My yelp was shrill until the breath caught in my throat.
Big, strong arms wrapped around me at the last second, keeping me from disaster. I was yanked against Christian’s rugged body, his hand firmly planted in the small of my back. We were so close I could almost kiss him, so close I could feel the rapid thudding of his heart. How strange it seemed to be keeping the same beat as mine.
For a moment there was no wind, no Caribbean music, no yelling from one boat to the other, and no clinking of glasses from people enjoying such an incredible afternoon. There was only the sound of our beating hearts and labored breathing.
Was he lowering his head to kiss me? Was I tilting my head to accept, moistening my lips by dragging my tongue around my mouth? Why, yes, all three were happening. My pulse was racing, my legs trembling to the point I feared if he wasn’t holding me so tightly, I’d fall victim to the moment of weakness.
Oh, hell, no. I pushed both palms against him, trying to break free. “You can let me go now.”
The slight scowl on his face gave way to a look of amusement. “You should be more careful, Wildcat. I don’t want you to hurt yourself. As I said, heels weren’t the best choice.”
“Don’t use that term. I have a name.”
They were the only words released from my mouth before he swept me into his arms, immediately yanking one heel off my foot then the other.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Being chivalrous.” His grin was wide as he took long strides down the dock, casually tossing me quick glances every few seconds.
“Let me down. I can do this myself.” I almost pounded on his chest as if he, Tarzan, me, Jane, but resisted. A few people standing on their boats lifted their glass in toasts of appreciation. Meanwhile, heat rose on my face, my skin on fire. I wiggled in his hold, but he was way too strong for me.
“Evidently not, but you have me around to save you.”
“As if I need saving from the likes of you.”
“You might eat those words one day,” he growled. The man actually growled at me. Did he think he was the sexiest man in the world and I was going to fall for his fake chivalrous act? He obviously didn’t know me very well.
“What did you call me?”
He slowed his gait, handing me my heels before leaning over and grabbing a handrail. “You heard exactly what I called you. Now, be careful.”
I caught the name of the boat on the stern.Captivating Caroline.
Caroline. Like the building. Obviously, an ex-girlfriend.
That certainly didn’t allow for the warm and fuzzies to form.
While maintaining complete control, he eased me onto the boat, grinning the entire time like he’d just won a point in a tennis match. Gah, the man was so infuriating.
I backed away as he climbed on board, hugging my shoes. Barefoot, I felt even more vulnerable around him.
As he walked closer, I couldn’t fully comprehend his expression under his dark sunglasses. Instead, I concentrated on the absolutely incredible chiseled appearance of his jaw. I’d seen and even admired men with two- or three-day stubble, but he made the look casually elegant instead of unruly.
Although unruly was an excellent word to use for the man.
He crowded my space and I resisted budging while hating the fact that without my heels, he towered over me by several dominating inches.
“I called you a wildcat because you are. Determined. Primal. Unrelenting.” His words were almost like a sensuous whisper.
Maybe I should tell him he hadn’t seen anything yet, but I refrained, instead limiting my rebuttal to a slight sigh as if bored with the analogy.
He motioned to the glass door behind me, crowding my space even more since I was standing right in front. When he brushed his arm against mine, I was instantly hit with a crackling of electricity so intense I was momentarily breathless. I pulled away, allowing him to open the door, begrudgingly moving inside.
The salon was everything I would expect with light woods and off-white leather, a gleaming bar capable of seating six, andan impressive-looking entertainment center. I padded into the center of the room, captured by the incredible view out the windows. There was nothing more relaxing than being on the ocean.
“Please, make yourself at home. I need to tell the captain we can set sail.”
“WhyCaptivating Caroline? Don’t you mean captured?” My questions dripped with sarcasm. I could be harsh when necessary, sardonic easily, but my dislike of the man was entirely too superficial. Although he did easily add fuel to the fire whenever he had a chance.
