Page 60 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8
‘I’ll see you later...’ She cringed at the hint of a question and plea trailing her statement.
He didn’t respond, just stared hard.
Squaring her shoulders in false bravado, she left his office. Showered and dressed twenty minutes later in her denim shorts and the T-shirt she’d snagged from his room—because apparently, she was a glutton for punishment and couldn’t resist having something of Jario’s with her even when they were locked in battle. After another ten minutes online buying tickets to the first decent sightseeing tour she came across, she took her first step onto land since boarding theLa Venganza.
She half wished his security guard would’ve stopped her. And how pathetic was that?
They’d returned to Benoa Harbour between last night and this morning, and the tuk-tuk she’d arranged awaited her on the pier. The chatty driver snagged her attention for all of five minutes before she was back to thinking about Jario.
A minute later her phone buzzed in her pocket. Her heart lurching when she realised it was a video call. She answered, suspecting the caller even though the number was unfamiliar.
Even on-screen Jario’s gaze probed deep. Or maybe it was the ocean-blue T-shirt he wore. ‘You left the yacht?’
Was that faint concern her imagination? ‘I need to clear my head.’
His gaze searched every inch of her face. ‘Because of me?’
She shrugged. ‘What do you think?’
A handful of seconds ticked by. ‘Where are you going?’
‘On my way to tour Ubud. First stop, something artsy, I think.’ Her attempt at cheeriness half succeeded.
His eyes narrowed and he leaned in closer. ‘Who are you with? And what’s that contraption you’re in?’
She turned the camera. ‘In a tuk-tuk with a very knowledgeable tour guide.’ She summoned a smile for the driver, who flashed a white-toothed grin of appreciation. ‘Now, if you’re done with the third degree, I’d like to get back to my sightseeing.’
‘When will you be back?’
‘Why?’
His nostrils flared. ‘We’ll finish what you started.’
Her heart jumped. ‘Now you want to talk?’
His blue eyes grew hooded. ‘I’m willing to hear you out,’ he compromised grudgingly.
As wins went it was more than she’d expected. But she wasn’t going to gloat just yet. About to respond, a wide yawn took her by surprise.
Jario’s eyes sharpened. ‘I kept you awake for most of the night, Willow. You’re operating on limited sleep.’ His low, deep and sensual voice drew shivers over her body, and her face heated even as she searched his gaze to see if he was referring to the sex or the nightmares that had eventually woken him up. Wondered if he finally wanted to talk about it.
‘I’ll survive,’ she murmured.
A moped horn blared as it zipped past, making her jump. His jaw tightened. ‘Going off gallivanting without adequate rest isn’t wise,cara.’
‘You operate on little sleep most of the time. Are you foolish?’
The smallest flash of vulnerability flitted across his face. Had she not witnessed his indomitability she wouldn’t have noticed the fleeting absence of it. ‘It’s not entirely out of choice, as you well know.’
That brought a deeper pang that snatched at her breath. But there was also a sizeable chunk of peevishness she knew was entirely derived from his rejection. ‘I’m not coming back,’ she said. And then just because not defining that response left her insides hollow, she added, ‘Just yet. But you can join me,’ she offered before she could think better of it.
He looked surprised. After a moment, he nodded. ‘I’d like that.Gracias.’
Willow smiled. ‘Before you thank me, I have conditions.’
‘More questions?’
‘Volunteered information.’