Page 83 of Royal Flush

There it was again, using a pronoun instead of reciting her name in my mind or whispering it in the moonlight. I was one powerful man who’d been stymied by feelings for the first time in his life.

The thought of Jasmine dying continued to weigh heavily on my mind. I’d barked out orders not once but three times to Jack and his crew both on the jet and after landing, including when I’d shown him the security room where he and his team could work. I’d also barely allowed them to claim the rooms that would be theirs during the stay before going over my makeshift plan once again.

He’d finally gripped my arm, taking me aside from the other two. He’d kept his usually gruff voice quiet, but his tone had continued to mean business. And he’d told me in no uncertain terms to chill the fuck out, that he and his team knew what they were doing. And he’d reminded me that Jasmine had been through a horrific ordeal and likely needed a strong presence.

They should know exactly how to deal with the situation since they’d been involved and trained by special ops, but after saving her once again, I’d felt more than ever she was my total responsibility.

With a drink in my hand, the cool sand under my butt, and secured in a tropical environment, I should feel somewhat better. Yet the images of her haunted face continued to create additional disturbing visions in my mind. The shit was about to hit the fan.

I had managed to successfully research Maggie Wallum, the woman only a couple of years older than Jasmine. The girl had been fired, which could lead to some acts of revenge, but she had no record that I could find.

Jack had taken the task from me, determined to find out any details the girl had wanted hidden.

Meanwhile, I’d also had a conference call with Valerio and Gage. They’d known better than to grill me, especially when I’d started making no sense. They weren’t used to experiencing their brother being confounded. That was the perfect word.

I preferred utter control and organization, everything in its place at all times. I couldn’t tolerate tardiness or insolence, chastising both. Hell, I’d even done that with both brothers.

Being so out of sorts, unable to control a single thing except maybe her continued protection was like a noose around my neck and we were both standing on a thin glass shelf extended over the ocean.

I still had the feeling the girl was hiding a dark secret. I’d seen it in her eyes after the wreck. I’d felt in my bones during the kiss on the jet. It was a black cloud hanging over her.

The prickles on my skin continued to increase and I turned my head slightly, shoving aside all the bad juju I was certain I was igniting. She was here. Close. Too close. And the warped dude that I was only wanted to ravage her. What did that make me?

Jasmine crowded my space after a few seconds, sitting down next to me. She bent her knees as I’d done, crossing her arms over them. She didn’t look at me or acknowledge my presence but the electric vibrations humming like a live wire were a dead giveaway.

I kept my head cocked, watching the way she was studying and staring at the ocean, the moonlight highlighting the dreamy look in her eyes.

Somehow, I remained quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts. When she reached for my drink, I allowed our fingers to touch. The jolt of current was incredible, enough so she issued just the hint of a moan. I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off her as she lifted the glass to her lips. Maybe she was teasing me or simply being reflective but the cravings furrowing deep inside were increasing.

When she pressed her forehead into her hand after taking a sip, I sensed she had a lot on her mind. Of course she did.

“Have you ever been married?” she asked in her quiet voice.

It was impossible not to laugh. I pulled the glass from her hand, the touch lingering longer than before. “I’ve never wanted marriage or kids, swing sets and college tuition. I don’t think I would be good at it.”

“Well, I have to disagree. You’re a natural born hero.”

“I’m not a hero by any means. And I never figured out the specifics of relationships.”

“There’s really nothing to figure out,” she countered. “You’re either good at it or you aren’t. And love doesn’t just strike from the heavens like lightning. I should know. I suck at relationships and the single bolt of lightning I’d felt had been nothing more than an electric storm, not love. A nonexistent word for me.”

“So young to be so jaded.”

“And you’re any different?” She lay back on the sand, folding her arms behind her head.

“I’m not jaded, just practical.”

“Practicality is for old men and idiots and you are definitely neither.”

Even after the near crisis, she managed to make me laugh. I pushed the glass further away into the sand, swirling it so I wouldn’t kick it over easily and leaned down on my elbow. “Oh, so you’re an expert on practicality now as well as everything else.”

“Absolutely. I am knowledgeable about all things.”

I knew she was being somewhat coy, trying to rid herself of the same visions I’d been unable to but for both of us, it was impossible. “Hmmm… Then the next time I’m required to go to the quarterly board meeting, I’m taking you with me.”

She laughed, the sound more like one I’d heard before. “Yes, I am also the master of all things.”

While the wind was light, I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, basking in her beauty in a quiet, peaceful way. “Good to know. Also, the next time one of the sports cars need fine tuning or a repair, you’re my gal.”

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