Sold on You (13 page)

"Those are admirable intentions, but you should be directing your efforts to getting her family involved, instead of having her depend on you."

"I don't care what you think," she huffed, wishing she could tell him off. Since the nurses' station was within hearing distance, she took a step closer to him and lowered her voice to a near whisper. "Not everyone has the benefit of having a mother and father spoil him and a doting
abuelita
fawn all over him." She had the satisfaction of seeing his features sharpen with affront.

Big hands on lean hips, he leaned forward, anchoring her to the spot with his penetrating gaze. "You know nothing about my childhood," he said roughly, his expression dark. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a patient to examine."

"Wait!" she said helplessly. She was going to have to swallow her pride and backtrack. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I need to ask you a favor."

Marcos watched her impassively, almost as if he hadn't heard her apology.

Gabriela swallowed hard. "Um... I'm afraid I was too rash this morning when I quit."

His eyebrows shot up. "Does that mean you're back on board?"

Gabriela nodded, but she wasn't thrilled about it. "I still hate it, but I'm in again. Or is it too late?"

"It's not too late. I haven't told Abuelita Coqui anything."He eyed her with a curious expression. "What made you change your mind?"

She began to walk toward the elevator with Marcos beside her.

"The Fresh Start Center desperately needs all the funds it can get. Girls like Christy need a place to stay with their babies and be able to go to school. I'm doing it for Christy!"

He looked burdened as he listened to her.

"There's something I need to add to our deal. It's crucial," she added, when he remained silent.

"What is it?"

"Christy's father is a handyman and he can't find work. I was hoping you'd find something for him to do or help me find someone to hire him."

"Sure, no problem. I was planning on remodeling my office anyway," Marcos said easily.

"Really?" she exclaimed, thrilled he'd agreed so readily. "That would be great." She shifted from one foot to the other on her high-heeled pumps, thinking it hadn't been such a good idea to wear them to work. "Well... okay... I need to get going. I'm on vacation for two weeks starting tomorrow."

Marcos beamed at her. "I have a great idea. Since you'll be on vacation, why don't we fly to New York for a little Christmas shopping? We can leave early tomorrow morning and be gone the whole day. I don't have any surgeries scheduled and Dr. Cortes can cover for me with my other patients."

Was he joking?
From the earnest expression on his face, she realized he was serious.

"What about your grandma?" she blurted out.

He smiled. "It was her idea. When I got back from our little spat at beach this morning, she grilled me on why I hadn't bought your engagement ring yet."

"Uh oh, I was afraid of that. What did you say?"

"The first thing that came into my mind. I told her I was planning to surprise you with a diamond ring from Tiffany's for Christmas. She loved the idea and urged me to take you to New York on a romantic trip.

A romantic trip.
Gabriela's heart skipped a beat at the tempting invitation.

"Abuelita said you should choose the ring since you'll be wearing it for the rest of your life," he added, watching her reaction.

Gabriela gasped.

He chuckled wryly. "Those were her words, not mine."

"Are you crazy? A diamond ring from Tiffany's must cost a fortune! What if you can't return it?"

"Don't worry about that," he said, dismissing her concern.

"But I do worry! Listen, just get me a fake diamond at any store here, you know, like a cubic zirconia or something."

"No. Abuelita Coqui would be able to tell the difference. She has beautiful jewelry. The Tiffany setting is unique and that's what I want to get." He smiled. "Don't make such a big deal out of this, Gabriela. Just say yes."

Obviously, Marcos wasn't going to give up on the preposterous idea. Gabriela shook her head in disbelief. He was giving her the opportunity to take a fantasy trip alone with him, far away from Nicole.

"Who will keep your grandmother company while we're gone? I mean, weren't you worried about her health last night?"

"She's doing fine. I checked her blood pressure again this morning and it was normal. She might have been feeling a little out of it yesterday because she overdid it. She forgets that she's eighty-five."

"That's a relief. I'm glad she's okay."

"Me too. Anyway, my housekeeper, Carmen, can stay with her until we get back. It's only for one day." Marcos' thick-lashed eyes gazed at her persuasively as his grin beckoned her with all-male charm. "Come on,
gatica,
live a little."

"Did you say New York? Why not Paris?" she quipped with a nervous laugh.

"We don't have time for Paris. It would take the better part of a day just getting there," he replied.

"You're serious, aren't you?" she asked, taken aback by his answer.

"I wouldn't invite you as a joke. We'll have a great time. New York City is beautiful this time of year. I'd like to show it to you."

How could she possibly turn down such an irresistible invitation? "Thanks. I'd love to go." Her impulsive decision such so uncharacteristic for her, she suddenly felt liberated and empowered.

"Great. I'll make the arrangements for an early morning flight. You'll need a winter coat because it's in the forties up there. Dress in something casual and warm like you had on last night."

"Okay," she said, pleased by his compliment.

"Don't worry about joining us for dinner tonight. Why don't you take the rest of the day to get things ready?"

"I can't. I promised to take your grandma out this afternoon to see the sights."

He hit his forehead with his palm. "Oh, that's right." After a pensive pause, he said, "I have a solution. Abuelita Coqui mentioned this morning that she wants to make empanadas for Marisol as a surprise. I can ask Carmen to take her to the market this afternoon so she can get the ingredients. Then tomorrow, she can spend the day making them with Carmen."

"That sounds perfect. I'd love to taste her empanadas."

"They're delicious. Marisol gets homesick for them every Christmas because Abuelita Coqui always made them during the holidays when we were growing up."

"It's our custom in Colombia to make tamales for Christmas," she said, smiling. "I'll give Abuelita Coqui a call tonight and promise to take her out as soon as we return from New York. Call me when you know what time we'll be leaving."

"Will do. By the way, you look beautiful."

"Thanks," she said, feeling more exhilarated by the moment as she watched Marcos leave. She was actually going to New York with this gorgeous man! There was no time to lose. She suddenly went into overdrive, making a list of everything she needed to do to be able to leave tomorrow morning. It was amazing how the proper motivation could make a person get everything done in a hurry.

* * *

That night as she sat in bed dressed in her warm nightgown, Gabriela went over her scribbled list one last time making sure she'd accomplished everything to her satisfaction. Sabrina had agreed to check in on Christy while Gabriela was in New York. She had even lent Gabriela her camel cashmere coat, insisting that she take her gloves and hat, too. She made a mental note to bring back a gift for her thoughtful friend.

Gabriela put her list down on the nightstand and shut off the light. Hugging her pillow, she willed her body to relax even though every nerve cell in her body was leaping with excitement.

A trip to New York with Marcos
... it was a dream come true!

Chapter 8

The following morning, Gabriela hastened to open the door when she heard the doorbell ring. The sight of Marcos made her heart leap at how hot he looked in a brown leather bomber jacket, black turtleneck, and jeans. His thick chestnut hair was slightly ruffled from the ocean breeze and his eyes glowed like warm honey as he gazed at her. He loomed several inches above her, looking appealingly rugged. She smiled to herself, imagining that teenagers would have referred to him as a hottie.

"Ready to go?" His warm smile held an open invitation.

"Yes," she said after struggling a few minutes to find her voice. Ever since she'd made the impulsive decision to accompany Marcos on this dream trip, she'd been giddy with anticipation.

"I have a taxi waiting downstairs," he said, watching her rummage in her shoulder bag for her key.

Gabriela locked the front door and rushed with him downstairs. Seated beside him in the taxicab, she felt her stomach flutter wildly as she looked at his handsome profile.

Marcos took her cold hand in his warm one and gazed down at it. "I'm glad you decided to come. Have you ever been to New York?"

"No. It's my first time," she admitted.

"You'll love it. New York sparkles at Christmastime. It will be a special trip."

"Yes," Gabriela said, gazing into his dreamy eyes. Marcos looked as if he was about to kiss her. He kissed her cheek instead of her mouth and smiled, making her long for more.

They arrived at the airport and rushed to the gate to make it in time. Since they had no baggage, Marcos led her directly to the first-class compartment of the airplane. Gabriela felt as if she were floating on a fantasy cloud. He had certainly planned things to be special. Or did he always indulge in such luxury as first class? As much as she felt uncomfortable with his lavish ways, she had to admit his lifestyle had its benefits.

As she rested her head against Marcos's shoulder during the airline flight, Gabriela felt him press a soft kiss on the top of her head. His arm was casually draped around her shoulders, while the other hand held a magazine. Pretending to be asleep, she inhaled deeply his appealing scent and peeked through her lashes to see what he was reading.

Glamour?
Gabriela almost laughed out loud. Marcos had picked up the magazine she'd hastily taken from the flight attendant. He was chuckling as he read an article about the ten things women most hate about men. Resisting the urge to add a few comments of her own to the article, she closed her eyes and drifted off into peaceful slumber.

Several hours later, Marcos and Gabriela stood in front of the Plaza Hotel.

"Are we having lunch here?" Gabriela asked.

"No, I booked a room so we can come back and rest after all the walking we're going to do."

"We don't need a room to rest our feet," she said after pausing to digest that. "What are you planning?"

"Something special," he promised.

When they entered the luxurious hotel, Gabriela was delighted to see firsthand what she'd only read about as a little girl in her favorite
Eloise
books. Enthralled, she took in every opulent detail, slowly twirling until she noticed Marcos was waiting for her.

"Go ahead and explore while I check us in," he said, smiling as he headed for the front desk.

Moments later, Marcos opened the door to a spacious suite and motioned for Gabriela to enter ahead of him.

"This isn't just a room, it's a gorgeous suite!" she said, awestruck.

It was sumptuously decorated French style in ivory and gold, with luxurious furnishings of exotic wood, tufted velvet and delicate silk fabrics. Every inch of the well-appointed room was a feast for the eyes.

Marcos took her hand and led her to the window. "Look at that view."

"It's breathtaking," Gabriela said, gazing at the splendid view of Central Park, majestic and hauntingly beautiful in varying tones of gray and white. Bare-limbed trees reached up to the heavens, oblivious to the people in brightly colored winter outfits riding in horse-and-buggy carriages throughout the park.

"Are we going to do that?" she asked, pointing to a carriage.

"You want to go on a buggy ride?"

"Oh, yes!"

Marcos grinned. "Maybe this evening before dinner. If it's not snowing too hard."

"Is snow forecasted for today? I've never seen snow. I want to feel snowflakes on my face."

His deep chuckle rang out as he picked her up and twirled her around. "Me, too. We'd better hurry so we can have lunch before the matinee," he said, setting her on her feet again.

Marcos' exuberance was contagious. Gabriela grinned like a fool caught up in his enthusiasm. "What are we seeing?" she asked eagerly.

"The Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall."

"I can't wait to see the Rockettes. Have you been before?"

"I haven't. This'll be my first time."

"It's nice to know you're a virgin at something," she said with a naughty grin.

He kissed her upturned nose. "Not in the things that count."

Gabriela blushed, surprised at herself for teasing Marcos with sexual innuendo. She hadn't touched a drop of alcohol on the flight there, yet she felt drunk with giddy anticipation as Marcos took her hand and strolled out the door.

* * *

With no time to eat at a restaurant before the matinee, Marcos and Gabriela ate hot dogs from a street vendor and then rushed to the show
.