Page 28 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

‘Peace?’ She scoffed lightly. ‘Are you sure about that?

He gritted his teeth. ‘What are you doing here, Willow?’

‘You dropped a bombshell that’s given me the same sleepless nights I’m sure you’re experiencing. I thought you might be somewhere else, maybe throwing axes, so I came here.’ She lowered her legs from where she tucked them against her body and rose.

‘Where are you going?’

She raised an eyebrow. ‘Leaving. Isn’t that what you want?’ The hint of challenge sparked to life. And yes, he much preferred that to her subjugation.

Turning away from her after one hunger-stoking glimpse of the white-bikini-clad body, Jario sat down on the bench. ‘You’re already here. It’s a little too late to flounce off.’

She sighed, but sat back down, her long legs far too close for comfort. But he was damned if he’d show it. She’d upset his equilibrium enough. Ordering her out of his sight would only prove her power over him.

He sucked in a breath, his senses jolting at the pleasurable scent that teased his nostrils. ‘Dios, what’s that smell?’

‘Oh, it’s lemongrass. It’s meant to have relaxing properties.’ A tiny green bottle appeared in front of his face. ‘Would you like some?’

‘No.’ The word was a forced countermand to theyeshis brain instantly leapt at.

Her hand remained extended for several seconds before she withdrew it. ‘Look, I’ve got the message, okay? You don’t want me here, I get it. I told you I won’t do this forever. We arrive in Bali in a few days. Then I’m leaving. We don’t have to see each other again.’

Something hard and entirely disagreeable lodged in his churning gut. She was granting his wish—her off his yacht and out of his sight. Yet, the reality of it made him angrier?

‘Good,’ he replied anyway. ‘You’re saving me the effort of firing you.’

The soft gasp melted into the steam, then silence wrapped around them.

‘So you’ve decided to go and confront your father after all?’ he asked after tense minutes.

Dread and anguish chased over her face. ‘What does it matter to you?’

‘It doesn’t,’ he said, ignoring the muscle ticking in his jaw.

Silence reigned for longer in the hazy little box, and he found himself staring, itching for insight into her feelings. When he couldn’t, frustration bit through him.

‘Yes, I’ll ask my father when I get back.’

‘And if he doesn’t admit it?’ he demanded, his voice gruff to his own ears.

She tensed and tried to hide the next flash of distress. ‘My father isn’t perfect by a long stretch. But... I need to hear what you say he did from him. It’s too...dreadful for me to just...’ She paused, shook her head.

The disconcerting sensation intensified. She was returning to a father who didn’t deserve her devotion or naïve belief that he was a good man. The man who deserved nothing but the worst punishment.

But as much as he wanted to despise her for it, he couldn’t quite bring himself to. She might be misguided in her loyalty but he couldn’t lump her into her father’s sins. Which left him where, exactly?

Let her off his boat in Bali and be done with it? Why did that idea dig spikes into his skin?

‘Jario.’ Her voice was soft, not pleading, but slightly questioning.

‘What?’ Had she moved closer?

‘Whatever happened, I’m sorry.’

‘No.’

‘What do you mean, no?’

‘I mean you don’t get to have the upper hand.’