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ChapterFifteen
Olivia filled the battered kettle with water and heated it on the stove. After making herself a cup of tea, she walked over to the far end of the soccer field. The sun peeked over the horizon, bathing it in soft hues of pink and orange. She hadn’t intended to wake this early on her day off, but Crowy McRooster hadn’t let her sleep in. No one else had been roused by his noisy crowing either. Just her. Which suited her fine because she needed some time to herself.
In the ten days since she’d arrived in Cyprus, a lot had happened. She’d survived her first week of surveying, found a legitimate site, and kissed Rick. Not just any kiss but a five-alarm, fireworks-inducing, panty-melting kiss that had sent her nerve endings into overdrive.
She couldn’t stop thinking about it. His mouth claiming hers, his hands tangling in her hair, the rush of unbridled lust that had made her toss her precious rules aside. Not only had she enjoyed every minute of it, but she’d wanted more than kisses. If they’d had a blanket, and she hadn’t been worried about a random farmer stumbling upon them, she might have kept going.
In the seven years that had passed since she’d met Rick, she’d had a few semi-serious boyfriends and one relationship that had lasted two years. They’d been nice guys. Decent in bed. But she’d never felt the same heart-pounding, starry-eyed longing with anyone that she’d felt with Rick at Clear Lake. A feeling she hadn’t experienced again until now.
Shit. What was she going to do?
When her phone started buzzing, she jumped. Sofia.
She answered in a low hiss. “Sofia. It’s five thirty in the morning.”
“I know, but I just got home from an all-night party, and I didn’t feel like going to sleep. Plus, I needed to give you some awesome news.”
“What kind of news?” With Sofia, it could be anything from a smoking-hot hookup to a stunning new travel destination. Olivia had lived vicariously through her for years.
“I know you said you didn’t need my support, but I reached out to a few sponsors just in case. Now I’m coming to Cyprus! Isn’t that the best?”
Didn’t see that one coming. Olivia took a second to respond. “Wow. That’s…fast. Who’d you get as your sponsors?”
“One of them is this swanky resort near Kouklia called Aphrodite Gardens. Because it’s Aphrodite’s island, of course. Speaking of that fickle goddess, how’s your love life? Is Mr. Hottie still being an asshole, or did you decide to bang it out of your system?”
“Sofia!”
“Aha. You did, didn’t you? Was it superhot?”
It would be. Now that she’d kissed Rick, she could imagine going further. A warm flush crept across her cheeks, making her grateful they weren’t on FaceTime. “Of course not. But…um…he did kiss me. And I didn’t hate it?”
“Didn’t hate it? That’s a ringing endorsement.”
“What do you want me to say?” Realizing her voice had risen, Olivia scoured the field for movement, but no one was stirring yet. Thank God. She needed this conversation to stay as private as possible.
“Be honest, you coward. Admit you loved it.”
“Okay, it was amazing. If we hadn’t been all grimy…” Olivia paused. The dirt and sweat had made the whole experience even more of a turn-on. “If we hadn’t been out in the open, with nothing to lie on except a tarp covered with dirt, I would have gone a lot further.”
“Yes! Why can’t you? Obviously not when you’re working, but why can’t you sneak out somewhere and do the deed?”
“There’s literally nowhere to go, and we can’t take one of the cars without permission. Besides, the guy who’s in charge—Grant—doesn’t want any of us hooking up. We’re supposed to serve as good examples for the students.” She hadn’t forgotten the veiled threat he’d given the staff on their first night in Cyprus.
“These are college students, right? What do you think happens when they’re away from home? They’re hooking up constantly. That’s half the fun. Grant sounds like a dick.”
As usual, Sofia never minced words. “He is, but he’s got a lot of power.”
“Maybe I should have a chat with this Grant.” Sofia let out a squeal. “Is he hot? I love a good challenge.”
Olivia shuddered, not wanting to imagine her sister with anyone that toxic. “He’s okay. Tall, blond, kind of Scandinavian-looking. But more like an icy businessman than a sexy Viking. You’d be better off steering clear of him. He’s got too much negative energy.”
“Then no, thanks. Good vibes only, please. What are you up to today?”
“We have a day off, so we’re going to the beach in Coral Bay.” After a hot, grimy week, she couldn’t wait to get into the water.
“Did you pack the bikini I sent you? The one I bought at the flea market in Florence?”
As gorgeous as it was, Olivia had been too chicken to wear it in public. Not when it left so little to the imagination. “That swimsuit’s pretty revealing. I brought it, but I was planning on wearing a tankini.”
