The Argentinian's Solace Read online

  Yes, Oresto was dead—and Diego was responsible. His closest friend—a man he had known from childhood—and nothing would bring him back. Not this self-flagellation, that was for sure. His guilt wouldn’t soften the grief for Oresto’s family, and Diego must accept what couldn’t be changed or he would damage even more people, he realised, gazing at Maxie.

  She sat up in bed, instantly awake the moment the light of a new day hit the window. She could hear Diego in the bathroom, shaving and cursing. He sounded in an extremely good mood, Maxie thought as he came back into the bedroom, wiping his face on a towel.

  ‘You’re awake,’ he said. Dropping the towel, he launched himself onto the bed. She screamed with laughter and embraced him.

  ‘You’re crazy—do you know that?’ she demanded, covering him in kisses.

  ‘Good morning, Señorita Parrish,’ Diego said, returning her kisses with interest. ‘I trust you slept well?’

  ‘I would have done, but this man kept me awake all night,’ she said, frowning.

  ‘No. Really? Where is he?’ Diego demanded, glancing fiercely round the room. ‘Let me kill him so my honour is satisfied.’

  ‘I think your honour is very satisfied,’ she observed, happily stretching.

  And then her phone rang.

  In the space of one strident peal, that carefree mood—her sense of completeness, togetherness, of sharing everything they were and had between them—shattered into tiny, ugly pieces.

  ‘You’d better answer it,’ Diego said, moving away to give her some privacy.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said, holding the phone to her chest until he was out of earshot. Winding the sheet round her body she rushed across the room to the window, where the reception was good and there was no chance Diego could hear her. She glanced at him with more apologies ready on her lips.

  ‘Go ahead,’ he said without expression. ‘I’ll get dressed.’

  ‘Your father has a small infection,’ the nurse was saying while Maxie stared at the empty space left by Diego. ‘But you should be fine to continue your business trip,’ the nurse added, ‘so enjoy it while you can.’

  Maxie’s heart sank at the implied warning, and sank again when she thought what it meant for her tender new relationship with Diego. ‘You’ll let me know if anything changes?’ she urged, already feeling the ice of loss creeping through her veins.

  ‘Of course,’ the nurse assured her briskly.

  Maxie stood still for a moment when she had ended the call. She’d seen the expression on Diego’s face. Goodness knew who he thought was ringing her at this time in the morning. How was she going to answer his questions? She couldn’t lie to him. She couldn’t pretend it was a business call. Since sleeping together something had changed between them. They had placed their trust in each other. Was she going to break that trust now?

  She didn’t have to say anything unless Diego brought it up, Maxie reasoned. This was her problem and she would sort it out. She just had to hope there would be time to finalise everything for the charity event before her father’s condition worsened.

  ‘Problem?’ Diego asked, towelling his hair.

  ‘Nothing I can’t handle.’ Did her voice sound as false to him as it did to her?

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘I’m certain.’

  ‘That’s good,’ he said, tossing his towel onto a chair, ‘because I’ve got news for you. While you were on the phone I took a call from my brother. We’re leaving for the estancia today.’

  ‘Today?’

  ‘Do you have a problem with that?’

  ‘No, of course not.’ She would be moving further away from her father, but one step closer to finishing the job. Which meant she would be leaving Argentina and Diego for good. ‘Great,’ she said, forcing a smile.

  No man was in for the long haul, Maxie reminded herself, not unless guilt held him close, she realised, with her mother’s experience clear in her mind. And she wanted more than that. Perhaps it was as well she would be leaving soon.

  Diego explained their travel plans and seemed more concerned about her meeting his family than the mysterious phone calls she’d been taking. ‘I can’t wait to meet them,’ she said, thinking he had become a little reserved on the subject.

  ‘You may not see too much of me,’ he explained in a way that chilled her, ‘as I will be preparing for the match when we reach the estancia.’

  ‘I wouldn’t expect anything else,’ she assured him. Walking across the room, she rested her face against his chest. ‘I know how much this first match means to you.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be playing at all if it wasn’t for you.’

  But there was chill in his voice, as if mentally he was pulling back. Even the arms that had held her so securely felt mechanical, somehow. ‘I’ll do anything I can to help you,’ she said, ‘and please don’t worry about me when we arrive at the estancia,’ she added, hoping that by teasing Diego she would restore his former good mood. ‘I’ll be so busy there’s no chance I’ll get in your way. So you’d better not get in mine.’

  There was a pause, and then he responded as she had hoped he would. ‘I’ll still need my therapist,’ he said, in the warm tone that could sometimes be frighteningly elusive.

  ‘As I will need mine,’ she assured him.

  Diego’s kiss was long and deep, and when he pulled his head back to look at her there was something in his eyes that should have filled her with all the reassurance in the world. But it vanished quickly. ‘Well, we’d better get on,’ he said briskly. ‘I imagine you have packing to do?’

  ‘Yes, I have,’ she said, knowing that nothing this good ever lasted.

  She should also remember that Diego had shadows too, Maxie reminded herself. Let him get this first match out of the way, and then she would tell him about her father and there would be no more secrets between them.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THE flight from Buenos Aires to the airstrip at Estancia Acosta took no time at all with Diego at the controls, but the intimate look they’d shared when Diego secured her seat belt before returning to the cockpit made any separation far too long. It would be so easy to get used to having him around, Maxie reflected, and that was foolish.

  The jet landed lightly on a bleached strip of sand set like a golden ribbon on a plain of richly coloured flat-lands. The airstrip was empty other than their jet and a solitary truck, beside which stood a traditionally dressed Argentinian cowboy. A gaucho, she realised, breaking free of her concerns. She had finally arrived on the pampas.

  Their jolting journey to the estancia was a great introduction to the local scenery. Diego sat up front while Maxie leaned out of the open window, letting the warm breeze mess with her hair and her senses fill with the scent of ripe corn and lush green grass. Everything was on such a vast scale—from the huge skies to the seemingly endless grasslands that stretched away to the misty purple horizon. The flat land was punctuated by paddocks populated with herds of wild horses, and there were more ponies clustering by the fence as they approached the towering gates of the Acosta family home, which loomed out of the ocean of grass like the entrance to some Wild West ranch.

  The moment they drove up to the front door people poured out, and when she climbed down from the truck Maxie was engulfed in a whirlwind of warm-hearted greetings. Diego was at her side throughout, though to her disappointment he insisted it was too soon for lengthy introductions as Maxie was tired from their journey. It was almost as if he didn’t want her to meet his family properly, she thought as everyone said they understood, and agreed that Maxie must retire to her suite of rooms and that a dinner tray should be sent up.

  ‘What a wonderful family you have,’ she exclaimed as Diego escorted her into the house.

  ‘I’m pleased you think so,’ he said, with that same chill note. ‘They certainly took to you.’

  Was that a criticism? she wondered, trying to read him.

  ‘I’ll see you in the morning,’ he said as the housekeeper loomed. ‘
I’ll be in my old room, if you need me.’ Her heart shrank a little more when Diego added in the same cordial tone, ‘Don’t set an alarm—sleep in for as long as you like.’

  It was almost as if he didn’t want her to spend time with his family, when she wanted to be up with the lark so she could get to know everyone. And she hadn’t planned on sleeping alone.

  She should stop being unreasonable and realise that now Diego was home he probably didn’t want everyone knowing they were having such a passionate affair. What did she think this was? Meet the family prior to an announcement? She was here on business—or had she forgotten that?

  Diego ground his jaw as he walked to the stables. The suspicions were back. There was still no news from his PI, so he had no way of knowing if Maxie was involved with Peter Parrish. Yet he had brought her to his family home—to the house where he had used to play with Oresto when they were children—a house that held so many treasured memories. His family had welcomed her with open arms—no suspicions. There was only Diego wondering why Maxie looked so very pleased to be here. Why so pleased? Was she on a scouting mission so she could report back to Peter Parrish?

  Now he was being ridiculous, Diego accepted. Maxie was a welcome guest who had been employed to do a very important job for the Acosta family. She would not be reporting back to some unseen enemy. It was he who was out of step.

  She took a bath in the comfortable old-fashioned bathroom, trying not to feel too disappointed. But she hadn’t expected the break with Diego to be so sudden, nor that he would usher her away from his family as if he was ashamed of her. She would handle it the only way she could, Maxie concluded—she’d do her job and she’d do it well. She had to meet Holly, the bride-to-be, tomorrow. So however Diego wanted to play it there was only one game plan for Maxie, and that was to be the best guest she could be as she finalised all the arrangements with which she had been entrusted.

  It had been such a confusing day, with such a multitude of new things to take in, that Maxie had expected to stay awake worrying half the night, but once she slipped beneath the starched white linen sheets she was asleep within minutes.

  Everything looked better in the morning. Far from sleeping in, as Diego had suggested, she threw back the curtains at dawn. The ranch had come alive at first light. She could hear people banging around in the kitchen, and she couldn’t wait to get down there and see everyone.

  She showered and dressed, and then booted up her laptop to check her mail. The stores were on board with her idea for an auction, which was great. It was all systems go for the charity event, at least. Closing the computer down, she left the room and ran downstairs to find Lucia and Holly waiting for her in the hall. Within minutes it was as if they had known each other all their lives.

  ‘Well, we do have rather a lot in common,’ Maxie pointed out when Lucia commented on this.

  ‘Yes,’ Lucia agreed wryly. ‘Wild men of the pampas.’

  ‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that,’ Maxie argued, laughing even as she wished this was true.

  ‘Well, I would!’ Holly said, hugging Maxie impulsively. ‘I couldn’t be more pleased to meet my wedding planner at last.’

  Lucia smiled. ‘And those wild men haven’t been accountable to anyone in their lives. It’s about time we brought them into line. We will welcome your input, Maxie.’

  ‘Me?’ Maxie exclaimed, knowing she’d better get a few things straight. ‘When I said we have a lot in common, I was thinking about the work I’m doing here for the charity event and for your wedding, Holly.’

  But the two girls refused to go along with this. ‘And I suppose Diego has nothing to do with it at all?’ Lucia said, exchanging an amused glance with Holly.

  This was how close friendships started, Maxie thought. She didn’t have the heart to tell the girls that where Diego was concerned their excitement was completely misplaced.

  The next week flew by, with Maxie constantly working on her phone or on her laptop, contacting suppliers and putting things in place for the charity event as well as tying up the last few loose ends for Holly’s forthcoming wedding. Diego was busy too, both with his training and with the many business meetings he held each day with his brothers. More importantly, he seemed to have relaxed into the idea of Maxie being part of the family, for however short a time, and though there was still something there she couldn’t put her finger on they hadn’t been able to stay apart for very long.

  She felt at home, Maxie realised, gazing out across the paddock from her bedroom window. Shadows were lengthening as the bleaching light of day gave way to a soft lilac dusk, but the brothers were still training tirelessly for the forthcoming match. Diego glanced up, as if he sensed her staring at him. She knew that look, and her body responded along with her heart.

  Springing down from his horse, Diego handed the reins to one of his brothers and, vaulting the fence, came towards the house. Hugging herself, she pulled back from the window.

  She stood with her back to the door, trembling with anticipation, when Diego walked in. Walking up behind her, he kissed her neck as he pushed the robe she had flung on after her shower from her shoulders. She was naked beneath it. No words were spoken. None were needed. Diego lifted her so she could lock her legs around his waist. Throwing her head back as he entered her, she let the pleasure come. Diego was so strong and sure, and she was always so hungry for him. There was no finesse today. This was a storm of passion as they rode towards a horizon they had never failed to reach. Holding her firmly in place, as he thrust steadily at the tempo he knew she liked, he took her strong and deep, with the type of stroke that always brought her quickly to the edge. She didn’t even think of holding back and tumbled gratefully, bucking furiously until the storm had passed and she rested spent in his arms, while her muscles throbbed a powerful reminder in the aftermath of pleasure.

  ‘Do you think we should take this to bed?’ Diego suggested wryly.

  ‘Only if you allowed me to undress you,’ she whispered.

  Rolling back his handsome head, Diego smiled. ‘I’m already undressed,’ he pointed out.

  ‘That’s where you’re wrong,’ she said, lifting his top out of his tight-fitting breeches. Standing on tiptoe, she tugged it over his head, revealing the magnificent torso that always excited her—especially now, when his muscles were pumped and defined after exercise. The breeches were next. They clung to him like a second skin, outlining the evidence of both Diego’s stamina and his size. ‘Are you never at rest?’ she said, cupping her hands around him.

  He shrugged, which made her smile.

  ‘Why are you smiling?’ Diego murmured speculatively.

  ‘I have no intention of stroking your ego when it clearly doesn’t need any more attention,’ she said.

  ‘You’re right. Please don’t waste time stroking my ego,’ he said as he kicked his breeches away. ‘Bed?’ he suggested. ‘I think that’s a much better option, don’t you?’

  Before she could answer this Diego had lifted her and put her down on the bed. Turning her, he took her gently, rocking her back and forth, while she sighed with pleasure. She was so receptive, so incredibly sensitive; it seemed the more they made love the more she wanted Diego, and the more responsive she became. He was such an unselfish lover. There wasn’t a part of her he hadn’t pleasured or a request he hadn’t fulfilled.

  ‘Now,’ she murmured in the way he had taught her, angling herself shamelessly and gasping with excitement as his grip tightened on her buttocks. He was so good at this. Clutching the pillow as sensation grew beyond the point of bearing, she cried out, ‘I can’t—it’s too big—too strong—’ Thankfully, Diego ignored her and, screaming wildly, she had the satisfaction of feeling him fall with her in a frenzy of explosive pleasure and release.

  Could anything be more perfect than this? Maxie wondered as she pulled on some clothes after her shower. Even if she must go home soon, at least she had tasted life to the full.

  Diego had returned to his training. His b
rothers had accepted him back in the floodlit arena as if a bedroom break in the middle of training was a perfectly natural thing.

  Everything about this visit had exceeded her expectations, Maxie realised. Diego was … Diego. While the job was going even better than she had anticipated. Her career was thriving, thanks to the associated publicity, and a huge bonus to all this was the relationships she had formed with Lucia and Holly. She had particularly enjoyed hearing Lucia’s stories about Diego.

  ‘He needs someone like you to take him out of himself,’ Lucia had confided. ‘Diego can become very insular at times. He shuts us out—like the time he went to Isla del Fuego to recover from his injuries, allowing none of us to help him.’

  Maxie had wondered about this, and had asked, ‘Has he done that sort of thing before?’

  Lucia’s face had creased with concern and, not wanting to pry, Maxie had quickly changed the subject. Spotting Lucia in the courtyard now, she waved out of the window to attract her friend’s attention, yelling that she would be right down.

  Lucia greeted her with a hug. ‘It’s so good to have female company,’ she said, glancing at the paddock. ‘Come on—let’s go and see what they’re doing.’ Linking arms with Maxie, she drew her towards the training field, where the men were shouting at each other as they wheeled their horses at impossible angles and galloped back and forth. ‘I love them all dearly,’ Lucia confided, ‘but they can be a little overpowering.’

  ‘I can imagine,’ Maxie agreed wryly. ‘I can’t think what it must have been like for you growing up in a household of such strong-minded men.’

  ‘Hell,’ Lucia assured her. ‘They wouldn’t let me tie my own shoelaces in case I tripped over them. But now there’s Holly—and you.’

  ‘But I won’t be staying,’ Maxie pointed out.

  ‘You must,’ Lucia insisted.

  ‘I can’t. I’m afraid I have to return to reality some time.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. Diego will never let you go.’