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Julie.”
                  Luzaro took her hand and squeezed gently, rubbing his thumb over the pulse point in her wrist.  “My name is Luc Rivera.  I’m very pleased to meet you both.” 
    He found the woman even more beautiful up close.  He longed to run his fingers over her peaches and cream skin, knowing it would be as soft as velvet.  He refrained from feasting his eyes on the swell of her generous breasts or traveling the length of her long, shapely legs.  He felt himself harden at such thoughts and crossed his own legs to hide the bulge in his trousers, which was yet another thing that surprised him.  He couldn’t ever remember not being able to control his sexual urges around a woman.  He somehow knew this woman was different or perhaps it was just her hesitancy to succumb to his obvious charms and wealth that intrigued him.  He was used to having women pursue him, not the other way around.  I will have her, one way or the other.
    “Perhaps you lovely ladies would join me for a tour of the city tomorrow?”  He addressed his request to Julie sensing she would be his ally in this.  “I’m staying at the Ritz.  We could meet there at say, one o’clock, have lunch, then begin our tour?  I’ve always wanted to see your Empire State Building and your Statue of Liberty.”
    Laurie looked at Julie and ever so slightly shook her head, suddenly alarmed all over again at the thought of spending the day with a man like Luc Rivera.  Laurie always relied on her instincts where men were concerned, especially after her prom travesty.  For some reason Luc Rivera had her alarm bells clanging.
    “Why that sounds like a lovely day,” Julie said knowing that the two of them should be safe enough in the middle of the afternoon.   “Don’t you think so, Laurie?”
    Laurie wanted to strangle her friend right then and there.  Glaring at her friend she said, “I’m not sure I can make it on such short notice.”
    “Nonsense,” Julie pouted.  “What else do you have to do in the afternoon besides play with that silly horse of yours?”
    Laurie stiffened at the insult to her beloved Aragon.
    “You have a horse?  Here in the city?” Luzaro probed, looking for some kind of common ground between them.  “What breed?  I have many beautiful horses at my rancho.  Peruvian Paso, Arabian, even some thoroughbreds, although they are my least favorite.”  He knew he’d struck a cord when he saw Laurie’s eyes light up for the first time since introducing himself.
    “He’s an Andalusian.  I bought him when I first moved to New York.  I spend my afternoons riding him and teaching him tricks.  He’s very smart, you see, and quic k to respond to my instructions.  He’s like a very large puppy dog and would sit on my lap if I’d allow it,” Laurie said with a laugh.  She wasn’t about to mention the mental telepathy that she shared with the animal knowing that neither Julie nor Luc would understand such a thing.
    “He sounds remarkable.  Perhaps I could meet him before I leave New York,” Luzaro said, and felt a sudden twinge of jealousy toward the animals.  Now you’re being ridiculous!
    “Perhaps,” Laurie hedged, knowing it was highly unlikely she would ever see the man again after tomorrow.  She might have enjoyed sharing Aragon with someone who would have appreciated him. 
    “Until tomorrow, then,” Luzaro said, rising to his feet and taking her hand into his much larger one.  He turned her hand over and placed a kiss in the center of her palm before dropping her hand and turning away.
    “What an interesting man,” Julie said as she watched Luc return to the VIP section and take a seat beside another equally handsome man.
    “I don’t know,” Laurie said uneasily, absently rubbing her hands together.  “I wish you hadn’t committed us to the sight-seeing tour tomorrow.”
    “Isn’t that why we came here tonight?”  Julie said, a peevish note entering her voice.