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‘You don’t seem to have much fun,’ she mused.

‘Sorry?’

‘Fun. You don’t seem to have much of it.’

* * *

Javier had stopped dead in his tracks and was looking at her with a frown. Beyond him, the sea was a still, turquoise blue, glittering in the sun and the dense foliage folded around them in a thousand different shades of green. She could make out where his yacht was stored, a concrete and teak structure emerging from the trees. As they got closer, she could appreciate the sleek, modern housing, blending in neatly with the landscape around it.

He hadn’t answered her question.

But of course. Why would that surprise her? Wasn’t that the same one-way street he walked when it came to Carlos? Information on a need to know only basis? To be dispensed carefully at his own discretion, while he felt perfectly free to demand whatever information he wanted from whoever he happened to be talking to? Decision-making without compromise?

One rule for him and another rule for the rest of the world?

Not this time.

And this wasn’t because she was being nosy. This was because if he could be a little more open with her, then he might learn to be a little more open with his brother. Their fractured relationship would only benefit from that.

Her curiosity had a purpose.

She felt better thinking that. Better than recognising just how much he got under her skin, leaving her wanting to know more and more about him.

‘The building where the yacht’s stored is climate-controlled,’ Javier said, adroitly changing the subject. ‘I ask my crew to check it over regularly and make sure everything’s in order. No missing safety gear and topped up with fuel. Wait right here. I’ll dump this stuff then help you on.’

Hope nodded.

The small and elegant yacht was painted a deep, navy blue. The deck was teak and the lines were sleek and smooth and economical.

‘I expected sails,’ she said, as he nimbly left the boat and returned to stand next to her.

His hands were now free to take her backpack and the towel she was clutching.

‘One of those sailing boats you see in movies. Gusty winds and the boat toppling over because someone’s lost control trying to get the sail up in a gathering storm,’ she continued.

‘What movies have you been watching? This is easier for me. Traditional sailing’s hard work. I’m good at it, of course, but hard work’s not necessarily what I’m after when it comes to the few snatched moments of relaxation I have. This is compact and high performance. I don’t need anyone to help when I decide to get it out. What’s the point having your own boat if you can’t use it to escape from the daily grind?’

Hope nodded and began climbing up the ladder. She was even more impressed when she climbed on deck and Javier began the routine of easing the yacht out of its moorings and into the calm ocean water.

The breeze was soft and warm and the water was as still as a lake. The engine throbbed into life and they began to leave land behind.

‘That is what I was talking about,’ she murmured, joining him on the leather seat as he steered into the open sea. They were both facing out to the deep blue ocean, their bodies close to touching. She leaned back and turned her face up to the sun, the wind whipping her hair around her neck.

She could smell and taste the saltiness in the air. Peace settled around her, making her thoughts lazy and her limbs heavy. She slanted a sideway glance at Javier’s strong, brown hands skilfully manoeuvring the boat.

He was talking about anchoring at another sheltered cove he knew, had been to years before.

‘Just what I’m talking about,’ she said. ‘When I mentioned the thing about you never really seeming to have much fun.’

* * *

Javier could feel her next to him, warm, sun-kissed and sexy with that auburn hair flying around her.

He glanced across at her.

She’d dumped the linen shirt and was leaning back, her hands clasped behind her head, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the sun, the speed and the rhythmic slap of water against the boat as he steered it through the water.

He hadn’t felt this peaceful in a very long time.