Page 33 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8
Something kicked again, then half settled, partially mollified he was getting what he wanted. ‘Good. You’ll come to my bed because your every sense screams at you to take me because you want me. But whether you do or not, you’ll also use the time to convince me why I shouldn’t destroy your father. You won’t succeed, but at the very least he’ll have two weeks’ grace from my plans for him.’
Her gaze remained on his. Bold. Defiant. ‘And if I refuse this bargain?’
The vibration in his body announced his response to that even before he spoke. ‘Then you can pretend you quit instead of being fired and leave my yacht when we get to Bali and I’ll forget you exist.’
Her eyes shadowed a little but she didn’t back down. ‘You think you can forget me that easily?’
He resented the trace of derision in her voice. But Jario couldn’t deny that the riling turned him on even harder. He would tolerate it. For now. He’d never prized overeager bed partners. There was a certain thrill in the chase that made eventual capitulation that much sweeter.
And while he didn’t want her to leave for reasons that were still mystifying, he wasn’t about to give up this new game he’d become curiously invested in.
Releasing her hand, he transferred his hands to her hips, groaning inwardly at how her soft, firm skin warmed beneath his fingers, almost smiling when she gave herself away by leaning just a fraction closer. Gliding upward, he tightened his hold on her waist, banding his hands until they touched, and his brain immediately threw up erotic images of just what he would do to her when she eventually capitulated.
Dios mio.
‘The past three days have been evidence enough, no?’ he taunted while skirting the glaring admission.
The unwelcome pang that invaded his chest when her eyes shadowed once more, he chose to ignore. He wasn’t here to make Willow Chatterton feel better. Or comfortable.
She was here to extend this curious respite she induced—
He bit back a grunt as her fingers danced a little hesitantly over his shoulders, giving away that touch of inexperience. Then she surprised him by spearing those fingers into his hair, her touch a little tart as her fist clenched. His shaft thickened beneath the towel still tied around his waist.
‘There’s a world of difference between three days where I’m out of sight, and whatever you’re planning for the next two weeks, Mr Tagarro. Anything can happen.’
Further images bombarded him and not just the carnal kind. He’d never tolerated guests on theLa Venganzafor more than a few days at a time. He preferred his own company. Craved the privacy and even after all these years, the distance from seeing happy families that reminded him of everything he’d lost.
The idea of having this woman on board the very vessel that proclaimed his intention to annihilate her father to the world should’ve been anathema to him as it’d been that first morning he’d learned her identity. And yet, the way she went toe to toe with him, those flashes of anguish and anger that had ignited a curious affinity...
Jario grudgingly admitted he was not ready to be done with it.Yet.
Because he was...lonely?
Diavolo, no.
He was merely taking a stimulating detour to his final destination.
Dragging her even closer, he trailed his nose over her midriff, circling her neat little navel. Smiling to himself when she gasped and her clenched fingers shook. Gratified when shestilldidn’t pull away. He suspected the scent of lemongrass would haunt him after he’d finished dealing with her. Lemongrass and sexy woman. He inhaled her deep into his lungs and her belly muscles quivered delightfully. Sexyresponsivewoman.
It struck him abstractedly—because a wave of intoxication was washing over him—that she could very well derail his goals. Far more than she already had.
Then send her away in Bali.
Reluctantly unclenching his fingers from her delicious skin, he set her aside and forced himself to rise, his painful erection demanding satisfaction he didn’t intend to provide as he sauntered to the door. ‘Indeed. Which is why you should think carefully before you give me your decision. Take the day off. Find me at seven p.m. tonight and give me your answer.’
Willow stepped beneath the shower despite a heavy reluctance to wash off the events of last night and this morning. It felt like she would lose something more vital than the scent of lemongrass.
Something had changed in the past twelve hours. Her burning need for answers had diminished, while in direct proportion her anguished fury had grown towards her father. Because deep down, she knew he bore the blame, if not for all, then for some of what had happened to Jario and his father.
She lowered her head as the shower jets pummelled her.
Had she crossed the Rubicon where her relationship with her father was concerned by accepting the Mondia violinist position ten minutes ago?
Or was it to do with Jario himself?
Learning that despite seeking his revenge, he hadn’t callously walked away from the people who’d been within the direct fallout of his action had touched her. It’d been far more than her own father had done.
Or perhaps because he hadn’t gloated when she’d told him about her broken family? Maybe it was something as simple as offering him a means of solace and seeing its effect on the formidable man most cowered before.