I’d witnessed her wrath hidden beneath servitude at Alrik’s, but this was the first time I’d seen it uncoil and silently rage against my actions. She wanted a fight—her tone of glances and language of harsh sniffs said as much.
And as much as I’d like to argue with her, to engage in a battle of wills—to prove once and for all she couldn’t fucking win, I couldn’t.
I had to keep my distance because, fuck me, that almost kiss.
That moment of sheer insanity in the middle of a dirty street.
The moment I caught her, I’d grown hard. The closer I’d dragged her, the harder I got. And the longer we played whatever bloody game we played, the more I craved a release.
She’d decimated the rickety foundation I’d created after losing everything. She had the power to make me lust far more than a master should his slave.
She’s never been a slave.
That was true. But now was not the time to admit it.
She wouldn’t push me so much if she knew how graphic my thoughts had become. How salacious and explicit.
I’d seen her naked often enough that my fantasies had become far too realistic. I’d done things to her that I could never do thanks to her history carving great scars into her.
I kept my distance for both our sakes.
“Yes.” I closed my laptop. “His Royal Highness has been called away to a diplomatic meeting. He would like the original blueprints delivered in A5 before he leaves.”
So much for never meeting him again.
I doubted I’d ever be comfortable now he knew my true identity.
“I can drop them off.” Selix straightened his black blazer. “It’s no hardship.”
I shook my head. “I promised I’d do it personally. I’d planned on heading into the city again before we departed anyway.” Standing, I moved to the cabinet where the copies of the current yachts under construction rested in tight scrolls. Selecting the right one, I tapped it against my palm. “Tell Pim to meet me by the ramp. Yesterday, she did well—despite a few mishaps. Today, I’ll reward her.”
Selix smiled tightly. “Fine. See you on the dock in five.”
*
“These plans don’t have the amendments we discussed but the minute they’re completed, I’ll email.” I passed Simo the silky pages of his soon-to-be-waterproof creation.
Like yesterday, he wore a three-piece suit with a crisp white turban on his head. Unlike yesterday, his wife and children weren’t present.
He glanced around the park where we’d arranged to meet—half-way for me from the Phantom and half-way for him from his house before heading to the airport. Even for a sea lover like me, the park was perfect in its natural simplicity.
Simo sighed. “It’s times like this I don’t want to leave my home country.”
I focused on the quaint quietness around us. Bird song and the occasional squeal of children playing tag in the rose bushes. It did have a sense of peace, but it was too still beneath my feet, too quiet without the dull roar of engines and ocean squalls.
But I smiled and agreed. “Your home is beautiful. I understand why.”
Simo grinned. “And your home? Do you miss it?”
I stiffened; very aware he could bring up my true identity and blab to Pim who stood beside me.
She watched silently but not stupidly. Her gaze stole every twitch and motion, storing for future reference. She never stopped judging, trying to slip beneath my walls and loot my secrets. Her silence was deadly in that respect. How had Alrik never sensed the sleeping assassin inside her? The power hidden beneath survival just waiting to put everything she’d gleaned into practice?
“I have a home.” My hands clenched by my sides. “And soon, you will have one too and see how much better it is to float wherever the tide takes you rather than be locked to one continent.”
Simo grinned. “An adventure every day.”
I chuckled, indulging him. “Exactly. Your children will have a childhood every kid would kill for, and your wife will be able to travel with you on your engagements.”
Simo’s body softened at the mention of his family.
What would it be like to have such strong emotions? To hand over your entire heart, never fearing it would be rejected? I’d known what that was like once upon a time. It’d been such a long time ago, I’d forgotten. Shared affection was as mythical to me now as breathing beneath the waves like a fish.
“Speaking of engagements, I really must be going.” Simo tapped his temple with the blueprint scroll. “Once again, thank you for meeting me here. I’ll look forward to catching up soon.” He held out his hand.
I shook his. “Safe travels, Your Highness.” Stepping back, Pim moved with me, her dainty feet aligning with mine to avoid the four bodyguards shadowing Simo.
Her soft scent enticed my nose. My senses once again intensified as my lower belly tightened with desire.
The more she pissed me off and defied me, the more I wanted her.
The more I pulled away and tried to guard myself, the more I wanted to trade her truth for mine.