Page 5 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8
‘I’m sorry—’
His brows rose as they both stopped speaking.
Lowering his arms, he kept a loose grasp on the axe. ‘Go on. I hope that’s the start of an apology for disturbing me?’
He caught the smallest spark of irritation before she glanced at the axe. Interesting.
‘I’m still getting used to being on a boat.’ She shrugged. ‘The constant humming, the motion and other noises makes it hard for me to sleep.’
‘The yacht is fitted with stupidly expensive stabilising equipment to ensure it doesn’t rock noticeably. As for the humming, some find it...reassuring.’
A small nod. ‘I probably will, too, once I get used to being on board.’ She glanced around, giving him a brief glimpse of her breathtaking profile. ‘I was going for a walk... I didn’t think anyone would be up at this time.’
His gaze travelled over her once more, a compulsion he couldn’t quite curb. ‘You’re new to the crew?’
Did she just stiffen? After an infinitesimal hesitation, she nodded.
Irritation mixed with peculiar arousal stirred through him. His personal rules forbade him from interacting in any way but professionally with her, but...wasn’t forbidden fruit the sweetest? ‘Then you would’ve been told that wandering at night was strictly prohibited. So either you’re flouting the rules or someone dropped the ball.’
Apprehension flashed through her eyes but although she’d just confirmed she was his employee, she didn’t fall over herself to make excuses like most would.
His intrigued thoughts scattered as she stepped closer, dragging his gaze once more to her spectacular legs.Dios mio, they should be taboo they were so sexy.
Jario had learned early that he was a legs man. Watching her draw closer, noting her half-foot shorter but still impressive height, his fingers curled tighter around the axe as he entertained the idea that he was a face man as well.
Truly breathtaking, she possessed the kind of unadorned beauty that revealed itself gradually, like a veiled lover shedding her layers.
For instance, at first glance, her upper lip looked a little too thin, until they parted, showing it was perfectly proportioned to the lower, fuller one.
Cheeks that appeared plump but highlighted exquisite cheekbones when she stepped beneath the light. Limpid brown eyes once she was close enough showed flecks hiding subtle colours. Colours he itched to discover but cautioned himself against.
Because he wanted to stretch out the unveiling...?
As for her jaw and the elegant line of her neck...that pulse throbbing at her throat...they didn’t need a second look.
‘I didn’t mean to disturb you.’ Her voice was low, husky, hiding mysteries Jario wanted to discover. He wasn’t so far gone that he didn’t recognise that this might be his psyche’s way of distracting him from his demons. That he was snatching this unexpected interruption to delay returning to his bed.
He was also aware that she hadn’t owned up to her transgressions. Something he was inclined to let pass. Just this once.
Because... ‘You want to try?’ He held out the axe, hilt first, before he’d fully clocked his words.
Alarm gut-punched him.
What was he doing? He didn’t fraternise with his crew. They were a bunch of skilled, carefully vetted individuals he paid handsomely to keep his home—and yes,La Venganza washis home—running smoothly. People who ensured hisvitalneed to remain mobile was achieved without question or deviation.
Yet, even as fine tremors moved down his arm and into the fist clutching the deadly tool, he didn’t withdraw his invitation.
She started to shake her head, triggering both relief and pique he didn’t understand, then at the last moment, it turned into a wary nod. Other opaque sentiments flitted over her face. Sentiments he couldn’t immediately decipher because his attention was shifting, confounded by the way she moved...glided...towards him like a siren straight from the ocean beneath him.
His gaze dropped to herbarefeet, and the stirring notched up a thousandfold.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have been in a hurry to leave Mexico...should’ve allowed one of the many women eager to share his bed to remain behind. Because the way his libido was revving...
Her gaze left his long enough to examine the protective netting that separated them. Reaching out, Jario detached the fastening and held it open in silent invitation.
She stepped inside, her nostrils fluttering delicately as shescentedhim. He bit back a growl, the very experience of her inhaling his sweat-coated skin driving astonishingly primal need through his body.
He wanted to attribute these insane sensations to the activity, the time of night or, hell, the movements of the planetary systems. But he knew they made little to no impact on the situation. His visitor possessed her own brand of mystery he was weirdly enraptured by.