of my league? I was ashamed at just how into it I was? None of it sounded right.

“I don’t know what you want me to say.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Please go away. I knew if I looked at him, I would fall back under his spell. I already felt the magnetic pull when he locked eyes with me before. I was drawn to him for some reason and it made me feel panicky.

“Mariana, look at me.”

Yeah, no. I’m good. He waited but when I didn’t turn, he grabbed my elbow, spinning me until I fell against him. Just like last night. Moments flashed across my memory and I gasped, heat burning my face. When I tried to push away, my hands slid over his chest momentarily and I jerked my eyes to his. His eyes searched mine before he clenched his fist into my hair and yanked my mouth to his.

All the passion from last night exploded through me, making me tremble in his arms. He walked us backwards until my back pressed against the wall. With the first rough stroke of his tongue against mine, the same wild woman from last night burst forward. I wrapped my arms around his neck, not hesitating to wrap my legs around him when he lifted me off the ground. He was rougher than last night, almost feral, like he was trying to imprint the feeling of him against my skin.

I was so lost in the kiss that I didn’t hear Carlos come downstairs until he was standing a few feet away from us, a startled shriek bursting from his lips. I immediately dropped my legs, pushing Mateo away slightly. He only stepped back a foot, barely giving me enough room to breathe as I worked to right myself.

Carlos stood frozen, his mouth gaping like a fish. He was holding brown packing paper in his hands. Mateo straightened his tie as he cleared his throat. “I can’t take it with me today, I have a meeting across town. Do you deliver?”

Carlos blinked a few times. He didn’t look like he would say anything soon so I stepped in, my cheeks burning. “Yes, we can do that. If you put in the address on the form, we will bring it to you at your earliest convenience.” I stepped around him, trying to find the spot on the form he needed to write his address. He stepped up behind me, sliding his hand across my back to my hip as he leaned to fill it out. A shiver ran up my spine and I stepped away, my eyes darting to Carlos who still stood frozen.

“Carlos!” I ground out, snapping him back to attention. He shook his head before nodding, which was weird.

“Yes, absolutely, I’ll deliver it personally.”

“No, thank you. I would like Mariana to deliver it.”

I whipped my head around, taking him in. He had a mischievous grin spread across his face as he looked at me.

“I don’t do deliveries, Mr. Ramirez. Carlos likes to do them himself.”

The bastard ignored me, finishing his part of the paperwork before turning his full attention to Carlos instead. “I’ll pay extra to have her deliver it.” He scribbled what I assumed was his signature on the paperwork and handed it to Carlos. Carlos glanced down at it, his jaw dropping. What the hell?

“Absolutely, Mr. Ramirez. Consider it done.”

I glared at Carlos but he jerked his hand in front of his throat, telling me to cut it out. I’d argue with him about it later. He already made me do something I wasn’t comfortable with this week. He was asking too much.

Mateo nodded. “Perfecto. I am afraid I have to go now. I look forward to seeing you, Mariana.” His grin was downright devilish and excitement ripped through my system even as I frowned at him. If he thought I was going to his place to have sex, he had another thing coming. I crossed my arms over my chest, scowling as he left with a small wave. Carlos and I both watched him climb into an obnoxious sports car, disappearing down the street at what I was sure was much faster than the speed limit.

ChapterSix

“Okay, spill.”

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