Page 55 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘It would be with my brothers,’ Carmen said. ‘It was for a while—and they work together. The bodega was not a happy place.’

‘Bodega?’

Carmen quickly looked out of the window and he saw her blush, as if she wanted to cover up what she’d just said. ‘I think you call it a deli here,’ she said hurriedly.

‘Take a look,’ Elias said, because gorgeous Santa Monica was coming into glorious view, its pier stretched out to the horizon and people milling about.

‘Wow!’ Carmen groaned. ‘How have I never been here?’

‘Incredible, isn’t it? A bit wild...’

‘Wild?’ Carmen checked. ‘I love wild.’

And even though he could have dropped her off and carried on with his day, he parked. ‘I know a nice place where we can get brunch.’

‘No, thank you. I want a day to myself.’

She really was like no one he had ever met. ‘You’re very standoffish, Carmen.’

‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m just being honest. I have one day off a fortnight, and I don’t want to have to be on my best behaviour just because I am out with the boss.’

‘Since when did you behave?’

‘Look, I just want to wander...buy some souvenirs, explore the place. Laura’s told me about a few things to do...’

He knew Laura’s idea of fun! ‘You’re not going to see a psychic, are you?’

‘Maybe,’ she teased. ‘I just want to soak it all up.’

‘Carmen.’

He halted her, even though he was unsure quite what to say. As someone who knew the pain of loss, knew how vulnerable a person could be in the immediate aftermath of a bereavement, he knew he had to speak up. If she was grieving, she could be easy prey.

‘I can come with you...’

‘No way!’ She actually laughed. ‘We have sex once and now you want to come in to see a clairvoyant with me? Do you want the passcode to my cell phone too?’

She made him smile.

‘I’ll be fine,’ she told him.

He relaxed at that. He should leave her be, really. Carmen was right: what she did with her day off had nothing to do with him.

He looked out at the busy street and beyond to the vibrant pier. On the right day it was an incredible place, the best of the best. But on the wrong day...

Or was that just an excuse he was giving himself?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THEREWERELITTLEPOODLESin tutus, walking on their hind legs, street performers, people on stilts, lovers, colourful stalls and the stunning ocean as a backdrop...

There was nowhere to pause, though. Nowhere to gather her thoughts. It was all music and noise, and Carmen realised her emotions were in tumult.

She leant on the pier and looked at the ocean, but it was as choppy as she felt inside rather than calming.

She had wanted to say yes to Elias’s offer of brunch, but she also wanted some time to clear her head. She knew he felt bad about what had happened last night, only there was no need. Carmen had no regrets about what had taken place. She might have been a virgin, but she wasn’t a child.

It was her feelingsnowthat troubled her.

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