Chapter 3
Astra stretched and rolled onto her side, staring up at the ceiling as she tried to remember where she was. Feeling better than she had in several days, she made a mental note to…!
Turning, she looked into the sleeping face of Antonio, the future Marquesso del Campo!
“What have I done?” she gasped, staring down at the man’s shockingly long, dark lashes. He was still sound asleep, his features relaxed and peaceful. Astra silently noted that she’d never seen this man so relaxed before. There was always an aura of tension around Antonio. It was almost as if he needed to challenge the world and win every obstacle placed before him.
But now, seeing him like this, she wondered. About the man beneath the expensive suits and mocking expressions. What was he really like? What had he been like as a child? What were his favorite foods? Did he like sweets? Or was he more of a savory person? Wine or beer? And why were there scars on his back? She remembered feeling them last night, but had been too overwhelmed to question him at the time. Now, those scars were yet another mystery surrounding this complicated man.
She realized that she wanted to know everything about him. Over the past several weeks, while preparing for Sheik Zahir’s wedding, she’d had sporadic conversations with Antonio. Plus, there were the overheard conversations while Antonio and Zahir were discussing various business deals. She didn’t understand all of what she heard, but she knew enough to recognize that there were billions of dollars being discussed. Antonio had arrived in Sidrina during Sheik Zahir’s quest for a wife. Mandy and Raven had helped him realize the truth: that Zahir was madly in love with Mandy, the forensic accountant he’d hired to investigate the financial backgrounds of potential candidates.
Astra had heard enough conversations to know that there was a lot more to the challenges facing Antonio. Something…dark and dangerous. Something he tried to hide from the world. But Astra had occasionally seen beneath the mask. She’d seen the real man. And her heart had twisted at the occasional pain and anger she’d seen there.
Touching his cheek, she wondered what he would do if she were to kiss him awake. For the first time in her life, Astra wanted to touch a man. She wanted to run her fingers down his chest, to see him stretch, open his eyes, and…hopefully, smile at her.
But…what if he regretted last night? During all of their flirty conversations over the past week, they hadn’t discussed a sexual relationship. What if last night was just…just a one-time thing?
Her heart ached at the thought. Could she risk it? Could she put her heart out there?
No. She was still too tired from working twenty hour days for the past three weeks and her wounded heart couldn’t withstand rejection. Not from him. Antonio was the first man who had gotten under her defenses.
It was better if she just…left with the precious memories of last night.
Slipping from his arms, she pushed the covers away. It took her several precious moments to gather her clothing. But once dressed, Astra tiptoed out of the bedroom. She still didn’t have a key to her room, but hopefully, she could figure out where to get one. Plus, she needed to check in with the chef to make sure the post-wedding breakfast was still on schedule. There were several entertainments today for any of the guests who weren’t able or ready to leave immediately. Astra had arranged for a group horseback riding adventure for the early risers, an archery contest, several yard games, and card games for the remaining guests.
The heads of state would have flight priority today, so the airport would be busy. Many of the guests would be required to wait until later in the afternoon for their private jets to take off. Hence the games and entertainment. By this evening, everyone was scheduled to depart. Even she had an evening flight back to Philadelphia. But she would be the last to leave. At least, she hoped she would be the last.
Still, it was going to be a busy day. She didn’t have time to linger in the arms of a man, even if he was the most virile, amazing man she’d ever met.
Yeah, he’d irritated her when they’d first met, but…!
Sighing, she slipped silently out of the suite. Rushing, Astra hurried to her room, grateful when one of the guards let her into her room. She showered, changed clothes, then hurried to get on with her responsibilities.
Antonio woke up and looked around. Immediately, he reached for Astra, wanting to make sure that she was okay. But when he reached out, he found only cold sheets. No warm, soft woman to pull into his arms.
Looking around, he listened carefully, trying to hear if she was in the shower. Nothing. There was only silence.
Looking around, he realized that her clothes were gone too. She’d slipped away? Diablo! Infiearno!
And yet, Antonio remembered that Astra still had responsibilities this morning. And even worse, he had a meeting in Madrid later today. He didn’t even have time to find her and talk to her.
Maybe, if he hurried, he could find her in the kitchens, talk to her for just a moment. Maybe coax a smile from her? And perhaps, if she wasn’t too busy, they could meet up for a genuine date. He’d love to take her out to dinner, to talk with her without the pressures of her job distracting her.
After showering and pulling on a pair of charcoal slacks with a white dress shirt, he walked out of the suite, instructing his assistant to make sure that his clothes were packed and ready to go. His pilot had sent a text message that their scheduled departure was for eleven o’clock this morning. Glancing at his watch, Antonio realized that he didn’t have much time. He had to hurry if he wanted to find Astra.
But after searching for her for over an hour, he realized that she wasn’t anywhere to be found. Not in the kitchens, the dining room, which was still filled with guests and dignitaries, nor was she in her room. Damn it, he muttered.
“We are ready to depart, sir,” his assistant announced, tapping on a damn tablet. “Your pilot has texted twice, reminding me that there is only a small window for takeoffs due to the number of others who are trying to leave Sidrina today.”
“Right,” he muttered, still glancing around. Why had she left so early? Why hadn’t she woken him?
He resolved to call her. As soon as he was in the air, he’d call her and ask her if she’d be interested in…in what? Flying to Estridia, Spain for…? He had nothing to offer her. His future was still uncertain. Until he’d dispensed with his father’s past businesses, his life was in chaos. And no one was safe until he’d cleared out the criminal activities. He had three more businesses to sell off before he could even begin to think about his own future.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked around. As soon as he was ready, Antonio resolved to figure out how to build a future with Astra. Already, he couldn’t imagine a future without her. Not after last night!