He came to a stop, his expression intense. He shook his head. ‘No. Don’t wish to be anything but what you are.’ He stepped back, ran a hand through his hair and grimaced. ‘Look...in the past I struggled with accepting who I am. In my teenage years, I was always being compared to my brothers. I knew people wondered why I wasn’t as gregarious as Luis, as charismatic and high-achieving as Edwin. But with time, I learnt that I had to accept who I am.’ As he stepped back closer to her, his voice dropped a notch and his eyes held hers with a frank openness that had her heart turn over. ‘Be true to who you are, Toni. Accept all of your qualities, use them to your advantage. My way of doing things...well, I accept that it’s not for everyone. But it’s right for me. I need privacy and isolation, the ability to focus... I guess that’s why I’m an investment manager obsessed with hard facts and figures. You’re a rising star in the podcast interview world for a reason and maybe that’s tied up with what you call being thin-skinned, but I would call being empathetic.’
She laughed. ‘A rising star—who told you that?’
He began to walk away. ‘Kara...’ Pausing, he turned and then added, ‘Kara and I listened to all of your other podcasts.’
He had? She didn’t know whether to be thrilled or worried. She caught up with him. ‘You listened to them all? When?’
‘Thursday night after I had agreed to take part in the interview—I thought I should find out what I was letting myself in for.’
She waited for him to say more, wanting to know what he thought of her work. She clinched her hands, her body tense with the need to hear his opinion on her work, until it dawned on her that silence was probably so natural and normal to Ivo that she would have to draw him out. She blew out a breath. ‘So, what did you think of them?’
‘The interviews? They’re engaging. You’re good at your job.’
‘Do you really think so?’
He came to a stop. ‘Well, what do you think? Do you think you do a good job?’
She winced. ‘Sorry... I must sound pathetic.’
The most gorgeous smile played out on his lips. ‘I wouldn’t say that...’ he tilted his head ‘...in fact, I would say that you have a passionate personality...you have an open heart and nature, which people obviously warm to. Don’t knock yourself for being that way...accept it.’ His gaze darkened. ‘Accept your warmth, your openness...as I said before, be true to yourself.’
God almighty, did he have to stare at her so intensely, speak in such a low voice? It felt as if he was making love to her with his eyes and voice.
He tilted back her cap, his thumb rubbing against her cheek. ‘By the way, you’re looking a little grimy.’
Her heart somersaulted at the teasing in his voice, and for the briefest moment as his head dropped down she thought he was about to kiss her, but, as though catching himself, he straightened and instead led her along the path they had been climbing until it twisted to reveal a tiny village of white houses in the valley beneath them. A square stood at the centre of the village, several narrow alleyways that could just about accommodate a single car converging together at this heart of the village.
‘This is our first stop—Almijara,’ he explained.
Feeling light-headed from both the heat and the fact that she was certain that Ivo had been close to kissing her, she breathed out on a sigh, ‘It’s so beautiful.’
He turned and watched her, heat and laughter in his eyes. ‘Like so many things around here.’
His mouth twitching, no doubt in response to her blushing so fiercely, he turned his attention back towards the village. ‘A few years back Almijara was close to being deserted, but the remaining families came together and developed a co-operative.’ He guided her down the track, pointing out the newly whitewashed houses that had been recently renovated in a bid to attract families back to the village.
The shade of the narrow alleyways was a welcome relief from the burning intensity of the sun. Pulling off her baseball cap, she slowed her pace, taking the time to admire the second-floor Juliet balconies at the front of the higgledy-piggledy assortment of houses, wondering just how ancient the cobblestones were. It was the utter silence that surprised her the most, and when they moved out into the square she asked, ‘Why did people leave such a beautiful village?’ She gestured to a now empty grocery store and the blank menu board next to what once must have been the village taverna.
‘For a number of years the village was cut off because of a major landslide. To reach the outside world the villagers were forced to travel down to the coast to take a boat to get to the nearby towns. It was unworkable for those with children, as there’s no school in the village. The road has now reopened but the lack of employment opportunities locally has kept people away. The co-operative is hoping to change that.’
She followed him when he led her down a steep, narrow alleyway, her already exhausted legs protesting at the sharp decline, and into a large building, its ancient and huge double doors painted in green. Inside he explained, ‘The river we crossed earlier flows down into Almijara and used to power the mill that once was located in this building. Nowadays it’s the headquarters of the co-operative.’
‘Ivo!’
A woman emerged from one of the rooms off the entrance hallway and drew Ivo into a warm hug.
Turning, he said, ‘Toni, this is Carmen, the instigator and now project manager for the co-operative.’
Smiling fondly at the immaculately groomed and elegantly dressed woman, he added, ‘You should interview Carmen for one of your podcasts.’ Turning back to Carmen, he explained why she was spending the weekend with him and Toni could see that Carmen instantly embraced the publicity opportunity participating in an interview would bring. Disarmed, she reluctantly followed Carmen when Ivo suggested that Carmen give her a tour of the mill. Did he not even think to mention any of this to her? But her misgivings were soon forgotten as Carmen took her on a whirlwind introduction to the other members of the co-operative. When Ivo had mentioned a co-operative she had envisaged craftspeople, when in fact the mill was home to an array of professionals—Irene, an architect, Alberto, an IT security expert, Salvador, a freelance graphic designer. She was blown away by their enthusiasm for the project to bring the village back to life and quickly realised that, while Carmen was the driving force behind the project, it was Ivo who was their financial backer.
And after half an hour in Carmen’s company Toni could understand why Ivo had suggested that she interview the founder of the co-operative. Carmen’s enthusiasm for the project, her tenacity in the face of many obstacles, her warmth and wit, her personal battle with breast cancer, which had been the catalyst for wanting to restore the place of her birth, were all truly inspiring.
Before they left the village to continue their hike, she and Carmen exchanged contact details, Toni excited at the prospect of coming back to the village to interview Carmen in the near future. And as they followed the road out of the village, down towards the coast, she glanced at Ivo. How would he react if she called to say that she was returning to Monrosa to interview Carmen? Would he be open to their meeting up, spending time together? Would she even want that?
‘Carmen told me that you are the financial backer for the entire village rejuvenation project. I’m guessing it’s a major investment, considering all of the building renovations and the broadband roll-out that it entailed. What was it particularly that made you want to support it?’
‘We need to protect our villages. Up until fifty years ago Monrosa was a mainly rural country. If we lose our villages, and we have lost many here in the north of the island, then we will lose many traditions and ways of life.’
The sun was now at its height and, though mercifully her new hiking boots fitted perfectly, her top and shorts were clinging to her even more, thanks to the mounting heat of the day. She thought longingly of sinking her feet into soft sand...or, even better yet, the refr
eshing coolness of water. She eyed the sea below them. ‘Can we go for a swim?’
He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Did you pack a swimming costume?’
She hadn’t thought about that. But there was no way she was giving in to his obvious teasing. ‘No...but I can swim in my underwear...it’s not against any law or royal protocol, is it?’
His brow furrowed as though he was seriously considering this. ‘I don’t think so. We’re a pretty liberal society. In fact, it’s perfectly acceptable to swim in the nude as per the Freedom to Nudity convention Prince Ferdinand passed in the seventeenth century.’
She stifled a laugh, trying not to give away just how perturbed she was by his suggestion or even worse still at how keenly he seemed to be embracing the idea. Ivo may on the surface appear reserved but beneath it there was a whole load of testosterone.
And as they continued their hike she wondered at the façade Ivo presented to the world. Why did he allow so few people to see his humour, his empathy towards others? She turned and considered him, wondering just how easily he would erect those pillars of self-containment around himself with her, if she pushed him to reveal more about himself. Should she leave well alone? Not push to know him better? But she owed it to her listeners to dig a little deeper into his personality. ‘For someone who is as self-contained as you are, the so-called Machine, you show a lot of kindness and empathy towards others.’
He shrugged but didn’t answer.
‘Carmen also told me about your financial support for the local olive growers. You seem very willing to give to others, whether that’s the co-operative, your staff, local farmers...but you don’t ever want anything back. Is that about controlling the situation, not making yourself vulnerable to anyone?’
Pulling his water bottle from his rucksack, he took a long swig. She waited for him to respond but instead he just continued to walk on in silence.
She waited and waited and waited for him to say something. And eventually she said with a sigh, ‘You really are a man of few words.’
He turned and regarded her, his shrug not matching the weariness in his eyes. ‘I was thinking.’
‘About what?’
‘What you just said, of course.’
‘And...’
He gave another shrug. ‘You could be right.’
She waited for him to say something more, but they continued walking in silence. And then despite herself she started laughing, and when he glanced at her she said, ‘You really are impossible.’ Why she was laughing she had no idea, but there was something about Ivo’s ability to fall into silence, to seemingly just accept something and move on, that was deeply refreshing in comparison to the constant chatter that went on in her own head.
* * *
Directing Toni through a coded gate that took them back onto San Jorbo land, they followed a path down to a private beach. He smiled at Toni’s surprised laughter when she spotted a picnic blanket spread out on the sand, a cooler box positioned in the shade, and a jet ski out on the water, their transport home later, all delivered by his staff earlier.
Dropping his rucksack onto the picnic blanket, he folded his arms and with a raised eyebrow nodded towards the gently lapping waves. ‘So, do you still want to swim?’
Toni had been right when she had asked if he didn’t look for anything from others. Life was so much easier when he kept people at arm’s length. When he was in control of the relationship and could maintain a safe distance. But somehow Toni was getting under his skin. Her chatter, her sunny nature, her empathy, the chemistry between them were all deeply unsettling. He could fight her on the emotional front, keep her at a distance...but with each passing hour his physical resistance was fading.
Considering his question, Toni tilted her head. ‘Only if you join me.’
Dio! How was he supposed to resist that teasing smile, the quiet suggestion in her eyes?
But there were things that needed to be said. ‘You’re still hurting... I don’t want you to regret anything from this weekend.’
She raised her chin, pride shining in her eyes. ‘What I want right now is to have some fun.’
‘Define fun.’
With a laugh she gestured around her. ‘Well, this is all a good start. Glorious sunshine, a beautiful beach,’ pausing to study him, she added, ‘and good company. I’m not looking for anything serious, I just want to chill out and enjoy myself.’ Then, tossing her hat down onto the blanket, she lifted her T-shirt slightly, exposing the smooth, pale skin of her stomach, merriment dancing in her eyes. ‘So are you going to join me?’
He waited for her to lift her T-shirt even further but instead she left it hovering with just an inch of skin showing, her teasing smile catching in his heart. Dio! The world felt like a better place when she smiled.
Unbuttoning his polo shirt, he tugged it off, smiling at how her eyes feasted on his chest and abs. Desire punched through him. He folded his arms, waiting for her to make the next move.
She eyed him as though trying to decide the best plan of action. And then in one smooth stroke she whipped off her top, revealing a green and white lace bra beneath.
His pulse thundered in his ears as he took in the swell of her generous breasts cupped in the lace, his mouth drying out when she unbuttoned her shorts to reveal matching underwear.
Again she lifted her chin but there was a shyness to her defiance this time. His heart swelled with tenderness. Yes, she was doing this for herself but there was a light in her eyes that said she was doing it for him too.
Walking to her, he smiled as his hands cupped her face. She smiled back, her brown eyes glittering with desire...and fun.
His life was so serious, so controlled. Toni’s energy and spontaneity drove that home with a force that was startling. ‘I need some fun in my life too,’ he admitted.
Her eyes shone even brighter. ‘Good.’
Lowering his head, their eyes teasing one another, his mouth found hers. Her lips were soft and warm. A long sigh travelled through his body before he pulled her against him, desire then nearly having him stumble backwards at how glorious her body felt pressed against his.
Her hands crept around his neck. He deepened the kiss, all thought abandoned to the sweet heat of her mouth.
She gave a sharp inhale when he touched the bottom of her spine, his fingers stroking the top of her panties.
Her body moved in a slow dance against his. Within minutes he was in danger of rushing things, of giving in to the temptation of lying her down on the sand and fully knowing her body.
Reluctantly he pulled away. His breath unsteady, he yanked off his own shorts and, taking her hand in his, led her to the water.
Breaking free, she challenged him to a race and when he caught up with her they kissed again, plunging beneath the water before they spluttered to the surface, laughing.
With her hair slicked back, her eyes glistening like the high sun reflecting off the sea, he kissed away every single drop of seawater on her face, her legs wrapping around his waist.
She gasped when his hand moved against the side of her breast, shuddered against him when his thumb flicked over her nipple.
He kissed her long and hard, her legs wrapping even tighter around him.
He couldn’t get enough of her. There was something sweetly addictive about how she tasted and felt, the chemistry between them like a separate force.
Knowing he needed to slow things down, he guided her out of the water. Covering her with a towel, he patted her dry, drinking in her smiles, the soft wonder in her eyes, pushing away all the fears bubbling inside him as to the danger of this intense attraction.
They moved the picnic blanket into the shade and ate some food, but soon that was abandoned again to long kisses and gentle touches as they tentatively explored each other’s bodies, the desire to rush things tempered by the slow, sensual seduction of wanting to do
this right, even if it was only for a few stolen days.
CHAPTER FIVE
TONI WAVED THE tennis ball in the air. ‘Come on, Paco, one more fetch.’ But just like Lore, Paco ignored her and ambled away to carry out a sniffing inventory of the shoreline. With the dogs now bored of the fetch game and the light rapidly fading, she had no good excuse not to return to the finca. Apart from the fact that she was worried that she might very well make all the wrong advances on their master.
She couldn’t stop thinking about Ivo...and everything his body was capable of. On the jet-ski ride back to the finca earlier she had buried her head in the gap between his shoulder blades, her cheek lying against his hard muscle, her insides melting at his heat, his musky scent. And over dinner she had been jumpy and awkward, hyper-aware of his every move, babbling in her nervousness, probably driving him crazy in the process.
She had sighed in relief when he had said that he needed to work in his office for a few hours, but afterwards had worried that it was just his way of getting away from her for a while. Was he regretting this afternoon? She hoped not. It had been wonderful and sensual...and yes, fun. She had to keep this light and unemotional...but when those silver eyes held hers, the regard and tenderness beneath the passion of his gaze could make it all too easy to fall for him.
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