Page 60 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

Carmen knew it sounded dreadful, but she did not care what Elias thought—or perhaps she did, because she suddenly found herself trying to explain.

‘They were separated for twenty-five years! She only came back when she found out my father was dying.’

‘Do youwantto contest it?’

‘My brothers want to. It’s all tied up with the—’

‘Deli?’

‘Yes. The deli.’ She looked away as she said it.

‘What do you want to do?’

‘I want to believe her.’

‘I meant about the house.’

He was too logical for words, and Carmen just shrugged. ‘I came here to figure all that out. I thought I wanted a break from riding.’

‘Your mother?’ he asked. ‘Did she ever come and watch you ride, or...?’

Elias was trying to gauge just how little contact there had been between Carmen and her mother. It was none of his business, Elias kept telling himself, but with so many rules broken already, what was another one?

‘No,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘I wish she had. My father and my brothers tried to come for the important events, though.’

‘You’re close?’

‘Mainly with Alejandro. We talk most days...’

‘So I’ve seen.’

‘I certainly gavethema lot of trouble when I was growing up.’

She launched into what she clearly thought was a funny story.

‘One time I was told off by the riding instructor. He suggested, in front of everyone, that perhaps I neededun sostén. You know...a bra.’

‘Oh?’

‘I said, “I thought you were focusing on my riding position!” But really I was so embarrassed. I called Sebastián and I made him go out and buy me a bra!’ She gave a little laugh. ‘It was not the right one for an eleven-year-old. He didn’t know there was such a thing as a sports bra, or about different sizes...’

Elias didn’t laugh. He could barely stretch his lips into a smile.

‘I wanted her to be there...’ Carmen didn’t seem to know how to explain her own confusion. ‘And yet now sheis...’

‘You hadn’t seen her in all that time?’

‘No,’ Carmen said, and then swallowed.

He got the sense that that wasn’t quite true.

‘A couple of times...’

Her face was bright red. Elias could almost feel the heat from her blush.

‘I’d skipped school. Maths,’ she added, as if that explained everything. ‘I thought Papá was at work, but I could hear sounds coming from his bedroom. I was honestly pleased, because I wanted my father to meet someone, so he wouldn’t be so lonely, but thenshecame out of the bedroom, wearing his robe.’

‘Did she see you?’

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