Fierce Passion by Phoebe Conn Read Free Book Online Page B

these. They have the sweetest zing.”
    “So do you.” He took a bite of an apple baked in a flakey crust. “This is good too. We could order after-dinner drinks and stay until this place closes. Or we could go to your place and check on the kittens.”
    Her home, with some of her magazine covers framed in her bedroom, was definitely off-limits until he knew who she was. “Not tonight. I have an early job, and…”
    “I understand. I have an early class. But I could just look at the kittens. Then if you don’t find someone to take them, maybe I could keep them at my place while you’re on Mallorca.”
    His generosity made her feel all the worse. “Thank you. I’ve just realized Fatima will be back tomorrow, and she can care for them while I’m away.”
    “If you have her, then you can keep them,” he suggested.
    The man definitely had a point. “I don’t really want to, Alejandro.”
    He nodded. “May I give you a ride home?”
    “It isn’t far.”
    Looking alarmed, he leaned forward. “You can’t walk around the city alone at night. We’ll either go in my car or I’ll walk you.”
    She reached for his hand and gave him an affectionate squeeze. “There’s usually a taxi out front. I’ll take one.”
    “Is hiding where you live part of the Goth persona?”
    “Mystery is part of my allure.” She winked at him and finished her tart. There was a taxi available. He opened the door for her and handed the driver several bills. It was an awkward moment, and when he leaned close to kiss her, she grabbed his shoulders and kissed him with the same passion she’d shown that afternoon. “I’ll call you as soon as I come home from Mallorca.”
    She entered the taxi and pulled the door closed before Alejandro could respond. “Please turn at the corner. I only live a few blocks away, but we can take the long way.” She didn’t know what type of car Alejandro owned, but no one followed. She’d definitely call him, although she was torn about what to say. He’d soon expect to learn her last name and where she lived. She couldn’t blame him if he felt he’d been tricked. But if she hadn’t been hiding her identity, they’d never have met, and it was so nice to escape the tedious fame that brought out all the paparazzi leeches. Maybe a trip to Mallorca would be all she’d need to find a way to set everything right.
     
     
    Fatima let herself into Ana’s condo on Monday morning. She went into the kitchen, set down her shopping bag and tied on her apron. “Are you here, Ana?”
    Ana met her with the kittens in hand. “Good morning. Do you like cats?”
    Fatima took a step back. “Not really, but it looks as though they’re already here.” She was old enough to be Ana’s mother and behaved more like a favorite aunt than an employee.
    Ana put the kittens down, and they raced away. “I put their cat box and food and water in the guest bathroom. I’ll shut them in there so they won’t be in your way. If I can catch them.”
    Fatima heated water for tea and opened the refrigerator to store the fresh fruits and vegetables she’d bought that morning. “That’s a good idea. The vacuum cleaner will probably terrify them.”
    Ana tightened the belt on her robe and leaned back against the counter. “How was your vacation?”
    “It was good. Bruno is happy as long as he can fish, but my sister and her family always have problems, and I can’t help them when they ignore my advice. We stayed only a couple of days with them, thank goodness. It was a good trip though. I found some new ways to prepare fish.”
    Ana had always found Fatima’s advice valuable, even if her own sister didn’t. “I could use some advice too.” She told her about the presents that kept arriving. “I can’t imagine who it is.”
    “Sounds as though someone’s fallen in love with you.” Fatima took a new sponge from the drawer and wet it to wipe the tile counters.
    “It would be nice if it were someone I’d met, rather