‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
She averted her face sharply towards the window. ‘Nothing. I’m fine.’
Alejandro let it go, but he wondered if his declaration had been too harsh.
But the truth often was. Realising his parents had no room in their life for him had hurt for a long time. Time and distance had dulled the pain. Increasingly fleeting liaisons, which proved he wasn’t built for relationships, had only confirmed his suspicions.
He was more than content to accept the status quo.
Except the regret continues to chafe...
The hand within his grip moved. He gripped it tighter. As he stared down at their entwined hands something moved through him. Something numinous that had nothing to do with the electric heat of their touching palms.
The emotion further unsettled him. So much so, when the limo driving them to Ishikawa’s party drew to a stop at the top of a small hill, relief poured through him. Alighting, he took a deep, sustaining gulp of the cool evening air.
All around cherry blossoms flowered in pinks, reds and whites. Spring in Kyoto was breathtaking. But nothing surpassed the beauty of the woman who stepped out beside him a second later.
His gaze moved over her, quiet satisfaction eroding some of the tumult.
He’d called in a stylist when she’d asked for time off to go shopping. Her clear embarrassment and distress had made him probe deeper, which had led to the discovery that she hadn’t packed adequately due to a visit from her mother.
She hadn’t needed to go into great detail for him to know her mother was the reason she’d boarded his plane with shadows under her eyes. Those shadows were gone now. He paused to appreciate her feminine form in a red gown that bared her shoulders and warmed her complexion, the lightly made-up face and elegantly styled hair.
Alejandro decided then and there that he would encourage her to wear more red. Especially in bed. Drawing back from anticipatory carnal pleasures before he succumbed to the urge to hustle her back into the car and to their hotel room, he offered his arm.
She readily accepted it, a fact that pleased him greatly.
Kenzo Ishikawa’s birthday party was being held in a converted Japanese temple on the grounds of the Ishikawa private estate. The structure was a replica of the world-renowned Golden Pavilion, and, like its namesake, golden light poured from wide windows and spilled onto the man-made lake surrounding the structure.
Alejandro escorted Elise across a wooden bridge and they were met with barefooted geishas, serving champagne and canapés. He handed her a glass and took one for himself, but Alejandro wasn’t interested in drinking.
He spotted his brother from across the room and acknowledged Gael’s stiff greeting with one of his own. Then a well-dressed old man with a walking stick heading their way drew his attention.
Setting his glass down, he held out his hand. ‘Mr Ishikawa-san, thank you for inviting us to your party,’ Alejandro said. ‘Allow me to introduce you—’
‘No introduction needed, Mr Aguilar. Elise’s grandmother is a good friend of mine, and is quite adept at twisting my arm when it suits her,’ Kenzo replied dryly, his shrewd eyes lingering on Elise for a moment before returning to Alejandro.
‘We’re honoured to be here,’ Elise replied, her smile warm as she gave a small bow. She handed over the oblong ribbon-tied present. ‘A gift from my grandmother.’
The old man’s snowy brows lifted. ‘More gifts? I received yours this afternoon, Mr Aguilar. Along with your note.’
Alejandro nodded. ‘Twenty minutes of your time later, if you would be so kind.’
Kenzo’s dark eyes regarded him steadily. ‘That is twice longer than your brother requested.’
Alejandro’s kept his expression neutral. ‘Then between us we won’t take up too much of your time.’
The old man watched him with eyes that saw too much. ‘Did you not consider it expedient to speak to me together?’ he replied.
The chafing reasserted itself, rubbing harsh and relentless. ‘The timing isn’t quite right.’
Kenzo nodded, his expression holding an understanding that jarred Alejandro. ‘Of course. Timing. The one thing we all wish we were experts at.’ Before Alejandro could respond, he turned to Elise. ‘Would you accompany me to my seat, my dear? I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to since I last spoke to your grandmother.’
Elise sent Alejandro a wary glance. He didn’t want to let her go. The realisation wasn’t surprising. After all, hadn’t the days since the incident on his plane been revelatory in many ways? He desired her. But he was drawn to her in other ways besides sexually. He wasn’t quite ready yet to explore those other emotions. But somewhere along the way an acceptance of his suddenly possessive disposition had settled in.
‘Alejandro?’
He focused on her stunning face, realised he was still holding on to her and released her. ‘Sí. Of course. I’ll see you later.’
Her wariness didn’t abate, but she nodded. Vowing to address it at the first opportunity, he watched her walk away, her revived smile luminescent enough to draw glances as she made her way through the crowded room.
‘Madre de Dios. If beauty like hers could be bottled, I’d be a hell of a lot richer than I am right now,’ Gael drawled from beside him. ‘Things are still platonic between you two, right? So you won’t mind if I ask her out—’
‘She’s off limits to you, Gael,’ Alejandro snarled. The icy fury that scoured through him at the very thought of Gael with Elise was shocking in the extreme. ‘For your own sake, don’t make me repeat myself on this subject. Ever.’
Gael held up his hands in mock surrender, a low laugh accompanying the gesture. ‘Okay, okay. Basta de charla!’ Enough said.
Alejandro exhaled, unclenching fists he hadn’t realised he’d balled. When another champagne server approached, he grabbed a glass, just for something to do with his hands.
‘Are you always this wound up? It can’t be good for your health,’ Gael muttered, sipping his own drink.
‘My health is none of your concern,’ he snapped.
Gael’s face closed up. ‘Of course. Trust me, you made that pretty clear in Chicago.’
The emotions eating at him suddenly multiplied, sapping his control. ‘This may be a party, but I’m here for business only. If you’re seeking me out under the misapprehension that it would be anything else, you’re about to be sorely disappointed.’
A grim smile touched Gael’s lips. ‘And does that statement apply to everyone here, or just me?’
‘What are you talking about?’ he demanded, yearning for something, anything to help end this conversation. With an unstoppable compulsion, he sought out Elise.
She was at Kenzo’s table, with the old man and his grandsons surrounding her. Alejandro watched as Jason Ishikawa leaned over and whispered in her ear. She laughed, her face so beautiful. His breath caught.
‘Nothing. Forget it,’ Gael murmured.
Alejandro barely heard him leave. Jealousy pounded, strong and hot through him as he watched her interact with the younger Ishikawa brother.
As if sensing his regard, she lifted her head. Her expression dimmed, escalating his suspicion that something was wrong.
Something he’d said to her in the car had upset her. But what?
Go to her. Find out. Claim her.
No. She needed to be handled with care. If she was as innocent as he was beginning to believe she was, the way he was feeling right now would cause more harm