Page 40 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘Wanda accompanies me to formal functions and such.’

Carmen pursed her lips.

Elias never usually explained himself, yet somehow he felt it necessary. ‘She knows that I don’t want to be tied to any other person.’

‘That sounds very definite.’

‘Because Iamvery definite.’ He made it a warning.

‘Why?’ Carmen turned to him. ‘Don’t you believe in romance or love?’

‘It’s not for me.’

‘Why?’

‘Isn’t that what three-year-olds do?’ He tried to deflect her. ‘Ask why? Why? Why?’

‘Oh, I was a lot younger than three when I started askingpor qué?’ Carmen told him. ‘And I’ve never stopped.’

He smiled at her persistence. ‘I’d just prefer not to get that close to anyone.’

‘Have you ever been?’

‘Not really...’ He pondered her question. ‘I was seeing someone when Joel died, though we broke up soon after.’

‘Por qué?’Carmen asked.

He gave a reluctant laugh. ‘When we were first going out I was living the LA life—I would came here at weekends, but it was more of a hobby. Then, after Joel died, I spent more and more time here... At the end of the day, I didn’t want to involve anyone else in how I was feeling. And I still don’t.’

It was another warning.

‘So, is Wanda a paid escort?’

‘Carmen!’

‘Excuse me!’ She gave him a small, apologetic smile. ‘My English is terrible sometimes. I know that I can come across as too direct.’

His eyes narrowed, and she saw a reluctant smile on his lips, even though he clearly knew she was lying. ‘Your English is excellent, Carmen.’

‘Thank you.’

‘And no, I don’t pay for company. I have to go to these events and Wanda likes to network, so it benefits us both.’

‘So, do you sleep together?’

‘I’m not discussing that.’

They sat in silence for a very long time.

It was Elias who spoke first. ‘Do you?’

‘Do I what?’

‘Believe in love and romance.’

Carmen gave a scoffing laugh. ‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I’ve given up on dating.’

She scuffed the sand with her heel and then, sitting up, pulled up her knees and rested her head on them, turning to look over at him.

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