It was then she noticed that while she had been distracted he had taken her further out, and she had been treading water just as he had been. As if her body naturally followed his lead.
What would it be like to dance with him?
She wondered where that thought had come from. She had never danced in her life.
‘I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ she said, incredulous.
A pulsing rhythm beat between them. The air was growing taut. Could Vasili feel it too?
‘You’re a fast learner, but I’d rather not push you. Shall we go back to shore and see what’s in the picnic basket?’
He was forcing her away, but she knew then that he was just as affected. ‘I’d like that.’
After drying themselves off, and keeping a respectable distance from each other, Vasili pulled two flute glasses and a bottle of champagne from the basket, followed by strawberries, dips, and an assortment of finger foods. The resort kitchen had gone all out.
Helia picked up a particularly deep red strawberry. Vasili’s eyes darkened and she saw him track the path of the fruit to her lips and the bite she took. Sweet flavour exploded on her tongue. Juice dripped down her hand, and she quickly licked it away.
It looked as if he was grinding his teeth.
‘So, I told you a memory—now it’s your turn.’
He cleared his throat, and his voice seemed a touch lower. ‘What do you want to know?’
‘The same. A good memory.’
She could see him thinking. Taking a long time to do so.
‘Is it really that hard to think of one?’
‘Yes.’ But before she could comment further, he was talking. ‘When Leander and I were children he would sneak into my room at night. At first he used to steal treats from the kitchens and bring them up, but I got better at it than him. I would smuggle our contraband into my room and every night we would spend a few hours gorging on snacks.’
‘You were close?’
‘Not especially. He had a destiny he had to be prepared for. It didn’t leave us a lot of time for bonding.’
Helia didn’t want to point out that from where she sat it seemed they’d been incredibly close. What she wouldn’t have given to have had a sibling all those years in the orphanage. She also got the distinct impression that Vasili wasn’t telling her the full truth. That was okay. She would just listen to what he felt safe revealing. Maybe one day he would share more.
‘You miss him a lot, don’t you?’ she said.
‘I do. Champagne?’
‘Yes, please.’
She allowed him to change the topic.
‘You said you hadn’t flown before, but have you travelled anywhere?’
‘A few times we went on holiday to a cabin in the forest a few hours outside of Seidon. It was beautiful there. Peaceful. Just my father and I.’
‘May I ask how he passed away?’
She was aware of how closely Vasili watched her. ‘An aneurysm.’
Like a switch, her whole life had changed after that.
‘I’m sorry.’
He reached over and took her hand in his. Over the years, Helia had grown numb to the sympathy she would receive when anyone found out she was an orphan, but with Vasili she wanted to lean into him. It felt as if he was offering comfort and warmth. It was that dangerous hope again—but this man had shown her there was a depth to him that not many chose to see, so Helia believed his kindness.
