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The declaration rang hollow, so she busied herself selecting a dinner outfit before all her belongings were spirited away. Then, with nothing to do but while away the hours, she indulged in a long, luxurious bath.
* * *
Inevitably, evening arrived, and she stood on the jetty, waiting to be ferried to the yacht.
She ran nervous fingers over her dress, wondering if she was overdressed. Too late. The off-the-shoulder chiffon dress in shimmery ombre colours that progressed from white at the bodice through shades of blue and purple to end in a dark mauve at her feet would just have to do. Besides simple silver hoops in her ears, she’d forgone jewellery, letting her free-flowing hair provide the protective layer—albeit a laughable one—she badly needed.
The seventy-metre yacht was ablaze with golden light, a gorgeous streamlined vessel made more awe-inspiring by its perfect reflection in the glass-smooth water. Each second they grew closer, and Faye’s mouth grew drier.
‘Nothing has changed...’
‘For my own sanity...’
Maceo’s words pounded deep and hard inside her until she could hear nothing but his deep rasp, the dark promise in his voice that would surely be her doom unless she employed every self-preservation tactic she could muster.
She was taking calming breaths when the tender drew up alongside the yacht. A steward helped her onboard and led her through stunning reception areas and hallways decorated in gleaming champagne, gold and bronze accents and up several staircases to the main deck.
There, Maceo waited, leaning against the railing with his profile turned away from her as he sipped from a crystal glass. A lightweight sand-coloured suit complemented his pristine white shirt, both colours drawing attention to his vibrant tanned skin and sculpted features.
The steward discreetly melted away, and Faye took a moment to arm herself against the onslaught of sensations Maceo never failed to elicit. She managed two full seconds before his head whipped in her direction, burnished gold eyes zeroing in on her. He searched her face for several seconds, before conducting a slow, tortuous scrutiny of her body.
‘Buona sera, Faye,’ he finally rasped, leaving his position to stride towards her. ‘You look sublime.’
‘Thank you. I think I read somewhere that yachts and heels don’t go together. Do I need to take my shoes off?’
Her question invited extended scrutiny, from her feet to her hair, where it rested for an eternity. ‘You may do whatever pleases you,’ he murmured silkily, before reaching past her to pluck a fruity concoction that was ready and waiting on a silver tray.
Faye took it from him, sampled it and almost groaned as decadent flavours burst on her tongue.
His lips twitched. ‘Good?’
She nodded. ‘Very—thank you.’
Maceo nodded towards the railing. ‘Come, let’s catch the last of the sunset before it’s gone.’
Considering his final words to her that afternoon, Faye wondered if this was the first stage in another devious skirmish. But, unlike during his assessment of her, now Maceo’s face gave nothing away.
Deciding to accept his invitation at face value, she kicked off her shoes and accompanied him to the railing. The evening would probably turn fraught at some point anyway, on account of the picture tucked away in her clutch bag.
The reminder made her shiver, drawing his sharp gaze.
‘Are you cold?’
‘No, just... It’s nothing.’
Like her, he seemed to accept her response at face value. He started pointing out stunning landmarks to her, and Faye realised the vessel was moving. She cast one last look over her shoulder at the villa, the sense of leaving safety behind dripping apprehension into her veins.
‘No need to look so alarmed, cara. You will be returned safe and sound.’
‘Would you confess if you intended the opposite?’ she teased.
Her attempt at humour misfired when his face hardened. ‘You have my word that I will always be truthful with you, Faye,’ he stated, with such gravity she felt the power of it deep inside.
‘Thank you,’ she replied, praying he’d lend credence to his words before
the evening ended.
After a charged moment he nodded, then slid effortlessly back into host mode. Almost in perfect synchrony, they sipped their drinks as the sun disappeared in a ball of gorgeous flame into the sea.
