Page 33 of Love Bites
Rosa was tall and beautiful, curvaceous and delectable. Her beauty had attracted him, and they’d fallen into bed together. It had probably been a bad idea. She lived on his block, but he’d told her from the beginning it was only sex for him. He’d wanted nothing more than a one-night stand, a good lay. She had agreed that was what she’d wanted, too. He soon found out it had been a lie.
After their enjoyable night together, Rosa hadn’t left him alone. She visited him at his home unannounced, and always appeared while he was with his friends. Her most recent faux pas had been to talk to his mother and try to convince her to arrange a date with him.
Ignacio had never treated Rosa with anything but respect, for he never mistreated any woman. He never raised his voice, never called her crazy—although, he had thought it plenty of times—but had never told her to leave him alone. Sure, he’d made plenty of excuses not to hang out with her, had gently reminded her they weren’t a couple, but she was relentless in her pursuit of him.
“Hello, Antonio,” she crooned now in her sugar-sweet voice.
Ignacio liked Katheryn’s husky one much better. He liked everything about Katheryn much better than Rosa de Leon.
“Hello, Ignacio.”
The way she said his voice, like a secret promise or a caress made his skin crawl.
“Hello, Rosa.” He grabbed his beer, knowing he’d need alcohol in his system for what was to follow.
“Mind if I join you guys?” she asked, not bothering to wait for an answer as she took a seat beside him.
“Actually, Rosa,” Ignacio downed the rest of his drink and stood up. “I was just leaving. I have—an appointment.”
Her face fell, the excitement leaving it as she watched him. “I thought I’d buy you a drink.”
Her bottom lip trembled, cutting daggers through Ignacio. He hated to see a woman cry. “I really have to go...”
“Just one drink. Please?” Rosa put her hand on his arm.
Ignacio looked at Antonio for help, but he knew it was futile. His resolve was already melting under the sharp rays of guilt.
“Just one drink.” Ignacio agreed and sat down.
Rosa ordered him a Blood Beer, as well as one for Antonio. When their drinks arrived, Ignacio reached for it and downed it in one long swallow.
Rosa eyed him as she reached for her own beer. “So, what appointment do you have?”
Antonio shrugged as if to say, “Your business, you explain.”
God, Ignacio hated when Rosa looked at him with those enormous eyes. He hated to lead her on, hated to be rude. His mother had always told him honesty was the best policy, so why, lately, did he find himself being less than honest?
He sighed. He’d never had to lie to anyone, and he didn’t want to keep doing it. He thought of Katheryn, thought of her ex and how he had lied and hurt her. It would destroy him if he was stooped to that man’s level. It would destroy him if Katheryn thought him a liar, too.
He looked into Rosa’s brown, expectant eyes. He supposed it was time to start being honest to everyone around him. Starting with Rosa. He stood. Her eyes widened a fraction when he caressed her cheek with his palm, then ran his thumb across her soft flesh.
“Rosa, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” she asked with bewilderment.
“I’m sorry if I have led you to believe we could have something, be something. I’m sorry, Rosa, if I used you. We had a good time, but I cannot keep this going. I love another, and I have to go find her.”
He turned from her and walked away.
“Wait, Ignacio!” Rosa called to him. “Oh—shit!”
He turned at her curse and saw she’d stood up, ready to follow him. But now had blood dripping down the front of her dress. Antonio was beside her, chucking his empty glass to the side.
“I’m so sorry, Rosa. Here, let me help.” He grabbed a handful of napkins and began wiping at her chest, which earned him a smack in the face.
Ignacio grimaced but turned and ran away, grateful for his friend’s distraction. He left the bar and ran all of the way to Katheryn.
Tonight will be the night, he thought hopefully.
