He never talked to his mother about his love life, to avoid any awkward conversations. And she hadn’t met any of the women he’d dated since he was sixteen. ‘I’ll be there in about half an hour,’ he replied, deliberately ignoring the question.
He switched off his cell. And raked his fingers through his hair.
Hell, the evening he’d had planned featuring some flirting, a little foreplay and lots of hot sex had already taken a turn he didn’t like. But if Maria met Iona it could get a lot worse. His mother would be bound to overreact—totally screwing up the whole ‘casual sex’ vibe he’d just spent three days of abstinence to establish.
‘Buckle up,’ he said to Iona, who still looked mutinous about the invite. ‘You wanted deferred gratification. You’ve got it.’
‘That’s enchanting.’ Iona sighed, feeling more than a little overwhelmed by the dazzle of lights as the car approached the huge estate on a hill carpeted by rows of ripening vines.
The sun was slipping behind the Santa Cruz mountains, haloing the majestic hacienda on the brow of the hill in the golden glow of twilight. As they approached she realised the lights were lanterns, suspended from the porch railings and shining in the red, green and white livery of the Mexican flag.
What looked like fifty cars were crammed in the driveway, parked on the verges and squeezed under the towering oaks that edged the fields. Ornamental rose bushes and showy oleander vied for attention with wild flowers and ferns in the flowerbed
s that framed the house. A band of teenagers hung out on the porch, the girls looking like beautiful peacocks in their elaborate ballgowns and the boys lanky and uncomfortable in matching tuxedos.
‘I think we’re a little underdressed,’ Iona murmured as they walked towards the house, tugging down the hem of her minidress. As if it weren’t bad enough that she’d been forced into coming, now she felt like a hooker. ‘You could have mentioned the dress code.’
‘Why? It’s not like we had any time to change,’ he replied, holding her hand as he led her towards the house.
She felt herself starting to pout. Hating the fact that he had a point. What had she been thinking suggesting he come? It was just that the woman on the phone had sounded so upset, it had made her feel guilty for thinking prurient thoughts about him, while he was supposed to be at a big family event.
But she was so over that now.
‘Hey, don’t sweat it.’ Zane squeezed her hand, taking pity on her. ‘The Queen of England would look underdressed at this thing. We won’t stay long.’
The romance of fiddles and guitars played energetically in the background competing with the lively hum of conversation as they mounted the steps to the house. Someone shouted a greeting in Spanish to Zane as he led her past the group of teens. Her hand felt clammy in his wide palm, the nerves buzzing in her stomach like hyperactive bees as dark eyes settled on her, most staring with open curiosity.
Zane didn’t pause, but led her round the deck to a huge landscaped garden at the back of the house festooned with more lanterns. The remains of an elaborate banquet lay on trestle tables while suited waiters dispensed sparkling wine and beer to the groups of guests crowded into every corner. A band of musicians played in front of a dance floor set up beside a glorious infinity pool. Numerous people in their finery waved at them or shouted greetings at Zane, which he returned with a perfunctory salute.
Then the crowd parted and a young woman dressed in beaded white lace like a Disney Princess raced towards them.
‘Zane, you came!’ She grasped the tiara on her head under the waterfall of artfully arranged curls before throwing her arms around Zane’s neck.
Iona stepped back as he held the teenager for less than a second before depositing her back on ice-pick heels. ‘Feliz cumpleaños, Maricruz.’
She did a twirl, making the fanciful tiers of white lace shimmer. ‘What do you think?’
‘You look great,’ Zane replied. ‘All grown up.’
She grinned, her face flushed with excitement and the blush of pleasure. ‘Maybe now you’ll stop treating me like a niña.’
The flirtatious sparkle in her glorious brown eyes was unmistakeable and Iona wondered if Zane knew his fifteen-year-old cousin had a crush on him. Was that the reason he looked so uncomfortable?
‘Maricruz, I want to introduce you to my date, Iona.’ Reaching behind, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her forward, tucking her against his side.
‘Oh, hello.’ Maricruz looked stunned for a moment—and not particularly pleased to see her.
‘It looks like a wonderful party,’ Iona said, grateful for the weight of Zane’s arm round her shoulders.
‘Thanks,’ the girl said a little sulkily, then beamed another winning smile at Zane. ‘Will you dance with me, Zane? Later, there are going to be some more waltzes.’
‘Sure, if we’re still here,’ he said.
‘You will?’ The sulkiness disappeared as quickly as it had come—and Iona felt a little sorry for the girl, guessing she hadn’t heard Zane’s qualification.
‘Yeah.’
She sent Iona an impish grin that suddenly made the beautiful young woman look like an excited child. ‘I love your dress. Where did you get it? It’s so funky.’