Amazon Awakening by Caridad Piñeiro Page A

which followed were cutting.
    â€œIs that what attracts you? Money?” he said, shifting his gaze around her office where an assortment of items spoke to the wealth she was accustomed to handling. Trophies from a variety of corporate mergers, or celebrating multimillion-dollar legal actions she had won, were prominently featured along the shelves and walls.
    â€œMoney makes the world go round,” she replied defensively, not that she believed it. It was just that he seemed to be able to push her buttons. Feeling cornered by his virile presence, she needed to push back somehow to regain her composure.
    â€œIf money is what it will take, you should be aware that as the Lopes heir, you stand to inherit millions.”
    She understood the price to be paid for that legacy even if he hadn’t said it. “But only if I abide by my grandmother’s request to come for a visit. Is that it?”
    Passion and purpose filled his gaze as he said, “Despite what you say, I don’t believe that it’s only about money for you. Am I wrong?”
    She locked her gaze with his and connected with him on a level that went far beyond the physical attraction she had been feeling from the moment Rey walked into her office. This link went much deeper and was possibly far more dangerous. She was used to hiding her emotions in court; confusion set in about how Rey could read her so well in so short a time.
    â€œYou’re not wrong. I’ve always questioned what happened with my parents. Why things turned out the way they did.”
    Rey’s gaze lost a little of its chill and the sympathy that crept into his demeanor unsettled her. “It must be difficult having no answers to the questions you’ve had your whole life.”
    With a shrug that she hoped would end what was becoming a too-personal discussion, she replied, “I’ve survived. I have my job—”
    â€œDon’t you want your life to be about more than these four walls and their limitations?” He gestured all around her sleek corner office.
    How often had she asked herself the same thing? Paola thought. In recent months, the demands of her job had enslaved her, and, as she scrutinized Rey, she realized that he was a man who would never allow himself to be imprisoned like that. Again, that image of him running free, that powerful body unchained and unfettered, created unwanted desire in her. Needing to regain control of the situation, she said, “I have a meeting shortly and need to prepare.”
    His small smirk proved that he recognized her lie, but he graciously didn’t press. He rose and towered over her, lethally masculine. Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out a card and carefully placed it on her desk. “I’ll be here until Friday. If you wish to come, I will personally escort you to your family’s plantation.”
    She rethought the arrogant part of her description of him in spite of his earlier challenging actions. She realized now he was just a resolute man who wanted only one answer from her.
    â€œWhy is this so important to you?” she asked as she picked up his business card.
    â€œBecause I love your grandmother as if she were my family. I wish to see her happy before it is her time.”
    With that, he left, gently closing the door behind him. Not that his departure did anything to lessen the force of his presence. It seemed to linger, daring her to deny it. Demanding that she consider his request—and not just because of her grandmother.
    She perused the card in her hand.
    Rey Peralta. President, Lopes Industries.
    Her father’s family’s business. She didn’t really think of herself as part of the Lopes family. Although she had occasionally sought out information about them, the Lopes family was a secretive lot. The only things she had unearthed were articles every now and then about the growth of their enterprises and their devotion to protecting the Amazon