Fresh Temptation

thought of Victor Barboza to the back of her mind. It was too silly to entertain for long.
     
    * * *
     
    Victor had one hand on the wheel as he weaved through traffic on his way back to the office. Usually, his office was his favorite place to be, but on this sunny day he fantasized about taking a well-deserved day off, driving outside the city. Maybe somewhere upstate. Someplace where the grass was green and the air smelled fresh.
    And he wanted someone to share it with. His mind’s eye kept flashing back to Cara. Damn, she looked even more beautiful with her hair down. Thick blond hair, green eyes. The prettiest porcelain skin he’d ever laid eyes upon. He had to find a reason to see her again.
    Cara was so different from the women he usually dated. She was hard-working and willing to sacrifice for her child. The polar opposite of stuck-up princesses like Alexis. No more of that for him. If their interrupted engagement had taught Victor anything, it was how much he didn’t want another woman like her.
    Victor laughed at himself. He heard his brother Ramon’s voice inside his head. If any one of us is going to marry someone like Mama, it’s you.
    It was nothing to be ashamed of. The Barboza brothers—Victor, Ramon, and Armando—wouldn’t be where they were today without their mother’s sacrifice. She worked three jobs so her sons could concentrate on school. Unlike some of their friends who were already working the farms outside of town by age eight.
    It had been a long time since the image of any woman had stuck with him like Cara Green. And that included Alexis Whitt. Sure, Alexis was easy on the eyes and she could hold a decent conversation. But Cara had fight. She was willing to roll up her sleeves and do her best for her son.
    What if Alexis somehow lost everything? And, God forbid she have a child. Alexis wouldn’t know how to take care of herself, let alone another person.
    Cara deserved to be paid back for her labor. Patty said she hadn’t seen her daughter go on a single date since she moved in with her six months earlier.
    I need to find a way to see her again , Victor thought. He could already tell from the fire in her eyes that she had pride. Just like Mama. She didn’t want a handout.
    But she at least needed a better job.
    He came to a stoplight and took out his phone, where he’d made a few notes. Then he called his assistant.
    Gary’s tone was chipper as usual. “Yes, Mr. Barboza?”
    “Hey. I know I’m late for a meeting but—”
    “It’s okay. I rescheduled everything for tomorrow like you requested.”
    “Good. I need you to do some research. Doyle Construction. Morristown. See if we have a connection to anyone there.” He smiled. “They have an employee I wanna steal.”

Chapter Three
     
    “What a long day.” Marcy exhaled in relief as her foot hit the gas pedal. “Already feels like it should be Friday, not Tuesday.”
    Cara closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the headrest. “Tell me about it. I got a glass of cheap wine waiting for me after I make sure Isaac’s okay.”
    “Isn’t your mom taking care of him?”
    “Yeah, but she needs to sleep. Last night we took turns waking up every couple of hours to make sure he took his medication.” Cara yawned.
    “Aw, the poor little guy. You really didn’t need to come out and help me clean tonight. You should’ve just stayed home with him.”
    Cara was too tired to cry. “I can’t. I need the money. Heck, I’m down a job now. I don’t know how I’m gonna pay my cell phone bill this month.”
    Marcy shook her head and gave her friend’s knee a reassuring pat as she drove. “Let me know if I can help. I can give you an advance on the money I’ll owe you by the end of the month.”
    “No, that’s okay.” Cara would have accepted but she knew Marcy had financial struggles of her own. “As long as the boss at my day job pays me on time, I should be fine.”
    A nervous chuckle escaped Marcy’s throat. “Something isn’t right with that situation. I’ve never heard of a company paying late and getting away with it for so long.”
    Cara sighed. “Trust me, I know. But I need that job. I can’t exactly afford to ask questions.”
    “I heard one of the offices we clean might have an opening soon. I’ll keep my ears open for you.”
    “Thanks.”
    “So, what’s this about a tall, dark, Latin stud paying you a visit yesterday?”
    Cara’s eyes flew open and she sat up straight. “What?