Dragging his attention away from Nicole, he cataloged the things that didn’t make sense. Leaning forward, he quietly asked Poncho, “Who knew I was coming here?”

“Señor Rodriguez.”

“Anyone else?”

The man met Ace’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “Even I did not know, until Ricardo tell me tonight.”

The answer only raised more questions. Acid churned in his stomach. The rebels were obviously more of a threat than Rodriguez or Ace had thought.

“I take you to mi casa, no?” Poncho offered.

“Gracias, mi amigo.” Ace knew they would be somewhat safe with his friends, a whole lot safer than if they strung a hammock between two palm trees.

“Is his home big enough for us?” Nicole asked quietly.

“No.” Ace wondered how she would react to an evening of camping out on the home’s dirt floor. The first time he’d stayed with the Maldanados, he’d thought of Elana. He knew the idea of spending five minutes in the house would have made her painted toes curl in her satin pumps.

Would Nicole’s reaction be any different?

“Is Poncho married?”

“With five kids.” He waited for a reaction. Lord knew, his ex had had definite problems when he’d mentioned kids. “Five noisy kids.” Ace wished he could see Nicole’s expression. Would her lips be curled in disgust at the thought of what having five kids would do to her career, not to mention her figure?

The issue of children had been the first of many to cause serious problems between him and Elana. He wanted kids—had a desperate burn in his gut to right the wrongs inflicted by his family.

But that wasn’t to be. Sometimes he felt a pang of regret, but he’d learned to live with it, by risking his life so children could live longer.

“I hope Mrs. Maldanado won’t mind the extra people.”

“She probably won’t even notice,” Ace said wryly.

Poncho jerked the car to a sudden stop in front of a small shack. Ace climbed out and went around to Nicole’s side. It was now or never.

“Let me help you,” he said, opening her door. She placed her much-smaller hand in his palm. Awareness pulsed through him. It was as shocking as it was unwelcome.

Instead of letting her go as he knew he should, he closed his fingers around her hand, holding her captive.

Her eyes opened wide, bringing her gaze back around until it locked on his face. Neither said a word. Her breathing deepened. His did the same. Her lips—soft, full, sensual—parted in silent invitation.

An invitation he resisted RSVPing to.

What was wrong with him? At thirty-seven, he’d 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.”

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