“Looking forward to seeing paradise?” Franco asked Tess. His muscular form was crisp and professional in his black suit and no doubt sweating his f**king balls off. I lost sight of them as they walked around the back of the car. The familiar burn of rage of another man touching the most precious thing in my life reminded me Tess might have issues to work through, but so did I. I trusted Franco with my life. I had no reason to be jealous. Try telling that to your fists.

Quickly exciting the car, I glowered at Franco until he dropped Tess’s hand. He grinned. “Should I wait here, boss? Or do I get a ticket to utopia, too?”

“You’re coming.” Never again would I go without a man with reflexes like Franco’s and a license to carry concealed weapons. Frederick, my business partner and the man I left in charge, was right. On our daily phone calls discussing property projections and what the future meant for Moineau Holdings, I knew I’d painted a bull’s-eye on my back. More would come for me, and I had no intention of being unprepared.

A loud bang sounded from a piece of rigging along the pier. Such an everyday innocent noise but Tess f**king leapt like a gazelle. Her curls flurried as her head turned to the noise; her eyes round and terrified.

Goddammit.

I knew she struggled with loud noises or surprises. I watched her jump and freeze if Suzette dropped something in the kitchen or Franco slammed the front door too loudly.

“Tout va bien, personne ne peut te faire de mal ici” It’s okay. Nothing can hurt you here. I stalked toward her, jerking her close. Whispering in her ear, I said, “Stop letting it have power over you.”

She pulled away, a slight flush on her cheeks. “Sorry. I’m just tired. My reactions are a little jumpy.” She smiled, cupping my cheek. “Truly. I’m fine.” Her eyes dropped, hiding her lies.

Lies had a scent. The stench of decay and terror. I hated when she told untruths—she undermined me every time.

“Tess, what did I—”

“Bloody hell, I’m hot,” Franco said loudly. I looked up to snarl at him for interrupting, but his eyes pierced mine. They blatantly said ‘you’re in public with a lot of people milling around. Let’s get on the f**king plane where we’re safer.’

As much as I wanted to brush off his warning, he was right.

Swallowing my frustration, I let the tension between Tess and I disperse. Stepping backward, I nonchalantly looked around. Everyone was a suspect. It was time to get somewhere less populated. Just in case.

“Wish I’d packed a pair of shorts,” Franco grumbled. “I’m bloody steaming in this suit.”

Tess chuckled. “I agree. Q dragged me out of bed so fast this morning, I have no idea what I packed. I’m hating these jeans with a passion. I’d give anything for a skirt.”

My mind instantly thought of how convenient a skirt would be. A skirt would let me touch her, finger her, all while she remained hidden and dressed. It seemed I couldn’t think about Tess without getting f**king hard. The incessant need to fill her built behind my eyes. The churning in my gut filled with darkness as my ears roared needing to hear her cries. My mouth watered at the thought of tasting her—all of her—her blood, her tears, her desires.

But then the need rushed to another part of my body.

My heart throbbed with tenderness plaiting with the ugliness of my soul. I wanted her symphony of screams, but not as much as I wanted the glittering sounds of her laughter. My body filled with terrifying softness and warmth.

She’d changed me.

Through hurting me and showing me compassion even while I was a bastard to her—she changed me. The chilly exterior I favoured melted with one look of her dove-grey eyes.

Fuck. I’m ruined.

Needing to redeem my manhood, even if it was just to myself, I growled, “You’re not putting a skirt on.”

Tess’s eyes flew to mine, confusion making them flare. “Did you just tell me what I can and can’t wear?” The soft blue turned to steely grey. “I love you, but if you think you can dress me—like you did when I first arrived—you have another thought coming.” Her temper rose from nowhere swirling around me like a blustery breeze.

The tenderness switched to lust once again, and I wanted to reach out, squeeze her neck, and kiss her f**king stupid. I was turned on by her meekness, but her temper turned me feral.

I needed to get away from her. We needed to leave.

“Fine.” Stalking away, I called over my shoulder, “Bring the bags, Franco. I’ll tell the pilot we’re here.”

The pier was the same as always. Tenerife was nectar to holiday-seeking newlyweds and families. The port acted as the gateway for island hopping, sightseeing, and was always manically busy. However, I had a long standing arrangement with the top seaplane pilot whenever I came. The gruff old ex-RAF commander knew when I visited not to accept any other jobs but remain on call for me. I paid him a shitload to be at my every whim.

So where the f**k was the plane?

I stomped down the pier, looking in the distance to moored vessels, trying to glimpse the white and black twin prop Otter somewhere on the turquoise water.

Nothing.

“Are you Mr. Mercer?” a youngish man asked. He had short black hair and a face that’d been tanned and weathered by the sun. My fingers twitched in preparation. I no longer trusted anyone—especially foreign strangers.

Scowling, I nodded. “Yes. Captain Morrow was supposed to be here. He’s on call.”

The man shook his head. “I’m Bill Castro. I’ve been assigned instead.” His white uniform, with gleaming black buttons and a crest of an embroidered wave on the pocket, marked him as one of the many yacht crew in the port. “I’m afraid the captain is currently in hospital, sir. Triple bypass, unfortunately. I’ve been asked to escort you to where you want to go on one of the newest speedboats in our fleet.”

Twisting his torso, he pointed at a sleek white and silver vessel that looked like a bullet on the water. Mahogany and cherry wood decorated the interior panels gleaming richly in the sun.

A boat? No f**king chance.

“I’m not sailing. I always fly.” Flying was my thing. Flying was my one passion—the air was meant to be explored with the help of thrusters and powerful turbines. The ocean—that was meant to be avoided at all costs. I hated the water. I hated how innocent it looked at first glance, but beneath the depths it hid monsters, while the surface was home to waves eager to drown unsuspecting victims.