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She saluted, her smile cheeky. ‘Yes, Captain. Anything you say, Captain.’ With a roar he pinned her to the sofa, strong body moulding round hers, kissing her until she was breathless, tickling her until she begged for mercy and promised that she would be properly respectful once on the boat.
Just the two of them, out on the sea. Anticipation quivered through every nerve. She was loving this slow sensual discovery but maybe it was time to take things to the next level. She pulled Akil down to her again, luxuriating in the weight of him, the strength of him, the sureness of his kiss. Today was going to be a very good day.
Akil knew that this thing with Clem couldn’t last, and he was also all too aware that the closer they got, the harder their inevitable parting would be, but paradoxically he didn’t care because every day they spent together he fell for her more and more.
He liked her frank, no-nonsense sense of humour. Enjoyed the conversation that flowed so easily between them. And he had never been so physically aware of a woman in his life.
Neither of them had discussed taking it slow, but somehow it felt right, learning each other bit by bit. It was tantalising in all the right ways. Especially as they were building up to something more; they both knew it. Awareness simmered between them as they got ready for their trip, every touch searing, every glance full of promise.
Before heading to the coast they stocked up on enough provisions to last them a week at sea. Shopping together should have been a mundane task, but it was a glimpse at a future that seemed infinitely desirable, if impossible, standing in a shop debating which cheese to select and what bread would go best with their choices, deciding if they wanted cakes or biscuits or both and how many raspberries were too many. They ended up laden with bags and baskets as they loaded up the car and set off to the harbour where he kept his boat.
‘Oh, I like it here,’ Clem exclaimed as Akil drove into the small car park at the harbour and parked up. ‘This is where you brought me that first time—only this time we’re Henri free.’
Akil slid out of the car and walked round to open the door. ‘It must be a relief to have some time away from him. Lucky for you that I have secret service training.’
‘Don’t forget my black belt in karate.’ Clem jumped out of the car and joined him at the back of the vehicle as he opened the catch and let the boot spring up. ‘I have skills too.’
‘That you do.’ He swung the first of the picnic hampers out of the car, then more cautiously lifted out the second basket containing the drinks, setting it gently on the ground.
‘I’ll get these.’ Clem reached in and pulled out the paper bags containing the fruit they’d chosen and the box of cakes. He kept crockery, cutlery, towels and cushions on board so all they’d needed to get was the food.
‘You sure?’
‘Well, fun as it would be for me to skip ahead while you stumble laden behind me, I can carry my share. You’re meant to be advocating dismantling the patriarchy, remember?’
‘It’s chivalry, not patriarchy,’ he protested, and she laughed.
‘Tell you what. I’ll let you help me aboard.’
‘It’s my boat. I need to formally invite you anyway.’
‘Like a vampire? Will I burst into flame if I put a foot aboard without a formal invitation? That must be an Asturian thing. I’m pretty sure we’re not so formal in Cornwall.’
She gathered up the food and set off towards the harbour, Akil falling in beside her.
‘I don’t think poor Henri knows what to do with himself,’ she said as they navigated the narrow path. ‘He doesn’t really do free time. I did point out to him that I look a lot more suspicious being shadowed by a six-foot-five rock of a man, but actually he does have this amazing ability to blend into the scenery. But he would literally give his life for Rosy so I guess that’s a good thing. One less thing to worry about.’
‘You worry about her?’
‘She’s going to be a queen one day. That’s a tough gig. Of course I worry. I’m glad she has you as a friend though.’
They reached the small curve of the harbour and Akil exhaled as they stepped onto the jetty. It was a perfect sailing day. The sky was cloudless, the sea calm, the scent of salt and lemon permeating the air. He loved this moment of anticipation, the gorse-covered cliffs green behind him, the mountains rising majestically beyond, while turquoise seas stretched endlessly ahead. Here he wasn’t the Vicomte d’Ortiz, carrier of his family’s hopes and his father’s thwarted ambitions. Here he wasn’t a politician, a man who had put his own dreams aside. Here he was simply Akil. It was a rare pleasure.
Even rarer were the times he got to share this with someone.Wantedto share this with someone. And he had never brought a woman out to his boat before. Never wanted to share this most personal of pleasures. Never until now.
‘Which is it?’ Clem asked as they neared the end of the jetty. Most boats were moored further out, their dinghies bobbing off the jetty and harbour wall ready to ferry owners out. Akil reached his own dinghy and put the hampers at one end, before pointing out his boat.
‘She’s there.’ He tried to keep the pride out of his voice but knew he’d failed as Clem laughed.
‘You sound like a proud father. Or husband.’
‘She is the love of my life,’ he admitted. He was only half joking. There were so few times when Akil felt really comfortable being himself, even when he was with his sister or with his fellow volunteers at the mountain rescue. He was always conscious of the image he projected, the weight of responsibility and expectation he carried. It was only out on the water where he could drop all his barriers. It was just a shame he rarely got to enjoy it.
‘I can see why you’re so proud, she is a beauty. Small but perfectly formed.’
‘I didn’t want the kind of superyacht I needed a crew for. Something small enough for me to manage myself, but big enough to take out to sea, to spend a week exploring the coast if I wanted.’
‘Sounds idyllic.’ The yearning in her voice was palpable. ‘I’ve always wanted my own boat—but I could never justify the cost for the use I’d get from one. Not that I ever had the money even if I could justify it. Jobbing actress is not a lucrative profession and although I do have a trust fund it doesn’t run to luxuries like keeping a boat. Do you get away often?’
