felt as if his body would explode. But he had the feeling that Jennifer was the kind of woman who would close the door on a man after hot interlude.
He wanted more.
Always had.
There was just something about her that called to him. The private moments he shared with her always felt like...
They felt how he imagined a home should feel. Comforting. Safe. And better than that, because he was sharing it with someone he genuinely liked and respected.
“Go.” Maria gave him a little push.
He glanced at her bright smile.
“I’ll be back,” he said.
She wagged her finger at him. “Not for hours.”
He ducked his head and started walking.
Everything hinged on Jennifer saying yes. She had to want to spend time with him. Of course he’d sweetened the deal, he wasn’t an idiot. She’d always kept him at arm’s length and worn her suspicion of him openly. Until last night.
Something had changed,, and he intended to take advantage of it.
There wasn’t a true entrance to the place. The bottom floor was mostly sliding glass windows that allowed the main room to open up to the patio and pool area for staff. One door was cracked, no doubt to allow the cool air in.
Orion stepped inside and peered around, listening to the relative silence. Most of the residents were already working. Those who worked overnight would be fast asleep already.
Did he go up to her room?
What if she was in the bathroom?
This was the part he hadn’t been able to think through properly. Everything else was easily scheduled and set up.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs made everything else fade away. He stared at them and waited.
Glittery sandals followed by bright red, cropped pants came into view. A creamy colored, flowing blouse, and then there she was.
Jennifer paused on the stairs, gripping the railing, and gaped at him.
“Morning,” he said.
“Orion.” She slowly descended, watching him like she might a snake about to strike.
Here goes.
“I spoke to Milan. She agreed it was time for you to have a day off. I have three people assigned to watch over her every move, though she promised me her plans didn’t involve leaving the property until tonight. I thought that would give us the day.”
“To do what?” Jennifer asked with that same wary tone.
He grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
“I can’t do that. I can’t leave Milan.”
“Even watched over by three men and my entire staff?”
Jennifer reached up and smoothed a hand down her high ponytail. “I just...”
Well, he’d tried for the surprise route.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “We’ll be on a boat just a short distance off shore with a powerful enough engine to get us anywhere on the island in half an hour. You deserve time off. And to do something actually relaxing.”
She glanced toward the main house. Lines marred her brow.
He couldn’t do more to put her at ease. It wasn’t in his power. He’d already put extra security on shift for the day and secured Milan’s promise to not budge from the protective eye of his people.
“I can’t run off and not clear it with Milan.” She held out her arm and dug a hand into the purse she carried at all times.
“Sure.”
Jennifer turned her back on him and lifted the phone to her ear. He couldn’t hear what the exchange, but he already knew what Milan would say. She’d been rather enthusiastic when Orion had asked for her blessing in the early morning hours. After a few short seconds, she hung up and turned to face him.
“I want to keep the shore—and the house—in sight at all times,” she said.
Orion could have leapt, shouted and done a dance. Instead, he rocked back on his heels and grinned. “Deal.”
She glanced down at herself. “I just, um...”
He closed the distance and took her hand. “You don’t need anything.”
“But—”
“Come on.” He tugged on her hand.
Jennifer was reluctant to follow. At first. As they passed through the sliding glass doors, she matched his pace and shifted her hand so that it was more comfortably clasped in his. Most importantly, she did not pull away from him.
By the time she seemed to have remembered how to talk, they had reached the smaller stair leading down to the beach.
“What exactly are you up to?” she asked.
He locked gazes with her and for a moment, allowed himself to feel every bit of his desire for her. “I thought we covered that last night.”
Jennifer’s eyes widened, and he watched her throat flex. Was that a bit of color on