Seduction’s Canvas (Crimson Romance) (27 page)

• • •

Alejandro lowered his camera, perplexed by the woman in front of him. What had gotten into Mika? His eyes narrowed as he looked back over the digital display picture of her with her tongue sticking out at him, mocking him like a petulant child. Sure, Mika was always one to state her opinion and give him a little razzing — that’s what he liked and respected about her. She had a great work ethic, and when she had an opinion, she wasn’t afraid to give it. Unlike most people, who thought being a “yes man” was the way to his heart or his pockets. But not Mika and he admired her for it. She always gave as good as she got and it worked for them. At least it had.

He ran a finger lightly across the display and then looked up at her biting her bottom lip as she clutched the edge of the boat. Something was different. Lately she’d seemed on edge. It was like the old camaraderie they’d had was gone, replaced by a new back-and-forth tug of war, different than their usual, where neither could seem to get the upper hand or a sense of satisfaction. He looked down again and hit a few buttons zooming in on her eyes, studying their fire, their passion.

Passion?

Now that
was
new. His lips curled in concentration. Passion was not a word he thought he’d be using when describing Mika. Well, sure, maybe passionate about her work. She was always good at her job. Hell, she was the best. Passionate about keeping him on track, and she was passionate about learning. About being the best at what she did, despite this little slip up which was so unlike her.

In all honesty, even he had to admit that some of her test shots for him could easily go in a top magazine. But even when she’d been with that corporate boyfriend of hers, he’d never thought of her as particularly passionate, at least not that way. He gave a grunt. Not that he wanted to think about her in any sort of passionate situation with that jerk. That was the last image he wanted seared into his brain. He frowned deeper as a feeling pricked at him. Wiggling its way under his skin. Had he been missing something?

Ale shook his head. No. He didn’t miss things like this. It was his job to observe. It’s what made him the best. Maybe he was just imagining it because he wanted to. Had wanted to for a while.

He eased the camera aside and looked over at her again. She was sitting with her back steel straight as she looked out at the azure water. Trying so hard to appear serene, but her clenched jaw and the tight hold she had on the edge of the boat gave her away. He knew, she knew exactly how many inches the filthy life vest was away from her foot at that very moment. She’d rather be anywhere but here. She was much more a New York subway type of girl over any sort over boat, be it ferry or yacht any day. This shaky ride was killing her. But knowing her, she’d rather rip her nails out one by one than admit her fear. That was another something she was passionate about. Being tough. It’s what made her the best assistant he’d ever had. The one that didn’t run away and he was damned lucky to have her.

Ale picked up his camera again as if in a daze. It was his third eye, and Mika’s cocoa brown skin filled his lens in a blurry haze before her whole image came into clear view. He did a quick scan, clicking the shutter as the ferry picked up a bit of speed and the wind whipped around them.

Her short brown hair blew in the wind around her face, and the sun glistened on her dampened skin. He could see where some of the hairs clung to the curve of her long neck and around her delicate ear. Her thin white cotton top flapped behind her in the breeze, pressing against her chest, revealing the outline of a black bra underneath.

Ale sucked in a breath. Tightening his grip on his camera, his mind suddenly filled with the image of his hands caressing her pert breasts.
Whoa, there.
He blinked trying to get his thoughts back in a professional perspective. He looked to the horizon again, but unbidden his gaze drifted back to her. She was wearing short khaki shorts that were well-weathered and functional but hugged her curvy body in all the right places and showed off her legs to their fullest advantage. He wanted to reach out and run his hand up that leg from her sneaker to the inside of her thigh.
Stop!
What was going on here? This was Mika. His Mika. His easy, staid, dependable, and off limits Mika.

The same woman who’d been haunting his thoughts way too much for comfort lately.

He shifted, turning a few degrees to adjust the sudden discomfort in his pants, bringing a tranquil scene of blue water and a large island rock formation into his view. He thought for a moment about jumping into the ocean and cooling himself off. But the blasted water probably wasn’t cold enough to ease him like he really needed.

“It’s just ahead,” Tong yelled over the wind, directing Alejandro’s thoughts back to reality.

Perfect. As with most things, turned out Mika was right. They should have stayed at the resort where they could focus on business. Suddenly, three days alone with his assistant did not sound like the best of ideas.

• • •

“Okay, now you have to admit, this is worth the trip,” Alejandro said a little while later as the boat drew closer to the shore.

Mika clamped down on a retort. Really she had none. He was right. The secluded island looked perfect. She’d never seen a place so uncharted. So untamed.

She tried hard to squash her uneasiness about being on the island with Ale for the next three days and told herself it would be just fine. They had worked together long enough for her to get past these confusing feelings toward him. It was her problem and not a big deal.

She looked toward the white sandy beach, taking in the lush surroundings and the line-up of beach huts that stood impossibly high on wooden stilts. To the right was a long dock and to the left, behind the huts, nothing but mountains and rich greenery full of endless possibilities. Not a high-rise in sight. She looked at Alejandro and could see his eyes lighting with anticipation. There was even a waterfall trailing down the mountain. She bet if he could, he would grab his camera and go running for it now. His face held all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning and she loved that about him. No matter his gruff manner, he never failed to get excited about his work. Despite all the different beautiful women that graced his arm and she suspected his bed, the work was his first love, the way he truly expressed himself.

But upon further study Mika couldn’t help the nervous flutter in the pit of her stomach. There was not a light pole in sight. No sign of electricity. And a quick scan of the trees didn’t show any not so hidden I’m-supposed-to-look-like-a-tree cell tower.

She let out a long sigh. “What about electricity on this island? The concierge at the hotel assured me they had electricity out here.”

Ale shook his head. “Stop worrying so much. I’m sure there are generators and whatever else we need. I wanted remote and this is remote. Besides this looks like exactly what we need for this shoot. It will be fine. You’ll make it work.”

Mika blew out a long breathe, flaring her nostrils. Great, this was getting worse by the minute. Alejandro was taking things a bit far this time. How were they supposed to get in touch with the rest of the crew in case they needed more equipment than what was on the set list? And looking at this spot they would need so much more than what was on the set list. And what about details she still had to take care of back in New York? Her mind was racing. She needed her cell and Internet service for that. And more importantly, what was the plumbing situation, how would they shower and, she suddenly felt dread go through her body, where and how would they go to the bathroom? She may be a Gal Friday but never claimed to be a Girl Scout.

As the boat edged close to the dock, Mika put her hand up to shutter her eyes and saw a woman coming toward them from the huts. Her short, squat legs made quick work of the many steps from the elevated structures as she hurried down the beach with a wide smile and a wave.

“Tai, my wife,” Tong yelled with a gruffness that failed to hide the pride in his voice.

Mika nodded and crossed her legs. She couldn’t wait to get off the boat. Suddenly the urge to figure out the bathroom situation was turning very real. Tong maneuvered the boat like the seasoned veteran he was, and Alejandro stood taking a long and languid stretch, completely at one with the boat.
Wonderful, suddenly he’s ready to play Robinson Crusoe.
Mika cocked a brow.

As Tong anchored the boat to the dock, Mika stood quickly and grabbed the nearest equipment bag, which sent the vessel rocking violently. In a flash she was flailing her arms, unsteady on her feet and leaning backward, pitched too far over the side of the boat.

Alejandro turned her way, his eyes locking on hers as her mouth opened but no sound came out. Her arms went wide as her body went backward. Ale’s hand sprung forward as her body fell back, and the last thing Mika saw before she went over the edge was him holding the damned equipment bag. So freaking Alejandro.

Damn.

• • •

Shit! The bag. Alejandro looked down at the bag left in his hand and cursed himself silently. How could he have the bag and not her hand? He threw the equipment bag down and dove into the water. Head shifting quickly, eyes darting under the water, he didn’t see her and began to panic. Where the hell was she? He came up to the surface, looked around for her, then went down again, his heart beating wildly, stomach clinching with fear. How good a swimmer was she? Did she get a cramp? Could she even really swim? In all the times they’d been to exotic locations on shoots, he’d never once actually seen her swimming in the water. He looked and looked, but all he saw was blue water, coral and sand. Where did she go? It wasn’t even all that deep here close to the dock. Fear twisted at him again even tighter this time as he suddenly wondered if she could possibly be under the boat. He went back down under the water.

It was then that small but capable and firm hands grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him up to the surface.

“The equipment bag! You let me go over, and you save the freaking equipment bag?”

Alejandro suddenly was face to face with a wet and snarling Mika. He blinked as her words came at him like blows from a prize fighter. What did he do to deserve this? “Don’t you see I was trying to save you now? Of all the ungrateful — ” Alejandro snarled back.

“Now? Now is a little too late, if you hadn’t noticed. Any longer down there, and it would be you who needed mouth to mouth,” Mika railed cutting him off.

It was too much. She had a lot nerve to be talking to him about mouth to mouth. All she’d done lately was taunt him with that luscious mouth and her lashing tongue of hers.

He watched as Mika took in a deep breath, about to give it to him good once again when Alejandro suddenly decided it was his turn to do giving.

• • •

Wet and hard.

Those were the only two words she could think of as Ale’s lips came down on hers, silencing her with his swift action. But no, there was more. Wet and hard, then cool and more wet, then hot and warm all at once. Or maybe that was her body that was so hot and warm, but how could that be when she was submerged in cool water? But one thing was sure, he
was
silencing her with his kiss. Reminding her who was boss.

He dragged his tongue over the crease of her lips, and she whimpered — oh-god-was-she-really-the-whimpering-type-turns-out-oh-yes-she-was — before letting him in. And then to top the whimper she sighed as his tongue caressed hers, melting her like a snow cone in August. Then she knew. She’d be nothing in a moment. Dissolved. Gone. One with the water.

One strong muscular arm wrapped around her hips and pulled her toward his solid form. Now they were body to body, breast to chest. She let out a moan as he shifted, and she felt his hardness press against her center. She was weightless, her legs seemingly wanting to float apart and wrap around his waist all on their own. And still he pulled her in more. His hands now supporting her behind, fused her to him, groin to groin, mouth to mouth. And thank goodness for his strength or surely she would happily go under, lost at sea forever. Suddenly a wave splashed, sending an unwelcome chill against the back of Mika’s neck.

Her eyes shot open. The ocean, the cold, Alejandro. Oh crap. What was she doing? This wouldn’t do. Not. Do. At. All. She couldn’t be dominated by him. He dominated everyone he met. But not her. Never her. Mika’s heart squeezed tight as she let his tongue sweep across hers oh-so-silkily one more time, and then she bit down. Hard.

“Oww!” Alejandro pushed her away, his eyes springing open and burning with dark flames as she splashed him with water.

“This is not happening.” She pierced him with a challenging stare.

“Okay, fine, you’re right. I’m sorry. But did you have to make your point quite so sharply? A simple nudge would have sufficed.”

Yeah, he well, maybe he was right, but Mika chose to ignore his words as her face heated with embarrassment. She turned away and swam as fast as she could toward the dock, not so elegantly climbing the rope ladder before stomping soaking wet toward the shore.

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