Page 63 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘Maybe,’ Carmen said. ‘Or maybe I just needed space to make my own decisions...to know my own mind. My brothers are very decisive, but in this case the decision is mine. I don’t know why I’m fighting my mother. She’s been so much better lately.’

‘You said that growing up there were acoupleof times you saw her?’

She shook her head.

‘You can tell me.’

But he paused then, because he understood her dilemma. Wasn’t he torn in just the same way? He was keeping his own truths buried deep inside, and yet he was encouraging her to reveal hers to him.

He marvelled at how connected he felt to Carmen; at how he had felt that way since the first moment he saw her at the awards ceremony. Of all people, she was the one he could open up to, wasn’t she? The one who would understand?

I won’t tell her everything, Elias assured his brother in his head,but I need to talk to someone.

He said out loud to Carmen, ‘I know that smile.’

‘What smile?’

‘The one you said your mother gave you. When you saw her coming out of your father’s room.’

‘How?’

‘Seraphina. My brother’s widow. When she gets her way, or gets the reaction she wants...’ He shook his head.

‘You really don’t like her.’

‘I really don’t,’ he confirmed. ‘And she’s everywhere. If I push too hard for my mother to do the lodge she suggests I use Seraphina, because she has her own business now.’

Elias stared blankly at the clear blue sky and knew his face was dark with anger.

‘Now she’s married a friend of mine—someone from my old polo team. She’ll be at the final, and I swear to God...’ He swallowed, unable to continue.

‘Have you two ever...?’ She trailed off, unable to voice the final words and she sat up.

‘Nothing like that.’

The look on Carmen’s face told him she wasn’t sure she believed him.

‘You really can’t avoid her?’ she asked.

‘I try to,’ Elias said. ‘I’m just saying that I know that smile you described, and the damage a person like that can do.’

‘Yes.’ Carmen agreed. ‘Can’t you talk to your mother?’

‘I’ve tried. She’s not very good at talking about things. She puts on a front...’

‘We all put on a front,’ Carmen said. ‘I am very lucky to have my brothers, because they know what my mother can be like and we can talk about things. Well, argue about things.’

Elias smiled.

‘Talk to your mother,’ Carmen said. ‘Find out how she is feeling...’

‘Maybe. What was the other time you saw your mother?’ he asked again, changing the subject.

She lay back down and sighed. ‘I went to see her when I was a teenager. I wanted to know about make-up and clothes...maybe get closer to her, you know...?’

‘What happened?’

‘She said I was demanding and needy.’ Carmen let out a breath. ‘It’s true! I am!’ She half laughed. ‘If you did date, believe me, you wouldnotwant to date me.’

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