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‘Last night?’ I prompt when he doesn’t answer.
‘Fine.’
Out of nowhere, a blade of jealousy assails me, as the unpleasant thought occurs to me that he’d left me to meet another woman. Memories of the phone call where a woman’s voice had been audible in the background make my breath feel hot in my lungs. My envy is based on nothing but fear—I don’t know Santiago that well but I somehow trust that he’s not the kind of man who would go from making love to me to being with another woman all in the same night.
I move away from him on the pretence of exploring, moving across the deck and then along a railing, ducking into the main cabin and marvelling at the space—it looks like a state-of-the-art hotel, all glossy white with plush décor, sofas and an enormous television.
/> I’m aware that we’ve stopped moving and a glance through the windows shows only ocean and, in the distance, a stunning view of the city. There are no other boats that I can see, and we’re far from the land—far enough to render the buildings miniature.
‘There you are.’ He pulls me into his arms, kissing me hard and fast, as though he’s been aching to do this all his life.
My head spins. ‘Hi.’ The word is just a breath in my mouth.
‘I’m glad you came.’
‘Well, as it turns out, I didn’t have anything else to do,’ I tease.
His laugh is a rumble. ‘Are you hungry?’
‘After that breakfast? I don’t know if I’ll ever eat again.’
‘I’m glad you have energy.’ His eyes spark with mine, his meaning clear, and I laugh—but there’s an undercurrent of need pulling at me, drawing me to him, so I ache for him to kiss me again.
‘Where are we?’
‘Drifting in the Balearic sea.’
I breathe in the salty air, letting it touch my throat. That sense of freedom is back, taunting and tempting me. Freedom is an illusion for me, but for the next little while I can pretend.
‘This boat is something else.’
‘Surely you’re used to such things?’
‘On the contrary, I could never have something so decadent. With taxpayer money? Absolutely not.’
‘Says the woman who lives in a palace?’
‘That belongs to the people of Marlsdoven,’ I point out.
His lips quirk as though he doesn’t believe me. ‘And the land I’m going to buy from you?’
The remark is jarring. I pull away from him a little, a sense of heaviness in my heart assailing me out of nowhere.
‘It also belongs to my people,’ I murmur. ‘I’m simply the legal custodian. Which is why I must be very careful with what happens to it.’
To my relief, he lets the subject drop. ‘Hungry or not, I want to show you something.’
Curious, I allow his fingers to weave through mine so he can draw me through the yacht into a living area that also has a large kitchen, all gleaming white with high ceilings. He pulls a tray from the bench and walks towards me, gesturing towards it.
Rows of little chocolates sit waiting for attention.
‘What are they?’
‘A delicacy. Truffles flavoured with saffron and pistachio.’
I run my eyes over the pretty platter and, after a moment of hesitation, Santiago lifts one, bringing it to hover at my lips. ‘Allow me.’
I open my mouth so he can slip the chocolate inside, the flavour exploding in my mouth dwarfed only by the sensual awareness of the man opposite, who keeps his finger pressed to my lip as I finish the confectionery.
