Page 26 of Javier

Crazy Affie. I shook my head and grinned. I loved her, but sometimes, she could be a little much.

I missed my sisters. The thought killed my mood, even as I stuffed my feet into my soggy shoes. I carried a permanent ache lodged deep in my chest, the overwhelming pain of their absences. I also needed someone to talk me back to my senses, although Affie was perhaps not the best suited of my sisters forthat job.

I, sensible, reasonable, reliable Missy had fallen in lust. With a dream. With the man of my dreams.Nope. There wasn’t such a thing. He was the manfrommy dreams, notofmy dreams. Big hulking difference.

A rustle scattered my thoughts and quickened my pulse. I ducked down behind the bushes. In the tropical night, fear iced my spine. Was someone watching me?

More crunching noises echoed from the edge of the woods. My blood swished in my ears and my throat went dry. I pushed the branches aside and narrowed my eyes on the strange form emerging out of the darkness, blurred, big, and menacing. I started to call for help, but a hand landed on my mouth and smothered my scream. A muscled arm coiled around me, immobilizing me. My heart stopped. I was trapped.

Chapter Eight

Missy

“Don’t scream.” A familiar voice whispered in my ear. “It’s only a donkey. Okay?”

I nodded. As soon as he let go, I whirled around.

Javier stood before me with an amused grin stamped on his face. “I checked it out. False alarm. The donkey must’ve escaped somecampesinonearby. You can stand down.”

“Oh.” It was about all I could manage.

My heart refused to slow down. It was past beating from fear. It now raced because of him. My gaze focused on the sight of his mouth, and when his eyes slid down to my lips, I had to suppress an urge to kiss him. He stood so close to me that my skin prickled as if begging for his touch, my nipples peaked, craving his attentions, and, despite my brave effort, the ache between my legs bloomed again.

I pressed my thighs together and tried to hide how flustered I was. “You scared me.”

“Sorry.” He gestured over the bushes and flashed a self-deprecating smirk. “Here comes the jackass, and for once, it’s not me.”

I barked a quiet giggle. He really was funny. The animal ambled into view, munching on the grasses and trailing a length of rope hanging from his crude holster. I allowed the tension to ease from my shoulders. To think I’d almost peed my pants. I was such a scaredy cat.

A glance at Javier showed me he’d stripped down to his camo pants and T-shirt. Standing close to me, he smelled fresh, like my baby powder wipes. I swore that the hue of his eyes lightened and the shade of his beard grew darker by the moment.

He carried his weapon, but he must’ve left the rest of his gear behind at the camp. He still looked big and formidable, but he seemed… I don’t know… a little less intimidating? A tad more human? Like a guy you might meet at a bar if one frequented those places, a really hot one who would attract the attention of all the beautiful and popular women everywhere he went.

Another thought set my face to burn. “How long have you been watching me?”

“Not long.” He kept his stare on our visitor. “I was tracking the donkey when I found you.”

Phew. He hadn’t seen me doing my thing. I’d dodged that bullet.

“Angel?” He turned his face and his shrewd eyes studied my face. “Is everything okay? You look a little… shaken?”

“I’m fine, just fine.” I sounded insincere even to myself.

I couldn’t shake the feeling he’d seen more than he’d admitted to, but I wasn’t going to press him on that. I was too chicken to want to know, and I didn’t want him to have even the slightest hint of what his presence did to me.

“You should get some rest,” he rumbled quietly.

“Yes.” I nodded. “I was just about to go check on the sisters.”

“They’re snoring,” he reported. “Go join them.”

I picked up my little backpack and started toward the trail, but he didn’t follow me. Instead, he walked over to where the boat was hidden between the grass and sat down with his back against the gunwales, his carbine on his lap, and his long legs stretched before him.

“You’re not coming?” I asked.

His gaze roamed over the lake. “I’m gonna stay out here and keep watch.”

“I’ll keep you company.” I retraced my steps and stood before him. “Perhaps we can have the talk you promised me?”

---