Robbie wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in to his side. Alice’s mouth went dry, her body heated up, and her heart thumped harder. It was natural to wrap her arms around his lower back and waist and cuddle into him. He was huge, firm, warm, smelled delicious, and was the most enticing man to touch and be touched by. She’d always felt like Robbie was a warrior of olden days and like she was more important than a queen to him.
Geraldo snapped multiple angles and then handed the phone back. Robbie released her to take the phone and slide it into his pocket. She felt the loss of his touch clear through. She grasped the railing and focused on the gorgeous stonework and arches of the bridge so she wouldn’t inadvertently reach out for him.
They motored back to their starting position. Robbie tipped Geraldo and they both thanked him.
“What next?” she asked.
“I think you’ll like it.” He smiled and walked her over to another dock that was teeming with the swan-like gondolas.
She clapped her hands together. “Oh, yes please.”
Merrick conferred with three men she assumed were their gondoliers, and then she and Robbie slid into one gondola and Merrick and Price each got in their own gondola. Merrick’s gondolier led the way. She and Robbie sat side by side in the middle of the long, thin boatwhile their gondolier was in the back, preparing to maneuver them through the water with a thick wooden pole.
She could hardly wait for their gondola ride; it looked romantic and perfectly Venice. They pushed away from the dock. At the same time, three tour boats motored out of the docks, quickly gaining speed as they headed for the exterior of the island. The waves rocked their small craft. Alice gasped and leaned into Robbie.
He wrapped her up tight and secured her against his side. “It’s all right. It’s safe,” he murmured into her forehead.
Alice cuddled into him, appreciative of his strength and reassurance. His unique mint, bergamot, and ginger scent flooded her senses.
The ride didn’t get less hazardous. The guide pushed their way into the Grand Canal with his long pole, explaining the water wasn’t deep so he could reach. The Grand Canal was busy, full of large boats similar to their recent boat tour and what they’d seen on the canal during lunch. The gondola rocked violently as they maneuvered through traffic. Their guide was confident and kept them moving forward and not capsizing like Alice feared. Finally they turned into a smaller canal, a side street.
“Nowi meie amici, you relax,” the gondolier advised in a heavy accent. “Quiet waters.”
“Oh, thank heavens,” Alice said.
He was right. They went through narrow canals, under bridges, and past nearly deserted side streets, some of them likely the streets they’d traversed this morning. She couldn’t be certain, as many of the buildings had similar architecture, colors, and geraniums and petunias flowing out of window boxes.
The view and the ride were intriguing. She enjoyed the experience. Especially being pressed close to Robbie, feeling the brush of his soft beard or warm breath against the side of her face or neck, the strength in his arms and chest as he held her close.
Could she get used to that beard? Could she get used to this unfamiliar and thrilling Robbie? Could they have a second chance?
A second chance wasn’t smart for her heart and could mean mortal peril to Robbie. She needed to straighten away from him so Big Buddha wouldn’t somehow find out she was falling for him again.
No. She wasn’t falling for him again, even though Robbie was nearly impossible to resist. She’d be strong.
After the gondola ride.
Chapter
Seven
Robbie enjoyed the gondola ride.With Alice in his arms, and not angry at him, he could enjoy anything. He savored the sweet smell of raspberries and cream and her silky hair brushing his cheek and nose.
He searched the alleys, bridges, and walkways but saw nothing out of place besides some tourists noticing them and staring, probably wondering if they were celebrities with their obvious bodyguards in front of and behind them. Price and Merrick diligently kept watch.
The ride was over an hour, and every moment was filled with all things Alice—laughing when he said anything even half funny, cuddling into him, looking up at him with those big dark eyes he could get lost in.
The experience finished far too quickly. Their guide pushed through the busy Grand Canal and to the docks, and Robbie helped Alice back onto the wooden-planked dock.
“We made it,” she said, smiling sweetly at him.
He palmed the gondolier some money. “Our guide was an expert.”
“Ciao.” The man grasped his hand and then blew Alice a kiss.
They waited for Price and Merrick, then made their way backthrough the tangle of the main square. Robbie reached for Alice’s hand, but she twisted and pointed, pulling her hand away.
“Do you see that line of people? I think we can ride up the tower and get a bird’s-eye view of the city.”
