“Time to go,” Gabriel said behind her.
Straightening her tight dress over her hips, she walked out of the bedroom and closed the door. She glared at him, then glanced behind her. “I hate to leave him.”
“Your son will be fine. Maria will be looking after him. And anyway—” he lifted a dark eyebrow “—this one night’s work will allow you to give him a comfortable life.”
She took a deep breath. “You’re right. A million dollars is worth it.” She lifted her chin. “It’s even worth spending a night with you.”
His lips curved into a sensual smile. “The whole night.”
“Not going to happen.”
“We’ll see.” He turned without touching her, and after bidding farewell to Maria, they took the elevator downstairs. Carlos had the Ferrari waiting in the alley behind the building, engine running.
“Obrigado,” Gabriel said to him in passing, then held open the door for Laura. “If you please.”
She tottered into the low-slung Ferrari, feeling squeezed like a sausage by the tight black dress and half expecting to bust a seam. Gabriel climbed in beside her and the red sports car roared away from the curb.
As he drove through the crowded streets, Laura stared out in amazement through the window. Rio de Janeiro always lost its mind and found its wildest heart during Carnaval, and this year that was more true than ever. Music wafted through the air, horns and drums to accompany people singing. Impromptu parades marched through the streets, and even those not on carnival floats from the prestigious samba schools often wore costumes that sparkled with sequins—and barely covered enough to be decent. Everyone became sexier, more daring versions of their regular selves. Laura took a deep breath. Even her.
“I’m taking you to Zeytuna,” Gabriel said as he drove. “From there we’ll go directly to Oliveira’s pool party.”
“Zeytuna?” She’d heard of the large, exclusive boutique, but had never shopped there. She licked her lips and tried to joke, “They sell magic bikinis, right?”
As he changed gears in the Ferrari, he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Yes.”
Yes. Just yes. No encouragement. No reassurance. Laura tried not to think of her looming bikini face-off with Adriana da Costa and the sheer humiliation that was sure to follow. She bit her lip and changed the subject. “So what is our story?”
“Story?”
“When did we fall in love? So I’ll know when people ask.”
He considered. “We had an affair last year,” he said finally. “You quit your job and left me when I wouldn’t commit.”
“Believable.”
He glanced at her. “But I missed you. I’ve been secretly pursuing you for months—video chats, flowers, sending you jewelry and love letters and so forth.”
“Sounds nice,” she said, looking away.
“You invited me to your sister’s wedding, and we fell into each other’s arms. You surrendered to my charm and agreed to be mine at last.”
“A true Valentine’s Day fantasy.” Her lips twisted as she looked back at him. “And Robby?”
Gabriel blinked, then his hands tightened on the steering wheel as he stared at the road. “Ah, yes. Robby.”
“Everyone knows you would never date a woman with a child.”
“Yes.” He set his jaw. Then, relaxing, he shrugged. “It will only add to the credibility of the story. It makes you unique. I wanted you so desperately, I was even willing to overlook your baby.”
“
Overlook Robby? Thank you,” she said, folding her arms as she glared out the window. “Thank you so much.”
“I do not appreciate your sarcasm.”
She looked at him. “I don’t appreciate you saying you’ll overlook my baby—like you’re doing me some big favor!”
He set his jaw. “And I do not appreciate the fact that there is a baby living in my house.”