CHAPTER TWO

Cautious and slow, Lola walked up to him. Up close, she acknowledged his intimidating height and noticed the whiskey breath that hung around him had mixed with his cologne, forming a strong scent that could probably intoxicate or even knock someone out. Santiago took her phone and turned it around, smiling at the Apple logo engraved in the back of the device.

“What is it?” Lola asked with a frown.

“An iPhone,” Santiago replied, still grinning. “I find it amusing that people still use these.”

Lola glared up at him like his brain had started leaking from his ears. “iPhones are still as popular as when they were first released almost two decades ago. Why does it amuse you now?”

Santiago shrugged. “I mean, you’re not wrong. The Apple brand is still going strong after such a long time in the tech industry. But that’s because there hasn’t been enough fierce competition. Until now, anyway.”

Lola rolled her eyes as Santiago extracted a sleek, black phone from his pocket and held it up like an ID card. She realized where he was going with his silly observation. Of course, he wanted to show off Infinity Tech’s new line of electronic products.

“The impact our Infinity phones will make in the tech market will be legendary,” he stated, his tone dripping with confidence. With his thumb, he pushed a button on the side, and the phone’s large screen came to life, displaying a bold I in its center.

Lola stared at the device for a second, then burst into laughter so suddenly that Santiago was startled.

“You think it’s funny?” His voice didn’t sound so confident anymore.

Still chuckling, Lola nodded. “That has to be the corniest thing I’ve ever heard. An Infinity phone? What are you? Thanos? I ask you to please fire whoever’s in charge of the naming department.”

Santiago frowned. “What are you talking about? I came up with the name.”

Lola’s laughter intensified as she doubled over. “That explains a lot.”

Santiago shook his head in disappointment, although he wore a small smile. “You obviously know nothing about how things like this work. Should’ve just remained a goalie.”

Lola was unfazed by his weak comeback. “Even a goalie who throws the ball in the net ten times in a single match wouldn’t be dumb enough to come up with a name like that. You must think you’re Mr. Terrific or something.”

Santiago chuckled as he slid the phone back into his pocket. “Mr. Terrific. That was actually funny. Okay, you got me. What would you suggest?”

Lola shook her head repeatedly. “No, no, no. I’m not in any position to replace such an already awesome name. I’m not the Tony Stark wanna be here.”

“Neither am I. Stark is such a ripoff. I’m Mr. Terrific, remember?”

“You wish,” Lola scoffed as she swept her hair away from her face. “You’re just a washed-up bad boy living on daddy’s money.”

The room became eerily quiet as she groped her mouth with wide eyes. For something that sounded better in her head, she was shocked that the statement came out with a degrading tone. She hadn’t expected it to be so denigrating the moment it left her mouth. She looked up at Santiago, ready to follow up with an apology. The look of amusement in his eyes stopped her, though. And the fact that he was still smiling… what the hell was going through his mind?

“Well, well,” Santiago said again as he dropped his glass of whiskey on a small glass table by his side. “Look who learned how to get mean with words.”

“It wasn’t intentional,” Lola muttered, fiddling with her fingers. “And I didn’t really mean that.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t start feeling remorseful now. This is a good thing. It means I can stop going easy on you. Your virgin ears are ready for the worst.”

Lola glared at him again, then decided she’d had enough. “You know what? I think I’ll just wait for Gabriele at the lobby,” she said as she reached for her phone.

Santiago withdrew his hand from her reach, choosing to drop her phone right next to his whiskey glass instead.

“What’s wrong?” he asked with a sly smile. “Did I hit a nerve already? Are you sure you shouldn’t be with boys your age? ‘Cause it seems like you’re trespassing in a man’s world here.”

“Boys my age?” Lola had no idea where the conversation was veering off to, but she definitely didn’t appreciate his smug observation about her age. “I’m twenty-five, Santiago. Not sixteen. You can cut that crap out.”

“Oh?” He stepped closer, pouring the intensity of his gaze down at her as he watched her cheeks get redder. “Sure you’re not that young, but you’re still young for the things I’d do to you.”

Lola caught herself breathing hard as she stared up at him. As the voice in her head screamed at her to leave before things spiral out of control, she tried reaching for her phone again. Her fingertips make contact with the rim of the whiskey glass instead, and her eyes widen when she hears the unmistakable sound of glass crashing against the marble floor.

“Shit,” she muttered, immediately squatting to pick up the shards.

Santiago quickly followed suit. “Why do I feel like you did that on purpose? Were you that desperate to cause a distraction?”

Lola finally snapped. “You know what, Santiago? It was really nice meeting you again and all, but I think if I stay here any longer, I’ll be accused of murdering Forbes’ latest addition to their billionaire list.”

She reached for the last piece of glass, unaware that Santiago was going for it as well. Their hands brush together, and Lola immediately flinches like she’s touched a hot stove.

Santiago smiled yet again, just as he rose to his feet. “I don’t think you’re really in a hurry to leave, Lola.”

Also on her feet, Lola raised an eyebrow. “And why’s that?”

Santiago took a step closer, gently sweeping away strands of her hair and tucking them behind her ear.

“Because you’re too busy enjoying the view of my lips,” he whispered.

Lola started to retort, then she paused. Something wasn’t right. Her heart was racing faster than a speeding horse. Her mouth had gone numb, refusing to release the words her brain issued forth. It took her insane amounts of control to keep herself from drawing her finger across his chest and well-defined abdominal muscles.

It was at that very moment she realized how right Santiago was. She wasn’t in a hurry to leave at all. Might as well take a bite out of the cake flaunting itself before her.

Without thinking, Lola dropped her purse and melted into Santiago, pulling his head down for a ravenous kiss.