“With what?”
“I work out every day. It’s addictive.” He glanced back at her, trailing his gaze over her body. “I guess you know that.”
“And when you don’t work, work out, or entertain your scuba dive instructor?”
“I run a business on the side.”
“It must be a well-paying business. I know ambassadors earn enough, but not this much.” She motioned at the house.
“I’m good at playing the stock market.”
“Will you teach me?” Maybe she could gain access to his computer that way.
He walked to where she leaned on the counter. He smelled of fire, wine, and that irresistible odor that was Tim. “I can think of much more interesting things to teach you.”
She lifted her brow. “What makes you think you can teach me anything I don’t already know?”
“Because you’ve never been with a man like me.”
It was true. She’d been with powerful and handsome men, young and old, but none of them had ever had Tim’s lure.
She gave him a wistful smile. “Have you ever been with a woman like me?”
The playfulness was gone. His face turned serious. “No. There’s no one else like you, Maya.” Then he smiled and handed her a plate from the counter. “Hold this. Dinner’s ready.”
After serving the fish, they went down the path to the beach where a table for two was set, illuminated by garden torches planted into the sand. She kicked off her shoes and carried them in one hand with their glasses balanced in the other while Tim took their plates.
“This is unexpected,” she said as he seated her.
“Since you’re an ocean person, I thought you’d like this. I was hoping you’d choose outside.”
“That’s … thoughtful.” Her chest pulled tight with an unknown emotion, one she’d felt the last time when Darren was still alive. The sensation was a knot that got stuck in her throat. She didn’t want to think about Darren, but Tim kept on bringing up these thoughts, triggering memories better left forgotten.
Oblivious to her reaction, Tim took his seat opposite her and poured more wine from a bottle in an ice bucket. He raised his glass. “To us.”
She forced a smile. “To us.”
He served them each a portion of salad with rocket leaves, toasted almonds, cranberries, and a lemon-honey dressing that was set on the table. For the rest of the dinner, the conversation proceeded like a bullfight. She threw a red flag at him, trying to draw out information, and he sidestepped the question. Then he fished for information, posing questions about her life, which she refrained from answering by talking in circles.
When she pushed her empty plate aside, Tim said, “You’re not being open with me. I sense the real Maya somewhere in there, but what you’re giving me is what you give the world—the shiny wrapping paper on the outside. Make no mistake, it’s beautiful, but the real beauty is inside. I can tell you have trust issues.” He leaned over the table and took her hand. “Open up to me, Maya. It won’t hurt. You’ve got nothing to fear from me. That’s a promise.”
She freed her hand from his grip. He had no idea what he was promising.
“Come here.” He pushed back his chair. “Please,” he said when she hesitated.
She got to her feet and walked around the table. When she stopped next to him, he pulled her down into his lap and nuzzled her neck. “I promise to always protect you. You have nothing to be afraid of.”
She turned her head to face him. “Why are you saying this?”
“Because you’re mine.”
His eyes roamed over her face, coming to a stop on her mouth. He was going to kiss her.
“From what you said earlier, this is not a good idea,” she said.
“Just a kiss. I need to taste you.”
It was a slow kiss, a touch that promised tenderness and everything his words had claimed. Her desire ignited like a string of firecrackers. Whenever Tim was near, it was always a sizzle of sparks dancing over her body, instantaneous and hot. Even if his kiss was gentle, her passion mounted to a crescendo. She moaned as her need intensified and pushed her thighs together to still the fire that burned between them.
He cupped her stomach and groaned when her muscles fluttered under his palm. His kiss turned deeper as he moved his other hand up her side, stopping on the under-curve of her breast.
Their moans washed out the sound of the ocean and the breeze that moved the palm trees. He tore his lips from her mouth to kiss her neck. Her chest heaved, her heartbeat painful and loud. She’d never needed like this. She traced the erection that was naked under his jeans, but he clasped a hand over hers.
“Stop, Maya. Fuck. Stop.” Leaning back, he broke their contact.
“What?” She stared at him, battling to focus her eyes.
The heat drained from her body and reality returned. Tim had a strong effect on her, one that could become a professional hazard if she didn’t get a hold on herself.
“I want to take it slow,” he said, “but it’s so damn difficult when I’m so damn hard for you all the time.”
She didn’t understand, but she kept quiet. It didn’t matter that it made no sense. She wasn't having dinner with Tim so that she could analyze the physical power he had over her. She was having dinner with him as part of her mission. Her life had always been uncomplicated because she worked hard at keeping it so. This mission wasn’t going to change her or her life.
She tried to get up, but he locked his arms around her. “I know this is frustrating for you, but—”
“Let’s not talk about it anymore.” She took a deep breath. “Let’s just enjoy our time together.”
Her frustration was mounting. She wasn’t one goddamn step closer to getting the information Cain needed. All she was closer to, was an orgasm, and the way this evening was going, it was going to be a self-induced one.
Cesar cleared his throat next to them. Maya jerked in Tim’s arms. The man was like a bloody ghost. She’d been too distracted to notice him come up until he was on top of them. It scared the living daylight out of her. This was dangerous. She needed to be alert. Tim was causing her to drop the ball.
“My apologies for the interruption,” Cesar said, holding out a mobile phone to Tim, “but I think you’ll want to take this.”
Tim took the phone and glanced at the screen. “Excuse me.” He lifted Maya to her feet and got up. “I have to take this call.” He turned to Cesar. “Please keep Maya company until I return.” He walked away from them, pressing the phone to his ear, and disappeared into the darkness of the garden.
She sat back down with reluctance. She wanted to follow Tim and find out what the urgent call was about, but Cesar hovered over her with his cold gaze.
“Do you always creep up on people?” she asked, letting her annoyance show.
“Tim’s safety is my priority.”
“Even in an intimate situation?”
“In any situation.”
“Do you get into bed with him and his lovers too?”
He smirked and said without flinching, “It has happened a couple of times.”
Arrogant son of a bitch. “Well, don’t get your hopes up.”