Chapter 11 #2
“That’s a gigantic leap. He might have friends who can work behind the scenes with Interpol or some other agency.
It just wouldn’t be smart for us to file an official case.
Maybe he knows someone who knows someone.
Maybe he’s able to examine more financial records and understand ones I don’t.
I may be an investment banker, but I’m not a forensic accountant like he is.
Maybe he can discover who’s behind this by looking at more of our company’s financial records.
There’s any number of reasons and things he could do without it being about whether I want to jump his bones. ”
“That’s not a denial.”
“It’s not an affirmation either.”
“I think it’s an excuse, and I think you’re making a massive mistake.”
That’s still to be determined. “Right now, I’ll risk that mistake if it means we get Papa back.”
“Don’t make it sound like I’m more interested in giving you shit than I am having Papa come home safely.”
“I didn’t say that you were.”
“But it doesn’t change the fact that this is all very questionable.”
I’m struggling not to lose my temper. I know it’s partly a guilty conscience, and she struck a nerve. I wanted to come to her with what’s going on, not face a one-woman inquisition.
“No shit, Heidi. I know that too. But my sex life is the least of anybody’s concerns right now.”
“Look, I don’t mean to make you defensive, and I could’ve started this off a lot better than asking you whether you’re fucking him.
But there’s definitely something between the two of you, and it doesn’t exist with you and Bastian.
He’s a great guy, and I know you love him, but you’ve never turned to Bastian for confirmation and affirmation the way you do with Jorge. ”
“This is just an extreme situation where we’re way in over our heads.”
“True, but it’s more than that, and you know it.”
I inhale so deeply that my ribs expand. Then I exhale as I gather my wits.
“How I feel about him is confusing. I don’t know what to make of it.
He’s an attractive man who teased me and flirted with me a bit before all of this happened.
But even when we were negotiating the deal, I knew he was steadfast and dependable.
It’s just the aura he’s given off the entire time I’ve known him. ”
“Which hasn’t been very long.”
“True, but what I’m saying is also true. He came to help me, no questions asked. He’s been kind to all three of us, and right now, he’s the best suited person to help us.”
“You keep deflecting and moving away from talking about your feelings. There’s something between the two of you.”
“Maybe—possibly—I don’t know—I guess.” I’m conflicted.
“Have you kissed him?”
“No. I told you, I will never cheat on Bastian.”
“I know, but sometimes the heat of the moment—”
“Absolutely not. You know me, Heidi. You know no heat of the moment would make me forget Bastian or my commitment to him.”
“All right then, do you want to kiss him?”
I look away as I nod. “Maybe all of this is just heightened emotions from this situation. I’m confused, and I’m looking for someone to save us.”
“Maybe so, but did you want to kiss him before all of this happened, when you were just meeting with him as a potential client?”
“Well, yes.”
I feel so guilty admitting that. I hate it because it makes me sound like a horrible girlfriend, and it makes me sound so unprofessional, but it’s true.
“You know you could’ve called Bastian and had him come here too. He would obviously take off work for this.”
“I know that.”
“You know I didn’t put up as much of a fight about calling Friedrich as I could have because I didn’t want to make it more difficult for you with Bastian. But I can’t keep this from Friedrich beyond tomorrow morning. He’ll expect me home.”
“I know, and that means I have to tell Bastian. He can’t hear this from Friedrich or from you.”
Heidi shoots me a rueful expression before she admits the obvious. “You know they’re both going to be livid that we didn’t tell them right away.”
“I know. Do you think Friedrich will understand if I say I asked you not to?”
“Hardly. It still means I chose you over him. That’s not exactly what’s supposed to happen in a relationship when we’ve been talking about getting married.”
“Oh, Heidi, I’m sorry. I know you guys have been thinking about it, but are you really getting that much closer to him proposing?”
“Yes, I even considered proposing to him.”
“I may risk my relationship, but I don’t want to risk yours, Schwesterlein.” I feel horrible now.
“Should we call our boyfriends after all?”
“No, not yet. I think it’s plausible to say we didn’t because we wanted to lessen the danger to more people.”
“It truly can’t go on beyond tomorrow morning, Anne.”
“I agree.”
“What’re you going to do about your feelings?”
“It’s too soon for me to tell. I can’t make a reasonable decision about anything right now, but I can’t help but wonder about this.
I’ve met other handsome men since Bastian and I got together, and I didn’t have this kind of reaction to them.
I didn’t even really have this strong a reaction to him when I met him.
It’s just visceral. It’s like Jorge’s a magnet to me. ”
Heidi offers me a sympathetic smile. “I get that.”
“I can’t help but wonder, if I can have any type of feelings for someone else, is there something broken in my relationship that was invisible until now? Or did this cause a crack?”
“I can’t answer that for you.”
If only she could, but I know I’m the only one who can. My sister leans forward and gives me a hug and rubs my back as we cling to each other. We both strip down to our bras and panties and climb into bed.
I thought it would take her much longer to fall asleep, but I soon hear her rhythmic breathing. I know the difference between when she’s really asleep and when she thinks faking it fools me. I slip out of bed, watching her the entire time. I put my clothes back on before easing the door open.
I step out and shut it soundlessly. I move across the narrow short hall to the room my mom’s in. I put my ear to the door, half expecting to hear her muffled cries, but it’s silent. Maybe she’s as exhausted as Heidi.
I, on the other hand, still feel on high alert. Maybe it’s my personality, or maybe it’s because I actually saw the hand and know without having to imagine it, the gravity of this situation. It surprised me that Mutti didn’t push harder to see it. Heidi, I think, followed her lead. It’s a blessing.
I turn toward the suite’s living room, and it only takes me two steps to realize Jorge’s been watching me since the moment I stepped out of my room.
“Chiquita, we need to discuss your client list.”
I watch him and try to look like I’m focused on him when really I’m wondering what he’s been reviewing on his computer.
“What about my clients?”
“I’d like to know about the ones that aren’t on the company’s books.”
“I don’t work independently.”
Fuck my life. What the fuck did he find? I’m not prepared to discuss this shit with him.
“Maybe not officially.”
“I can’t just do whatever I want. It’s illegal to be some unregulated self-contractor.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re not.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Being evasive won’t protect your sweet little ass. Do you want another spanking?”
Fuck how that tempts me. Instead, I try to muster as much defiance as I can as I stare back at him. He rises from the table and stalks toward me. There’s no other way to describe it. It’s like watching an elegant panther about to attack its prey. He backs me against the wall but doesn’t touch me.
I flatten my palms against the surface to keep from reaching for him. We’re looking at each other’s lips before our gazes meet again. I think we both want a kiss. I think we’re both so tempted, yet neither of us gives in. Instead, he leans forward and whispers in my ear.
“The next time I spank you, chica—and there will most definitely be many more—it’ll be bare-assed, but only because you’re mine and no one else’s.”
“That’s impossible. I’m with Bastian, and I love him.”
“If that’s the case, then why did you lie to him so easily today? Why have you rejected every suggestion your mother and sister made to tell him? Why haven’t you insisted upon revealing what’s happening?”
“Because I took your advice.”
“Exactly. My advice. Not your mother’s, not your sister’s. You didn’t call him to ask for advice, either. You’ve been relying on me.”
“Was that as big a mistake as it’s starting to feel?”
“You don’t think it’s a mistake at all. You feel guilty that you want it as much as you do. I can tell you exactly what I want.”
He leans back, and once more our gazes lock. My eyes are riveted to his mouth as he continues to speak.
“I want to feel your hands on me as I touch every inch of you I can reach. I want to slip my fingers inside you, knowing you’re already drenched for me.”
He leans forward again; this time his chest barely brushes against mine.
“I want to sink deep inside you and make you cry out my name as you come all over my cock. I want to look down and see your pretty little mouth wrapped around me as you suck me off. I want to taste your clit in my mouth as I make you come.”
I fight to keep my breathing steady, but I can’t help the rapid rise and fall of my chest.
“You’re only saying that to shock me.”
“You’re not rejecting it, though.”
He backs away and returns to his laptop, which he spins around to me. He points to the screen.
“Explain this.”