Dr. Moreno. Santos had his telephone number, but even if Moreno had discussed a transplant with her father, she doubted the physician would know, or admit, what her father had really wanted. Right now, she needed to stop thinking and let a simple picnic brighten her dangerously dark mood while she could still hide it.
Rafael carried the basket and a folded blanket as they walked along the trail. "I've never been on a picnic, unless you count foraging out of trash cans."
"No, that's a survival technique. Picnics are pleasure outings." She bit her lip rather than ask how his mother could have left her children in such dire straits while she'd occupied herself as a serial mistress to the rich.
"I'd not thought of it as survival training, maybe part of military special ops. I was just born desperately poor."
He didn't speak of other women, thank God, but she wondered how old he'd been when he'd lost his virginity and who the woman had been. An older woman, she thought, someone who'd tucked a hundred dollar bill in his jeans. "I'm sorry you had such a difficult childhood."
"It was all we knew, so it didn't seem difficult to us then. Now I'm surprised I lived through it without being run over by a truck in some narrow alley."
With his height and build, it was difficult to imagine anything getting the better of him. Maybe with what he'd already survived, a bull didn't strike him as a deadly threat.
When they reached the majestic oak, he handed her the basket, spread out the blanket and pulled her down beside him. He unpacked the basket and handed her a roast beef sandwich on freshly baked bread and a can of soda. He'd brought beer for himself.
She opened the soda and took a long drink. Refugio had chilled the soda for her. The can was icy cold, and she rolled it against her cheek. "This is such a peaceful spot."
"Indeed it is." He leaned back on an elbow and regarded her with a lazy smile. "I wish I could have talked you into spending the night on the beach."
She hadn't been sure of him then. "That seems like such a long time ago."
"It was last week."
A bee flew around her soda can and buzzed away. "I've lost track of the days, of everything, really."
"Eat, so you can keep up with me."
She took a bite of her sandwich. "I doubt many people are able to keep up with you."
"You do." He grabbed her ankle and pulled her closer. "Maybe we should eat later."
"We need food for stamina," she cautioned. She took another bite of sandwich and sorted through the food left in the basket. "Apple tarts! Do you want one?"
"I could call you a tart, couldn't I?"
She laughed. "Not really. It's an old name for a prostitute."
"Forgive me."
There wasn't the slightest trace of remorse in his expression. "You're used to charming your way out of trouble, aren't you?"
"Of course. It's how Gypsies survive. Save the tarts for later."
She rewrapped her sandwich and put it back in the basket. This was too beautiful an afternoon to think past the next moment. She moved across his lap, let her skirt drift around them and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm afraid I'm sadly lacking in charm."
He set his sandwich aside, slid his hands under her skirt and inched them up her thighs. When all he found was warm, bare skin, he laughed. "What happened to your lacy bikini panties?"
"I must have forgotten to put them on this morning."
"I wish I'd known that earlier." He pulled her into a slow, devouring kiss. "Are you often that forgetful?"
"I could be," she breathed against his lips. "Or maybe not. I'll let you wonder."
"No one would know in your long flamenco dress."
She nuzzled his ear and pulled his earlobe through her teeth. "You'd know, but I won't do you in the alley behind the club."
"What about on the tables inside?"
She rubbed her cheek against his. "Is it part of the show?"
"The encore?" He unhooked her bra, cupped her freed breasts and tugged her rosy nipples.
She leaned back to unbuckle his belt. "No, there's too great a risk of fights breaking out, and we wouldn't be invited back to the club."
He slid his hand under her skirt to rub her with his thumb, sliding on her wetness. "It would be worth it, and we could always find another club."
She closed her eyes and savored his loving all the way to her toes.