“Only if you make it so.” He leaned back against the wall, propping a wide shoulder against it. “You will be allowed to roam the compound. There is only one way down and the trail is well guarded. I do not believe you could find your way home even if you managed to escape.”
Carly said nothing.
The don regarded her closely. “I would change things,chica,if I could. Unfortunately, it is too late for such a thing. In the meantime, there are good people here, people who will treat you with kindness, perhaps even friendship, if that is your wish.”
“Until when, Don Ramon? How long are you planning to keep me here against my will?”
The don shook his head. Glossy black hair moved against the open collar of his shirt. His neck was lean and corded with muscle, and curly black chest hair sprang up from the vee in his shirt. “I am afraid I cannot say.”
“Is it money you’re after? Do you mean to seek a ransom? If you do, you may discover I’m not worth as much as you think.”
His hard features softened, his eyes moving over her with something that might have been pity. It made her feel exposed, naked, as if he could see inside her to the person she really was. The notion frightened her even more than the don himself.
“Ransom is not my intent,” he said.
“Then let me leave. If you wish me to accept your word, then you accept mine—if I’m allowed to leave, I’ll tell no one who you are or where this place is.”
Soft laughter rumbled from his chest. “I am sorry, senorita, I cannot do that. Even if I were willing to accept your word, there are others here who would not.”
Carly turned away from him, furious yet oddly disturbed. She didn’t trust him. She knew how cold and callous he was. But there was something different about him now, something that reminded her of the man who had given her the rose.
“As yourguest,” she said tartly, “my time should be my own. If that is the case, I’d prefer that you leave.”
“Whatever you say, senorita.” A faint smile touched his lips. “You may spend your time here in sullen rebellion if that is your wish, or you can make the most of it, learn something about the people of the land you intend to call your home. There is much I could show you, if you would let me.”
Carly eyed him warily. Why was he being so pleasant? She knew the heartless man he was, even if his charm had once again appeared. “I want to go home—Senor El Dragón. That is my wish, and the sooner the better. In the meantime if, as you say, I am free to go outside, I would like to see the rest of my prison.”
Straightening her spine, she crossed the room toward where he stood by the door and tried to walk past, but the don caught her arm.
“As I said, there are good people here, but there are also those who join our cause only because we need them, and theycan benefit from the arrangement. They are hard men, ruthless men.”
“Men like you,” she put in coldly.
“Perhaps. But with me you will be safe.” Taking her arm, he led her out the door and into the smallsalawhere a couch made of willow branches sat beside a matching willow branch chair. Bright colored pillows formed the cushions, and a woven rug covered the packed earthen floor.
“We will return in time for supper,” the don said to Florentia, who waved in reply as he urged Carly out onto the porch. Dressed in a full-sleeved white lawn shirt and form-fitting black breeches that flared out at the bottom over the toes of his shiny black boots, Ramon de la Guerra exuded virility and strength. Whether she hated him or not, whether he was ruthless or charming, he was the handsomest man Carly had ever seen.
A prickle of warning slid down her spine. She did not intend to ignore it.
***
Ramon walked beside the petite Americana, admiring the way she looked in the simple clothes of apaisano.She had been lovely that day at the races in her peppermint-striped day dress, but in some strange way, he thought she looked even more beautiful today. Perhaps it was the long silky hair she had left unbound, a curtain of dark burnished copper hanging to her waist, or the way her breasts shifted seductively beneath the blouse when she walked, a hint of soft swells rising above the neckline.
Watching the movement of her hips, Ramon felt a tightening in his groin. He was attracted to the woman. He had been since the moment he had met her. More so now that he had seen her spirit, her courage. Now that he knew she was none of those things he had imagined.
At least not yet.
Ah, but she was still agringa.Whatever he felt for her could go no farther than lust, and he would not subject her to that kind of treatment now. Not after what he had done.
Still, he could not help admiring the perfection of her features, the fine auburn brows, upturned nose, big, leaf-green eyes, and full ruby lips. Looking at her sweet, ripe beauty, it seemed impossible he could ever have treated her badly.
“Don Ramon!” Sanchez walked toward them smiling, breaking into his thoughts. “And Senorita McConnell.” He glanced down at her small, sandaled feet. “I am glad the shoes fit.”
“They’re perfect. Thank you, Senor Sanchez.”
He nodded, then turned away. “It is good to have you back, Ramon.”
“I cannot stay long. Only a few days. I thought perhaps while I was here, I would show the senorita around.”