Island Affair (Keys to Love #1) - Priscilla Oliveras Page 0,47

turbulent seas.

The door down by the cigar shop leading to the patio bar and salsa band must have pushed open, because the strains of a classic tune known to bring his mami and papi out onto the dance floor, or the middle of their living room, whispered on the air.

Luis waited. Determined, implacable. Sara narrowed her eyes. But this was a game of chicken he refused to lose. Not if it compromised his ability to help her.

Several tense beats later, Sara spun away, frustration evident in her out-flung arms and low groan. “Okaaaay. Here’s all you need to know.”

After a step, she swiveled to face him, resignation dripping from her words. “I had . . . will probably always have to deal with . . . a health . . . situation. But I’ve got it under control now. They’re all hypersensitive in one way or another. Well, Robin’s more protective of our mother and how stressing about me affects Mom’s health. But like I said already, I am fine. They don’t have anything to worry about. And you, for this one week, certainly don’t either. Okay? Are we good?”

Uh, no. Not by a freaking long shot.

His paramedic training instantly kicked in. Typical health assessment questions flipped through his head like the cards in that old Rolodex his papi used to keep on his desk at the fire station.

What kind of “health situation” did she mean?

Was she on some type of medication he should be aware of in case of an emergency?

Could being on vacation, off her regular routine and diet, adversely affect whatever vague situation she was dealing with?

What should he be doing to better protect this driven, intelligent, temptingly gorgeous woman he was coming to care about more that was probably wise? The one who’d so easily convinced him to step outside his comfort zone?

Way outside.

Luis pulled his thoughts up short. That last question was more personal than he tended to get on the job. But he wasn’t on the job here. And this was not a typical situation. There was absolutely nothing typical about Sara.

Which gave him all the more reason for wanting solid answers. Now.

One look at her tight-jawed, don’t-push-me expression had the questions melting on the tip of his tongue like the cotton candy he’d bought his nephews at Children’s Day in Bayview Park last October.

Co?o, she’d give his sister a run for her money when it came to hardheadedness.

But he . . . Well, he was a patient man.

He intended to get to know her better. Find out exactly what she meant by having it “under control.” Whatever it was. To ultimately convince her that she could trust him to do everything in his power to make sure she truly was “fine.”

“Well?” she insisted.

Right hip cocked in a jaunty angle, she tapped the toe of her gold sandal against the brick floor, telegraphing her irritation. Now why wasn’t she this pushy when her sister threw out one of her blunt jabs?

Another question Luis planned on answering.

Not that she would appreciate hearing so, but she actually looked kind of cute when she let her anger loose. Blue-green eyes flashing. Lips pursed in a kiss-my-ass pout that had him thinking about kissing several other parts of her sexy body.

He’d known her less than a day. Yet somehow, he felt certain there’d come a time when he’d count it among the best days he’d ever had.

“Here’s another tidbit for that ‘Why He’s So Hot’ list you’re compiling about me.” Tucking a hand in the arms she still kept folded across her chest, he gave a little tug that had her stumbling forward a step while he backpedaled.

“More like my ‘Why He’s So Annoying’ list?” she countered.

Again with the sass. He liked the color it brought to her cheeks.

“If you don’t want to find me, or pretty much anyone in my familia, on the dance floor, don’t start the music. C’mon, they’re playing one of my favorites.”

He watched the playful grin dawn on her face. Slowly. Hesitantly. Then in all its full glory, like the sun peeking its hello across the sky when he was out for an early morning run. It transformed her classic features, rounding her cheeks and crinkling the corners of her eyes. Invigorating him at the idea that his words had brought her this much pleasure.

“Is that a promise or a threat?” she teased.

Luis halted, and Sara bumped into his chest with an “oof!” He palmed her hips, holding her soft curves firmly against