Secrets and Seduction: 5 Romance Novels (90 page)

Michael stared at her, and awareness pulsed between them. She shouldn’t have come. The risk was too high being this near him.

“Yes, I know what I want.” Was that husky-sounding siren her?

“Good.” His voice sounded thick.

Had his eyes darkened, or was it just the intimate lighting? She’d thought his choice of restaurant perfect for a business meeting. She hadn’t counted on the understated elegance, the hush caused by the thick carpeting, or the lighted candle on their table which tricked her mind into thinking of romance.

This is business
, she scolded herself sternly.

When the waitress brought their drinks, they ordered, and the young woman left them alone.

“How big is Citadel?”

“So your parents’ parents started Calderon.”

They spoke at the same time. Michael waved with his hand. “Ladies first.”

“I wondered how big your company is.”

“I grossed $4.5 million last year. I have four warehouses now and a corporate office, although I’m the only corporate officer.”

“I told Papá we needed a corporate office, but he said Calderon began where it is and should stay there.”

“Where your grandparents started the business?”

She nodded. “Yes, nearly fifty years ago. Yet they still talk about going back to the old country—to Cuba. I think they’re hoping to outlive Castro.”

“He doesn’t show signs of dying anytime soon.”

“I know. But it’s their dream and shared by most Cubans in Miami including my parents. People talk about it all the time in Little Havana.”

“Is it your dream, Ileana?”

“No,” she denied with fervor. “I was born an American. This is my home, not Cuba. I don’t want to live there.”

“So if somehow your parents and grandparents returned to Cuba, you’d stay here?”

Ileana wanted to agree immediately, but she’d never thought about being separated from her relatives by ninety miles of ocean. Moving to her own place didn’t really count as being separated from them.

Slowly she answered him. “Yes, I’d stay here. But it would be hard not having them nearby. We’re a very close family.”

“How big is your family?”

“I have three sisters, my brother who’s a doctor, and their spouses and children. All live within a few miles of my parents and grandparents. I talk to at least one of them every day. My aunts, uncles, and cousins also live close by and are a regular part of our lives. Most of them live in or around Little Havana.”

Ileana didn’t know how they’d strayed so far from business, but suddenly she was curious about Michael Ziffkin the man. “What about your family? Do they live here? Do you have brothers and sisters?”

Michael had been leaning towards her with his arms on the table. Now he sat back and crossed his arms across his chest. His face smoothed into the serious look she’d seen earlier today. “My parents and two brothers live here. My younger brother Rick is married, and his first child is due in two months. My youngest brother Charlie is getting married in less than two weeks.”

He talked about them almost as if they were strangers. His manner was stiff, inviting no comment. Ileana wanted badly to ask what was wrong, whether he didn’t like his family and why, but Michael’s eyes had lost their warmth. Her heart ached to comfort him, her arms yearned to hold him, but he was a stranger.

Luckily, the waitress chose that moment to slide their entrees in front of them, and for a few moments, they ate in silence.

“How long until your father retires?” Michael asked.

He was all business, and Ileana tried to match his tone. “A few months maybe, no later than the end of the year.”

“Can I assume you’ve worked in the company for years?”

She smiled. “Nearly all my life. It’s a family business after all.”

“And your distant cousin who’s vying for the presidency, he’s worked there all his life, too?”

Ileana refused to talk trash about family. “Nearly.”

“Who do you think is the better candidate, you or him?”

She ducked her head as her face heated. Her modern, American half vied with her traditional Cuban half. The American in her won. “I believe I am. I understand the market beyond Cuban and Hispanic wants. I spent four years at Florida State immersing myself in cultures not my own. I pay attention to what’s going on outside Little Havana, so I know more about American tourists.”

“Your cousin doesn’t understand the market?”

She demurred. “Juan Carlos is more...traditional. He will continue to purchase as my father purchased and from the same vendors. You should not fear having him as president.”

Michael’s dark gaze sharpened. “You would change vendors?”

“I liked what I saw today.” That was an understatement. And immediately, her clothes felt too tight again. She went on quickly. “I liked the new items I bought. I’d like to try even more new things.” Oh, she was getting in even deeper without trying.

The warmth in his eyes said he agreed.

The meal continued without incident. Ileana was aware of his presence like the sun on her skin. She felt flushed. His ardent perusal made her pulse take flight again and again.

She watched his lips and strong white teeth as he chewed his broiled snapper. She watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. His fingers were long and sure, confident when handling his silverware. She liked the play of candlelight on the planes of his face, in the darkness of his hair.

Her crab-stuffed flounder was delicious. The explosion of taste on her tongue only whet her appetite for the dessert sitting across from her.

What would it be like to feed morsels to one another and then share kisses between bites? To share while sitting in his lap? To share while they were naked, after lovemaking. And partway through the meal, Michael would ease her down onto his hardening length. In that position, they could tease one another while they finished nibbling. When their plates were empty—maybe before—they would nibble on each other. A torrid lovemaking session would follow to sate all their appetites.

Ileana fanned herself. Her blush burned her cheeks. She hadn’t had such carnal thoughts in years. She wished with all her might that she was as modern as she’d told Michael she was. Then she’d go home with him tonight—or take him home—and neither of them would get any sleep as she fed her hunger for him.

“You’re staring.” Again, Michael’s voice was husky.

Ileana licked her lips. She couldn’t tell him she found him sexy and attractive and wanted to strip him naked so she could have her way with him, and vice versa.

Instead, she dropped her gaze and said, “I don’t mean to.”

“I don’t mind.”

Her gaze snapped back up. “You don’t?”

“No, not at all.”

His smile made something melt in her lower abdomen. Her return smile was just as approving of his sexiness.

“Ileana, I know you wanted this to be a business dinner, but...” A soft buzzing interrupted him. He frowned. “Please excuse me. I’ll just see if this is the call I’m waiting for.”

Michael pulled his black cell phone from his suit jacket and glanced at the read-out. His frown deepened and he answered it. “This is Ziffkin.”

As he listened, his expression darkened. “No, you did the right thing. Have you called the police? Good. I’ll be there in about twenty-five minutes.”

He replaced his phone and true regret played in his eyes. “There’s been a break-in. I have to go.”

On impulse, Ileana offered, “I’ll go with you.”

His features grew grim. “No. Please stay and finish your dinner.” He signaled the waitress over as he rose. “There’s an emergency. I have to leave. If Miss Alvarez Calderon wants anything more...”

Ileana rose, too. “I’m finished.”

“Then I need the bill immediately.”

“Certainly, sir. If you’ll follow me, I’ll get you cashed out.”

In moments, they stood in the lighted parking lot. Fate had intervened to prevent Ileana from doing something foolhardy. Had Michael not received that call, she would have gladly accepted a kiss, which she knew would have soon gotten out of control.

Michael stood in front of her with the same awareness in his eyes, but he rocked on his heels, anxious to leave.

In the awkwardness, Ileana fell into the habit of familiar manners. “Thank you for dinner, but you shouldn’t have paid. The next time will be on me.”

“I wish I had more time.”

“I understand. I won’t keep you.”

Michael hesitated a moment more, then visibly tore himself from her presence. He strode to the other side of the parking lot.

Ileana watched him go, strangely feeling let-down, as though she’d missed something important.

Michael hated leaving Ileana. Except for a few awkward moments when she’d brought up his family, they’d got on like a house on fire. His burning erection was a testament to that. And the way she’d looked at him—like she wanted to eat him up—had made his blood head south in a hurry.

Now, damn it, instead of heading home with her to see how many ways they could indulge their mutual lust, he had to return to business.

His gut twisted. A break-in, his security guard had said. Is that how inventory had gone missing at his other warehouse?

Traffic made him want to yell with frustration and rage. He needed to get there. Who knew how long he’d be tied up with the cops. Damn it...his parents. At the next red light he pulled out his cell phone and rang them. His dad answered.

“Dad, an emergency came up at one of my warehouses. I’m going to be tied up for several more hours. I can still come over tonight, but it might be late.”

“Son,” he could hear his dad moving then he spoke more quietly, “You aren’t avoiding your brother, are you?”

Guilt momentarily ate at him, and then anger pushed it back. “No, I’m not. Someone broke into my warehouse. I’m headed there now to meet the police.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” His father paused. “It’s just something your mother said.”

“Dad, I’m doing the best I can to help you and Mom, so you won’t have to worry about anything. That means I don’t have a lot of free time.”

“We don’t expect you to pay for everything, Michael. We never asked for that.”

“You took care of me when I was young. I owe you for that. I want to help.”

“But if helping us means you don’t have time for your brothers...”

“Dad, they’re both young and in love. They don’t want their big brother in the way.”

“Is it because they found someone special and you haven’t? Michael, there’s someone out there if you’d just look.”

Michael’s thoughts flew to Ileana. She made him feel things he hadn’t felt in...well, he couldn’t remember ever feeling that hot about a woman before. But he would not marry. He couldn’t risk his heart like that. He’d already lost one family member when his brother died.

“I’ll call you as soon as I’m finished, unless it’s after eleven. I know Mom needs her rest.”

“It’s important that we talk to you soon.”

“I know. I’ll call you.”

Frustrated rage seethed through Michael at so many urgent conflicting demands on his limited time—his parents foremost. He needed his mom to receive a clean bill of health from the doctor. He had to stop whoever was stealing from him. That was profit he might use to pay for his mom’s treatment. And he wanted to see Ileana again.

He couldn’t just call her and invite her to his house for some satisfying sex. She required a lead-in, like dinner had been tonight. She needed seduction in order to let her guard down. He wondered if it was her Cuban upbringing.

Michael cursed the thieves for stealing his time with Ileana. He’d have to try to coax her into a date, even though she’d made her views on dating clear.

But her eyes had sent a different message at dinner.

Finally he pulled up to the warehouse. A police car sat in the street outside. Good, he wouldn’t have to wait for them. He pushed through the side door and was greeted by his security guard and two police officers: one African-American and one Hispanic.

“I’m sorry, sir…” the Latino cop began.

“Mr. Ziffkin,” Michael’s security guard overrode the cop. “I was just telling these officers what I found. These are officers Hernandez and Forster.”

“You’re the owner?” The cop’s nametag identified him as Hernandez.

“Yes. Harry, do you know if anything was stolen?” Michael asked the guard.

Harry Gardino was fifty-seven and a former marine who still wore his black hair in a crew cut. “I haven’t had a chance to look at the merchandise yet. As soon as I found the open door I checked the premises for intruders but found none. Then I called you.”

“Mr. Ziffkin, we’d like you to take a look,” Officer Forster suggested, “and see if anything obvious is missing.”

“Sure,” Michael agreed.

The medium-sized warehouse held a lot of goods. Since he visited regularly, he knew the merchandise. He was a hands-on manager. Desiree would call him a control freak.

Whoever broke in had left the cheap trinkets alone as well as the medium-priced items. He didn’t trade in a lot of the more expensive items because he sold mainly to tourist retail shops. But when he entered the section of the warehouse where the upscale items were stored, he saw the bare spots immediately.

“They went after the higher-end items. At least a couple of crates are missing.” The more expensive items moved slower and were therefore kept towards the back of the warehouse. How much time had the thieves had to look through the place?

“Harry, how long between rounds?”

“It was two hours this time. I checked. And I vary my routine.”

“They must have been casing the place,” Hernandez surmised.

“How’d they know what to take?” Michael asked.

“Depends on how long they’ve been watching,” Forster replied.

“A determined person could find a place to hide where he could track comings and goings and what gets unloaded,” Hernandez added.

Michael wondered if the thieves were watching all his properties.

Harry seemed to wonder the same thing because he asked, “You want us to step up patrols, Mr. Ziffkin?”

“Yeah. I’ll call your dispatcher and confirm it then talk to your office in the morning.” Michael pulled out his cell phone and typed in those reminders. Then everyone moved towards the front of the warehouse.