Page 50 of Rio

She floats away.“It’s always the timing with us.”

No shit.It’s always the damn timing.“Another time,” I say, watching her with admiration.And wondering how the hell I’m going to climb back on board, hiding a humungous hardon.

Chapter 14

RAQUEL

I got into work surprisingly earlier than I expected, given that it was just after two in the morning when I got back to my guesthouse.

What a night.

Rio drove us all back, even Vilma and Edwin.

This morning, I’m determined to focus, but every now and then my thoughts drift to last night, and Rio, and the lagoon.Us almost kissing.My body brushing against his and feeling his excitement for me.I keep going over his confession, about how he fabricated events to run into me at the restaurant with Dex and Dani.Secretly, I’m thrilled, and excited, but nothing can happen.

We can’t forget our roles.He’s on their side, not ours.I can’t be seen to be fraternizing with him.So now, I have my head down back at HQ, documenting the environmental damage.Alma is getting everything arranged for me in chronological order.

I’m determined not to venture outside.It makes it easier to stay out of Rio Knight’s way.I’m also trying to get enough information together before I talk to Pierce.

Vilma taps me lightly on my shoulder.I stop typing.“It’s your friend again, from last night.He doesn’t want to come in.”

“Oh.”My heart fills with joy, and then deflates as quickly, because I’m torn.I don’t know why he’s here, and I don’t know how to be around him.

Alma looks at me, but says nothing.I huff out a sigh, because my fingers were flying and I was in the zone, getting lots done.As I head towards the door, I see him taking up the doorway, hands placed on the sides of the door jamb like he owns the place.

“Good morning, princesa.”Dark shades cover his eyes, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.He lifts his hand and removes his shades, revealing eyes full of mischief.

“Hi.”I feel shy.A little off kilter.A little blindsided.I was hiding here, hoping to cut off all possibility of running into him, and now he comes to me.“To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“I was getting ready to go to work and I thought I’d pass by.Didn’t expect you to be up and working so soon.Thought you might sleep till noon, what with needing your beauty sleep and all that.”He’s back to being obnoxious again.

“I’ve been here since seven.”

He makes a face like he’s been injured.“Seven?I was still in bed having sweet dreams at that time.I couldn’t get out of bed, I was dreaming so much.”

His words make me blush, because they sound intimate, direct, like he knows he’ll get me thinking.

“The escort you hired must have been good.”It’s a low blow, jokey, but with a sting, giving him a dose of his own medicine, but I’m not prepared for his reaction.

He looks shocked.Like I’ve made a blatantly unjust accusation.“I’m not that guy.You must have me confused with someone else.”His tone is cutting, and I’m curious as to why he’s so hurt.

“I … I …” I shrug, because words fail me.

“You still think badly of me, princesa?You should know that loyalty is something I don’t fuck with.”He leans a little closer, voice low and intimate.“Once someone catches my attention, that’s it.Game over.No backup plans.No wandering eyes.Just one very unlucky woman stuck with all of me.Even if she likes to bust my balls every chance she gets.”

“Unlucky…” I mutter.“That’d be right.Why are you here?”I ask, part annoyed, part frustrated.I’m trying to maintain my distance from him, but he’s come to my place of work.I don’t want to give Vilma or Edwin something to talk about, and I really don’t want to give Alma cause for alarm.

“Can we talk?Off the record?”He straightens up.I can’t tell if it’s because of what I said, or if he wants to discuss something serious.Or if this is about last night.If so, the timing couldn’t be worse.He keeps saying it’s fate that keeps bringing us together, but I’m going to get fired if I’m not careful.

“Off the record?”I’m about to make another quip, but stop myself.“I don’t have long, Knight.Some of us have to work for a living.”

“Just a few moments.Out here.My Jeep’s parked across the street.”

I glare at him, needing him to lead the way.Instead he moves slightly sideways, beckoning for me to go first.I walk past him, but unfortunately end up brushing against him.It feels like I’ve touched a live wire.The scent of his cologne, rich, masculine and just this side of sinful, hits the moment he steps closer.

I manage to keep my composure as he overtakes me, leading the way across the street.He stops by his Jeep, and opens the door for me.I hop in and he enters from the driver’s side.

“What do you want?”I ask, feeling a little weary.“Is this about last night?”