James: I’m going to contact Interpol if you don’t make contact in the next 12 hrs
After they’d eaten she toured the yacht properly with him and he introduced her to the crew—a husband and wife team, plus extras who were friendly enough but discreet and kept their distance. Which seemingly was the way Levi wanted it.
It surprised her, he’d always seemed such the extrovert. Always talking and laughing, so at ease surrounded by so many.
“You didn’t want to bring friends on this trip?” she asked as they stood at the railing at the back of the boat, looking back at the way they’d come.
“No. I wanted a complete break. The last ten years have been nothing but busy. I wanted space and time to think. I’ve disabled the Internet connection.” he suddenly turned to look at her. “But I can get it back if you need it.”
“No, I don’t need it.” An escape for a day sounded perfect. But to take a whole trip that way? For a guy so gregarious? “You’re not lonely?”
He laughed. “Having some space to myself? Going where I want to go? I wasn’t able to do that once in the last decade. Hell, not ever. This is bliss for me.”
That she could understand. She smiled as she looked down into the blue water. “I hope I’m not cramping your bliss?”
“I don’t think so.” He chuckled, turning to face forward and leant back against the railing, so he could look at her. “Am I cramping your bliss? You’re travelling alone, right?”
She nodded.
“Why?” he asked. “You and Tess were so attached to each other.”
“Well, she’s off getting settled…”
“You don’t want to get settled?”
“Not yet, no. There are things I want to see, places I want to go.”
“And you’re happy doing that alone?”
“I need to.” It was the only way she was going to do it. “I’m like tofu.”
He laughed. “Tofu?”
“Yeah. You know how it’s tasteless in itself, but when you put it with something, it takes on that flavor. Whatever sauce.”
“Becca, you’re not tasteless.”
She rolled her eyes. “I mean—I take on the flavor of whatever—whoever—I’m with. Their interests become my interests. Their desires, mine.” She’d taken accountancy papers because of one boyfriend. Studied French films for another. She was pathetic.
“So you’re saying you don’t want to be tainted by someone else’s plans?”
She nodded. “So I’ll only stay in the one place for a few weeks—no time to get unduly influenced by a new friend—”
“Or lover.”
“Right.”
He frowned. “So did you only crush on me back then because Tess was?”
“What? No!” Becca blushed, suddenly hot all over.
“Oh, so you do have your own desires then,” he chuckled.
“Of course I do,” she snapped back. “The trouble is that when I’m with someone, I sink my own, in favor of following whatever the other person wants.”
“Alright, then for the rest of the time you’re onboard, we only do what you want to do. I am yours to be played with however you see fit.”
She gaped at him for a moment, then grinned. She had to hand it to the guy. “Smooth.”
“I try,” he winked.
But she wasn’t spending the entire time with him as her sex slave. Well, not all the time.
And twenty-four too short hours later, the harbor came into view. It was all going to be over so very soon. Way too soon.
“You know you can’t go ashore tonight,” he said, holding her close even as the crew dropped the anchor.
“No? Why not?”
“Seas are too rough.”
Beneath her feet the wooden deck was barely lifting and falling, the water was so still. “Oh, they are?”
“I wouldn’t want you to get swept overboard from that little boat.”
She had a feeling she’d already gone overboard and drowned—but what a heavenly way to go.
“I think it’s better if you stay the night.”
Becca looked up at him, felt the warmth of his embrace, the tempting tease of his fingers as he lightly stroked her spine.
“Another night,” he said.
Was he inviting or demanding? Either way, Becca’s resistance was melting. Did it really matter, just this once, if she gave in?
“But I suppose tomorrow, I’ll wake up somewhere new,” she breathed, only partly teasing.
“If that’s what you’d like.” He looked at her, the question in his eyes.
She smiled. Glad that he was giving her the option. “I’d like to wake up somewhere new.” Just a little more fantasy wouldn’t hurt, would it?
“A few more nights?” he questioned.
She nodded.
“How about I get you to Mykonos?” he asked.
“Yes.” Then she’d say goodbye.
