Page 66 of Wanting Mr Black

He lifts an eyebrow. “Let’s leave them to it, shall we? Come on.”

A yellow dinghy is attached to the back of the boat, and as I step down onto the deck, he’s already aboard, sitting on one of the small benches. He holds out his hand for me to take.

I throw an uncertain glance at him and then at the small vessel bobbing up and down in the water. We’re still quite a way out from the shore.

“We’re going in that?”

His lips twitch into a smile. “We can’t take the yacht to shore. It’s too big, and there are rocks.” He pushes his Ray-Bans on top of his head and fixes me with a look. “Do you really think I’m going to let anything happen to you?”

His reassuring words sway me. I take his hand, and he helps me down the short ladder into the dinghy. He unties the rope and powers up the engine, steering us across the waters and navigating around the rocks with a masterful ease, which proves this isn’t his first time.

As we grow closer to the shore, the waters become crystal clear, and the rocky coastline gives way to coves and shaded areas a little farther across the white sandy beach. A golden rugged cliff juts out ahead, topped with grasses blowing in the gentle breeze. It’s a paradise hidden away from the rest of the world, and I’ve never been anywhere like this in my life. Lucy’s words from earlier about how the other half lives ring in my ears. Maybe this is how millionaires’ holiday.

“Take my hand.” His voice pulls me from my daydream. He’s standing in the shallow waters with his Ray-Bans on and arolled-up blanket under his arm, offering me an outstretched hand.

I’m still a little stunned. “This is beautiful,” I whisper, placing my hand in his.

He flicks me a smile. “Wait till we get to shore.”

Thirty-Four

Art carefully helps me step down into the tranquil warm water and keeps a firm grip on my hand to steady me as we wade up to the shore. He leads us up to a small cove hidden from the hot sun and lays down the blanket across the sand. Apart from the gentle sound of the ocean lapping against the rocks, we’re surrounded by silence. I think I need to pinch myself because I’ve got to be dreaming.

I can’t help but ask, “Do you always holiday in places like this?”

He chucks his sunglasses down on the blanket and laughs. “No. I don’t tend to holiday much. Work’s always been my priority … until now.”

I pull off my kimono and drop it on the sand, glancing up at the cliffs. “And you say this place is uninhabited?”

He closes the distance between us in two easy strides. “We’re the only ones here.” He slips his arms around my waist.

He’s brought me to a private paradise.

“This is incredibly romantic,” I blurt because there’s a look in his eyes I haven’t seen before and it’s making me nervous.

He plants a light kiss on the tip of my nose. “That’s why I’ve brought you here – besides wanting you all to myself today.”

I slide my palms up his smooth chest and across the dark smattering of hairs that adorn his pecs and rest them on his shoulders. “You had me all to yourself last night.”

He brushes the tip of his nose against mine. “It’s not enough. It’s never enough. I want you to myself forever.”

For a moment, the strange look in his eyes is still there. “Do you fancy a dip?” He breaks out into a smile, and just like that, the look’s gone.

I gaze out into the sea and wrinkle my nose. “No, I don’t think so. I’ll sunbathe for a while.”

“Are you sure about that?”

There’s a mischievous glint in his eye that unnerves me, and my eyes dart to the sea and back to him as I realise what he’s got planned.

“I’m not going in,” I protest, but it’s too late as he picks me up in a bear hug. I squeal, beating his chest with my fists as he carries me across the sand.

“I think you’re too hot, and you need to cool down.” He laughs, ignoring my plea.

“Put me down!” I struggle for a moment and then give in as I decide it’s not worth fighting. I’m never going to escape his strong grasp.

I gasp as he pulls me into the crystal-clear waters, up to my shoulders, and finally releases me.

He ducks his head and shoulders beneath the water before reappearing, flinging his head backwards and pushing his hands through his hair, slicking it back. Droplets of water cling to his long eyelashes and glisten like crystals on his tanned flesh. I feel a pain in my chest as I look at him. I’m physically aching for him. He’s beautiful.

---