4
Rafael
Making my way through the lobby to the pool area at the back of the hotel, I admired the dim lighting and orchid glow to the water, courtesy of the underwater lights I'd arranged on Isa's behalf, in her favorite color. Lounges remained on one side of the pool, but the rest of the deck had been cleared for mingling or dancing. People already enjoyed the festivities, either swimming in the warm water of the pool, making their way down to the private beach, or dancing away to the steady and seductive beat of the approved list of music I'd given to the manager for the night's event.
I loved Ibiza's techno as much as the next person, but Isa required something more subtle for her first foray into the world of sin and desire.
The closed guest list meant that, while there were enough people around to make her feel comfortable, it wasn't overwhelming. We wouldn't be trapped in a crush of bodies when I convinced her to dance with me. We'd be able to move to the cabanas on the beach if she wanted to talk without the music serving as a distraction. I had arranged everything to absolute perfection while the poolside bar served drinks faster than normal. The threat of displeasing me served as a wonderful enticement for good service, but I didn't care about the service any of the other partygoers received.
Only one woman mattered to me.
Feminine nails trailed over my shoulders, threatening to leave pink marks on my skin as I jolted away from the invading touch. "Hello, handsome," the woman purred, staring up into my face as she gave me her brightest smile.
"I'm with someone," I said, turning on my heel to scour the party for Isa. I'd have recognized her anywhere after spending far too many months looking at her photos, but there was no sign of my unique beauty anywhere.
I suddenly wished I hadn't left my phone in my room, wanting nothing more than to check for updates from Hugo. It didn't matter that he hadn't messaged me to say they were on their way a mere ten minutes prior. I needed to see her.
If I had to suffer through her absence for much longer, I might climb out of my skin.
Or skin somebody alive. The latter was preferable.
Making my way to the pool, I stepped down into the shallow water and made my way to one of the lounges in the shallow edges. Water slid over my skin as I laid out my body in a way that would give me a perfect view of the entrance.
Time ticked by in an unending cycle while I waited, watching as a handful of women filtered into the pool area with bright smiles. More than one set of eyes landed on me, naïve to the monster lurking in their midst, but my single-minded focus on the entryway squashed anything that might have developed into an unfortunate and deceptive situation I would have difficulty pulling Isa back from.
The manager's eyes met mine as he walked past, a subtle and secretive smile curving his lips up. Everyone wanted to know the woman who captivated El Diablo. Everyone wanted to be part of the rise of a queen.
Only a few chosen individuals could know of her existence until I got her home toEl Infierno.
Even if I hadn't been watching, I'd have known the minute she walked into the pool area. Her presence sucked all the oxygen from the air, demanding attention in the way that only Isa could.
The pictures I’d seen of her through the years hadn’t done her justice. Nothing could compare to her in the flesh after the months that had separated us.
I waited for her to turn her head away from her friend Chloe. Watched her walk in her wedges as if she wasn't sure how to navigate in them, but still managed it with a delicate grace many couldn't hope to achieve. A tropical printed dress covered her bathing suit, vaguely sheer enough to hint at the curves underneath. I focused on the line of cleavage the cover-up revealed down the center of her torso, dipping low enough to show the string that connected the two sides of her bikini together. Rope wove between the fabric on either side, connecting it over her tight stomach and then flowing down to her feet to cover her legs except for the slit that rode up to reveal her thigh.
I turned my attention to Hugo to glare for a moment, meeting his eyes as they widened. He had the grace to look sheepish as he shrugged. I moved my gaze back to Isa, swallowing down my rage that he'd allowed her to leave the hotel in that dress.
Had she been with me, it would have been fine. She'd have me to keep the wolves at bay, but knowing that other men had seen her before I could prevent them from molesting her with their greedy stares?
It set my blood to flame.
She glanced over at Hugo, following his gaze to the pool. The same shock I’d felt years ago vibrated through me the moment her eyes hit mine. The moment those stunning multi-colored eyes connected with mine, the music stopped. Everything ceased to exist but the way her breath caught and she parted her lips only slightly.
Her right canine snagged her lip, nearly biting it in a move that spoke to just how little Isa wanted to commit to anything.
She lived a life of half-measures, even when expressing her desire for me.
I'd fucking fix that.