The thought of that quick pink tongue in his mouth made a predatory smile creep across his lips. “That, I might be able to subject myself to. If you were willing, of course.”
“I don’t think that would be very scientific. My DNA would be mixed in with yours.”
“All the better.” He stared at her mouth until her lips parted.
“Ha ha ha.” Her laugh sounded tinny and false. Good. He was making her nervous.
He cocked his head. “I’m ready and willing. You can take your sample right now, if you like.”
She narrowed her lovely dark eyes. “My best friend warned me about Argentine men.”
“Oh?” He let his gaze drift over her face and neck. Enjoyed the sensual curve of her mouth and the proud tilt of her chin.
She put her hands on her hips. “She said they’re very arrogant. Full of themselves.”
He fought the urge to say Yeah, and?
But he didn’t resist letting his eyes wander lower, to where her stance pulled her jacket taut over her firm, high breasts, then down to where her propped hands defined her waist all too sharply.
Her hips twitched slightly under his gaze. Desire crept through him. He couldn’t help staring as a sudden breeze pressed her gauzy skirt to her long, slim legs.
Susannah took her hands off her hips and crossed her arms defensively over her chest.
“I’ve never had a beautiful woman ask for my DNA before. I’m just considering all my options.” Amado raised his eyes again and confronted her with his open admiration.
Her prim and proper demeanor triggered an urge to see her unbuttoned and breathless. He’d like to take her to his bed and pleasure her. Make her forget all about DNA and someone’s child and the whole crazy idea.
“Why does your boss think that I, out of all the people in the world, am his son?”
“He hired a researcher a few months ago. I think he told her all he knew about the mothers, and when they’d had the children.”
Revulsion rose in his gut. “This man thinks he has several children he’s never met?”
She nodded. “It’s awkward. I haven’t met the researcher, but I was told they’d located you here. Maybe they’re just fishing in the hope that you’re the right person.”
“I can’t be, you know.” It simply wasn’t possible.
She shrugged and a half smile tilted her mouth. Tickled his urge to kiss it. “It does seem unlikely. I’m only here because I was asked to come.”
“Do you always do what you’re told?” He raised a brow.
“It depends on who’s asking, and how much I trust them.”
Her honest answer only intrigued him more.
“Then how about I’ll give you a sample of my DNA—just to prove you’re wrong, of course—if you’ll spend the night in my bed.”
Chapter Two
Susannah’s mouth hung open for a second before she managed a laugh. “That’s one way to collect DNA. I’m not sure your parents would approve.”
Ignacio Alvarez burst through the doors onto the patio as if he’d been listening. Susannah recoiled in horror at the realization that he probably had. Clara followed close behind him, plucking anxiously at his jacket.
Cool and calm, Amado raised the bottle. “Will you join us for some wine?”
Ignacio’s bushy silver brows lowered. “Amado, we have urgent business to discuss.”
“I can imagine no business more urgent than entertaining Miss Clarke. As you heard, she’s a buyer for an important New York wine retailer. We’ve spoken about bringing our wines to the States. This could be the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”
He shot her a sly wink.
Susannah managed to keep her features composed.
“She’s arrived unannounced. There is no record of her appointment.” Ignacio glared at her.
Tarrant’s office had made multiple calls trying to set up an appointment, and had been pointedly ignored. Most likely by Ignacio. That was the reason she’d been forced to arrive unannounced.
Her curiosity deepened. She glanced at Clara, who stood in the doorway, eyes wide and anxious.
“Dad, why does Susannah’s presence here make you so uncomfortable? Surely you don’t believe her crazy story about me being her boss’s illegitimate son?” He smiled as if it was a great joke.
Ignacio’s weathered brow creased into a frown. “Of course not,” he growled. “It’s ridiculous and downright offensive. I don’t wish base accusations to tarnish our reputation. Who knows what ugly rumors such scandalous talk might generate?”
“You can’t have a rumor without something to talk about. And there’s nothing to discuss, right?” Amado leveled a dark and challenging stare at his father. Clearly, his parents’ odd behavior was making him suspicious.
And curious.
“She must leave, dear,” Clara piped up in her soft voice. “It’s for the best. We don’t want people to talk.” She wrung her plump hands.
“Have you both taken leave of your senses? Of course we want people to talk. We want the words ‘Tierra de Oro’ on everyone’s lips.” He tilted his chin to them, defying them to disagree. “I want Susannah to return to New York, unable to stop talking about our wines.” He shot her a winning smile. “In fact, we were about to head to the winery, so I can make her comfortable in the tasting room.”
Susannah’s eyes widened. Still, she wasn’t going to argue. As long as he wasn’t throwing her out.
Ignacio spluttered and Clara issued a breathy plea for him to talk to his father, but Amado slipped his arm into Susannah’s and led her past the troubled pair, through the living room, and out into the drive.
For a split second it occurred to her that he was going to pack her into her car. Get rid of her as his parents had demanded.
But instead he pulled open the passenger door of a large Mercedes sedan parked in the shade.
She climbed in, wondering if she’d live to regret it.
And if he’d live to regret not throwing her off the property. “You must be very close to your parents, to still live with them.”
“They don’t live here. They built a modern house near the winery. They’re always hovering around, though. I think they worry about me. They keep badgering me to find a nice girl and settle down.”
His wicked smile confirmed that he had no intention of obeying their wishes.
“They’re right to be worried.” Susannah raised an eyebrow. “You seem to be looking for trouble.”
“You’re wrong. Trouble has come looking for me.”
His heavy lidded stare made her legs wobble.
She was in trouble. At least she would be if she didn’t find a nice way to turn down his bold invitation to spend the night in his bed, yet still get her sample.
She couldn’t go home without the sample. If it proved Amado wasn’t Tarrant’s son, then there might still be time to find the right person before Tarrant died. She couldn’t forgive herself if incompetence on her part denied him the chance to meet his child. She had to get Amado to agree.
Still, she didn’t want to press her point too hard