The boat was idling and we scrambled onboard. Marco sat there, so handsome in khaki shorts and a white shirt, left unbuttoned. He looked fit and tan. My own white shorts and green top seemed conservative but I didn’t care. Today wasn’t about me.
After a few directions from Milo, I ended up sitting next to Marco up front. Gregorio and Lexi sat behind us. Vitas took the helm. Men untied the ropes, tossing them into the back of the boat with a heavy thud. Very slowly, Vitas eased the boat out into the sunshine. Once outside, he let it rip. Taking a scarf from my tote, I tied it around my hair.
Marco shot me a bemused look. “What?” I asked, patting my scarf.
He shrugged and I felt dismissed.
The boat slapped over the waves, sending a welcome spray. I held on to the side, not wanting to fall against Marco.
“Relax, Profesora,” he murmured as the boat picked up speed. He stretched one arm behind me along the seat. “I will not bite you.”
“How ridiculous. Of course not.” My sunglasses were speckled with water.
Off in the distance sat a yacht at anchor. As we advanced, Vitas did not change course.
“Really? We’re headed there?” I practically had to shout.
“Don’t sound so surprised,” Marco murmured.
But I hadn’t expected a boat this size. The yacht anchored off the coastline looked huge. We approached until it loomed above us. Our boat nudged up to a ladder. Gregorio and Lexi were the first ones off the boat, climbing briskly up the ladder, like it was no big deal. Marco helped me up as the boat rocked.
“This is yours?” One hand on the ladder that made my stomach do a flip, I glanced down at him.
“Yes. This once belonged to Onassis. I think you’ll like it. His estate sold off some of his yachts.” Right. Said so casually. Hand on my back, Marco gave me a nudge. “Up, Profesora.”
“You mean Aristotle Onassis?” Feeling weak-kneed and disoriented, I made myself climb up the ladder.Just one foot after the other, Christina.
“Yes, of course.” Warm and steadying, Marco’s hand stayed on my back.
Although I’d gotten used to the grandiosity of the castle, Marco was still full of surprises. Maybe it was always like this with him. He no doubt had lunch with presidents or prime ministers all the time.
The end of August could not come soon enough. When I got to the top, a strong arm reached out and grabbed mine. “Stefano, take her.”
We’d been asked to wear shoes with rubber soles. Now my tennis shoes squeaked on the immaculate wooden deck when Stefano helped land me on my feet.
“Mom, hurry” Lexi called from up front. “You’ve got to see this. They have a pool.”
I glanced at Marco, who shrugged. “How do you Americans say it? No big deal.”
Glancing up, I took it in. Everywhere I looked, men dressed in sparkling white stood waiting. “Trust me, Marco. Where I come from, this is a very big deal.”
We’d come to a stairway. “Let’s go up,” Marco said, his skin glowing in the sun. “We can relax.”
“Relax?” My nerves were on overdrive. Unknotting my scarf, I tucked it back in my tote. Marco led me to a seating area done in aqua and a deeper blue, similar to the chairs at his pool. Seating for a large number of people was accommodated in four or five clusters. When I sat down, the cushion of the loveseat was solid but comfortable.
A waiter arrived. “Could I get you something, Madam?”
“Orange juice?” I managed to squeak out.
“Make that two, Ignacio,” Marco held up two fingers. With a subtle nod, Ignacio disappeared.
“I thought you and Lexi would like to get away from the heat,” Marco said, sitting next to me.
“Yes, this is a wonderful idea. Thank you.” What did it cost to take a boat like this out for the day? I didn’t want him to think I was ungrateful. “It’s lovely.” Beyond the boat, the water stretched forever, its turquoise color deepening when clouds drifted across the sky.
“We can sit at the pool if you prefer,” Marco nodded his head to a lower level, where Lexi sat laughing with Gregorio.
“I didn’t bring a suit.”
