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I found it adorable she believed she could thwart me in any way.
The sun was casting various vivid colors across the gentle waves, and I pointed toward the sky. “Take a look. This is nature at its finest.”
She acted as if I was planning on pranking her but finally glanced across the bow. When her muscles started to relax, her eyes opening wide, only then did I come closer.
“Tonight is about indulgence.”
She didn’t bother acknowledging me, but I sensed she was listening intently by the way she pursed her lips. I had the need to kiss her. Another surprise. I’d never cared much about tasting a woman’s lips.
“Come with me.” I cupped her jaw, pulling her face toward me. “Tonight is also about freedom.”
“That word doesn’t exist in my life any longer. You of all people should know that.”
“Freedom comes in many forms, my little bird. You need to find a way to let go, embracing every moment.”
“Said from a man who has no qualms taking another human life.”
I slid my fingers around the back of her neck, tugging her closer. “Is that all you think of me?”
“I don’t know you other than the horrible deeds I’ve seen and experienced. Nothing will ever take away the visions in my mind, or the blood that will forever stain my skin.” With that she jerked her head, moving toward the stairway leading to the salon.
I remained on the deck, studying the few clouds littering the sky. Maybe she was right in that there was nothing redeemable about me. I’d accepted that a long time ago.
As I walked into the cabin, I stood gazing at her for a few seconds. She’d headed as far away from the door as possible, standing just as rigidly as she’d done before, staring out one of the berths.
While the captain obviously knew we were on board, his instructions laid out hours before, I contacted the chef to finish dinner preparations. “Puoi servire la cena in un’ora, Philip.”
I didn’t wait for his reply.
Jade tipped her head, narrowing her eyes. “You speak Italian.”
Chuckling, I headed for the bar, taking my time selecting a liquor. “My grandparents were from Sicily, my grandmother insisting that we learn the language. It was her hope that we’d return to Italy when we were grown.”
“What did you say?”
“I told my chef Philip that he could serve dinner in an hour.”
“You have a chef in the Bahamas at your beck and call.”
I poured two shots of Sambuca, grabbing both glasses and heading toward her. “Yes, I do. Philip and I are old friends. He is a magnificent chef. I’ve tried to get him to relocate to Kansas City to work in one of my restaurants at the resort, but as you might imagine, he resists every time I bring it up.” I handed her a glass and as the aroma filtered into her lovely nostrils, she seemed surprised by my choice.
“How fitting,” she said as she brought the rim to her lips.
Everything she did was worth watching, including the way she darted the tip of her tongue into the liquid, closing her eyes as she took a small sip.
“I hope you like Italian food.” I noticed the boat was already moving, gliding through the water.
“Yes, but a cheeseburger would have been just fine with me.”
“An all-American girl.”
She laughed, the sound throaty. “Hardly. But there is nothing better than a hot, juicy medium-rare hamburger fresh off the grill.”
“Perhaps I’ll prepare you one once we return home.”
I could tell she hated the word. My house would never be her home.
“You cook as well?” Her tone wasn’t as bold or disdainful.
