Page 17

***

I was aware that Linc was watching me, and I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy it. It had been a while since anyone had looked at me with admiration. As he handed me my coffee, our fingers brushed, and he pulled his hand away so quickly I almost dropped the mug.

We reached Crystal Cove by lunchtime, and I was so taken with it, I could have spent the whole ten days there. It was one of those perfect coral islands that you see on the tourist brochures. Pure white sand, palm trees waving in the breeze, and translucent blue water. This was Mother Nature at her best. No photoshopped colours.

Paradise.

‘What’s the plan, captain?’ Linc asked as we headed down to the galley once we were moored.

‘Swim, sleep, read, eat.’

‘In that order?’ he joked. ‘I’m starving.’

‘Okay. Eat first. Then sleep, swim, read, sleep. How does that sound?’

The galley was small, and it was hard to prepare lunch without brushing against each other constantly.

Although the fourth time Linc reached past me and his arm brushed the side of my left breast, I wondered if it was deliberate. My awareness of him was so strong, it was a wonder he didn’t run a mile.

Eventually we’d prepared sandwiches and a cheese platter, and as I went to head up to the deck, Linc pointed to the fridge. ‘A drink?’

‘Hmm. Maybe. What are you having?’

‘A beer,’ he replied.

‘Okay. I’ll have a wine. Thanks.’

I carried the tray with the food, and he came behind me with the drinks. We settled on the comfortable lounges behind the helm.

‘I forgot to tell you that I had success with our friend, Andre this morning.’

‘Yes?’ I paused as I reached for a sandwich.

‘Success. You’re no longer an illegal immigrant.’ He glanced down at his watch. ‘Your passport should just about be locked in the safe at our airport now. Along with your money and your folder.’

‘Oh, thank you.’ I put my hand on my chest and his gaze followed it down there. A shivery warmth ran down my spine, and I realised I’d never felt like this with Brad.

With anyone.

‘That’s a huge relief.’

‘My pleasure.’

We spent the afternoon frolicking in the water and walking along the beach collecting shells. Amore was the only boat in the bay and this paradise was ours alone.

We swam back to the yacht and Linc pulled himself up the ladder before holding his hand out to me.

His grip was strong, and his hand warm despite being wet. He pulled me aboard and I stumbled as I stepped off the ladder. His arms opened and I fell against him. Linc’s chest was hard and warm and bare against my skin.

His groan echoed the way I was feeling. His arms went around me holding me close.

‘Do you mind if I get something out of the way, and then this tension that’s between us might go away?’

‘What would that something be?’ My voice was husky.

His hands lifted and his fingers were gentle as he slowly pushed my wet hair from my face. Almost reverently Linc cupped my cheeks in his hands while his eyes stayed on mine. Slowly . . . oh, so slowly . . . he lowered his head until we were a breath apart. He closed his eyes and those gorgeous eyelashes caressed my cheeks when he opened his eyes again.

I drew a sharp breath as his lips brushed my closed eyelids. No one had ever kissed me like this before. His lips slid down my cheek until his mouth hovered above mine.