Wednesday. Zechariah Mizrahi's Party. Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza.BAIN COLLIAS CIRCLED THE party, but Milan Esposito had vanished. He should be annoyed. Then again, it wasn't every day his boss sent him to schmooze at some rich guy's house party. Bain could really get used to this. Everything here was free. The booze. The women. The drugs.There wasn't much of the latter that he'd seen. It was early still. The true party crowd likely hadn't arrived yet.Where the hell had Milan gone?He'd thought coming at her straight and telling her he knew about the egg would have gotten a reaction out of her. She didn't strike him as particularly smart. Otherwise, she'd never have stolen what she had. But she hadn't acted as if she knew anything.What the hell?Was it possible the little rich girl was a better thief than they'd realized?Or what if she was just plain stupid?The last one seemed a better option. Maybe she really had thought he was talking about plain old eggs?
Wednesday. Luxe Ibiza Hostel, Cala Gració, Ibiza.JENNIFER BOUGHT HERSELF TIME tasting the drink. The bartender had a heavy pour. Already her limbs felt warmer and the tension she'd carried with her had eased. Her mental faculties weren't impacted. Yet.All this time she'd assumed Orion knew everything about her, just like he did everyone else.He'd always been the wealthy playboy in her mind. Yes, he played at the role of former SEAL and friendly proprietor. But that was an act. She'd never doubted that there were dozens of other women he flirted with. That there was someone in his bed each and every night, but he somehow managed to be discrete enough to keep it from his guests.This one change shifted everything she knew about him.She'd always held herself back from this attraction because she didn't want to be one of many. She wanted to finally be special to someone. Perhaps it was a silly, immature dream she'd latched onto a few years back, but that was it. Her small
Jennifer nipples tightened and her whole body tingled.Any moment he'd push her up against the desk or the wall...Cool air kissed her lips.Jennifer blinked a few times as Orion stepped back, his hand trailing down her arm to hook his fingers with hers."You are a dream," he muttered."Oh?"What the hell?Oh?Really?"I always thought that would go a little differently." He smiled at her with a boyish charm she didn't often see."What?" Her head was spinning. What was he talking about?He took a step toward her and cupped her face. "I've wanted to kiss you since the moment you first stomped out of that limo."She winced.That hadn't been a good introduction. She'd thought he was some employee, and she'd snapped orders at him out of frustration.His smile widened into a grin and he pressed his forehead to hers."I think, this is where we say goodnight," he said."What?" she said again. Was he serious?"You have admitted you are exhausted. Today has bee
Thursday. Luxe Ibiza Hostel, Cala Gració, Ibiza.ORION HELD HIS WORK phone in his hand and stared at Maria. In all the time he'd owned the hostel, there were fewer than five times he hadn't had the phone on him. The hostel was his life. But if he always put work first, he'd never have anything for himself. Still, this was a big step to take."You will contact me if anything happens," he said.Maria smiled and grasped the phone. "Yes, Mr. Doukas. Go enjoy your day."He tightened his grip.She pulled.He couldn't reach for one thing while holding onto another.Reluctantly, he gave up the phone.Maria quickly pocketed the device while doing her best to not laugh at him. Her dark eyes sparkled with life.He let his hands fall to his sides.The staff were top-notch. His security was the very best and were armed to the teeth in the event of any need. Maria would see to everything else, ensuring meals were delivered and their guests taken care of.Besides, it was mid-
Orion hoisted her up to the deck and wrapped his other arm around her waist. While he wouldn't call her reaction enthusiastic, she looked at him with warm curiosity. Considering that he'd half expected to find her in angry badger mode, he was thrilled."Welcome aboard, ma'am," he said.She placed her free hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for having me. I think."Orion was tempted to kiss her right then and there. Her body was soft against his. It was just them and the water.Not yet."Now, for the rest of the surprise." He let go of her and glanced toward the dining table set up not far away.A brown shopping bag sat in one of the seats."The rest?" she echoed.Orion grabbed the bag and turned to face her. "Yes. There is surprise appropriate attire. You have options. The plan which can always change, is to stay on the boat until roughly four. We can do nothing, swim, fish, watch TV, play video games-whatever you like. And, there's an outfit for each of those activities I t
Orion stared into her eyes, willing her to believe him finally, and answer one question he'd always wanted to know. "My priorities have always been the same. You just never take me at my word. Why is that?"She pushed up and crossed her legs. A little wrinkle developed between her brows. She reached for a cracker, cheese and slice of meat, creating a mini sandwich. He didn't quite hold his breath, but it was a question he'd always wanted an answer to."You have flirted with me from the day we met." She locked eyes with him and that wrinkle deepened. "I have always assumed I wasn't special. I was just another woman..."Jennifer glanced out at the water.She was so very strong. What had happened to her to create the need for that strength? These walls?Orion licked his lips, considering his words very carefully."There was a period of my life when your assumption would have been correct. But, at that time I lived in California. I'd like to think I was a different person. When
Thursday. Luxe Ibiza Hostel, Cala Gració, Ibiza.JENNIFER STARED AT ORION. She heard his words, but it felt like he was talking to someone else. He certainly didn't mean her. He couldn't.But there wasn't anyone else on the boat. She'd looked.How did she take all of this from him and give nothing in return? Why would he-a wealthy, attractive man-want her?Jennifer's own mother hadn't thought she was worth sticking around for. Why would he ask so little of her in return for the scraps she could offer?"I don't know what to say to that," she whispered.Orion's smile twisted a bit. "You don't have to say anything. I'm not asking for anything, only putting it out there. Neither of us has to make a move right now.""Okay," she said slowly.She didn't have any idea how to proceed.A quick fuck was something she could manage.But this?She shook her head, but it didn't help clear her thoughts anymore. "What even is this? I don't know what's happening anymore?"He t
Part of Jennifer wanted to be a little hellion and push him. But the rest of her had a grudging respect for him. Here she'd thought he was the type to take what he wanted when it was offered. Instead, what he wanted was serious and potentially long-lasting. It was the kind of thing that would utterly change her life. He could say all he wanted was the opportunity, but she knew how this would go. She'd make time. He'd want more. And it would be up to her to rearrange her life to fit him.Jennifer didn't know if she had it in her. Hell, it wasn't even until after she'd left that Army that she got control of her life. Before then, her grandparents or social worker got to make her decisions. Then her commanding officer. The first real choice she'd made for herself, without feeling pressured into it, was going to work for Aegis Group."Hey?" Orion leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Where'd you go?""Um..." She pushed up on one arm. "Maybe you're right.""Yeah? What makes you say