22

Liesl considered as she held Isaias’ hand in the limousine which transported them from the restaurant where they’d had an incredible meal, her date was quite possibly the most interesting person she had ever met.

The flight had been one of the most erotic episodes of her life. Isaias words the rest of the ride on the way to the airport where she had remained on his lap, had been downright filthy. The seatbelt sign had barely been shut off before he had been dragging her to the bedroom at the back of the plane where he demonstrated the things he could do with his tongue was not limited to his dirty language.

He’d then vigorously exhausted every single minute of their airtime in various positions in the bed, against the vanity in the bathroom, once even upright against the door. She had felt sweaty, hungry, dishevelled as she’d quickly redressed for the landing. She grimaced at him for appearing no worse for the wear.

During dinner he had regaled her with anecdotes of his childhood and the trouble he got into with his cousin Joaquim. His father’s sister had moved her family to New York when her children had been teenagers. After getting their children back, Isaias’ father had insisted they spend as much time with their family as they could making frequent trips to visit the family in New York and vice versa. Joaquim and Isaias became very close bonding over their desires to live the ultimate American dream of being rich.

Their parents had instilled a strong work ethic in both men, but the sons knew how to throw a party. Joaquim turned it into a profession, opening nightclub after nightclub all along the eastern coast. Their businesses often intertwined with Isaias weighing in on design and architectural aspects of the places his cousin purchased.

Isaias told her he had a degree in architecture but also held a general contracting license for building and was able to use with great confidence any of the tools his construction guys could use. He was a smart man, highly intellectual, but Liesl found him very down to earth. Despite his wealth, he was friendly and kind, even to the wait staff.

Whan the server had spilled water on the table, he had laughed and told her not to panic because water only hurt witches in Oz. Liesl had giggled while the girl had profusely thanked him for not freaking out at her. Liesl had seen the number he had put on the bill for a gratuity, and she had almost gasped. He’d tipped the same amount as the bill and yet he did with such ease. He had done it quickly not realising she had noticed. To her, it demonstrated this was the manner in which he was accustomed to behaving.

Now in the car, he was pointing out various landmarks. “Next time we come, we’ll make a full week of it, if you can get time off from the gallery.” He squeezed her hand. “You could spend a year here yet never see it all.”

“It’s so bright and it’s nighttime,” Liesl said as she took in the lights of the city. She looked to him, “you’re very familiar with the city. You’ve been here a lot. Do you have your own place here?”

“I am here a lot because Joaquim doesn’t let me rest,” he chuckled, “I did have a condo, but I sold it last year. I quadrupled my investment. Joaquim was pissed because the lady I sold it to is a movie star and she now lives in the penthouse above him. She won’t give him the time of day unless she wants to party in his club. He’s a bit of a womanizer.”

“A bit? How can you be a bit of a womanizer? Either you are or aren’t.”

“Touché,” he acknowledged her question with a nod. “He’s a womanizer. He never dates the same girl more than a few times and he called me the other day to complain his mother showed up at his place to clean it and found him with two women in his bed.”

“No!” she cupped her hands to his mouth. “Why?”

“His mother thinks he’s a slob, so she routinely goes to his house,” he trailed off laughing as she slapped his hand. “Oh, you mean why did he have two girls? I imagine it has to do with drugs, alcohol, and willing participants.”

She frowned, “do you do drugs?”

“No. You’ve met my mother. Alcohol is it for me and even then, rarely to excess. I’m thirty-nine Liesl and my mom still scares the hell out of me. When I was a kid, she traded the wooden spoon for this really long wooden rolling pin she had. One crack on the thigh or backside from that thing and you found yourself regretting all your life choices.”

“Your mom didn’t spare the rod, huh?”

“Nope. Beatings happened in my family. Still do. She’s a tough nut.”

“My mom never raised her hands to us and neither did my dad.” She thought about it, “my sister could seriously have used a smack or two growing up.”

“Why is she so different than you and Fred? Fred’s great. I had several laughs with him today.”

“He’s hilarious. We’re very close.”

“I can tell. He’s protective of you. He told me it didn’t matter how much money I had in the bank. If I made you sad after all the hell you’ve been through recently, he’d make me pay.”

She threw her head back laughing, “did he now? Considering he’s so thin you could probably put his entire body in your one pantleg, I think you’ll survive.”

“I’d rather not take my chances. I think I’ll keep you happy.”

“I would appreciate it very much.” She noted the car was slowing down. “I’m a bit nervous,” she confided. “I haven’t been dancing since I was in my early twenties and usually only with the girls. Once I started being serious with Merl, he would make comments about how it would reflect on him to be seen in bars, so we never went. Is there going to be a lot of the drug thing you mentioned?”

“No. None.” He winked at her. “Joaquim knows I don’t like it so our booth will be clean. Alcohol only. Can you dance?”

“My mother reminded me today how Merlin made us learn the Viennese Waltz.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“No. You have to be very rigid and after the dance at our wedding he was annoyed I messed up the steps. I never wanted to do it again.”

“Well, I cannot do any kind of formal dance, but I like to think I have natural rhythm.”

“I’ll give you that,” she grinned at him earning a loud laugh at her teasing.

He hooked his arm around her neck and drew her close and kissed her mouth softly, “Liesl, just when I think I couldn’t like you more, you throw out another little comment making me wonder where you’ve been all my life. I’m glad you came to find me a week ago. This has been the most fun I’ve had.”

“Me too, Isaias. I enjoy being with you a lot.”

The car came to a halt, and he frowned suddenly. “It is highly probable there will be paparazzi here. My security team will keep them at bay outside and we’ll go straight to our VIP room once we meet up with my cousin. Try to ignore them. They tend to try to rattle my cage by asking me stupid questions.”

“Okay,” she blinked her nerves feeling even more strained. “Does this happen frequently?”

“Yes. It will get easier to ignore them with time. I didn’t mention it earlier because I want you to relax but they caught wind of us leaving the restaurant and there were a couple coming up behind us. Do not fret. I’ve got you but just keep your head down.”

“It’s funny. I never had to go through this with Merlin.”

“Because he’s boring as dirt,” he laughed, “I am far more interesting and far wealthier. I do not enjoy the press. I have a PR team who manages most of my publicity and a legal team who handles any violations. Today I demolished a house, and my press agent livestreamed it and made a big deal about a beautification project since there is a daycare and a school walking distance to the house we leveled. I don’t usually tear things down. Since there was some publicity this morning the sharks want to feed. Do not be alarmed if they’re a bit more voracious.” He whispered in her ear as the door was pulled open by the driver, “I promise to be far more ravenous later than they ever will be.”