in the most serene, run-down little courtyard. Pink and red azaleas bloomed out of the crevices of the rocks and the sound of birds was audible from the palm trees.
“Are you alright?” Antonio had raced after her and now had a protective arm around her waist.
“Yes,” Kenzie answered, composing herself as best she could. “This is all just a little...overwhelming.”
Antonio frowned, and she was touched that he seemed so seriously concerned about her well-being. Kenzie did her best to shake off any bad feelings the sight of those rum stills had stirred up and instead decided to focus on the beautiful, tranquil surroundings.
“It’s like an oasis here,” she commented.
“It is quite beautiful,” Antonio agreed. She noticed that he still had his hand on her. The warm pressure on the small of her back radiated up her spine and made every inch of her skin feel more sensitive.
“Believe me, I would love nothing more than a beautiful partner in the operations here,” Antonio said seriously, turning to face her. “But you have no use for this place.” He said it so firmly that for a moment, Kenzie believed it. “Why not make a deal? Let me do what I do best. You’ll walk away with a lot of money and then...” he boldly reached out and moved a curl off Kenzie’s face, “then we can celebrate both of our good fortunes.”
Kenzie smiled tentatively and assessed Antonio. His words were so commanding, so smooth, it was hard not to be persuaded by him. But something in his eyes betrayed this extreme confidence. She thought maybe it was a hint of vulnerability. He was looking for something, just like she was, too.
“I don’t know...” said Kenzie, allowing herself to think out loud. Antonio’s face was so close to hers, she could easily lean in and feel the stubble on his face, rough against her soft skin. She took a step back.
“Something tells me that this place has potential,” she said, looking around.
Okay, so it was probably ill-advised, but when Kenzie got one of those feelings, she knew there was no stopping her. It was the same feeling she had when she saw the abandoned warehouse space that was now her thriving yoga studio. She had a way of seeing beyond what things were and envisioning a greater end result. Maybe there was something great to be brought out in Baracoa. She just needed to uncover it.
“I have a proposition,” she said, looking at Antonio pointedly. “If I can get this distillery on its way toward turning a profit in a week’s time, you give me all of your shares and I own it outright. If I fail, then it’s yours to keep.”
Antonio shook his head. A bemused smile played across his lips. “Kenzie... I know you are a smart businessperson.” Antonio spoke slowly, and it seemed like he was trying to choose his words carefully. “But you don’t know anything about running a distillery. I don’t want to rob you of your inheritance.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Kenzie reached out and touched Antonio’s bare forearm in a gesture to drive her point home—and maybe as an excuse to have physical contact with him again. “I’ve gotten this far by trusting my gut.”
Antonio grabbed Kenzie’s arm and pulled her close to him. The electricity ricocheting back and forth between their bodies was undeniable.
“I’ve wanted to do this again since this morning,” Antonio whispered, leaning his face in toward Kenzie, ready to kiss her. Oh, how she longed to feel his mouth pressed against hers again, to bite his lips and allow his tongue to penetrate not just her mouth but all of her orifices. She wanted to feel those strong shoulders again. She needed to make sure they were really as solid as she remembered from the first time she had allowed herself to touch them, to let her hands linger over the muscles just long enough to get totally turned on. Taking a deep breath, the kind she instructed her students to do to begin their yoga practice, she collected herself and held him back with her hand placed firmly against his muscular chest.
“You’re used to getting everything you want, aren’t you?” she asked him, her eyes gleaming with a challenge.
Antonio raised an eyebrow and met her gaze. “I know what I like, and I go after it,” he said plainly. “And I really like you.” He put his hand around her waist and pulled her in toward him.
Kenzie’s knees weakened. She could feel his hardness pressing into the side of her hip. She couldn’t deny what a boost to her ego it was that he was this turned on and all they were doing was talking. “Tell me you don’t want this, too,” he whispered, speaking directly into the spot on the side of her neck that was her most sensitive place. She could feel the stubble of his half-grown beard grazing up against her skin and a shiver ran through her body.
“How about I sweeten the deal?” Kenzie asked. The sensible part of her brain was telling her to keep her distance, to be cautious, but the primal side of her was allowing her to relish the long kisses Antonio was expertly administering to the side of her neck.
“I like the sound of that,” Antonio murmured in between licks and bites.
“If I don’t turn Baracoa around, you also get all of me.”
Antonio paused his exploration and looked pointedly at Kenzie. “Hasn’t that happened already...back at your hotel?” he asked, his voice heavy with lust.
Kenzie tilted her head to the side. Her resolve was shaking but she kept her voice firm. “I don’t just mean my body. I mean all of me. Really.”
Antonio nodded. “A relationship?”
“Let’s just call it a chance to go...deeper. So, do you think you’re up for it? Do you want to take me on?”
Antonio stepped back and exhaled, raking his fingers through his hair. She had been right, her words had obviously rocked him to his core. She smiled, knowing she could have this effect on him without even touching him.
“There has to be a catch,” Antonio said cautiously. “If I lose? Which I won’t...” he added.
Kenzie’s eyes narrowed. “Then I go back to New York and you never see me again.”
Ooph. It sounded harsh when she heard herself say it out loud. But truthfully, it was the only outcome Kenzie could really imagine. They would have some fun, she would of course win, and then be on her way. Like she always was.
The proposition made Antonio shake his head. “You really like torturing me, don’t you?”
“Maybe just a little.” Kenzie smiled. She had to admit, she was enjoying this playful banter. It had been a long time since she had actually wanted to flirt like this with someone, to delight in seeing their reaction to her. And Antonio’s reactions were anything but subtle.
“Okay,” he acquiesced. “But you can’t leave me like this.” Antonio looked at her wantonly. “I won’t make it back to the city.”
Kenzie observed the bulge that was currently testing the limits of Antonio’s trouser zipper.
“Take off your pants,” she instructed.
Antonio hesitated. “But you just said...”
“Take off your pants,” Kenzie reiterated, her voice firm now.
Antonio glanced around. There was no one else in sight and the only sounds that were audible were the birds and the gentle whirring of the fermentation tanks. In one swift motion, Antonio’s pants were off, and he stood before her in just his shirt, his proud erection pointing straight toward her.
“The shirt, too,” she said matter-of-factly.
Kenzie relished the vision of his naked body in front of her. The other night she hadn’t really had a chance to assess him, but now she took her time, committing all of the details of his form to memory. His body was muscular but not bulky, with defined pecs and abs and a treasure trail leading from his belly button straight down to one of the most formidable members she had ever laid eyes on. It was perfect really, long but not too long, with a beautiful, rounded head