“Well, in that case, I’d love to.”
I gestured to the stairs that led to the main cabin. “After you.”
FOR A FEW hours the catamaran sailed along the coastline, giving us magnificent views of the island that Benoit hadn’t seen from this angle before. It was one thing to view Santorini from high above, but out here on the water he could see it all: the villages, the iconic caldera. No matter where I went, nothing ever compared to this place. But now that I was seeing it through Benoit’s eyes, I could appreciate just how beautiful it really was. Wild I’d never paid attention before.
“Looks like we weren’t the only ones with this idea,” he said, pouring himself another glass of his favorite brandy that I’d tracked down. He took a long, appreciative sip, poured a little more, and then nodded at the other boats all around us.
“Want me to get rid of them?”
His brow shot up. “I’d love to know how you’d do that.”
“A couple of shots fired usually does the trick.”
“Usually? So you do this often?”
“Do I value my privacy and hate anyone coming too close? You know the answer to that.”
Benoit let out a laugh and shook his head before reaching for my hand, pulling me out onto the beach platform of the boat with him. Usually this was the spot for tanning or lounging after a swim, but tonight it was set up with a plush assortment of blankets and pillows, perfect for watching the night sky.
Who the fuckwasI?
A sudden explosion to my right had me moving fast, shoving Benoit down on the ground and reaching for my weapons stored in the lockbox. No hesitation, just action. Whoever was popping off would regret it, and the second I had the gun in my hand, I got to my knees and?—
“It’s okay,” Benoit said, placing a palm on my ankle. “They’re just testing the fireworks.”
What?
Another bang sounded, coming from the same direction as the first, and when I lifted my gaze to the sky, I saw the green and gold flashes lighting it up.
Fuck.My shoulders dropped as the rush of adrenaline eased off, and Benoit gave my leg a squeeze.
“Sorry,” I said as I put the gun away and turned back to face him. Miraculously, he still held his full glass, not a drop spilled even when he’d hit the floor.
“It’s okay. We’re safe.”
But paranoia still had me looking around, memorizing each of the faces on the nearby yachts and party boats, searching out anyone with an ill intent. Shit, maybe this had been a bad idea. Too many people and no way to protect the two of us if?—
Benoit’s lips crashing down on mine had those thoughts instantly ceasing, jolting me back to reality. That delicious tongue, sweetened with brandy, stroked mine, unhurried.
I fell into his kiss easily, giving him the focus he deserved, and then he pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.
“Better?”
I nodded and ran my hand down his back. “Much.”
“Good.” He handed me his glass and then rose to his feet, heading back to the bar cart inside to pour another drink. When he came back, he also had a box of cigars and a devilish smile. “You know, I have to say, seeing you jump into hot protector mode is sexy. A little alarming, but it’s nice to know you weren’t going to let me get riddled with holes. Doesn’t really work with my outfit.”
As he settled in beside me on the blankets, I took a long swallow of brandy, my heart rate finally coming back down.
Everything was fine. It was just an overreaction, but it’d triggered me, sending up a rush of memories I tried to keep locked away.
“I think we deserve these after that,” he said, choosing a cigar from the box and cutting off the tip. He toasted the foot before bringing it to his lips and gently puffing, then handed it to me.
“No, it’s yours.”
“Non, mon monstre. To my hero.” He winked and placed the stogie between my lips.
“Hardly,” I said, but I couldn’t complain once I drew the smoke into my mouth and savored the smooth, rich flavor. It instantly brought a calm to my body that only Benoit had been able to match, and when I blew out the smoke and opened my eyes, the affectionate way he was looking at me made my heart stutter.
