Zoë, when do I dance for you?’ Maria said, reclaiming Zoë’s attention.
‘How about Tuesday?’ Zoë said, turning back to thoughts of work with relief. ‘That gives us both time to prepare.’
‘Tuesday is good for me.’ Maria smiled broadly as she broke away. ‘On Tuesday you cook, and I dance.’
‘Are you sure you know what you’re taking on, Zoë?’
Rico’s words put a damper on their enthusiasm.
‘Why? Don’t you think I’m up to it?’
‘It’s what you’re up to that I’m more interested in.’
‘Then you’re going to have a very dull time of it,’ Zoë assured him. ‘I’m going to cook and Maria is going to dance. I don’t know what you’re imagining, but it really is as simple as that.’
‘In my experience, nothing is ever that simple.’
Zoë’s gaze strayed to his lips: firm, sensuous lips that never grew tired of mocking her.
‘Today is Saturday—no, Sunday already,’ Maria said with surprise, staring at her wristwatch. ‘It is well past midnight. I have kept you far too long, Zoë.’
‘That’s not important,’ Zoë assured Maria, turning to her with relief. ‘All that matters is that you’re happy—you’re the most important person now. I want to make sure you have everything you need on the night of your performance.’
‘Such as?’ Maria said.
‘Well—would you like to eat before or after you dance?’
‘Both. I need to build up my strength.’ She winked at Zoë. ‘Some people don’t need to build up strength, of course.’ She shot a glance at Rico. ‘But you had better feed him anyway. I’m sure he’d like that.’
‘I’m sure he would.’ Zoë’s gaze veered coolly in Rico’s direction. She might find him a few sour grapes.
‘Don’t take me for granted, Zoë,’ he said, ‘I might not even be there.’
‘Don’t worry, Rico. Where you’re concerned I won’t take anything for granted. I’ll expect you at the castle around nine?’ she confirmed warmly with Maria.
‘And I will dance for your cameras at midnight.’
Zoë felt a rush of pleasure not even Rico could spoil. She had accomplished her mission successfully, and there was a bonus—she had made a new friend in Maria. She just knew Maria would have what they called ‘screen magic’, and the programme in which she featured would be unique.
‘Rico, would you make sure that everyone in the village knows they are welcome to come and eat at Castillo Cazulas and celebrate Maria’s performance on Tuesday night?’ Zoë said, turning to him.
For a moment he was amazed she had included him in her arrangements. He had to admit he admired her guts—even if she did annoy the hell out of him. He should be there, just to keep an eye on her.
In fact, he could take a look around right now if he drove her back to the castle. Time to turn on the charm.
‘Don’t worry, no one loves a party more than we do in Cazulas—isn’t that right, Maria?’ He looked at Zoë. ‘You’ll be calling in extra help, I imagine?’
There was something in Rico’s eyes Zoë didn’t like. Something that unnerved her. ‘There’s no need. I’m not alone at the castle, Rico. I have my team with me—and don’t forget that cooking is what I do for a living.’
Turning away from him, she said her goodbyes to Maria, all the time conscious of Rico’s gaze boring into her back. He might as well have gripped her arms, yanked her round, and demanded she give him her life history. She could only think that having a woman set both the rules and the timetable was something entirely new to him.
‘How are you going to get home tonight, Zoë?’ Maria said.
‘I’ll drive her back.’
‘I’ll walk.’
Maria frowned, looking from Rico to Zoë and back again. ‘Of course you will drive Zoë home, Rico.’ She put her arm around Zoë’s shoulder. ‘It is too dangerous for you to walk, Zoë, and you will be quite safe with Rico—I promise you.’
There was something in Maria’s eyes that made Zoë want to believe her. But as she walked away Zoë could have kicked herself. Why hadn’t she just asked if she could take a lift with Maria?
‘Are you ready to go?’ Rico said.
‘I thought we’d already been through this.’ Digging in her pocket, Zoë pulled out her flashlight again.
‘Oh, that’s right. I had forgotten you were an intrepid explorer.’
‘I’ll only be retracing my steps—’
‘In the dark.’
‘Well, I’d better get going, then.’
She moved away, and for one crazy moment hoped he would come after her. When he did she changed her mind. ‘I’ll be fine, Rico. Really.’
‘What are you afraid of, Zoë? Is there something at the castle you don’t want me to see?’
‘Is that what you think?’ She ran her hand through her hair as she looked at him. ‘I can assure you I have nothing to hide. Come around and check up on me if you don’t believe me.’
‘How about now?’
‘I’d rather walk.’
‘Well, I’m sorry, Maria’s right. I can’t let you do that. It’s far too dangerous.’
Maria hadn’t left yet. Her friend’s truck was still parked in the clearing. She might just catch them. But Maria moved as fast as she had on the stage. Climbing into the cab, she slammed the door and waved, leaving Zoë standing there as the truck swung onto the dirt road leading down to the village and accelerated away.
‘Don’t look so worried.’
Don’t look so worried? I’m stuck at the top of a mountain in the middle of the night with a flashlight and the local brigand—who happens to have a chip on his shoulder labelled ‘media-types/female’—and I shouldn’t worry?
‘Like I said, I’ll drive you back.’
‘No way!’
‘You can cut the bravado, Zoë—there’s no moon, hardly any path, and this stupid little light won’t save you when you’re plunging down a precipice.’
‘Give that back to me now.’ Zoë made a swipe for her flashlight, but Rico was too quick for her.
‘It’s no trouble for me to drop you at the castle.’
‘Thank you, I’ll walk.’
She got as far as the rock-strewn trail leading down to the valley before he caught hold of her arm and swung her around.
‘You are not going down there on your own.’
‘Oh, really?’
‘Yes, really.’
Their faces were too close. As their breath mingled Zoë closed her eyes. ‘Let go of me, Rico.’
‘So you can mess up a rock? So you can cause me a whole lot of trouble in the morning when I have to come looking for your mangled body? I don’t think so, lady.’
‘Your concern is overwhelming, but I really don’t need it! I know these mountains—’
‘Like the back of your hand? And you’ve been here how long?’
‘Nearly a month, as a matter of fact.’