“Sometimes.” Her smile turned wry. “Case in point—jerks like Vito who think I’m part of the perks package.”
His arm tightened slightly. “I owe you an apology for that. I allowed Vito the use of the yacht as a favor to his stepsister, Gina. That was a mistake. One I won’t repeat.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Was that before or after your ‘discussion’ with him?”
“After,” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Though I suppose the timing is debatable.”
Dani laughed. “Is that why he not only paid my bill but tripled it?”
Alexandros shrugged with exaggerated innocence. “Maybe.”
She nudged his leg with her bare foot. “You’re terrible—but I won’t turn down the money.”
“You said that being here was also a liability. How so?”
“Because you’re dangerous, and I try to limit my danger content,” she quipped.
“And how am I dangerous?” he inquired, his warm breath caressing her exposed neck and sending goosebumps across her skin.
“You’re a temporary lapse in judgment,” she replied, her gaze flicking away. “Like skipping the frying pan and diving straight into the bonfire.”
“So… you feel this chemistry, as well,” he said, his voice laced with satisfaction.
Oh yes, I feel it. But acting on it is another thing,she thought with fierce determination.
She knew what he wanted—her, messy sheets, a night, maybe two if she was lucky, followed by a nice parting gift and a promise to call that never comes.
Or worse.
She pushed down the memories of betrayal. There was nothinglike seeing the man she thought she loved wrapped in the embrace of another woman.
Or two, or three.
A gentle silence stretched between them, filled with the rush of the wind and the rhythmic chop of waves beneath the hull. His arm stayed around her, steady and warm, and she didn’t move away. Couldn’t.
It felt too good to be held like this—without expectations, without pressure. Just… held.
She tilted her head, letting it rest against his shoulder—not for long, but long enough to pretend, just for a breath, that it was okay to want this. The distant lights of the yacht glowed like fireflies ahead, drawing closer with every second.
And somewhere inside her, another piece of resistance slipped loose.
That scared her.
Not because she didn’t trust him—but because she didn’t trust herself. Not when everything inside her was starting to ache for more.
She’d survived by staying one step ahead, by never getting too comfortable, too attached, too trusting. But here she was, tucked into a man she had met for the first time last night. Who made her laugh—and whose arms made her feel like they were supposed to be wrapped around her.
If she let herself believe in love again—even for a moment—then losing it wouldn’t just break her. It would mean she’d handed over the pieces herself.
Her fingers curled slightly on her lap.
Careful, Dani.
Don’t fall too fast.
Don’t fall at all.
But the voice in her head was already quieter than it should’ve been. And the worst part? Some traitorous part of her already wanted to stay.
