“Leave me alone,” I say quietly, wishing I sounded more confident. One of them laughs.
“But we only just got here. Come on, princess, show us what you’re drawing.”
“No!” I say, clutching the sketchpad to my chest. “My dad will be back any moment...and you don’t want to be here when he shows up.”
The man rolls his eyes. “Like we believe that story. Well, if you won’t show me, I guess I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
He lunges forward and snatches the sketchpad from my hands. I try to protest, but no sound comes from my mouth. He glances at the picture.
“Well, this is pretty good.” He turns to me with a smirk and then kneels beside me in the sand, coming too close for comfort. “Why don’t you let me spend a little time with you, hmm? You can draw me instead of whoever this guy is.”
“I’m not interested. Leave me alone.”
“Come on, princess,” he leers at me. “Give a guy a chance.”
He leans in to try and kiss me, but before he can, he’s suddenly hauled to his feet. I gasp in shock as I look up and see someone has pulled him to his feet. My savior towers over the creepy guy, who drops my sketchpad at his feet. The sun is blinding so it takes me a moment to realize who’s rescued me.
It’s him.
Jaxson
I can feel rage building inside me, but there’s something else too. Something primal and raw and animalistic. I want to make this guy regret ever approaching this beautiful woman on the beach, but normally, I wouldn’t be quite so forceful. So what’s different this time?
It’s her. This pale skinned beauty with her dark hair and blue eyes that twinkle like stars in the sunlight. She’s made me this way. She’s brought out a side to me I didn’t know existed. She’s made me want to protect her at all costs.
And that’s what I’m going to do.
I shake the guy who was harassing her by his shoulders. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why were you harassing this woman?”
The skinny little creep has the sense to look afraid. “I’m, I’m sorry...I’ll leave now. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“Oh, but I think you did,” I growl. “You didn’t listen to her when she told you to back off. That makes you the asshole. You’re only listening to me, respecting me because I’m the bigger man. But you know that already. You’re just a coward.”
The beautiful woman watches me in awe. As I glance at her, it becomes harder to draw my eyes away from her again. She’s just so damn beautiful. Her body is all curves. She’s got heavy breasts that she’s hiding away under her swimsuit. But looks shy, like she doesn’t realize how just incredible she is. And I want to take the time to show her just how much she’s worth.
But first, I need to deal with this idiot.
“Apologize to her. Right. Now.”
The skinny little weasel is shaking where he stands. But he looks at the woman and says, “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone.”
I release him and he runs off down the beach, clearly terrified, his two friends following in terror. At least that’s one issue dealt with.
I turn back to the woman and feel a rush of adrenaline inside me. My cock is hard as steel. And I can barely believe the effect she’s having on me. All these years on my own, there has never been one single woman that has ever caught my attention. Now, this goddess just happens to be here on the same beach as me, miles from home. I came to Thailand to surf and relax after a busy period at work… but I never expected to fall for someone.
My heart skips a beat. That’s what’s happening. I’m falling for her, before we’ve even said a single word to one another.
I have to pull myself together.
“Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” I growl, towering over her protectively. If I have my way, no man will ever go near her again. Not after I make her mine.
“I...I’m okay,” she whispers. “They were just idiots.”
“They won’t bother you again. I’ll make sure of it,” I insist forcefully. I see her sketchpad lying on the ground and pick it up for her, brushing the sand from it. She looks horrified and when I turn in over I see why she feels embarrassed.
I see myself staring back at me from the paper. She’s managed to capture me perfectly. She’s managed to get the dark smoldering look in my eyes that so many people tell me makes me look unapproachable. Even without using color, she’s gotten the tone of my skin and the exact shades of my hair. She’s damn good.
“You’re very talented,” I say. My eyes meeting hers. “I feel honored that you chose to draw me.”
She blushes, which only makes me feel more attracted to her. God, the things I’d do to her. I don’t even know her name and I want her more than anything I’ve ever wanted before.
“What’s your name?” I growl.
“I’m...my name is Stella.”
“Stella.” Her name is as beautiful as she is. It’s a perfect name for her, matching the stars in her eyes. “I’m Jaxson. So you must be an artist, right?”
She blushes again. “I’m still a student...there’s a long way to go for me.”
Of course, she’s a student. She’s still so young. Another reason why I shouldn’t be here, flirting with her on the beach. But I can’t help myself. How can I let her go now when she’s the one woman in this entire world who can get my heart
