Page 5 of Dangerous Obsession

It was an amusing thought but true. Maxim had to be around six-two, broad-shouldered with a narrow-waist and covered in smooth, tanned skin that showed off his athletic body.

Not an ounce of fat on the guy. Cole could verify that since Maxim was wearing nothing but essentially bicycle shorts.

They hugged his taut thighs and cupped his ass like a lover’s hands.

The bulge at his groin wasn’t exactly unimpressive either.

All of that in addition to the absolutely ripped chest and belly.

It was as if those classic nude statues over on the mainland had been sculpted to look like Maxim.

Another amusing thought.

“Don’t worry. We’ll send for a doctor,” Maxim explained. His expression was concerned, but the man also had a strange intensity to him. Like he was zeroed in completely on Cole. As if Cole was the only person who mattered in the world.

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine in a moment. I don’t want to be any trouble. I don’t need a doctor to come all the way out here.”

Maxim didn’t seem to like that answer. “Are you sure? Jade told me she kicked you pretty hard.”

So her name was Jade. He liked it.

“She did,” he said, rubbing the spot where she’d kicked him. “But that’s not going to kill me. My physician back in New York submitted the necessary forms about my condition to the spa health practitioners.”

Jade tilted her head to one side and her stare was sharp. “And what condition would that be? Chronic trespassing? A delusional need to leave the marked path, climb a small mountain, and sneak up on a girl and her favorite stick? Is stupidity a medical thing?”

He looked her right in the eyes. He liked a wiseass. He was a bit of one himself. But he wasn’t going to let her get away with it. “I have cancer.”

That brought her up short. He actually felt bad for lying, but she clearly didn’t trust him. She had good instincts. He needed to be careful around her. Not only was she distractingly attractive, but she was also quick. Quick with her kicks and quick with her wits.

“Cancer.” The woman inhaled a big breath and let it out slowly. Her breasts rose and fell, and Cole found his gaze drawn to them, even though his brain pointedly reminded him that breasts were not his reason for being on the island.

Still, he was only a man. Some things in life were too wonderful to ignore.

“Cancer,” Cole affirmed, hiding the fact that he felt like a real bastard by playing this card.

But this was the job. Far better than trying to force his way in here to take what he wanted and someone ending up hurt.

He couldn’t stomach that. Or forgive himself if it ever happened.

“Your staff physician has the medical file from my oncologist. I just had rounds of chemo and radiation therapy over the last year. It’s left me a bit low. That’s why I’m at the spa.”

Maxim nodded slowly. “If you’re sure you don’t need a doctor…”

“I don’t. But thank you. It was only a stupid accident.” He grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. “I shouldn’t have crept up on your martial arts instructor.”

“Bodyguard,” Maxim corrected with an answering smile. He reached out and put a hand on Cole’s forearm, squeezing gently. “What’s your name?”

“My name’s Cole Ward.” He had to keep his focus. Maxim’s firm grip was unsettling. Cole’s heart was actually beating faster as if he’d climbed that damn rocky slope again in his sandals. “Who are you?”

“Good to meet you, Cole. I’m Maxim Hawthorne.” He nodded toward Jade. “You’ve already met Jade.”

“I certainly met her foot.”

That brought a smile to her face. It was there and gone again quickly, but it was a pretty smile. He was grateful to have seen it. Even though she was going to make this mission all the more difficult for him.

He was also impressed that Cole didn’t talk himself up, going on about how he actually owned Patroklos. Owned a damn island .

“Can I get you something to drink? Are you hungry?”

For a rich guy, Maxim was pretty damn attentive. The info on the man being a good host seemed to be spot on.

If the man wanted to play host, it was best to accept something from him to lock in his status as a guest. “Maybe some water?”

Jade stood. “I’ll get it.” She looked at Maxim. “You’ll be okay?”

Maxim smiled at her. “Don’t worry. You trained me well, sensei.”

Jade snorted, turned on her heel, and left. Unless Cole very much missed his guess, Maxim’s gaze lingered over her with more than a passing interest as she retreated.

“Jade’s head of my security here on the island,” Maxim offered, obviously guessing correctly at Cole’s curiosity. He looked amused, though, as if he enjoyed an inside joke.

Cole wondered how Maxim would react if he asked the question in his mind right now. What was the relationship between Jade and Maxim?

And then the question Cole would ask himself: could that relationship be exploited?

“She’s a beautiful woman,” he finally said and decided to probe. “You must enjoy having her here with you.”

Maxim’s brow knitted. “Jade’s a professional. An employee… And a friend. So, yes. I enjoy having her here.”

No doubt. And Cole had no doubt Jade was checking him out right now, running a security screening on him. It didn’t matter. His cover as Cole Ward was perfectly legitimate-looking and perfectly inane.

The two of them chatted a bit until Jade returned. Wordlessly, she handed Cole the cold water bottle with condensation on the plastic. He twisted off the cap and took a deep drink.

When he finished, he smiled at her. “Thank you.”

She only nodded, watching him.

Maxim leaned in again. “Cole, I’d be honored if you’d agree to stay and have dinner with us tonight as my guest. It’s the least I can do to make up for this unfortunate accident.”

Cole held his gaze. “I’d like that. But I should probably get back to the spa or let them know where I am. I was supposed to have some kind of wrap.”

“Don’t worry,” Maxim replied. “We’ll take care of everything. You just stay here and take it easy for a while.”

And as simple as that, Cole was in.