Chapter 4 The Deal

• RAYNE
• Javier’s mansion was beyond magnificent and my jaw dropped as we drove inside the exclusive well-guarded gated community. The Tuscan-style four-story house sat on the edge of a lagoon and overlooked the sea. “In our teenage years, my brother and I used to come to the Carnival every year and were always invited to parties hosted by designers and models at this mansion.” Javier dropped a few interesting details about the house, whether to make polite conversation or to put me at ease, I couldn’t tell. “It became a tradition.” The neighborhood was a few minutes away from a monumental bridge and close to a famous park and other places I had intended to visit, which worked out perfectly.
• “I bet you had models falling all over each other to get your attention,” I teased.
• “They did,” he asserted without sounding arrogant. “Believe me it wasn’t as glamorous as you think.”
• “Did you come with your brother this year?”
• “No, we stopped the tradition when we fell out a few years ago,” he replied, his face like iron as the car rounded the fountain in the driveway. “He’s not here with me this time but he’s here with my ex-fiancee.”
• “I’m so sorry.”
• “Why?” he said grouchily. “You’re not the one that got knocked up by my brother and tried to pass it off as mine.”
• “I-” My door swung open and the chauffeur waited patiently for me to exit.
• Javier got the door for himself and slid out. “Bienvenida señora,” he said, holding out his arm as he welcomed me. “I hope you enjoy your stay querida and don’t run from me.”
• “Gracias Señor,” I nodded and nervously hooked my arm with his before ascending the stone stairs. “As long as you don’t give me a reason to run.”
• “We’ll see.”
• The solid oak doors swung open and we stepped into a high-ceilinged foyer with glossy marble floors and a grand double staircase.
• “Buenas noches.” A well-dressed member of staff greeted us with a smile. And I wondered how he was wide awake and pleasant this time of the day.
• “Wow…” My head was spinning with all the luxury and elegance that surrounded me. My foster parents were wealthy enough but this was another level. “This is beautiful.”
• “I’ll give you the grand tour another time, yes?” Javier grabbed two bottles of sparking water from a tray on the table and gave me one.
• “Your home is lovely,” I complimented, gazing around in awe. “You must love it here.”
• “I’m hardly here long enough to enjoy it,” he shrugged, chugging down some water. “But thanks for the compliment.”
• We passed through the entertainment area that led out to a balcony with a beautiful view of the courtyard garden, a stylish pergola, and a swimming pool with a waterfall.
• “You are free to use any of the guest rooms for as long as you’re here,” he communicated, dropping onto a cushioned outdoor chair and waving to the one next to it. “Please be seated. We have much to discuss.”
• I couldn’t take my eyes off the waterfall and the flower beds. The LED lights and garden lamps added to the enchantment of the landscape and a burst of color from the different rose bushes and flowers, the dark green bushels looked like it was a picture in a magazine.
• “What do you mean as long as I am here?” My brain finally caught up. “I thought I was here for tonight only?”
• “Sit, please?” he gestured to the vacant chair again. “I think I might as well furnish you with the details but first; can I interest you in a late supper?”
• I was rather hungry. I hadn’t eaten much all day. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
• “It’s no trouble at all, bella.” He reached over the table and pressed a finger on what looked like a buzzer and a member of his staff appeared instantly. “What would you like? I can have my chef prepare anything you want in no time.”
• “A burger and fries? “ I pushed but it seemed like anything was possible tonight.
• “Would you like any specific burger?”
• “Bacon and cheese? Double-beef patty? Pickles?”
• “Would you like a drink to go with it?”
• “Vanilla milkshake,” I added with more confidence. “Double thick, please. Thank you.”
• “I’ll have the same but replace the milkshake with an Irish coffee, por favor.”
• “Sí, señor.” His steward bowed and disappeared again. left. “You’re not much of a drinker, are you, Miss Stevens?”
• “No,” I replied with honesty, “I had my first taste of alcohol tonight.”
• “Interesante.” He relaxed in his chair and smiled, watching me as I slowly sipped on my water. “Do you have any idea how exquisite you are?”
• And so it begins. “I may be tipsy but I’m not sleeping with you, Gonzalez.”
• “Not in sentido literal.” He rested his elbows on his knees and knit his brows. “You think this is a bad idea, yes?”
• “Why me?” I questioned. “You could have had any one of my friends who are prettier and smarter than me.”
• “You’re wrong, querida.”
• “Why am I here, Javier?”
• “I need you to make my ex-prometida jealous.” He got straight to it. “You need to be very convincing. Can you do that?”
• The audaciousness of the man! “I’m not going to be your sex rebound-”
• “I need you to at least pretend to be,” he willed. “I’m willing to pay. Name your price?”
• “Are you crazy? Or drunk maybe??”
• “I may be slightly intoxicated but I’m well aware of what I am asking you to do.”
• "You want me to sleep in your bed??"
• "Sí, por favor." Yes, please. "I promise to keep my hands to myself. No, I promise to cuddle. Nothing more."
• "I don't like this..."
• "I will not do anything you don't want me to do," he reiterated and for some reason, I believed him. "I might not even hold you all night."
• “Why me?”
• “Why not you, sweet one?”
• “Don’t answer a question with a question-it’s frustrating.”
• “I may be wrong, but you don’t look like the type to blackmail me,” he remarked. “And the odds of us running into each other after this are very rare.”
• “Thanks for stating the obvious, Sherlock,” I retorted.
• “Oh, Rayne,” he laughed, rubbing his eyes with his fingertips. “You are a breath of fresh air. I think I made the right choice after all.”
• “I’m beginning to think otherwise.”
• "I'll need your banking details or do you prefer cash?"
• "Stop!" I shouted, feeling all kinds of sleazy. "I don't want your money."
• "Lo siento, cariña," he apologized, raking a hand through his hair. how was he still looking fresh like he'd just stepped out of the shower?? "I am too used to dealing with vindictive women."
• "Well. I'm not one of them," I retorted. "I never asked you for money and I never will."
• “Let’s do this, hmm?” Leaning forward he clasped his hands together. “How about we not talk about this tonight and have this discussion over breakfast in the morning? When we’re both calm and in our sober senses.”
• “Good idea,” I agreed. "And no more talk of money, please
• Our food came and I tried not to wolf it down. The burger was the best I’d ever tasted and I told him just as much.
• “It’s almost morning,” I said, glancing at my watch. “I think I’ll call it a night, if you don’t mind?”
• “About our sleeping arrangements…” he pursed his lips and frowned. “You might have to share my bed tonight.”
• My eyes snapped open and I shot to my feet. “No!”
• “Please hear me out, pequeña?” he raised both hands to silence my protests. “Isabelle has access to this place and I intend to leave it that way,” he explained. “She was at the club and I made it a point she saw us leave together. She might have witnessed our kiss. So, I’m expecting her to barge in here like a raging bull.”
• “Why would you allow her to do that?” I countered. “She cheated on you.”
• “It’s complicated. Let’s just say, she’s the jealous type that doesn’t give up easily and leave it that, hmm?” he flashed a forced smile. “That’s exactly what I’m angling for actually.”
• “Revenge?”
• “Best served sweet just like you, my little raindrop,” he stood and held out his hand. “Let’s take a turn around the gardens, shall we? I’m feeling a bit woozy.”
• The outside lights came on miraculously and the whole garden lit up.
• “Wow!” I gasped. “It’s beautiful.”
• “Shall we?” Again, he stuck out his elbow. “Do you have any pressing questions?”
• “You probably know that I ran away from home?”
• “No,” he shook his head slowly. “That wasn’t in the report. Want to tell me about it?”
• “Let’s not spoil the night, Gonzalez.”
• He stopped abruptly and chucked under my chin. “I will find out you know?”
• “It doesn’t matter,” I shrugged. “You can dig all you want. I have nothing to hide.”
• “Did someone hurt you? Do you want me to make them pay?”
• “Can we change the subject?” I snapped with irritation and then immediately regretted it. “I’m sorry. I think I’m just tired.”
• “Then let’s get you to bed,” he said, turning back to the house.
• While I was freshening up in the bathroom, I shot a quick text to my friends, letting them know I was still alive and well-and my V-card was still intact- then got ready for bed. I didn’t bother bathing but brushed my hair and teeth, slipped into the provided nightwear, and slid under the sheets. Javier’s arms circled my waist, his fresh scent surrounding me, but I was too tired to protest or put up a fight.
• “Good night, sweet one,” he whispered, his soft lips kissing my hair. “Sweet dreams.”