Page 56 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

She had been so sure she could separate her heart and her body, the way her brothers had for so many years.

And yet there was a reason she was twenty-six and, until last night, had been a virgin.

She’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted Elias.

It wasn’t just sex. It was the sound of his voice, his scent...how a light seemed to flare inside her whenever she saw him...how somehow she felt as if she shone like a star when she met his eyes...

‘Hey, pretty lady!’

A guy joined her as she leant on the pier, and Carmen straightened up and abruptly walked off.

She just wanted a moment of peace, but she was fast realising that wasn’t what you came to the pier for.

A woman jogging through the crowd almost collided with Carmen, and she felt an odd flutter akin to panic.

‘Slow down!’ another woman called out to the jogger’s departing back, and then she smiled at Carmen. ‘Why would you try to exercise here?’

‘No idea,’ Carmen admitted.

‘Is it your first time on the pier?’ she asked.

‘Is it that obvious?’ Carmen forced out a smile, but it faded as she glanced at the parted curtains behind the woman and saw a table with a crystal ball on it.

‘Come through,’ the lady said.

‘No, thanks.’

‘You’re worried that he’ll never propose...’

‘Really, no!’ Carmen laughed, and moved to walk away, but she still felt that flutter of panic.

‘I see a bull... Taurus?’

Carmen turned back.

‘Yes...’ Carmen admitted, a little stunned that this woman could know that, but then she gave herself a little shake. ‘I really have to go.’

‘I have someone who needs to speak to you.’

Perhaps it was preciselybecauseElias had warned her not to that Carmen nodded and went through. Or was it just for the fun of it? It wasn’t the type of thing she usually did, but she was in America to have new experiences, wasn’t she?

Carmen could feel her own sudden desperation, and an unbearable ache to hear from her father, so she paid and sat down, still telling herself it was just for fun, even though her hand was shaking...

‘I see a dark-haired gentleman...’

‘For sure,’ Carmen said, and pulled at a strand of her hair. ‘There are a lot in my family.’

‘Sassy!’ The woman smiled. ‘Now a lady is coming in. She tells me she watches over you,’ the clairvoyant said. ‘Your grandmother?’

‘I never met my grandmother.’ Carmen shook her head, knowing this was a stupid idea. And, worse, now she felt foolish, and knew she was being played.

That panicked feeling gripped her as she fought to stay in control.

‘She says that your mother worries about you...’

‘Well, now I know for sure that you’re making this up,’ Carmen said, and abruptly stood up.

To her horror, she started to cry. She stumbled out of the tent, blinded by the sudden bright sun and her tears.

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