how could he make love to her, without being tempted to care?
“You’re back!” Turning, he saw his executive assistant, Marnie McAdam, standing in the doorway. “Here are your messages, Mr. Cabrera.” Setting down a small pile on his desk, she cleared her throat. “The International Studio Guild wants to know if you’re bringing your wife to Madrid.”
Rodrigo had the sudden vision of appearing with Lola on his arm, in all her rapturous beauty, when he accepted the award in Madrid next week for CEO of the Year. He’d be envied for his wife, even more than the prestigious award. And afterward, he’d take her to his bed and...
He shivered inside.
“I haven’t thought about it,” he said shortly.
“You need a date. It’s a social event.” Marnie tilted her head, looking at him owlishly through her glasses. “If she can’t come, I could do it. Not as a date or anything,” she added hastily, “but, you know, just to help out.”
Rodrigo frowned at his assistant. Bring her to the ceremony? What was Marnie talking about?
Then he saw her pale, determined expression and relaxed. Marnie wasn’t flirting with him, gracias a Dios. She was merely trying to solve a logistical problem on his behalf, like any good secretary would. “Thank you,” he said smoothly, “but such a sacrifice on your part won’t be necessary.”
“It would be no problem, truly—”
“I know you don’t care to travel. I’ll deal with it.”
Yes, by bringing Lola to Madrid, his body suggested slyly.
Perhaps he was taking it all too seriously, Rodrigo thought suddenly. Perhaps the emotional reaction he’d had last week had been a one-time thing, caused by his year of wanting her.
He blinked.
Sí, it was possible. In which case, the only way to prevent it from happening again was to take Lola to bed and binge on her until he was cured, like someone who, after drinking whiskey until he’s sick, can never bear to taste it again.
Yes. The more that he thought of this—
His phone rang from his pocket. Looking down, he saw the call was from one of his bodyguards, Tobias.
“That’ll be all for now, Marnie.” He nodded at her. As she closed the door behind her, he answered his phone. “Is my wife becoming a problem?”
“I’m your problem now.”
Her low voice made electricity skitter through his body, even as his spine snapped straight.
“Lola.” He breathed deeply. “How did you get this phone?”
“I had no choice, did I? You’re clearly not interested in taking my calls.”
Rodrigo exhaled, and kept his voice a cold, deliberate drawl. “I’ve been traveling for business—”
“When I married you, Rodrigo, I meant it to be forever. But forever’s not going to be like this.”
And the phone went dead in his hands.
WHEN RODRIGO ARRIVED at the beach house, Lola was ready for a fight.
She’d already packed her clothes and the baby’s. Because she knew an ultimatum always came at a price—of possibly being forced to go through with the threat.
But she hadn’t married him to be abandoned. If Rodrigo didn’t intend to actually fulfill his promise to be a good father to their baby, then Lola was taking Jett back to New York, to be around people who actually cared about them. Marriage required two people, not just one.
When Rodrigo burst through the door, he strode into the great room, darkly handsome and a little terrifying. Lola faced him defiantly, holding their baby in her arms.
As usual, he was dressed entirely in black, even in sunny California. Unlike Lola, who now wore a T-shirt and shorts suitable for the weather, Rodrigo never changed, no matter where he was or what country he was in. He expected the world to conform to him, not the other way around.
Sometimes she’d liked that about him, that he was steadfast and strong, like an oak in a world full of weeds. Today wasn’t one of those times.
“Nice of you to visit,” Lola said coldly. “I thought maybe you’d forgotten you were married. Maybe you do need a ring.”
He dropped his briefcase with a bang on the floor, causing their baby to jump with surprise in her arms. “I was traveling. For business.”
She juggled Jett on her hip. “You got here fast, at least.”
“I arrived in LA this morning. I was at the office when you called.”
It surprised her how much that hurt. “You went there first? Instead of home?”
“Business comes first. You know that.”
“Over family?”
“You were fine. You had Tobias and Lester and Mrs. Lee.”
Lola glared at him. “You’re seriously not this stupid.”
He looked at her incredulously. “Stupid?”
“Is this your idea of marriage, of family, to just dump us and disappear? Because it’s not what I signed up for.”
Rodrigo looked irritated. “It’s only been a week.”
“Our first week. Our honeymoon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lola.” His dark eyes glittered. “We’re not in love. Our marriage isn’t based on romance.”
“It should at least be based on respect. We have to look out for each other.” She lifted her chin. “Otherwise, what’s the point?”
Rodrigo scowled, then turned away, staring out the wide windows toward the infinite blue water of the Pacific.
Lola took a deep breath. “Look, if you want out of this marriage—”
“I don’t,” he said, cutting her off.
“Are you sure?” She set her jaw. “Because I’ve packed my bags. If you’re just going to ignore me, I’m taking Jett back to New York. To be with friends.”
Rodrigo slowly reached out to stroke Jett’s hair. Then his dark eyes met hers. “You’re right. I never should have left.”
She sucked in her breath. She hadn’t realized until that moment how tense she’d been. She hadn’t expected Rodrigo to admit fault. He never had before.
“I’ll never abandon you like that again, Lola,” he said quietly. “I give you my word.”
Lola felt a strange sensation in her chest. She’d been so ready for the worst. She cleared her throat. “Oh. Well, good.” Her voice was a little hoarse. “We’re supposed to be a family.”
“I want that, too.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. Then she turned away.
“Jett’s started to get a tooth, did you see?” Lola pointed at his mouth. The baby, now four and a half months old, was cuddled against her hip, babbling happily to himself as he tried to chew on his pudgy hand. “That’s why he’s drooling. Yesterday, he rolled over for the first time. And he’s gained another pound. His pediatrician says he’s doing great.”
“Look at you, pequeño,” Rodrigo said, putting his hand on the baby’s back. As he moved, his fingertips briefly brushed the bare skin of Lola’s arm. Electricity went through her.
“You missed so much,” she