“Not a problem. I always keep some in the guest staterooms.”
“Do you have guests often?” I pictured Gabriella stretched out on one of the deck chairs.
He lounged back, swinging his muscled calves up to a plump hassock. “But of course. Why else have a yacht? My mother didn’t want to come today but sometimes Sofia comes. Her husband used to love the boat. I think he wished it were his but then of course, his illness.”
The orange juice arrived in pilsner glasses beaded with moisture. My mouth was as parched as an undipped biscotti and I quickly downed a mouthful.
“I’ve wanted to talk to you, Christina.”
Oh boy. Here it comes.Was this where I got the sack? Was this when he’d send me packing? After all, Gregorio was set up to take his test in Milan. Did the family feel they didn’t need me anymore? I would be ready to leave.
Easy for my rational side to point out, but my heart didn’t agree.
Marco set his drink on a glass-topped table. “I should apologize.”
I shot a glance below to where the kids were cavorting on the pool deck. They hadn’t heard a word. Thank goodness he was keeping his voice low. “About what?”
His brown eyes deepened. “That night. I didn’t want you to think I took advantage of you.”
Every cell in my body leaned toward this man. Keeping my body upright, I exhaled a tight breath. “No need for that.” My fingers traced the wavy design on the seat cushion.
“Yes, I think there is very much a need for an apology. And I will make one.”
The man was really fired up about it. Made me wonder how often he apologized. “Okay, shoot.”
Marco’s head jerked up, and he glanced around. “Shoot?”
“It’s just a...”
His wrinkled forehead smoothed again. “Ah, yes of course. One of your figures?”
“Yes, one of those figures of speech that I keep forgetting about.” Sometimes his confusion could be so endearing.
Right now he was being very serious. “I don’t want you to think that I would take advantage of you. You are a guest in my home. Yes, I am employing you, but I have no right to make you kiss me.”
Make me? Oh, if he only knew. This apology had not been without effort. I could see that. Perspiration beaded his upper lip. Normally that would turn me off. But not with him. “You did not make me kiss you,” I whispered, my voice hoarse.
“No? So you felt it too.” His hand swirled between us, as if he were casting a magical circle.
My mouth was sandpaper. I took a sip of juice and the citrus hit me in the back of the throat. “Yes, I felt something.”
“Well then. I do not know what to do.” He sounded like a student in one of my classes. What was the next assignment? How often did I look up after class to find a student standing at my desk with questions about the assignment because he hadn’t been listening?
But Marco wasn’t a young man of sixteen or seventeen. No, he was a man. A man who apparently needed reassurance.
Just then Lexi appeared, out of breath and followed by Gregorio. “Mom, can I go swimming? I can, can’t I?”
“Yes, did you bring everything?” Would she want to swim without the rash guard that hid her arm from view? Had her friendship developed to that point?
“Yep, got it all and good to go.”
I didn’t know where that confidence had come from, but if Gregorio was the reason, I was very grateful. They disappeared.
Marco’s eyes followed them. “They get on well, don’t they?”
“Yes, they are friends.”
“You know, at first my mother was surprised by Lexi.” He grinned, remembering.
