The Rogue And The Rich Girl. Christine Pacheco

been around the block. So why did the thought of surrendering to the strangeness of night and kissing her bother him?

      He’d already said he would do what it took. So why the hesitation? Suddenly the idea of using her gave him qualms. He disliked the flash of conscience.

      Poncho cleared his throat, then slammed closed the trunk lid, shattering the illusion of their near intimacy.

      “Mi casa,” Poncho said apologetically to Nicole.

      Ace studied Nicole in the moon’s glow. Though the Maldanados’ home was rich compared to some on the island, it was poor compared with what she likely called home. To his amazement, she was graciousness itself.

      “Thank you for your hospitality, Señor Maldanado.” She smiled dazzlingly.

      Poncho’s face became a wreath of grins. “De nada, señorita, de nada.”

      She had more facets than the two-carat engagement ring Ace had given Elana. And Nicole’s smile was more intense. For a second, he allowed himself to imagine what it would feel like to experience its full effect, bestowed on him and no one else.

      The shack’s door opened with a groan. He wondered if the facade would crack once she saw the five kids, two dogs, three cats and a dozen or so chickens.

      But she showed no sign of faltering as a cacophony of sound surged out the door.

      “Where’s my favorite lady?” Ace demanded, following Nicole inside.

      A tall, slender woman, long black hair falling around her shoulders, swung around. “Ace!”

      She rushed forward and was swept into Ace’s outstretched arms. A strange sensation, something akin to jealousy, snapped at Nicole. Annoyed with herself, she shoved it aside. She had no attachment to Ace and shouldn’t care how many women he smashed against his solid chest. Still, when he put down the woman, after only kissing her forehead, Nicole experienced relief.

      “Living with this old man still agrees with you, Maria?”

      The woman glanced over her shoulder at Poncho, then back at Ace. She winked. “Sí. I have not yet found anyone better. Any suggestions, mi amigo?”

      “Yeah. Me.”

      Maria laughed, a sweet tinkling sound that Nicole couldn’t duplicate if she were paid.

      On the fringes, Nicole marveled at the easy camaraderie between Ace and the Maldanados. She had numerous friends and acquaintances, some of them very close, yet she’d never been part of this type of genuine affection. Growing up, she was her father’s princess, a pampered child who’d eventually tired of adoration, scared that if she failed, she would no longer be liked.

      “Maria, let me introduce Nicole Jackson.” The rich timbre of Ace’s voice startled her from her reverie.

      Maria turned with a smile. “Welcome, Señorita Jackson.”

      “Thank you.” This kind of friendship was new. Despite the friends she had at home, a tug of isolation assailed her.

      Ace cleared his throat and cocked his head to one side. “Nicole is CEO of WorldNet.”

      Maria blinked, her gaze taking in her husband and Ace.

      Nicole shifted, unaccustomed to the hostility the name of her company caused.

      Maria found her composure and then wiped her hands on her apron. “You’ll join us for dinner?”

      “And for the night, if possible.”