was with Rosie, and the same for her. In the back of my mind though I wondered what would happen tonight. I wondered and naturally worried. I think he could tell too. I caught him looking at me a few times and I looked away.
He’s proven time and time again that he’s not a bad person. At first glance when you meet him he’s the playboy billionaire. Then you see he really isn’t that at all.
However, I find myself thinking about what other masks he might wear.
Miguel was like that. The first mask he wore was that of prince charming and he worked his magic so well he fooled Mom. That was how I fell for him and with her seal of approval I thought I hit the jackpot. She didn’t even have a problem with him being ten years older than me.
He was only thirty two, it wasn’t as if there was a dramatic age difference. That’s what she said. There’s a ten year gap between Christian and me too.
Mom was the kind of person who would judge the book by the cover and could tell straightaway if a person was good or bad. Miguel fooled her big time, so I didn’t have a hope in hell when he put on his other mask.
I look at Christian and wonder the same. What’s he like when he’s at his other work. Rosie likes him. She doesn’t really talk to men and in these few days I can see the connection she’s formed with him.
She likes being called principessa just as much as I love him calling me angel or doll, or whatever he comes up with. But they’ll be another side to him that’s dangerous. One I shouldn’t want my child around.
As if I have a choice.
It won’t be long now before our no strings attached relationship ends.
I go back to work next week and it will be business as usual, sleeping with him and fighting with my heart not to feel for him. The same way I do now, even when he’s not touching me.
He waited until Rosie fell asleep before he took me aside. It’s after eight and he’s ready to leave.
I knew he was going to talk about the gun, or something like that.
“Don’t be scared of me,” he says surprising me.
I smile a smile I don’t feel and try to look nonchalant. “I’m not scared.” I answer and I wonder if it’s a lie.
He reaches for my hand and it’s then I notice my fingers trembling. I look down, embarrassed. He’s given no reason to be scared, but I guess deep down I am.
Christian reaches for my face and touches over my cheek.
“Lilly, on occasion I have to take care of certain things that happen that affect my family business. But I swear to you that this is me. The real me. What you see is what you get. There is nothing more to see underneath what you’re seeing now. Do you understand me?” he says and I look deep into his eyes.
“I do.” He releases me and I pull in a shallow breath.
“Good. I’m not him, Lilly…” he says and I know he’s talking about Miguel. “I don’t know more than what you told me. But I know I’m not him. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I am. I’m no saint. I probably will go to hell. But I assure you it won’t be the same hell as Miguel Diaz.”
His gaze clings to mine as I swallow hard. I never told him Miguel’s name. I don’t think I should show any form of surprise that he went searching for a name.
“You won’t go to hell,” I say.
“Well, maybe you can save me Angel.” The corners of his lips turn up into a smooth smile.
The ripple of that spark flows through me and I stand on the tips of my toes to kiss him. He kisses me back, holding me so he can deepen the kiss, but pulls away just as we get going.
“Later, we’ll pick that up later. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Will…you be safe? I mean will you be careful?”
“Yes. I can assure you I will be careful,” he says answering only that part of the question. I know well enough that wherever he’s going isn’t going to be safe. “There’s something big I have to take care of. Georgiou’s number is on the fridge. You call him if you need anything. I mean it, anything at all.”
“Thank you.”
He steps away