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“I don’t normally skulk around in the dark, spying on beautiful women.”
    It took Beth a moment to realize she’d been complimented—something she wasn’t used to these days—but she said nothing.
    “You know that, sí ? That you’re beautiful?”
    She smiled again. “I’m sure that kind of flattery works on your typical tourist. Unfortunately, I have a mirror. More than one, in fact.”
    Not that she considered herself ugly, by any means. Or even plain. But when she looked into those mirrors, what she saw staring back at her was no movie star. She was a slightly above-average woman who could stand to lose five pounds. At the very least. And when she wore the right makeup, the right outfit, the right shoes, she might even lean toward attractive.
    But beautiful? That was Jen’s territory, not hers.
    “True beauty,” Rafael said, “has little to do with the surface of the skin.”
    Oh, brother. Deduct a boatload of points for that one. Pun intended.
    She touched her heart. “Let me guess. It’s what’s in here that counts.”
    He frowned. “Why do you mock me?”
    “Sorry. But I know a line when I hear it. Especially when it’s not all that original.”
    “I don’t claim originality. Only sincerity.”
    “That’s sweet, Rafael, it really is, but you just met me. For all you know, I’ve got the heart of a Gila monster.”
    “I know people,” he said. “Or perhaps I should say I sense them.”
    “Sense them?”
    “I am a student of the soul. I see things that most people overlook.”
    Beth studied him. Was this more bullshit on top of the previous shovelful, or did he actually believe what he was saying?
    Determined not to let the surface of his skin cloud her judgment—God, he was gorgeous—she decided to keep the red flag flying.
    For now, at least.
    She was not, after all, merely Beth the Dutiful. She was also Beth the Cautious. A trait that had served her well over the years. If you didn’t count her ex-husband, that is.
    Of course, none of this kept her from thinking about that hand on her back. Or those eyes.
    Edvard set their drinks in front of them and Beth reached for hers, took a sip.
    Strong as predicted, but manageable.
    “I’ve offended you,” Rafael said. “That certainly wasn’t my intention.”
    “Just call me a skeptic. I make a living at it.”
    “Oh? What do you do?”
    She shook her head, suddenly sorry she’d brought it up. The last thing she wanted to think about was prosecuting rapists and pedophiles. That was buzz kill of the worst kind.
    “Let’s talk about you, instead.”
    He smiled. “I’m afraid I am not very interesting, but what would you like to know?”
    “Where you’re from would be a start. Why you’re here.”
    He took a sip of his tequila.
    “My home is a place called Ciudad de Almas. But I do not spend much time there.”
    “Why not?”
    “My work requires me to travel. Mexico City. San Antonio. El Paso.” He gestured to their surroundings. “And sometimes I like to get away. Have some fun.”
    “Alone?”
    “That would be unusual?”
    “Cruising doesn’t strike me as a solo sport.”
    He smiled again. “You are right. I am traveling with someone.”
    She knew he was too good to be true. But before she could give this too much thought, the lights began to dim and Rafael quickly checked his watch.
    “Speak of the devil. We’re here just in time.”
    “For what?”
    He nodded toward the stage. “To meet my traveling companion.”

15
     
    B ETH TURNED AS a spotlight came to life near the piano and a woman stepped onstage.
    Tall. Brown. Exotic.
    A cascade of raven hair. Dark eyes. A killer body in a black satin dress. A perfect combination of genes and breeding that sucked the life out of every other female in a room the moment she entered it. Including Beth.
    In short, she was stunning.
    Moving up to a microphone, she waited as the piano player tinkled a few keys, then she launched into a smoky Latin jazz tune—singing in Spanish,