Page 74 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

It opened without her knocking.

‘Hey,’ Elias said, and she smiled, because that was how he made her feel. He wore dark trousers and a pale linen shirt and he smelt divine—as if two seconds ago he had splashed on cologne. She kissed him on the cheek, because she knew she’d drop her gifts if she met his mouth.

‘For you,’ Carmen said. ‘I don’t think men get given enough flowers.’

‘True,’ Elias said, and looked at the bunch of red roses and carnations. ‘Isn’t it a bit early for roses?’

‘Not for a first date in Spain,’ she told him. ‘And we love our carnations.’

‘Well, thank you. I don’t know where the vases are kept...’

‘Something smells nice.’

‘I told you,’ he said. ‘I’ve made paella. Come through.’

‘In a moment.’

She stood there, taking it all in for a moment. Carmen had assumed, from the vantage point of the attic, that the ranch building was a couple of storeys high, yet it was actually all on one level, with soaring ceilings, almost cathedral-like, held up by wooden beams.

Carmen was used to luxury, but this was more than indulgence or hedonism. This was both magnificentanda home.

Yes, a home.

The distinguished bodega in the heart of the exquisitely private Jerez hacienda she had grown up in was luxurious to the extreme and, despite refurbishments and modernisations, the essence of its glorious past was enshrined in the fabric of the building.

But this...this was absolutely a home, and not even close to what Carmen had expected.

‘Un reloj de pie...’she said, gazing up at a grandfather clock that told her it was five minutes after seven.

He led her through to the living area.

And, oh,howhe lived in it.

The magnificent ocean view was its backdrop, but her eyes were drawn to all that made it his. For despite the huge area there were beautifully defined spaces, and the solid redwood floors were softened with silk rugs. The lighting was subtle, yet she could make out a library, as well as a dining area, and her eyes were drawn to a central sunken lounge, with huge leather sofas and winged chairs.

How she’d love to curl up in that lounge, with its fireplaces so high she would have to stand on tiptoe to reach the carved mantelpieces.

And yet despite its grandeur and size, despite the art on the walls and the silk rugs scattered on the floor, it was his home.

‘Your home is beautiful,’ she said.

‘Thank you.’

She followed him into the lounge and looked at the central log fire. ‘It must be wonderful in winter.’

‘It is.’ He nodded. ‘You’ll be pleased to know I’ve finally persuaded my mother to oversee refurbishments at the lodge.’

‘How?’

‘I had a long conversation with her this week.’

‘Oh!’ She looked at him. ‘I did with mine too. We’re no longer arguing.’

‘Great,’ Elias said unenthusiastically. He took the stopper out of a decanter. ‘Do you want a drink?’ he asked, and splashed amber fluid into a heavy crystal glass.

Carmen nodded. ‘A sherry, please.’ And then she added without thinking, ‘Romero, if you have it.’

‘I’m not a sherry connoisseur,’ he said, and walked over to a bar that would not have been out of place in the restaurant at the bodega. ‘But I have this?’

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