He stared at her, looking totally poleaxed.“¿Que dice?”
“I told you I wasn’t very experienced.”
“Not veryis not the same ascompletely without .”
“Well, no it’s not. Are you saying you don’t want me because I’m a virgin?” She’d never anticipated that, but she should have. He’d already said he normally went for women who knew their way around a bedroom, or at least that’s what he’d implied.
“No. I…” His voice trailed off and he stared at her some more, something indefinable flaring in his features. “Why are you a virgin?”
“What do you mean why?”
“Have you been saving yourself for marriage?”
“That’s a really archaic concept.” Though one she wasn’t totally against, but the truth was, it hadn’t been anything that defined in her mind. “I’ve never wanted another man enough to make love, to let him into my life like that.”
“I want to make love to you, over and over again. If you want truth, I feel like I cannot breathe for the hunger inside me.” He didn’t sound particularly happy about that fact, but she understood. It was overwhelming to want someone that much, even for a man like Miguel.
“I want you like that, too.”
He nodded. “But we are making no promises for the future.”
“Of course not.” They’d only known each other a couple of days. No matter how strong the physical attraction or how right it felt when they were together, they didn’t know each other well enough to start talking long-term commitments.
Though she knew deep inside that she was in love with this man, she was more able to share her body than that particular piece of knowledge. It was just so unbelievable. The whole love at first sight thing was a myth. It had to be, but she felt something for him that went beyond physical desire and originated in the region of her heart.
Still, she was no more ready to make a lifetime commitment than he was. Probably even less so. Her career was just taking off. It was the worst possible time for her to take a break and pursue personal ambitions. But they had two weeks and who knew what they could work out after that?
His expression reflected unmistakable relief, quickly followed by sensual hunger. “You do me a great honor, allowing me to be your first lover.”
“I don’t think I have a choice.”
“I know this feeling. I feel it, too. I want to touch you now…to learn your body’s secrets.”
“But the driver…”
“I could close the privacy window, but that would embarrass you, would it not?”
“Yes.”
“I have no desire to embarrass you.”
“Good.” But she was tempted. She clamped her jaw to keep herself from admitting it.
It seemed to take forever to get to the penthouse, but when they arrived the housekeeper had already left.
“I called from the car phone and asked her to take care of a couple of things before leaving early,” Miguel explained.
“While I was chatting with my mom.”
“Yes.”
He put his hand out. “Come.”
After a second’s hesitation, she took the proffered hand and allowed him to lead her to the bedroom where a bucket of champagne chilled in a stand beside the bed. That along with two glasses on a nearby table, the turned-down bed and drawn curtains spoke of the “things” he’d asked his housekeeper to attend to before leaving.
The room was cast in intimate shadows from the curtains drawn against the afternoon sun, setting an ambiance every bit as romantic as candlelight.
For a long moment they simply stood and faced one another. The desire had been building between them since the moment they met, but at astronomical rates the past hour and her entire body shook with unfamiliar need.