CHAPTER 5: ONE KISS, ONE DANCE

ESTEBAN 

Somehow my feet had moved before I realized it. I cupped her face in my hands, scared she’ll disappear into nothingness. But she was right there, fear in her eyes with tears threatening to fall. She was trembling.

“Laura?” 

I couldn’t recognize my own voice.

“Diablo, please…” she whispered, closing her eyes as a tear dropped free.

She was terrified. I held her close, circling my arms around her waist. She smelled of sweet berries, lavender and a hint of vanilla all coming together to create an intoxicating scent. It felt so good, so real yet so wrong. The Laura I knew wouldn’t tremble at the sight of me. She would smile up at me and call me Etsy like she always did while I did my best to push her away. The Laura I knew died. I buried her myself.  

I knew she couldn’t possibly be my Laura but still, I let myself hope. Trailing my fingers down the side of her face to her neck, I searched for the one mark that I knew couldn’t possibly be there– the birth mark. There was nothing. I wanted to kick myself for being so gullible. Caitlin looked up at me and flinched. Why and how did she look so much like Laura? How the fuck did Zuri know? What was his reason behind this?

Releasing her from my grip, I turned to look at Zuri and then Gustavo. “Get out.” 

Zuri immediately scrambled out of the room with the speed of light. Gustavo gave me a raised brow before nodding and walking out.

“And where do you think you’re going, Caitlin?” She froze. “I asked them to leave, not you.”

 She opened her mouth to speak, defiance in her eyes but then she pressed her lips shut and lowered her gaze.

“Come here.” There was nothing soft about the way I had given the order.

The involuntary sway of her hips as she moved towards me had my eyes fixed on those perfect curves. No, it had to be the face. I should have been mad, should have made Zuri pay for messing with me and then kicked this fraud out the door but for some reason, I didn't want her to leave.

Caitlin stopped right in front of me, her gaze fixed on the floor like there was something of interest there. I tapped the couch.

“Sit.”

She sat as I instructed.

“What was the plan, little bird? Why did Caspian bring you here?”

She said nothing, just shook her head.

Truth is, if he really brought her here for a mission, he wouldn't leave her without a way to know she was actually doing the job— at least I wouldn't if I were him.

“Strip.” I ordered.

“No!” She exclaimed. The fear that had prevented her from looking me in the eyes vanished for a moment as she stared at me like I had gone mad. “I mean, please…” 

Ignoring her, I called out for Gustavo.

“Yes, Don.” 

Gus rushed in, waiting for my instruction.

“Get Tina. Do not step foot in here unless I ask you to.”

Then I signaled for a book and a pen. If Zuri was listening, he would believe something else entirely. Maybe I was just in the mood for some games.

“Understood, Don.” Gustavo made a small bow and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

“Don't let me repeat myself, kitty.”

She pushed forward, putting both hands behind her back, battling with her zipper. The more she tried, the more of her full, creamy blossom pushed out of the dress.

I swallowed hard, imagining what a taste would feel like.

This is not you. You're not a list driven moron!

It was definitely her face— the resemblance, nothing more.

“I— I can't reach…”

“Let me.” The words were out before I could catch myself.

My hands went around her and unzipped the dress. The little sleeves of the dress dropped, leaving almost nothing of those perfect breasts to my imagination. 

Her generous, luscious lips were parted, hot breath feathered across my face. 

“Di—Diablo?” She whispered, trying to move away.

With a hand around her neck, I sealed my lips on hers. She froze, lips parted but she wouldn't kiss back. I trailed kisses down her neck then moved one hand over her chest and squeezed— not too hard but hard enough. She moaned, arching into my hand.

Smiling against her neck, I moved my hand lower, caressing every curve of that beautiful body— lower until my hand was just between her thighs.

“God, I love how you moan.” I whispered in her ear.

Dios! What the fuck are you doing?

I pulled away and got off the couch, not trusting myself to refrain from touching her again. 

Clearing my throat, I reached for a cigarette in my pocket, “Tina will help you undress.”

Right then, Tina burst through the doors “You called for me, Don.” she said, handing me the book and pen I had requested. 

Turning the pages to find a blank page, I wrote, “why?” When I handed her the book, her eyes widened in surprise. She understood the chance I was giving her. Something flickered in her eyes. Without waiting another second, she scribbled away, writing then pausing as if to think then read through until she was done.

“Done?” I asked, stepping forward to take the book. 

After reading what she had written, a smile formed on my lips. Nothing in this revealed anything about Laura. Either she was led into this blindly or she was holding back the complete truth. If Caspian Zuri wanted a game, he was going to get one but there had to be more. There had to be someone higher, someone he worked for. I was going to play along.

“Tina, her purse, jewelry– everything, get rid of them.” 

Tina nodded in agreement while Caitlin began to shield herself with her hands.

“Search her properly. You know what to search for…”

I reached down to pour myself whiskey. A knock came from the door.

“Gustavo, i said–”

“Hey, big guy! It’s me.” Eliana’s voice filtered in through the door. 

Why in the heavens was she here? 

“Give me a minute.” or better still, leave here. Of course I couldn't say that to her. This little creature had a temper.  

I walked right to the door and opened it a little. “Little cousin, I'm quite busy–”  

She pushed past me and walked right in. How do you drag a pregnant woman out of a room without actually dragging her? Fuck, her mask wasn’t on her face but in her hand. Still, I couldn't do anything that would make her suspect anything or the next minute, Scott would be bursting through that door. It may be easy to fool Eliana but definitely not my hard headed cousin. 

“I see…” Eliana said, eyes fixed on Caitlin. Her lips curled upward. “You are indeed busy.”

Judging by Caitlin’s look— the unzipped zipper, her hair and how shaken she looked, I knew exactly what Eliana was thinking. 

“You should be getting some rest El–”

I caught myself before I made the mistake of saying her name. There was no use of caution, right? Caitlin had already seen her face.

“I’ll leave two to… you know, carry on. Aunt Miranda wants you in the hall. Truth is, I think she’s trying to play matchmaker.” Eliana walked back to the door, twisted the doorknob then stopped. “It’s a good thing you have a girlfriend. She’s pretty. I don’t like that Sabrina girl.”

I don’t either. She walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her. I turned slowly to look at Caitlin who had a look of surprise plastered on her face.

“Your life just got a lot more complicated. I’m afraid you’re never leaving.” 

I stepped closer toward her. She backed away the closer I got.

“Are you– are you going to kill me now?” she whispered shakily.

“No, little bird. You have to dance with me first.”

Zuri was right after all, I did like his gift. Watching her chest rise and fall as she trembled with fear was wonderful. Whatever told Tina to hide just earned her a bonus.