Knight in Tattooed Armor: International Billionaires XII: The Latinos

by Caro LaFever

  “What?” Tugging, she sighed when he wouldn’t let her go.

  “We’re in this together, sunshine.”

  For a second, he knew she didn’t understand his underlying meaning. Unease filled those Marine-blue eyes, and her mouth pouted.

  Then, a spark flickered in her gaze, and her face softened. “Are we?”

  “Yeah, we are.” He took a chance and looked away from her to scan his island. The jungle lay before them like a blanket of green and gold and tan. Palm trees waved in the gentle breeze, drawing his focus to the line of them leading toward his tree house. Beyond, was the expanse of the sea, blue and aqua, navy and brilliant azure.

  “It’s great, isn’t it?” she said by his side, no longer trying to pull herself away from him.

  “I’ve been to the other top with Jiggs.” He waved his hand toward the outcrop of rock and vegetation lying to the left. That bluff hadn’t seemed as high, or as lonely. “But not here.”

  “Why not?” Her question wasn’t pointed or pushy. And he could tell she didn’t ask it to further her pursuit of any agenda. It was a friendly, sweet sort of inquiry. Merely wanting to know, not judge.

  “I don’t know. Jiggs would enjoy the pool, and he’d be game to do some climbing.” He glanced back at her to catch an amused smile, and let out a sigh of relief that she didn’t push him to acknowledge his essential aloneness.

  “Your dog would have jumped into the middle of the water and sunk like a stone.”

  “True.” He grinned, feeling a growing sense of ease around this woman. “Which is why I tied him to the palm tree before we left.”

  “He looked so pitiful.”

  “Poor, poor boy. I’ll have to make it up to him when we return.” Without thinking, he slung his arm around her shoulders.

  They both stilled.

  With a sudden yank, she stepped out of his grasp to land on the edge of the stony outcrop. “It’s deep, right?”

  Not wanting to let this go, whatever it was, Riq came close to her and grabbed her hand. “It’s deep enough. But we’re doing this together.”

  She gave him a look, filled with a mix of wonder and fear. “Okay,” she whispered.

  “One.”

  A giggled escaped her. “I feel as though we’re about to launch into space.”

  “Two.” He flashed her another smile.

  Her eyes twinkled back at him.

  “Three. Liftoff.”

  They both arched into the sky, a perfect blend of male and female, of fear and flight. The air swished past as they hurled toward the deep, dark hole of the pool. She shrieked, not a sound of dismay but rather one of gleeful elation.

  Riq felt as if he’d found himself again. For the first time in years.

  Or maybe, forever.

  The water engulfed them, with him only seconds ahead of her. He let himself sink into it, let the slid of the cool and wet cover him, welcoming him back into the wild. Into being free and reckless. Being alive. He realized he still held her hand in his. In a reflexive move, he tightened his grip right before he opened his eyes.

  Her face was right next to his, her eyes open. Underwater, the blue of her gaze turned multicolored, a fusion of bewitching green and boundless blue. Her pretty mouth was right there.

  Right there.

  He leaned in and kissed.

  This kiss wasn’t like any other kiss she’d ever received.

  Risa knew this straight to her center of her soul.

  This wasn’t a kiss about proving something, like Spencer’s kisses had been. This wasn’t like the other kisses she’d collected from previous boyfriends, who only wanted something after the kiss. This kiss wasn’t even like the other kisses this man had given her before.

  This kiss gave.

  He drew her up into the air, his mouth hungry, his arms tight around her. In this wonderland he’d brought her to, she felt as if the world receded into nothingness. Only him and her and this kiss.

  “Risa,” he murmured on her lips, his voice as gentle as a dove. “Risa.”

  She’d grown up during the last few days, but now she understood she’d grown deeper. Become more than a girl turned to a woman, more than a spoiled princess turned into a determined warrior. She’d found the essence of life here. The reason for being and loving another human being. She’d found wisdom in the depths of her that she hadn’t realized she needed.

  There was so much to take in with him and his paradise. The coolness of the water, the heat of his body. The clean, humid scent of the pool, the spicy taste of his mouth. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by everything and only wanting him. The feel of him surrounding her and the way he took her lips like they were his. Like he wanted her and accepted her and cherished her.

  He pulled away from the kiss. “Hey.”

  With great reluctance, she opened her eyes to reality. “Hey, yourself.”

  His grin flashed, the boyish, eager grin that let her in. “I think we should get naked.”

  “Do you?” A tiny niggle of worry scuttled through her. Did he see her now? Really see her? Not the spoiled girl he’d met, or the stupid woman who’d invaded his island. Did he see her for what she’d become in such a short time?

  “If you do.” A wary look moved across his face.

  A gusty sigh escaped her. “Here’s the thing.”

  “The thing.” He pulled away some more.

  “Don’t get mad.” Narrowing her gaze, she pinned him. “But I want to make sure.”

  “Make sure of what?” His expression turned from wary to leery.

  “Make sure you like me.” She grabbed his arms before he could move away any farther. “Make sure this is more.”

  “More.” His eyes widened. “What the hell are you asking for?”

  “I’m not someone you can just fool around with.”

  At her announcement, he pushed away, leaving her to paddle in place. Alone. He headed for shore as though she was a bomb ready to explode.

  Her heart sank, yet her pride kept her head up. “Coward.”

  His shoulders stiffened as he slogged out of the water, his shorts dipping down to show the beginning of his butt crack. The sight should have made her laugh. Instead, she found it adorable, even though he pissed her off.

  Striding to his T-shirt, he dipped in a rhythmic, economical move to grab it. “I’m going back.”

  The roar of the waterfall almost swallowed his words, but she felt them as much as heard them. The rejection. The denial of them and her.

  “Fine. I’m staying for awhile,” she shouted, so he’d hear her dismissal as well.

  He turned, his expression stoic and impassive. “I wouldn’t advise it. Swimming alone can be dangerous.”

  “As if you care,” she threw at him.

  His mouth tightened, and the olive tint of his skin paled, like he’d come to a conclusion he didn’t welcome. “Do whatever the hell you want.”

  Risa watched as he stormed off, no limp, just stomping legs churning away from the pool and her. Away from the wonderful moments they’d shared here. Her hands fluttered in the water, keeping her from sagging below the surface in a fit of despair. Her legs pumped beneath her, making sure she stayed upright. But everything inside her—heart, soul, spirit—descended down and down.

  A sniff got drowned out by the falls.

  Though, she heard it. And felt it.

  “Jerk,” she muttered to the empty lagoon and surreal surroundings. “Just a stupid jerk.”

  Except now, she knew it wasn’t true. He was more than the guy who needed to save her family’s company, more than the man who stood between her and success. He was a guy who could grin like a kid and swim like a champion. Who held her with a gentle touch and kissed her like she was his dream. He had a heart and a soul and his own dreams, if only he would share.

  Another sniff echoed in the air.

  Of all the women he’d been with since losing his virginity and gaining some male cred—either as a swaggering SEAL hero or a mone
y-making machine—he’d never once been asked for more. He’d assumed it was because females tended to be smart and they all realized he didn’t have much more to give. Especially right now, when he basically felt worthless and his life pointless.

  Riq stopped cold.

  The humid, warm air did nothing to block the shiver of knowledge running through him. Goose bumps rose on his arms and legs, and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe.

  “Coño.”

  What the hell did he mean by that? He had a great life. All the money in the world. This beautiful island for only his pleasure. No job to speak of, unless he decided to take on a project. And no real claims on his time—other than the family Sunday dinners he had to attend at least once a month.

  What the hell?

  A caw-caw of some bothersome bird came from above him, making him surge off toward his house. He wiped the odd thoughts from his mind and focused on the woman he’d left behind.

  She wanted more.

  He’d seen it in her eyes and heard it in her voice. The call for more than his sexual prowess—

  Which he hadn’t shown her.

  He stopped again.

  This time, the heat of embarrassment flooded inside, turning his skin to fire. He’d rutted on her, instead of treating her like the other women he’d taken to bed. Hell, he hadn’t even taken her on a soft bed. He’d yanked her into his Jeep, pushed her onto the seat and fell on her like…

  A caveman.

  The rustle of some animal slinking through the jungle, galvanized him into a hard march toward his home. Toward the air-conditioned, refrigerator-filled-with-food, comfortable-couch home. The rumble of guilt he’d submerged by taking her to the fresh-water falls, returned with a vengeance.

  He grunted in disgust at himself.

  How had he managed to get into this crazy mess in the first place? Sure, it wasn’t his choice to have Princesa Risa arrive on his island. But everything since, he’d been part of. The kissing. The sex. The gentle, tender moment back there in the pool. The moment that had spooked him far before she’d demanded more.

  Arriving at the edge of the terrace, to his relief, Jiggs barked and barked again, begging for his attention. He walked to his dog and unclipped his leash. “Want to go for a walk, boy?”

  The clattering of toenails on stone as his dog danced told him all he needed to know. Taking off toward the other side of the island, he and his faithful companion avoided the house and her for the rest of the day. He did some repairs on the village houses, sat in the shade with his dog, walked out to the end of the dock and stuck his feet in the water.

  The entire time, he avoided thinking about more and her.

  Not until the sun slid along the horizon and his belly growled, did he head up the path toward home. His plan was to avoid talking to her, eat his MRE, feed Jiggs, and climb into the hammock for a good night’s sleep.

  Alone.

  That’s the way he wanted it.

  As he crested the hill leading to the tree house, he heard a long string of female curses. Had she hurt herself? Had some animal attacked? Against his will, anxiety welled and he picked up his pace. Jiggs woofed at his side.

  She spotted him as soon as he came into her view. “You asshole.”

  Shock ricochetted through him at her sharp tone. Sì, this female had yelled at him before. She’d been condescending and even nasty once or twice. But he’d never heard this bitter note before. Never thought he’d see this sunshine girl turn into a Medusa filled with rage.

  She stood in the last of the dusky light, her hair now floating in soft curls down her neck and shoulders. The borrowed T-shirt and shorts, now clean, still sagged on her body. Yet, that sexy, stunning body was now stiff with fury, and her pretty mouth was twisted into a scowl as black as any of his had ever been.

  “What are you upset about?” He didn’t venture farther. Not that he had to handle a lot of female rage in his life. His mimi rarely got angry and his yaya hovered around grumpy all the time, instead of expending the energy to get to full-out fury. None of the women he’d dated and taken to bed cared enough to get enraged. But he wasn’t a fool. The princesa emitted a cloud of toxic ferocity that no sane man would come near. “What’s wrong?”

  “You are a complete and utter jerk.” Stomping toward him, her arms started to flail. “I hate you.”

  He stumbled back, thinking about where he could retreat. Though why should he? This was his island. This was his terrace, and food, and hammock. Straightening, he folded his arms in front of his chest and snarled, “I’m not too fond of you, either.”

  “You.” She returned the snarl.

  Sunshine wasn’t faint of heart. Every other time he’d thrown a scowl of this magnitude toward a fellow Marine or a potential client, he’d gotten respect if not outright fear. But this woman marched right into his personal space and poked a finger with a chipped nail in the center of his chest.

  Riq winced against his will.

  “You should be hanged.” She kept coming, kept poking. “You should be drawn and quartered.”

  A strangled laugh escaped him, and at the sound, her face flushed and the poke went to a punch.

  “Ouch.” Grabbing the offending hand, he caught the other one just as it headed for his jaw. “Would you mind telling me what’s got you so upset?”

  “Your tree house, asshole.”

  The lightbulb went on. “I told you to stay away from it. I told you it was unstable.”

  “Now I know for sure you’re a damn liar.” She pushed her face right into his, her Marine-blue eyes blazing with righteous rage. “It’s not unstable at all. You were just trying to keep me from being comfortable.”

  “Yeah,” he drawled, his temper rising and his amusement fading. “So what? It’s my house. It’s my island. It’s mine to choose who goes in and who visits.”

  She deflated, right before his eyes. Her shoulders sagged and her expression went blank. Not a pout, which surprised him. Rather a look of nothingness, like she’d been defeated once and for all.

  The look hurt him.

  But sooner than he could find the words or actions that would save him from the hurt, she did something truly awful.

  She began to sob.

  Chapter 25

  She’d cried in front of this man more times than she cared to consider. Those had been sniffles and tears, though, not bawling like a baby. Covering her face with her hands, Risa tried to control the choked sounds, but it was useless.

  The last few days crowded around her—this man’s ridicule, the dirt and mud, the dragging feeling of not being good enough for anything. All of it poured through her like a harsh wind, causing the very center of her to curl into itself.

  “Hey.” His gruff voice came from right in front of her. “Hey.”

  With a swift move that caught her by surprise, he yanked her into his arms. His warm, strong arms. His T-shirt was salty and sweaty, yet she didn’t care. She grabbed onto the cotton and pressed her face into it. Her sobs broke like a dam over him.

  The caveman took it.

  Took her in his grip and didn’t let go. One broad hand patted her back and then, sank into hair to hold her closer. She gave up trying to act dignified and let herself weep until the cloth beneath her cheek grew wet.

  He was silent above her.

  Anger and grief and frustration poured through her and out of her eyes. Eventually, she managed a garbled breath and then, another. With a gentle touch, he stroked the back of her neck.

  “Hey,” he said again, his voice hesitant. “Better?”

  In her previous life, she would have hated to show him her tear-stained face with no makeup. But although she’d just cried her heart out because of the changes in her, she couldn’t wish herself back into the life she’d lived before. For all the messy, ugly things that had happened in the past few days, she valued what she’d learned and how she’d grown. Plus, this man didn’t deserve her pretty. Or her pleasant, for that matter.

  With
a sniff, she lifted her head and glared into a misty blue gaze.

  His eyes widened and his hands dropped, like she’d turned into a deadly explosive.

  Before he got farther away, she socked him with a hard punch right in the center of his stomach. The guy didn’t even move or suck in a breath or react in any way. It was as if she were a flea or a mere pest. The thought made her angrier. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me, you shithead.”

  “Well,” amusement colored his tone once more, “I guess you’ve recovered.”

  “Why do you have to be so mean to me?” she cried, tears still clogging her throat. “What have I ever done to you that deserves what you do to me?”

  Not wanting to stand around and hear his inevitable ironic or contemptuous response, she swiveled and headed back toward the tree house. Since he’d basically confirmed the place wasn’t a danger, she was going to damn well use every one of its facilities.

  The shower. The bed. The fridge packed full of fresh food.

  Outrage roared through her again. When she’d returned from the lagoon, feeling lonely and depressed, the silence that had greeted her when she stepped onto the terrace had sunk her spirits even further.

  Then the low hum of an engine had caught her attention. Between the fury of the storm and the constant presence of her unwilling host and his barking dog, she hadn’t noticed the sound before. Feeling bereft and restless, she followed the hum around the half dozen tree trunks to arrive at a large aluminum box. Being a Florida girl, she knew immediately what it was.

  A generator.

  A damn generator.

  Her daddy had one almost exactly the same, stored in the garage at home. In case of a hurricane, he’d told her.

  Shock had hit her hard. A hammer of stupefaction coming down to crush her heart. She’d felt like a star-dazed cartoon character for several moments. In a stupor, she’d walked to the front door and opened it. A few tentative, fearful minutes later, after touring the house, she’d come to the firm conclusion.