Even though every warning bell told him not to, he’d approached Jemma to get to know the woman.
Rocco said, “Since you brought it up, we should clear the air. You’re off duty, correct?”
“I am.”
“So am I. So stop it with the Agent Forrester shit. Call me Rocco.”
“Okay … Rocco,” Jemma said dismissively, but her tone held a hint of curiosity.
“This conversation is going to be between Jemma and Rocco, separate and distinct from our professional lives,” Rocco said, then extended a hand toward her. “Agreed?”
“No shop talk?” Jemma clarified.
“Nope,” Rocco confirmed.
Jemma appeared to be engaged in an internal debate for a long moment, then she extended her hand and shook his.
“Now, I’ll answer your question. I’d like to know why a stunningly beautiful woman like yourself was sitting alone at a restaurant bar?” Rocco knew he was treading on thin ice, but he was intrigued by her.
Jemma Winter’s reputation as a stellar DEA agent who single-handedly dismantled the Ortiz Cartel when she was not much more than a rookie agent was known by the entire San Juan office. She was fucking legendary. Duplicating her feats would be nearly impossible. Didn’t stop them all from trying.
But from everything he knew about the woman, no one had mentioned that the shrewd intelligence and strategic mind were packaged in one of the sexiest bodies he’d ever seen. It was a combination that rattled him and lured him at the same time.
“Stunningly beautiful?” Jemma laughed, a delightful sound that brought a genuine smile to his face. The evening breeze from San Juan Bay stirred her hair, blowing wavy strands of the long locks across her cheek. “Are you flirting with me, Rocco?”
Unable to stop himself, Rocco brushed the windblown strandsbehind her ear. His fingertips caressed her skin, sending lightning through his veins. He didn’t know what it was about this woman drawing him like a moth to a flame. The right thing to do was to pull back before he got burned.
“Flirting?” Rocco balked. “Of course not.”
A flash of … disappointment … crossed her face but was gone as quickly as it appeared. She had no reason to be disappointed. He’d make sure she knew that.
Rocco said, “I’m stating facts. I haven’t met a woman as gorgeous as you … well, ever. So answer my question.”
Jemma’s voice was low as she responded, “I spend a lot of time on the road for my job … which I will not discuss. I’ve gotten very used to eating and drinking alone. I enjoy my own company. I don’t need a companion.”
“But do you want one?” Rocco probed.
Jemma gave him an exasperated scowl.
“Wait. Hear me out,” Rocco said as Jemma took a long sip of her rum. “I get what you mean about becoming comfortable being alone. I do the same thing, and I’m fine with it. I don’t need anybody to be there with me. But it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy the company of someone fascinating, even if for only the night.”
“I can’t believe you have any trouble finding a woman,” Jemma paused, then raised an eyebrow. “Or … man, who would fill that role.”
“I’d want a woman to be clear,” Rocco said with a laugh, not offended. He’d had his fair share of both genders propositioning him for most of his life, but his heart and his libido needed the female variety. “But that’s difficult because it goes beyond a one-night stand. The person I would enjoy has to stimulate my mind, not just my body.”
“Tell me about it,” Jemma said, downing the rest of her rum and waving a hand at the bartender to bring them another round. “Sometimes I wonder if one-night stands are worth it. Exciting, passionate fun when it’s happening but empty and dissatisfying when it’s over for the reason you said. There’s no intellectual stimulation. No intimate connection.”
“When was your last relationship?” Rocco asked, trying to force the fantasy of a one-night stand with Jemma from his mind.
“I don’t do relationships. Never have. With my career, I can only manage situations that are uncomplicated and brief,” Jemma said without apology. “Does that sound horrible?”
“Not to me,” Rocco said, wondering if she’d read his fucking mind. That was his philosophy. “My life has been one giant undercover operation since I became a DEA agent. But I’d never ask a woman to put up with that. It wouldn’t be fair to get in deep with someone knowing what I’d ask them to accept to be with me. So I don’t because that’s the right thing to do.”
“It’s not your place to decide for the woman,” Jemma challenged. “Sounds more like a cop-out than a sound reason for avoiding relationships.”
“Are you serious?” Rocco asked, finding himself more enthralled than insulted. “So, that’s not why you avoid relationships?”
“Absolutely not. Everyone should have the right to decide whether they are willing to sacrifice for someone they care for. You can’t do that for them,” Jemma said, then paused as the bartender brought out two more tumblers of rum.
