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“Thank you,” Marissa said.
For the first time in her life, she had flown on a chartered plane. The tan leather seats had been soft and comfortable, and she appreciated all the extra space and leg room. In addition, the flight attendant plied them with drinks and delicious food—much better than any meal she had ever eaten on a commercial flight. How could she go back to commercial flights—and coach—after such an amazing experience?
She still wasn’t sure she had made the right decision, but it was too late now. A car waited for them on the tarmac. After they climbed into the back of the vehicle, they took off for Bruno’s property in the Hollywood Hills.
“Once we get to my place?—”
Whatever he said was interrupted by his phone ringing.
“Excuse me. Hola,” he said and launched into a conversation in Spanish with the person on the other line.
Marissa preoccupied herself with sending a text to Chet to let him know she landed safely. Though she was doing nothing wrong on this trip, she felt the need to keep the purpose from Chet. She had told him that she was visiting the Executive Match office, and to keep from being a liar, she planned to go into the Beverly Hills location in the morning.
“We should be there in a few minutes.” Bruno’s voice came from beside her. “I’ve been preoccupied. Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I know you’re a busy man with businesses to run,” Marissa said.
He was dressed down in Chinos and a white shirt that was stark against his olive skin. She marveled again at how handsome he was and the feelings he stirred in her body. She longed to experience his lips on hers again but knew that would never happen. If she kept her good sense, anyway.
“I didn’t bring you on this trip to ignore you.”
“I don’t feel ignored. I’m enjoying the scenery. I’ve only been to L.A. once in my life. One of my friends moved here to be an actress, and on a whim, Lark and I visited her for a week one summer.”
“How old were you?”
“Oh gosh…” Marissa thought for a moment. “Nineteen.”
“Is your friend famous?”
“No. She booked a couple of roles in minor commercials but never had her breakout moment. After years of struggling, she left L.A. She’s married now. Her husband owns a construction company, and she works as his assistant. They have three kids and live in Tennessee, but she still has a passion for acting and teaches acting at the local theater. They put on community plays, that kind of thing. Not what she wanted to do with her life, but at least she’s able to dabble in the art of acting.”
“It’s hard to let go of the things that we have a passion for. What about you, Marissa? What are you passionate about besides matchmaking?”
“I’m doing what I’m passionate about. Helping people find their soulmates.”
“Soulmates,” Bruno said with amusement.
“You still don’t believe, do you?”
“No, I don’t, but I won’t argue with you because I know how passionate you are about the topic.”
“You’re mocking me, but I’m going to ignore that,” Marissa said with a laugh.
Sixty seconds later, they pulled up to a gate. The driver punched in a code then took the winding driveway up to the house. Marissa’s eyes widened. Bruno’s “little house” was anything but little.
The two-story property sat nestled in the Hills, a rectangular white structure dominated by glass with a balcony on the second floor that ran the length of the exterior. The chauffeur parked on the pad in front of the garage and opened the door on Bruno’s side. He climbed out and extended a hand to Marissa.
She took his hand, warmth permeating her body at the contact, memories of his touch sending tiny tremors through her. The way his hands had massaged her breasts and his thumbs rubbed her nipples.
She lowered her gaze so he couldn’t see his effect on her. “Thank you,” she murmured.
They entered the house, and the driver delivered the bags to the first floor.
Wow, Marissa thought.
The house was exquisitely furnished in creams and whites, the modern decor dominated by tasteful decorations that gave the impression of comfort. Typically, light colors presented a sterile décor, but the design elements depicted contemporary elegance instead.
“Let me show you around,” Bruno said.
