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She felt as overwhelmed as he. “I know, I feel the same way.” Isabella touched the mask on her face. “You’ve rocked my world, Benedict Redford. My life is complicated, just give me a little time.”
“You didn’t just rock my world, you blew me away.” Bull rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I don’t have a lot of money.”
“I don’t care about money,” she whispered.
“I don’t have a lot of time either, not in Mexico. I’m only here for another couple of days.” He searched her eyes, those beautiful, dark brown eyes. “I don’t know who you’re hiding from, but you don’t need that damn mask with me.”
The idea that he wouldn’t be in Mexico long ate at her soul. She tried to weigh her options. Had she been foolish? “I understand, you have a life.”
Bull’s hand was shaking so hard, he jammed it down in the pocket of his blue jeans. “I live a lonely life.” Hell, what was he doing? If she gave him an ounce of encouragement, he’d propose on the spot. He’d never felt this drawn to a woman. He wouldn’t call it love at first sight, but it was damn close. “Right now, I’m more concerned about you. Who were those people trying to harm you?”
His bringing up the subject of the man with the paint gun reminded her of all that was at stake. “I don’t think they would’ve hurt me, not really. Their goal is to either expose me or scare me, but I don’t think they want to take my life.”
“I’m not sure you’re right about their motives. What did you do to piss them off?”
Isabella shrugged. “I threaten their way of life. Bullfighting is ingrained in our culture. Many depend on it for their livelihood.” She gazed up into his face, her body still reacting to his nearness. “How can I repay your bravery…and your kindness?”
“How can you ask me that after what we just shared?” Her gratitude didn’t set well with him. “You don’t owe me anything but your name and some answers. And I want to see you again.” He was being bold, but he’d set his own desires aside for too long. An opportunity like this might never come again.
Sad, Isabella shook her head. “There is no time. We must go. I’m sure someone alerted the policio. I can’t afford to be caught and neither can you.”
“To hell with me. Why are you vulnerable? I don’t understand. And why do you hide yourself?” Boldly, he ran a finger down the exposed curve of her velvet cheek. “Remove this mask. Let me see you.”
“I can’t. Not now.” She shook her head. “I do this for people I love and for a cause I believe in. If my name were to become known, other things and people I’m responsible for would be affected.”
Sensing her reticence, Bull whispered. “I’d never, ever hurt you. Trust me.”
Isabella was just about to speak again when a banging sounded on the door next to the room they were hiding in. “We must go. I need to leave.” She stepped away from the wall.
“Do you have means of leaving here safely?” Hell, first he missed his guns, now he was missing his truck.
“Yes.” Unable to just walk away, she went on tiptoe and hugged his neck. “You have been a godsend. Thank you for showing me how wonderful love could be.”
Her words tore Bull’s heart from its moorings. As she moved away, Bull caught her by the arm. “I can’t lose you forever. I’m only here another couple of days for a meeting.” Desperate, he tried to think. “Here.” He dug in his back pocket. “Take this and call me. Call me, please. Anytime.” He thrust his business card into her hand. “I can’t lose touch with you. I can’t.”
She accepted the card, then pushed him toward the back entrance. “All right. I promise. Now, let’s get out of here.” They burst out the other side. “You go one way, I’ll go the other.” Again, like the sweetest déjà vu, she clasped him to her and stole a kiss before disappearing from his sight.
Every step she took away from Benedict Redford hurt her heart. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and remain at his side. Yes, she knew the whole idea was filled with holes. What did she know about him, really? Two factions of her reasoning warred against one another – part of her understood her responsibilities and knew things like this shouldn’t be rushed, and the other part of her believed she knew everything she needed to know about him. Her cowboy had touched her heart, he’d been brave, strong, and willing to risk himself for her.
And his touch!
She was still trembling from their lovemaking. Isabella blushed remembering how she’d responded to him. Even if she never saw him again, she couldn’t regret something so beautiful.
Glancing behind her, Isabella ran for the staircase. Always trying to think ahead, she endeavored to do the exact opposite of what people would expect her to. She didn’t leave the arena amidst fanfare or in the back of a limousine. Instead, she made for the women’s restroom on the top floor where she’d stored her regular clothes and a floppy hat. After making a quick change, she stuffed her ‘suit of lights’ in a large shoulder bag and ducked out, after making sure no one else was about. Carefully and as stealthily as she could, Isabella exited the arena, making for her car that was parked several blocks away. As she hurried, she couldn’t help but watch for Benedict. He was fast becoming important to her.
When she reached the Porsche, Isabella unlocked the door, slung her belongings inside and climbed in. In a matter of seconds, she was on the road home to Terra Dura. As she drove, the glow from Benedict’s lovemaking finally faded as troublesome thoughts came unbidden. As she’d suspected, someone wanted her efforts in the bullring stopped. All the painful memories of her parent’s deaths came flooding back. Officially, their murders remained unsolved, yet Isabella couldn’t let go of her secret suspicions.
The road from town to her family’s ranch was narrow and winding. She had to focus, keeping one eye on what was ahead of her and one in the rearview mirror. Isabella didn’t expect to be followed, but she couldn’t shake the odd feeling she was being watched.
Every mile she gained away from town, her spirit grew a little lighter. The mountains rose high and green with wispy clouds hanging precariously from the tallest peaks. Deep, lush valleys lay between the mountains where cattle grazed and horses ran along the banks of the winding river. Vineyards dotted the gently rolling foothills and deep thermal pools were set into the hillsides like rare and beautiful jewels. When she rode her horse over this land she loved so well, Isabella felt as if her parents were still beside her.
Unfortunately, when they passed, no will could be found. For several years, Isabella hadn’t understood the problem. Don Luis and the faithful servants were good to her and her life went on as normal, or as normal as it could for a child who’d lost both parents. Only when she grew older, did the conflict come to light. What should have been undeniably hers - wasn’t. Their situation was much more complicated. Mexican law favored patrons. Young single women were at a disadvantage, especially where a male relative with as much influence as Don Louis was concerned.
She and her uncle clashed many times. He expected her to be docile and allow him full rein over the ranch and her fortune. To his dismay and sometimes fury, she was as stubborn as her matador father.
As she drew nearer to the hacienda, a poignant memory washed over her. From the time she was small, Isabella romanticized how Romero Cortez fought the bulls. She could remember going to the pastures with a hand towel and climbing under the fence to play with the calves, making friends with them, tempting them to play with her. Her father and mother would laugh as she would prance around with her towel cape, shouting ‘Ole! Ole!’. When her friends would visit, she would drag them down to the pens, laughing when they would squeal in fear as the young bulls would rush toward them. They couldn’t understand how she could stand her ground, trusting they would slide to a stop before they trampled her. Truth be known, Isabella slipped them treats, stroked them gently, and whispered sweet nothings in their velvety ears. Earning their trust and affection was a heady experience and she loved the animals as others would have feelings for a more common pet. “I want to be a matador, Papa!” Isabella could well remember the day she’d shared her childish aspirations with Romero Cortez.
“Are you sure?” he asked gently. “You do know the bulls are killed in the ring, don’t you?”
