Path To Passion

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“I stopped by your club this evening.”

She thumped a fist to her chest to stop her heart from hammering out of it. “Really? Why didn’t you call me?”

“I needed to do a personal assessment. I did a walk-through and took some notes. I’d like to see the club in full swing. When is it busiest?”

Never almost slipped off her tongue. “Saturdays.”

“Great. I’m free then. Please let your bouncer know to let in an Isaac Graham. I’ll be incognito.”

Her mouth flapped open and closed. What kind of costume could he wear that would be able to hide his lusciousness from the world? “Isaac Graham. Got it. But why don’t you come as yourself?”

A grin filtered into his voice and she longed to see it. “I tend to draw a crowd wherever I go, and I’d like to see how things are on a normal night.”

“Oh. Yeah. Of course.”

“How’s midnight? Things should be heated up by then.”

Or not. “Sounds good. See you on Saturday. And thanks, Miguel.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

“You and I both know you’ll transform The Palace into a hot club again, so stop being humble. It never did suit you.”

His laughter settled as a warmth in her belly. “I’ll try to keep it in mind. See you Saturday.”

“Bye.” She waited until the line went dead before putting down her phone.

“No, Tanya.” Becca stood in front of her wagging a finger and shaking her head hard. “No. No. No. No. No.”

She hopped onto her feet so she didn’t feel so small. “What?”

“You’re already back in like with him. It doesn’t matter what he did to you—you still like him.”

“Cut it out. No, I don’t. He’s helping me.”

Becca anchored a hand on her hip. “You made him laugh. I could hear.”

She stared at her friend, waiting for clarification on her observation. “So?”

“Paired with your goofy smile, it’s a sure sign that you like him.”

Snatching up the bottle of wine, Tanya corked it and stalked to the kitchen. “Two glasses seems to be more than enough for you.”

Becca followed. “I’m not drunk and you know it. I want you to be careful. He’s never dated anyone for more than six weeks, and that’s only happened recently. His life has been a revolving door of women. No matter what the media says about him now, he’s a bad boy. Rich as hell, but still treats women as if they’re disposable.” She patted Tanya’s shoulder. “He’s already hurt you once. I don’t want it to happen again.”

She had difficulty shaking off the truth in her friend’s words. The pain he’d put her through hit her squarely in the gut. She’d never be able to forget his callousness. He cared for no one but himself, and she’d just have to remember it as they worked together. “I’m a grown woman, Becca. I can take care of myself. Miguel is going to help me rebrand the club, and then he’ll return to just being Josh’s best friend who I never see.”

Becca twisted her lips to the side and hummed. “Just be careful, okay.”

“Always.” Older, wiser and jaded, she’d be a fool to fall for Miguel again. He’d made her feel like an idiot once, and Broderick had done a better job of it than Miguel. The third time she’d be the one to end up on top.

Chapter 6 (#u415ec6e1-ab39-5ed2-916a-8be4022b4524)

The thumping of techno blaring through the speakers set Miguel’s jaw muscle twitching. Having never enjoyed jumping up and down rather than getting into a smooth rhythm when dancing, he hated the music. Dressed to hide his true identity, he’d texted Tanya when he’d reached the door.

The paparazzi loved him. He was the least shy Astacio when it came to making sure they spotted him. He’d readily compare himself to a Kardashian, only he didn’t do reality-TV shows and he’d never be caught on a sex tape. Not that some of the women he’d been with hadn’t tried. His sexual life had remained personal, no matter how many partners he’d been involved with.

Tonight, he’d worn a fedora with a smooth brim and adorned with a broad velvet ribbon. The full mustache made him look older than his twenty-nine years, but the dark contact lenses hiding his hazel eyes tended to unnerve him when he looked in the mirror. He’d darkened his skin with a touch of makeup, and the cheap polyester floral button-down shirt and trousers hid his love for expensive clothes well enough that no one, other than his family, could recognize him.

Taking the stairs up to the second floor, he didn’t have to fight to make his way through the clubbers. The place had some college students jumping as if they were popcorn. A few older guys dotted the room, so he didn’t stand out as much as he’d initially thought he might. He bobbed his head in time to the music and made his way to the bar. Ordering a scotch on the rocks, he glanced over his shoulder, wondering how Tanya had made it through the past six months without the business collapsing. How much money had she sunk into it?

The bartender gave him the drink and Miguel slipped him the payment with a tip. He almost spit out the liquid when he took a sip. Watered-down scotch wasn’t his drink of choice. He held up the glass. Was there any liquor at all in the glass? After placing it on the bar, his breath hitched and his heart went crazy as he spotted Tanya. Damn, she was gorgeous, if not a little severe in her outfit.

She’d tucked a dark blue silk top into a black business skirt. Had she always dressed so conservatively? He couldn’t remember. He’d been so excited to hang out with her back then that he hadn’t really noticed what she wore. He cursed himself every day for messing things up with her.

His princess stood in front of him once again and his hands itched to grab and hold her so close she’d only be able to breathe in the air he released. To kiss her like he had that first time, lips blazing as they melded into each other, her tongue sliding tentatively against his until he took complete control, teaching her as he relished her scent. Her taste. Her body finally being in his arms.

When they’d separated to suck in air, she’d professed the sweetest words of love he’d ever heard in his life. For a moment, he’d basked in it, but then the reality of who he was and what he had to lose dawned on him. He’d just kissed his best friend’s sister, something he’d vowed to never do again. Josh would’ve seen it as a betrayal he’d never be able to forgive. So he’d confessed that he’d chosen Josh over her.

Her wide eyes had conveyed the blow he’d delivered. His heart had begged him to recall the words and tell her how much he wanted her, needed her, but his mind stayed in complete control. He’d turned his back on her and pretended interest in a book on his desk, unable to endure the tears in her eyes.

He’d heard rather than seen her stumble out the room as his heart broke.

It had been the lowest moment of his life, and he’d never apologized for his choice. Or comforted her with the honesty of how he’d really felt about her. She’d been the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. She still was. Probably always would be. But he couldn’t have her.

She’d never hear his words of apology. Not only wouldn’t she believe it after all this time, but he didn’t need her softening toward him. Having her like him and making him fall for her again would be detrimental for them both. It had been tough getting over her, and he didn’t need a repeat.

Other than maintaining his relationship with his best friend, he was keeping her out of harm’s way. His life was all about being in the public eye. She wouldn’t be able to handle the spiteful women calling her vicious names just because she walked at his side. The media could be cruel. Even to him. He’d developed a tough skin, but it would crush her.

He waited to see if she’d recognize him. His heart stuttered the moment cognizance hit her and she grinned. For the second time in his life, she’d seen right through to him.

* * *

Despite being dressed as if he’d shopped in a thrift store, with a fedora covering his curly locks and his eyes darker than she’d ever seen them, she’d found him. He’d even shaved off his goatee and slapped on a mustache for the occasion. No one had rushed to the famous Astacio to become one of his groupies, so he’d fooled everyone else.

She crossed the floor to his side and leaned into him to shout in his ear over the blaring music. “Hi.”

His crooked grin as he looked down at her flipped her stomach. “Sweet meeting you here. How’s tricks, foxy lady?”

She placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. “I wonder if anyone knows Billy Dee Williams is in the house. With that mustache and darker complexion, you look like a younger version of him.” He knew how to play a role and how to emphasize his most attractive features. His full dusky-pink lips brought to mind memories of when they’d made hers bend to his will, and without warning, she felt a need to taste them again. She sobered quickly. They weren’t here to have a good time. Getting her out of debt was the name of this game.