Before he could answer, a beam of light swept across the water from the right. She turned toward it, shielding her eyes against the spotlight as the soft purr of a motor approached.
“Over here!” the man called, lifting his arm.
Seconds later, a sleek black Zodiac skimmed up beside them. A crewman leaned over the edge, arm outstretched.
“I’ve got her, sir.”
“Hey—wait a minute!” Dani squeaked, twisting when firm hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her clean out of the water like she weighed nothing more than a sodden beach towel.
“I don’t need getting! I was going to the docks!” she snapped, wriggling.
“You’ll thank us when the sharks show up,” the man muttered.
Before she could properly argue, the man she’d punched hoisted himself up and swung over the side in one fluid motion. Water streamed from his soaked shirt down his forearms, while his trousers were molded to his frame. Dani hated how distracting that was.
She scowled, dripping and furious, but secretly a little impressed.
“Nice chase, by the way,” she muttered, tiredly sitting back to rest against the side of the boat.
He glanced at her, dark eyes narrowing. “Nice punch.”
“Touché,” she retorted with a cheeky grin.
Two
The wind cut sharp and chilly across the open water, drying the salt against his skin and slicing through his soaked clothing, but Alexandros barely noticed. His attention was fixed on the woman beside him—the one who had punched him in the groin, hurled caviar at his face, and leapt off a mega-yacht to escape him.
She sat huddled like a shipwrecked goddess, tangled in a crimson gown that she had somehow tied around her waist during her exploits.
He shouldloathehow intrigued he was by her.
He shouldquestionher sanity, yet he couldn’t help but admire her guts, her creativity, and her humor.
He should befighting the urgeto touch her again under the guise of practicality. Instead, he wanted to wrap himself around her. Or better yet, feel her wrapped around him.
He’d had models, heiresses, and movie stars clinging to his arm like designer handbags. But none of them had ever looked at him the way she did—like she was trying to decide whether to throw him overboard or use him for fish bait.
His gaze flicked to her sodden boots. She had miraculously not lost them during her dangerous and daring escape. They were stilltied around her waist with the stubborn loyalty of a sailor clinging to her tools.
She looked half-drowned, half-feral, and completely out of place among the ultra-polished members of his world.
His desire for her was a primal urge, a physical ache that overshadowed all logical thought, a raw, visceral need. He saw her almost like a beautiful mermaid, her mysterious allure captivating him with every graceful movement and enigmatic smile. She was wild, elusive, and determined to escape him. In a world of materialistic women, she stood out—a unique and precious gem, untouched and undiscovered, sparkling with a purity that was both captivating and unexpected.
Although she didn't fit the classical mold of beauty, there was a raw, captivating energy about her that was undeniably attractive. Her beauty wasn't the kind that wilted under close examination; instead, it intensified, revealing hidden depths and captivating details like a fine painting.
Her round face was soft and full, with a gentle curve to her cheeks. Her startlingly green eyes, a little too big, held an expression of innocent curiosity. Her tiny, exquisitely formed nose was pert, delicate, and perfect for her face. Her nostrils were flaring slightly, as if she was debating returning to the water—or worse, attacking him again.
She looked more like a drowned pixie than a person. Her body was compact, not petite. She had a toned physique, suggesting regular exercise, but lacked the sharp muscle definition typical of weightlifters.
She was a natural beauty—one who didn’t need diamonds, designer dresses, or makeup to turn heads.
No,he thought, letting his gaze drift over the black sports bra clinging to her skin.She is a wildcat, fierce and untamed, with a mouth that could cut steel, and she packs a powerful punch—literally.
To his astonishment, he realized that she was probably exactly what she claimed to be.
A mechanic.
And something far more dangerous—unapologetically herself.
