Born Into Love (3 page)

His
neighbor headed for the vegetable counter. Diego followed. Shopping proved a novel experience, one he enjoyed because of the company. They filled their carts with greenery and stood in line. She extracted a cell phone from her large straw purse and called her sister. The conversation stole color from her cheeks. When she disengaged, daggers of suspicion emanated from her eyes. “What is it?” he asked. For the past hundred years he had limited his access to private thoughts. Occasionally, he broke the rule, but not today. Conquering people was no longer what he did.

“My sister’s hooked up with your assistant for lunch. Annie told me not to rush because Luz’s making paella.”

“Hmm. The exhibit must be problem free.” He hesitated then made the suggestion that seemed appropriate. “Why don’t we have lunch? People speak highly of The Swan. It overlooks the bay. You’ll be able to monitor the water for surprises.”

The unanswered question hung in the air while she paid the clerk and made arrangements to have her order delivered. She waited for
him to do the same. Outside he moved under an ancient willow away from shoppers and out of the sun.

Mercedes closed in. “Did you send Luz to my house?”

“I do not have to connive to get a date.” That rejoinder set her back. She weighed her response with a bewitching shift of her shoulders.

“Okay, I’ll join you, but I’m not dressed for someplace fancy.”

“It is summer. Everyone is in shorts.”

“We’ll take separate cars.”

Except the right rear tire of her vehicle had gone flat. He thanked the rusted nail. A woman of action, she bent to assess the situation. His impertinent gaze lingered on her legs and the taut muscles encased in her lightly tanned skin. She stood abruptly and pierced him with eyes that reminded him of the intensity he once saw in the gaze of a London detective.

“Is this more of the plot you didn’t hatch?”

“Someone as suspicious as you must have trouble meeting men.”

She cocked her head and her hip at the same time. “Well, I do suspect the worst.”

“Why?”

“Experience; a grim teacher.”

Diego made a few calls and with the vehicle en route to a service garage, he turned to her. “That should ease today’s grimness. We can have lunch while the car is repaired.”

“I’ll pay you back.”

Several generations had passed since a person with so many attractive parts and such a determined nature had crossed his path. Nevertheless, Mercedes eased his pain. Joy still lodged inside him and his spirit hunted for more. So eager was he to know her better that he hungered to the point of aching. Soon Mercedes and he would sit opposite each other and he would be able to drink in her beauty and pepper the conversation with personal questions.

* * *

Mercedes sank into the cushioned chair, tingling at being alone and on an almost date with the famous Diego Castilla.

The waiter shook open her linen napkin and placed it on her lap then performed the same ritual for Diego. The young man’s enthusiastic recitation of the menu made it almost impossible to decide the entrée. Eventually, she opted for the bluefish special. Diego requested a salad and a wine she’d never heard of.

When he caught her assessing him, she blurted the first thing that came to her mind. “For someone living at the beach, you’re really pale.” His dark eyes flicked toward the bay then focused on her. Her heart dove around for a few seconds and felt heavy like it’d been dunked in rich chocolate.

“I don’t spend much time in the sun and have been told not to get tan.”

“You could bronze yourself with something from a tube.”

He laughed. “I would rather talk about you.”

The waiter arrived with a bottle of white wine. Mercedes used the tasting ceremony to decide how much of her personal life to share with her unsettling neighbor and his dark, dark eyes. “I grew up in a small village here in New York. My parents are deceased and you’ve seen my sister.”

“Why become a conservator?”

“Whoa. I’m working my way into that title. Tons of schooling to go. Years.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You have no experience?”

“I’ve done basic cataloguing on two private collections. Under supervision. I studied Advanced Placement Art History. That and my Aunt Louise started my fascination with artifacts. Pots, aryballos, all types of clay vessels appeal to me. They feel like old friends.” Suddenly she felt exposed as if she’d blurted too much information. She tossed out a question hoping he wouldn’t notice she’d embarrassed herself. “According to the newspaper you’re involved returning artifacts to several countries. What made you a collector?”

“Being in the right place at the right time.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“You want to know what makes me tick?”

“Just enough to convince me I judged correctly in accepting your invitation.” His face seemed more angular and his eyes more guarded. Without wanting to, she held her breath. This guy qualified as intense. Not a typical thirty-something date.

“I can’t change history, so I rescued some of it. Now I’m sending what I have home. ”

Lunch arrived. She ignored the aroma of the well-prepared meal. “Guilty conscience?” He smiled revealing straight white teeth. Her thighs quivered.

“You possess a vivid imagination. Do I look guilty to you?”

“Well, you don’t look innocent.”

He filled her wineglass. “I have traveled the world, seen other cultures. Exhibiting my collections provides a way to share. Now I’ve gone a step further.”

“A newspaper article said the upcoming exhibition is your last.”

“Yes.”

She ate a forkful of tender fish. “Wow. Returning everything to its country of origin. You sound too good to be true.” His eyes widened and she felt as if she landed in a deep well. “I should be cautious around you.”

“It is the other way around.”

Mercedes fought off a blush and finished the entrée. “You haven’t touched your lunch.”

“I’m not hungry or thirsty.”

“Such a waste.”

He passed his plate to her. “Please. Eat the salad.”

Most women wouldn’t dive into their date’s food, but she was still hungry. “Okay, but won’t my appetite scare you? Some guys freak.”

“Nothing frightens me.”

“Except food.” She crunched a cucumber slice then devoured the garden tomatoes. When she finished, she licked house dressing from her lips. “You’re too insular. Money does that.”

“Are you always so outspoken?’

She rested her fork. “Is that what I am?”

He nodded. “What scares you?”

“Other than deep water?”

He called for the check. “Yes.”

“I’m afraid of losing my sister.”

As he rested his credit card on the table, she touched his arm. The long sleeved shirt looked like cotton, but felt like silk with a backdrop of corded muscle. “Loss is something to fear, isn’t it?”

“It is agony.”

She used the napkin then gathered her purse to her lap. “You and I aren’t so different.” He flashed a smile that rocketed through her body and tingled her toes.

“I am glad you think so.”

* * *

As
Diego guided her to the parking lot Mercedes’ cell phone chirped. She answered and he registered a difference in her voice. The news would not be good. She dropped the phone into a pocket.

“I have to go to the hospital. Annie’s in trouble.”

“I will drive. We will get your car later.”

“I’m sorry to involve you.”

“I want to help.” Mercedes fell silent and he let her ride undisturbed by conversation. Hospitals were not his favorite places. Bad memories of a visit he made in Guatemala while under the thirst still haunted him.

Annie lay on a hospital bed with her eyes closed. She opened them when she felt
Mercedes’ gaze.

“Hi, Sis.”

Mercedes shook as if struck by a temblor. Diego wanted to hold her, but such a physical presumption would set off alarms, too familiar a gesture.

“What happened?” she asked.

With a sweep of her gaze, Annie included Diego in their conversation.

“Guess I got overtired.
I passed out.”

Mercedes settled on the edge of the bed. “How’d you get here?”

“Ambulance. After Luz and I had lunch, she went home but came back with yellow roses from her garden. If she hadn’t, I might have been in real trouble. A tech just left. He took more blood.” Annie smiled at Diego. “Hi Diego. Sorry to meet under these circumstances, but I’m real glad Luz called the ambulance.”

“She has saved my life more than once.”
He excused himself to contact his companion. Luz told him she regretted that she had not accompanied their neighbor to the hospital and reminded him that she had to send Annie alone because of her duty to him to stay with the house. He accepted her rebuke and apologized.

As
he re-entered the hospital room, he heard Mercedes inquire about the baby.

A tear slipped down Annie’s cheek. “I’m not sure. He hasn’t been kicking like he usually does.”

A used bandage lay on Annie’s tray along with other swabs. A drop of fresh blood, red, but drying in the filtered hospital air demanded his attention. He threw the tempting bit into the wastebasket, but placed his finger on the stain.

With every cell screaming,
Diego tasted it. His purpose was analysis, not hunger. Yet, he had trouble differentiating the two. Overcome with longing, he stumbled against the wall. Mercedes jumped off the hospital bed.

“Are you ill?”

“I lost my balance.”

“Hospitals get to you, right? Don’t focus on blood or anything like that. Just breathe slowly.”

He squared his shoulders; shoulders that had worn armor and carried plate gold. He continued his charade avoiding the topic of blood. “Is clumsiness something you can forgive?” She bathed him with the soft greenery of her eyes.

“Sure.”

The thirst passed giving him a temporary respite. Soon he would have to feed. Tonight, before dawn.

The doctor arrived. His hushed voice added urgency to the sudden conference. Dr. Mendez suspected a blood disorder, possibly something rare. Would Mercedes provide a sample? Of course, she agreed. During the brief procedure
Diego stared at the polished floor.
“And the baby?” Annie asked.

“For the time being, his vitals are normal.”

“I’m so relieved. When can I go home?”

“Tomorrow.”

Annie managed a weak smile, but Mercedes wanted more information.

“What else can you tell us?”

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions. I’m waiting for more test results.”

Diego longed
to make life better for them. Yet he doubted some things could be changed.

* * *

Mercedes glanced at her driveway and blinked twice. “My car’s here! How’d you manage that?”

“A simple request. The garage owner is very cooperative.”

“You’re making me feel obligated. I’m uncomfortable with that.”

“My accountants pay a monthly stipend to many businesses. The owner and I have a contract. He honors my requests. Some months there is a lot of work. Others, not much.”

“Is that the truth?”

“I swear.”

She opened the car door but remained in the passenger seat. “That’s different. Sorry.”

“You have a temper, Mercedes in contradiction to the promise of your name.”

“Mercy. I haven’t shown much of that, have I?”

“There is always tonight.”

“I can’t decide if I want to run toward you or away.”

“I am familiar with the feeling. My yacht is docked at a nearby marina, but will require time to be readied. When should I call?”

“At nine, after visiting hours. Is that too late?”

“Exactly right.”

“Why don’t you have an accent? You do speak Spanish, don’t you?”

“Claro,
mi corazón
.” I have had many years to perfect my English, French, Italian and Japanese.”

“I’m no p
olyglot, but I know what
corazón
means.”

“Have I been too brazen?”

“Definitely.”

* * *

Had Diego knocked? She couldn’t remember, but she knew he stood at the door, felt him there as if he’d rung a bell.

She took in his navy blazer, creased slacks, and loafers without socks.
If I were sophisticated I could handle this guy
. But tonight, no matter how distracting his persona, she needed to know more details before they sailed. “I hope you have life preservers.”