Page 2 of Pervade Montego Bay

James was bare-chested and wearing cream-colored slacks, his toned abs flexing as he dragged a Black & Decker sander along the edge of the boat. His thick hair fell forward in raven waves. I hardly recognized him with his jaw unshaven. His chestnut eyes were focused on the job at hand as he dragged the tool back and forward with impressive precision and strength.

At his castle, I’d seen evidence of his military service in photos captured of him with his fellow Navy officers. His love of boats should have come as no surprise.

Seeing a half-naked James looking sweat-soaked and scruffy was a contradiction to the usual bespoke tailored suits he insisted on wearing. Watching him show off his skill at fixing a boat was a reminder I never knew this man at all—not really.

His dark eyes flittered to meet mine, sending a thrill throughout my body; a delicious frisson…reminding me how easily it had been to fall for him. It was as though he was able to reach into my soul with one look and own me.

He turned off the sander and rested it on the table behind him.

“Hey.” I smiled.

“Emily,” he said with a flash of happiness in his eyes.

Then it was gone.

For a moment, he had seemed like the man I’d gotten to know when I’d experienced his kinder side. He’d spoken my name with feeling.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “How was your flight?”

“Fine.” It had been more than fine. I’d traveled first-class. “It was wonderful. Thank you for my ticket…for inviting me.”

I didn’t care that James was sweating or a little dirty from the work, I needed to be closer…needed to see evidence of the affection he’d shared our last few days together when he’d come to see we were all three perfect for each other.

Hurrying forward, I pressed my cheek to his chest, breathing in his soft cologne mixed with perspiration. Relaxing in his arms, I felt myself surrender again to this mysterious man. All he needed to do was soften toward me again. To remember what we’d had. To offer up a kind smile and conversation that would reassure this tired girl who’d traveled halfway around the world to be here.

Yet there were no strong arms wrapping around me in way of a welcome. I pulled back and stared up at him, my throat tightening with uncertainty.

“Your exams are over?”

“Yes,” I said, glancing around. “I graduated.”

“Congratulations. We’ll celebrate later.”

“Is Xavier here?”

James wiped his hands on a cloth and tossed it aside. “When was the last time you saw him?”

I swallowed hard. “When he saw me off to have dinner with Kitty?”

“Right.”

A feeling of unease crept over me, mixing with the lingering doubt.

“Do you want a drink?” His foreboding eyes studied me.

“No, thank you.” I was too nervous to keep anything down.

“We have a situation, Emily.”

“Oh?”

“Xavier…he’s missing.”

“What do you mean?”

“He left us.” He waved his hand through the air. “The organization.”

Left Pervade?