but I need to burn some energy.’
Five minutes later Jade found herself facing Alvaro, who’d already whipped off his sweater to reveal a tee that hugged that masculine vee of his body. Too well did she remember the heated wall of muscle that was his chest.
He danced in front of the boxing bag and winked at her. ‘Spar with me.’
‘You cannot be serious.’ She lifted her hands in surrender instead. ‘You’re way bigger than I am.’
‘I’ll keep one hand behind my back.’
‘And hop on one foot?’ She shook her head and walked over to the equipment rack, leaving him to it. ‘Not going to happen.’
But he was trying to make her laugh and it was working.
‘There are things I could do with that skipping rope, Jade, if you don’t want to use it in the usual way.’
She shot him a look and his laugh was low and sexy and then he turned and took a couple of playful swipes at the bag. She stared at his pure graceful strength and athleticism.
‘You’re not being fair,’ she softly complained.
All the emotions he’d made her feel in the last twenty minutes?
‘And you are?’ he countered quietly. ‘Look at you...just...’
‘Just what?’
‘Standing there.’
Warmth flooded her. He made her feel so wanted—at least in this one way.
‘We both agreed the rules,’ she breathed. ‘We both understood them.’
‘But you’ve broken other rules already this week, Jade. If you’ve done it once you can do it again.’
‘Or perhaps I’ve learned my lesson.’ She stepped back. ‘And all I’ve eaten today are some pastries. Let’s go get something more substantial, shall we?’
‘Oh, fine,’ he growled.
Two hours later they walked back to the hotel. Jade hadn’t laughed as much in years. Alvaro had unleashed his ultra-competitive side and she’d been unable to resist the challenge. With his apparently bottomless supply of quarters, they’d thrown darts at balloons for far too long before eating unidentifiable meat on a stick and piping-hot fries. She’d refused the neon cotton candy because she didn’t need the sugar high to make her heart pound faster.
They’d talked of nothing serious. Nothing of her past or her future, only whether or not they should do the rifle range first or the big six. She’d loved watching his enthusiasm emerge. He had a dynamism like no one she’d ever met. Not recklessness—he was incredibly disciplined and energetic regarding his work, but he had a controlled zest that, once released, was infectious. And killer competitive spirit. In the final tally he won the most—offering her the obligatory oversized ugly plush toy alligator that secretly Jade was sure the operator gave him only because he’d spent so much money on the damn games.
‘Not going to fit in my cabin baggage, sorry,’ she’d demurred.
He’d laughed and given it to a family passing by.
And now, back in the hotel, he paused by her door.
‘Let me know if you need anything,’ he muttered.
And who was being unfair again now?
She stared up at him and that ripple of desire—of promise—made her shiver again. But she’d deny it still—not even say it to herself. ‘I think I can manage everything fine on my own, thanks.’
Amusement and appreciation flared in his eyes. ‘Maybe there’ll come a moment when you can’t,’ he whispered, teasing retribution. ‘Watch out then, Jade.’
And she couldn’t resist responding, ‘Is that a threat?’
He opened her door for her only to then step away. ‘More of a promise.’
He’d meant it only as a joke, another little lightening of the atmosphere after her earlier emotion. But for her, it was all warning.
CHAPTER TEN
‘IT WON’T TAKE LONG, but I need to check on her.’
‘Of course.’ Jade didn’t mind how long it took, she was fascinated to be meeting someone who’d had such an impact on him.
But Alvaro had been quiet on the drive and now they’d pulled up outside a suburban house, his tension was even more palpable as he checked his phone with a frown.
Jade hadn’t bothered even turning her phone on. The morning was too gorgeous and she was too intrigued. Now, as they got out of the car, she scooped up the box of tiny gingerbread houses and carried them up the path. Alvaro had no other gifts with him, which surprised her a little. But he’d just lifted his hand to knock on the door when it opened and an older woman stepped out. She gazed up at him for a moment then nodded. ‘Alvaro.’
‘Ellen.’
It was the briefest hug before the woman turned to scrutinise Jade with sharp interest. ‘Have you brought