“And I don’t like pushing. Trouble is, I don’t have the luxury of time.” He touched her chin, and automatically her gaze flew to his. “You’re here for two weeks, yes?” She nodded. “I’d really like to spend some of that time with you.”
She intrigued him. Sophisticated, cool, yet clearly uncomfortable when asked to dance. A woman who kept herself on a tight leash. A woman, he sensed, who needed reminding how to have fun.
Olivia took a measured sip of her drink. “You know, there are far easier targets than me.”
Wow. He flinched and addedknows how to sucker-punchto her list of attributes. “You think I don’t know that?” Hiding his hurt behind a polite smile, he gave her a curt nod. “Thank you for the dance. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
He made to go but halted when he felt her hand curl around his arm. Angry at the sharp thrill he experienced at the connection, he swung back, only to find her pretty hazel eyes filled with apology. “I’ve upset you. I’m sorry.”
Scanning her face, he wondered yet again why he was so drawn to her when she was right, there were other women who’d probably be happy to be chatted up by him. Women who weren’tguests. “You think I’m some sort of sexual predator?”
“No. God, no.” She looked genuinely contrite. “I didn’t mean it to come out like that. You... rattle me. I’m a thirty-nine-year-old woman. I manage a team in the city. I’m not used to feeling this... unbalanced.”
“Yeah, that makes two of us,” he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair in a bid to settle his own emotions. “Look, this doesn’t have to be complicated. You’re here on a hen week. I get it. But if you fancy some time away, if you want to see the island with someone who isn’t family, then let me know.”
“Okay.”
He felt those eyes continue to assess him. “Whatever it is you want to ask, go ahead.”
“Why did you come and interrupt my dance?”
“I didn’t like the idea of you getting too close to him,” he admitted. “Plus you didn’t look like you were enjoying it.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Not a fan of male strippers?”
She didn’t flinch from his gaze. “For me, sex is a private affair between two individuals.”
“So you don’t watch films containing sex scenes? Don’t read books where the author describes sex?”
Finally she looked away. “It’s different. That’s fiction, not real. Plus I’m not watching it with my niece or my sisters.”
“What you saw was a performance, designed to be entertaining. To help loosen some inhibitions in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.” He stepped up to her and ran his knuckles down the bare skin of her arm. Her breath hitched, a visible shiver running through her, and he almost groaned at how responsive she was. “I could do the same for you, if you let me. Loosen some of that tightly wound control you seem so fond of and help you relax. Give in to the moment.”
She shifted her arm away from him. “Maybe I like being in control.”
“I’m sure you do. Doesn’t mean it’s always good for you.”
“And having sex with you would be?”
He ignored the sarcastic tone. “Doing things that bring joy or pleasure are generally good for you.” He bent down to her ear, the scent of her making his blood hum. “I guarantee I’ll put a smile on your face,” he whispered.
“Cocky.”
“Confident.” He straightened and took a step back before he could do something stupid like walk her back to the wall and kiss her until she forgot every single objection to him she had. “Don’t dismiss the idea, that’s all I’m saying. Think about it until I see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” She eyed him sharply and when he couldn’t suppress his grin, she sighed. “Let me guess, you’re on the boat trip.”
“Bingo.”
“As what, chef or bartender?”
Unable to resist, he winked. “However you want me, Livvy. However you want me.”
He watched her try not to smile, then give in. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or afraid.”
“Neither. Just be open-minded and see where it takes you.”
