Speak to the Wind (13 page)

"For the new Apache leader, there'll be some exchange, some possible business deals between the Indian community and Anglo businessmen. I want to make sure these deals are handled properly, in the best interests of my people. In the past, our way of dealing wi
th situations that we didn't un
derstand or trust was simply to reject them. But times are different. I want to learn to
weigh certain situations and de
termine what's best. And to know what should be rejected. Are you following me?"

"I... I think so." Maria realized she was being tested and that whatever he was talking about was very sensitive and private. "I can give you some general negotiating tech
niques, if that's what you need."

He snapped his fingers. "Yes, that's it. Negotiating. In my business the deals are laid out and straightforward. You either
want it or you don't.
As chairman,
my decisions will affect the quality of people's lives
on a basic level
. That's a heavy load."

"Yes, it is." She made a mental note that he seemed s
ome
what relieved by her answers. Strangely, she felt as though she was the one being grilled, not him. But a degree of trust had to be established between her and any client. Because of their working so closely together and the power of sensual electricity between them, however, she figured their trust had to be complete. "Any other goals, Joe?"

He looked at her pointedly. "To learn to speak well. I have a lot to say, and I don't want it
lost. I want it to reach every
one, as if it were carried on the wind."

"Quite a challenge. But you have good goals. Difficult, but not impossible." She leaned back and studied the handsome man sitting on the floor. "Now let me tell you some elements that I think will work in your favor. This is my professional viewpoint, you understan
d. Your opinion about your posi
tion of leadership is that it's extremely important. That opinion shows in your attitude, Joe."

"Sometimes I
know
I take it too seriously."

"
Actually, t
hat's good. If I see it,
others will, also. That's some
thing that can't be taught. You either have it, or you don't. Your sincerity will shine throu
gh your efforts, Joe. For a pol
itician that's crucial."

He nodded. "When I was approached, I felt it was a chal
lenge and an opportunity that I couldn't refuse. They need so much in a leader. I just hope I'm the man to give it to them."

She reached down and pres
sed his hand in a gesture of af
firmation. "Yes, you are, Joe. You're exactly what they need."

He turned his hand over so that their palms matched. Her hand seemed small in his as his long tanned fingers laced with he
r pale elegant ones. For a mind
-
spinning moment he was caught in her spell. The sincerity in her eyes, the forward
thrust of her breast against her blouse, the sexy way her hair fell over one
side of her face
,
all
tantalized him.

“
Am I what you need, Maria?
”
He reached up with the other hand and trapped a
silk
y curl between two fing
ers. "Maria, I think you are ex
actly what I need.
Now.
"

He rose to his knees and
pulled her up until
their faces were suddenly level. She didn't draw back, even tho
ugh his intention was ob
vious. His eyes darkened and the lids lowered sensuously.

"Joe—"

"Let me kiss you, Maria...."

Although she knew better, Maria couldn't move. She wanted that kiss
more than anything in the world.
She drew in a shallow breath through slightly parted lips.

As if in slow motion his
mouth moved closer to hers, hov
ered for a second as he savored their closeness, then claimed the moist prize waiting for him.

In that magical moment Maria dropped her pen and let the folder slide from her lap and from her thoughts. All he
r con
sciousness was directed to the sight and touch of Joe and how spontaneously her body responded to him.

From the mere touch of
their hands, palms pressing, ex
pressing deeper desires, Maria felt her reserve melt away. Then with the kiss, one simple little kiss, she felt a swirl of joy, spiraling her feelings out of control. She wanted more than a kiss, wanted to touch him, wanted him to touch her. She pressed forward, inching her hands along his
chest
. His muscles tensed beneath her fingers, and she clutched his shoulders as if she might fall from his embrace.

But Joe had no intention of letting that happen. He wasn't about to let her go so soon. His arms swept around her waist; his chest pressed to her knees. He had her right where he wanted her, where he'd dreamed of having her since their first kiss in the mountains.

His lips played with hers, lessening the initial force of the kiss, sipping gently at the top lip, then the bottom one. His breath was hot and sweet on her lips, and she opened her mouth for the intrusion of his tongue. Maria felt a flush of heat as he continued his sensuous exploration.

Slowly his tongue outlined the shape of her lips, then slipped inside with a gentle thrusting motion. Just when she thought she would die of these prolonged pleasures, his lips captured hers with renewed force. She wanted to allow him to mo
ve closer, but she became preoc
cupied with the subtleties of his kiss.

Her body grew slack,
and he
press
ed
his thighs against
her
s
. She could feel his broad chest
crushing her breasts
, and automatically she
opened
her legs
to embrace his
. A delightful erotic swirl rose from the center of her being and pulsed hotly through her. Heart pounding and passion aroused, Maria could only think that she wanted to pull him closer.
Closer into her.

There was no more denying to herself—or to him at this point—how she felt whenever they were close. And now, as his lips molded sensuously to hers, as his body sought hers, Maria felt as though everything they'd said and done had been aimed at this glorious moment when they connected. And she never wanted it to end.

Joe lifted his head first. "Oh, Maria, the things you do to me.... I seem to be out of control."

"Both of us lost a little control, Joe."

"Lost
?
Or gained
it
?"

"I told you I think it's risky."

He moved back to gaze at her. His dark eyes seemed like ebony on fire. "It wasn't so bad, was it?"

She smiled faintly. "It... it was very good, Joe. But I'm afraid there's no future fo
r us. We both have other commit
ments that—"

He pressed a finger to her
lips. "No, don't say it. The fu
ture will take care of itself. Let it happen, Maria."

"I don't know...."

"Then don't close th
at
door
on me
before you know for sure." He leaned over to pick up her pen and folder with his name typed on the raised tab. "You might be missi
ng something damned good. I know
I will."

She took the folders from
him, making a big deal of rear
ranging her papers. "We have a long way to go down here, Joe. We'd better slow down."

"I was just thinking we didn't have much time." He touched her cheek with such longing that his feelings were obvious to both of them. "Resisting you is more difficult than I thought it would be, Maria. Maybe I'd better go for now."

"For a first day I think we've accomplished a lot." Maria felt flushed and breathless as she followed him across the room. "And thanks for helping me unpack."

"I'm looking forward to lesson two."

"What time do you want to get together tomorrow? I'll set my alarm so you won't have to wake me
up
."

"How about tonight?"

"Tonight
?
"

"
D
inner. I
hear
the Marisol Cantina fixes great
Margaritas and
shrimp
tacos to die for
."

"Well, I,uh..."

"Unless you have other plans."

"No, of course not. What plans would I have?"

"Around seven, then?"

She nodded, unable to say no and not really wanting to. But she wondered how she'd make it through more hours with him.

Joe reached for the door, then turned back to her. His dark eyes captured her in their
imploring depths. "I want to ex
plain why I responded so sharply about the Apache runners
this morning. As a young athlete I was one of those Apache runners in ceremonies on th
e reservation. I guess your com
ment hit too close to home and I have no sense of humor about that. But mostly I hoped that you would forget about my heritage when we were together."

"I don't know why I said that. You must know it doesn't matter to me, Joe."

"I want you to think of me as a man first. Just a man."

"I'm afraid... that I do, Joe."

"Good." He lifted her chin with two fingers and caressed the tiny indentation in her chin with his thumb. "Don't be afraid of what's happening to us. It can't be bad. It's too good with you, Maria." He lowered his head for another quick kiss. "I've got to go. While I can." He turned. "See you tonight."

"Yes. Tonight..." She watched him leave, his arms swing
ing, his powerful legs propelling him across the sand.

Finally she turned away and squeezed her eyes shut.
I
n those few minutes when they'd touched
, when they
kissed, she'd wanted that man as she had wanted no other in years. She wanted Joe to take her in his arms, to lay her down right here on the floor and make love to her until she cried out. She thought she'd scream watching him leave her. She wanted to call him back. Wanted him
completely
.

Well, she'd see him in a few hours. Dinner and then what? She pressed her fist to her forehead as if trying to force the raging thoughts and feelings from her head, from her being. But it was impossible. Her heart was in control.

Chapter
S
ix

After dinner t
hey strolled along the brick sidewalks that laced through the resort. The i
mpact of their earlier kiss lin
gered, and as if to guard against it happening again, they held hands with fingertips loosely entwined.

Yet even such a light contact sent Maria's senses soaring, and she fought a private preoccupation with Joe Quintero's fingers. They ended up back at the casitas that lined the beach. The moon was visible as a thin, translucent disk, its silver glow reflected in the black night sea.

"Want to walk some more
?
"

The thought of continuing to move in step with him was somehow provocative and unnerving. But then, to her everything about Joe was provocative—downright sexy. She smiled with an unavoidable eagerness. "But not in these high heels."

"We can fix that easily enough." Joe sat on her porch step and began peeling off his shoes and socks. "Oh, this reminds me. I left your pink shoes at the front desk. Manuel said his sister-in-law could fix them as good as new."

"And I thought they'd never be the same."

He reached for her hand and urged her to the step beside him. "After Mexico nothing is the same."

She gazed into his ebony eyes and saw the dancing light of desire. "Nothing?"

"Nothing or no one is the same after being under this moon. But don't expect to
get your shoes back soon.
Maybe before we leave.
"

"
We
'll be here three weeks. Is that long enough?"

"Sometimes one day is long enough for the change. Or one night."

"I'm talking about the shoes. Long enough to repair them."

"Oh." He grinned. "Probably. I'm sure you won't need them around here. You won't need anything...." He knelt barefoot in the sand before her and grasped one sandal heel. "Like now. These things must go. A person should never walk a beach in shoes. You've got to feel that gritty sand against your arches and between your toes." His fingers stroked the erogenous areas as he mentioned them. Then he went to her other foot, creating the same havoc with her libido. "What's this
?
The businesswoman has discarded her hose?"