Fresh Temptation

pulled away from her immediately.
    “Victor.” She rolled to her back. “I can’t let this happen. You lure me in with your kisses and those sexy Spanish words.” She stared up at the ceiling and produced an exasperated sigh. “What are we doing?”
    “Well, I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m doing whatever I can to keep you from getting away. You’re obviously not impressed with my money or you wouldn’t have left me so easily. I will find a way to make you mine, Cara.”
    “But, why? You could have any woman you want.”
    “I know a good thing when I find it. That’s why.”
    Cara hesitated before asking the question she had pondered for days. “But you thought the same thing about Alexis, didn’t you? You were going to marry her, and look how that turned out?”
    He bristled a little. “Yes. And I’ve spent a lot of time asking myself the same questions. But now it’s so clear. You see, even in the short time I’ve known you, I’ve wanted to be with you. Wanted to keep you near where I can see you every day and get to know you more.” His head shook gently. “I was never that way with Alexis. I kept myself too busy to see her, and she found comfort with another man. Perhaps it was subconscious, for me. I never really wanted her. I saw her as an investment, I guess, just like everything else in my life. I just wanted to make sure I got married before years went by and I somehow forgot.” He paused, softening his voice. “It’s completely different with you, Cara. I think of you all the time. I love to just be in your presence. And when I’m not with you, it’s only because I’ve already canceled every meeting I can possibly cancel.”
    She gulped. “Really? But it seems like you’re working all the time.”
    “I worked much more before you came along.” He smiled. “You can ask Gary. He doesn’t think I hear him grumbling under his breath about all the changes he has to make to my calendar.”
    “Oh…” Cara was at a loss for words.
    “That’s why I simply can’t let you get away.” Victor leaned down to give her lips a soft kiss. When he pulled away, he propped himself up on his elbow. “So, you must tell me. Is there another reason you came here to Chicago? Is there another man here?”
    Cara’s eyes widened. “No.”
    “Really? No competition for me to eliminate?”
    “No. There’s no one. There hasn’t been for years.”
    “What about Isaac’s father? Does he live here?”
    “Crap.” Cara stared up at the ceiling for a moment, then closed her eyes and hit her forehead with her palm. “I’ve been dreading this conversation.”
    “I can see that.”
    “I didn’t tell you this, but I got a card from Alexis a few days ago. She—”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” Victor’s jaw dropped. “She’s prohibited from contacting you. I would’ve taken care of it.”
    “I was afraid, I guess. I don’t know.”
    “She did make a comment to me about it. It was strange and vague. Her last ditch effort to turn me against you, I guess. But I don’t believe anything she says.”
    Cara pulse quickened. “What’d she tell you?”
    “That you never told Isaac’s father about him.”
    “What if it’s true? Would that turn you against me? After the way you grew up?”
    Victor inhaled deeply, a bit of anxiety coursing through him as he considered the question. He immediately thought of his brother Ramon’s theories about their father. “There are questions about my father that may never be answered. And my mother, God rest her soul, did the best she could. I believe a child should know his father, if possible. And I think if you decided not to tell Isaac’s father, then you must have had a good reason.” He cleared his throat. “And if it’s okay with you, I’d like to hear that reason.”
    Relief washed over Cara. She almost laughed, feeling silly that this issue had caused her so much worry. And it was only at this moment she realized just how much she had let it worry her. A nagging sense of dread had lingered in the back of her mind ever since the day Victor first asked about Isaac’s paternity. And now it was gone. Still, she stiffened a bit as she collected her thoughts, ready to tell Victor what she had never told anyone before. She took a slow breath and began. “His father was a guy I dated my senior year of college. His name was Marcus. He was a grad student. We met at the beginning of the spring semester that year.”
    Victor waited