Nicolas had been with a lot of women. He wouldn’t apologize for that fact. Some were great lovers, and others helped his career. But most were crutches he leaned on while he limped through his lonely life. And some, like Lila, had tried to destroy him.
Not one of them was like the woman he was kissing in the Mexican café.
Chloe had...something he couldn’t quite name. In the music industry he might have called it the It Factor. Still, that seemed shallow when trying to describe the depths of Chloe Harper. What she had went way beyond her brilliant shine, the way she drove a race car, her laughter, the softness of her lips or the wisdom and kindness in her eyes. Whatever it was, it lived within Chloe, a place he was not good enough to touch or understand. She was simply beautiful.
Far too good for him.
Tonight, he’d go to the bonfire and prove that he was a man who deserved the It Girl.
Julia arrived with a tray full of food. “Machaca, sopes, soft tacos, rice and beans.”
Chloe pulled her lips away and sat back in her chair. Her cheeks were pink, her braid a little messy and her eyes hooded. Love-drunk was a good look on her.
Nicolas helped distribute the food. “Obrigado. Smells good, Julia.”
Julia shook her head, giggling. “Nicky M just spoke Portuguese to me. This day keeps getting better.”
“I know, right?” Chloe smiled. “That accent is amazing.”
Julia left them alone again.
“If I spoke Portuguese to you, would you sing?”
She snorted. “That would be a cruel thing to do to you. But you might convince me to play my guitar...” Her eyes widened. Something over his shoulder caught her attention. “Did you see that man?”
He turned and looked. “Where?”
“Behind the counter. A bald man with tattoos. There. He’s staring at you.”
“I’m used to people recognizing me. It’s one of the hazards of the job. Eat. It’s okay. It is nice that you are trying to protect me, but paparazzi is everywhere. Hang around with me long enough and you get used to people staring.” For the first time he actually envisioned what it would be like if she was with him in LA.
“I guess I could get used to it. I was worried that the man was spying on us for...well, for another reason.” She twisted her napkin between her hands. “I think my dad has kicked a hornet’s nest.”
He cocked his head. “Meaning?”
She shrugged but fear sparked in her eyes. “My father left today for some secret meeting that he refused to tell me about. On his way out of town, he gave me one of his prized cars. I’m worried about him.”
“Why? What is the hornet’s nest?”
“Harper business, I guess.” She shrugged but he could tell she knew more than she was saying.
“Maybe your father just went for a drive to buy a new F1.”
She nodded. “Maybe.”
He wanted to ease the tension in her shoulders and make her smile again. “Let’s go for a swim.”
There it was. The light returned to her eyes and a sexy smile lifted the corners of her lips. “Naked?”
He leaned closer until their noses were almost touching and stroked her leg under the table. “Mulher, you read my mind.”
“How about we save that for tonight? I have another secret place I’d like to take you to now.”
“I’m in your hands.”
Julia brought them a bag of candies and reminded them to come to the bonfire. Chloe hugged her and paid, and they left the café. Nicolas wrapped his arm around Chloe as they walked out of Juanita’s. His eyes scanned the perimeter, watching for any sign of paparazzi. For the first time in his life, he was the bodyguard protecting the star.
It felt good. He could get used to taking care of a woman like Chloe Harper.
After shooing the little boys away from her car, she and Nicolas climbed in. Putting the pedal to the metal and zooming onto the beach to naked bodysurf was oh, so tempting. Still, she had to slow her revving sex drive the heck down and at least try to salvage the job she was supposed to be doing for her family.
Before she started the car, she said, “There are a few places I’d like you to see.”
Leaning over, he moved the dress strap off her shoulder and drew free-form designs on her bare skin with his finger. “I agree wholeheartedly. There are more than a few places I would like to see. Touch. Lick.”
Her skin danced in anticipation. She started the car, the rumble adding to her shivers.
Driving down the main street, Chloe gave him the tour of the small town of Pueblicito. “I bet you could film this town as a backdrop for your show. Like you said, it looks old and historical. I envision some of your candidates walking down this street, describing the inspiration for their songs, or maybe talking about their hometowns.”
He nodded. “You have a good eye. But I must remind you that it is not a done deal yet. We haven’t chosen Plunder Cove as the venue for the show. There are two other locations still to consider.”
“I understand.”
“I am willing to let you try to convince me, though.” She caught the lift of his eyebrow. “More than willing.”
His words set off all sorts of warning bells. She pulled the F1 over to the side of the road. “This is what I worry about. If my family thought I threw myself at you just for the contract...” She shook her head. “That’s not me. At all. I hope you know that I care about you. I would never sleep with a man for a job or a promotion or...a contract.”
“Chloe.” He cupped her cheek. “I was joking.”
She swallowed hard. “You were?”
“Of course. I’ve known enough women and men who would sleep with anyone for a career move. You are not one of them.”
Satisfied with his answer, she started the car again.