style="font-size:15px;"> Jake raised his brows. “Nothing isn’t exactly how I’d put it, Señorita Torrez. You nearly scalded me!” He caught Juan’s eye. “And I won’t be explaining where!”
Juan frowned and turned to her. “Victoria? Explain yourself.”
Jake hid a quick smile. At least he’d learned her first name now, even though it had earned him a killer glare.
“Señor Dumont was kind enough to help shoo away a mongrel intent on the soup I carried to the hospital. I thanked him at the time. I did not expect to see him again.”
“Soup?”
“For the injured men. Your cook asked me to take it. She could then get an earlier start to her home.”
“It seems I owe you thanks,” Juan said with all the finesse of a gentleman.
He did not invite Jake sit down with them. That being the situation, Jake charged ahead. “Instead of your gratitude, I’d rather have your permission to dance with the lady.”
Juan raised his brows, and Jake could see him preparing a refusal.
“You don’t need to worry about my intentions, Captain Seguín. I have none. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow as soon as my horse heals up. Just one dance—in honor of the occasion.”
Her lips twitched at his last comment.
Encouraged by the reaction, he said again, “One dance. After all, it is a party.”
“I am not swayed by this Washington celebration,” she said. “I think you Anglos use it as an excuse to drink. However, if my cousin will allow it, I will consent to one dance.”
More surprised by her acquiescence than he’d admit, Jake waited for Seguín’s response. Finally the man nodded.
Diego frowned, rising to his feet. “You do not need to do this, Victoria.”
“It is only one dance,” she said as she stood. “And he was kind to help me yesterday. I probably would have dropped the soup and burnt myself if not for his quick action.”
Jake shot a triumphant smile at her two body-guards and then followed her to the small open area used for dancing, his gaze on the seductive swaying of her gown. When she turned to face him, he looked into eyes the color of dark mahogany, fringed with long coal-black lashes and wondered at his good fortune—or perhaps her lack thereof. He raised his hand for her to take. “Bad pennies or pezos in this case.”
With an elegant movement, she drew up the side of her skirt and then slowly placed her other hand in his. “No entiendo. I do not understand.”
Despite her cool, smooth touch, he felt warmth rush up his arm. “They do turn up.”
At his words, Victoria pressed her lips together. No matter her grimace, Jake found her tantalizing. At her best, she must be about five foot two, he figured. The top of her head reached his shoulder. She held herself in rigid control as she followed his lead, and still she was the most graceful thing on the dance floor.
“Relax, Victoria. Unlike the dog earlier today, I won’t bite.”
She scowled. “You use my given name freely.”
“It’s a beautiful name—like you.”
That earned him another frown. Was she really so used to men who took a year to say hello? Well, he wouldn’t change to suit her. He didn’t have the inclination or the time. “I take it the dog hasn’t bothered you again?”
“No, señor. After you handled the situation, it gave up completely.”
He smiled. “I have that influence at times.”
She caught the innuendo and gave him a slow, assessing look. “You are a very confident man.”
“Persistent, too. I don’t take no for an answer, but a challenge.” He swirled her around the small floor, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. She followed his lead effortlessly, her eyes taking on a shine. She was enjoying this, even if she wouldn’t admit it.
“An answer to what question?”
He stared at her full lips. “Why, what every man here is wondering as they watch us dance.”
She raised a dainty, perfectly arched brow.
“Will the lady allow him a kiss?”
Her lips pressed together again, this time stifling a smile that threatened.
He knew he was being forward—cavalier by any woman’s definition, but his mood had lifted considerably when she’d consented to the waltz. After all, it was all about the chase, and she seemed to be enjoying it. With effort he dragged his gaze away from her lips and focused on her eyes.
“With you, I think the answer I seek—” he leaned close, close enough to be tickled by a few wisps of her hair, and whispered into her ear “—is a yes.”
She stiffened slightly within his arms.
“I’ll take care of that later, darlin’.”
“You are too bold, señor. Perhaps I would consider a kiss if you could ask for it in my language. Until then, my answer is no.”
He grunted.
A smug smile lifted her lips.
Oh, she was tempting, definitely tempting enough to learn a few phrases. “How many kisses? Surely a phrase is worth more than one kiss?”
“For now, let’s just enjoy the dance.”
Her breath came in shorter gasps as he twirled her around, making sure to keep her just this side of dizzy. She relaxed the rigid hold she had on her body, her cheeks flushing with color, as she let herself enjoy the music.
“That’s better,” he said, drawing her close again and breathing in the perfumed soap she’d used earlier in the day. “Now, tell me what brings you here to this cow town in the middle of winter.”
She gave him a sweet, evasive smile. “A visit with my cousin, of course.”
“You expect me to believe that?” He paused, studying her face—the straight classic nose, the large smoky eyes. That she couldn’t meet his gaze gave him his answer, but she sure was striking when she was telling a tale.
“Of course I do.”
“What if I said I thought you were lying?”
She faltered in her steps. “You do not know me well enough to say whether I am or not.”
“True—and I’d never argue with such a beautiful señorita, but still you haven’t given me the entire truth.”
The mysterious half smile she bestowed upon him made him catch his breath. “And why should I pour out my heart to you when you will be gone once your horse has healed?”
