Page 87 of Don't Look Back

Kira had never spent time on any kind of yacht and probably would have been impressed no matter what, but Rand assured her the boat was on the high end of luxurious. “Just the kind of thing I’d rent if I were trying not just to woo you, but your wealthy newfound family too.”

They placed their bags in the large cabin with a full bed and attached three-quarter bathroom—or rather,headin sailor parlance—at the rear of the boat.

Not rear,stern, according to Rand.

He went on to explain that the kitchen was a galley, the living room with spoked steering wheel was a salon and interior helm, while the helm on the upper deck was the cockpit. There was also a V-shaped stateroom in the bow with a second head.

She poked around the galley, which had smaller versions of all the usual kitchen appliances, then said, “It’s too bad Freya didn’t work her magic to stock the kitchen, because I’m starving.”

“It’s been aday, and we haven’t eaten since before Mdina. There’s a shop on the corner where we can get groceries. We should get some basics for the next few days, but what do you want to do for dinner? Make something simple here or eat out?”

She considered the question. She had zero desire to cook, but they could probably find something frozen to pop into the oven. That didn’t really appeal. They had work ahead of them tonight, and she needed a break now. “Let’s go out. Relax for a bit.”

He nodded. “I think we’ve both earned an hour off.”

Kira changed into capris and an airy halter top that showed off her curves. She never would have worn something like this in the US. Some wild streak had taken over when she shopped for this trip.

Rand took one look at her and grinned. “Have I mentioned that I really love your vacation wardrobe?”

She laughed. “Thank you. I went on a shopping binge a few weeks ago. I was always so careful how I dressed once I started working for…him.” She still hated to say his name, but she knew Rand would understand. Maybe when the trial was over, if he received the expected life-without-parole sentence, she’d feel differently.

She shifted her focus to the halter top, which made her feel sexy and fun. Bold. Like Staci probably felt every day. She didn’t want to think about Staci right now, but she’d spent a lot of weeks comparing herself to the vivacious woman and had consistently rated herself inferior.

That feeling was fading, but not quickly enough. She pasted on a bright smile. “It’s fun to get to be someone else on vacation other than shy, awkward, mousey Kira.” She grimaced. “I guess I’m not really that Kira anymore. I’m someone else entirely. Kira Lukovna Kulinka.”

Rand took a step toward her. “Only if that’s who you want to be. And I happen to be captivated by all your iterations.” He touched her cheek, then slid a hand to cup the back of her head. His fingers triggered a tingling in her scalp.

Thoughts of other women with Rand vanished like water vapor in the Maltese heat.

“Shy. Valkyrie. Siren. Tourist. Historian.” He grinned and dipped his head so his lips touched her neck and added, “Sexy librarian.” He kissed below her ear, then nipped the lobe and added. “I like every one of you, but one thing you’veneverbeen to me is mousy.”

She pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him. Not shy. Not awkward. He wantedher. All of her. He didn’t compare her to women from his past. He thought her a siren.

She felt a rush of feminine power as his hand explored her body, first cupping her butt, then her breast beneath the halter top. His growing erection against her belly triggered a jolt of satisfaction.

A siren.

What a wild thought.

Rand was about to scoop Kira up and take her to the stateroom when she broke the kiss and stepped back. “You promised me shower sex, but I need food before I’ll have the energy.”

He laughed, feeling strangely light in spite of the intense day. Kira did that to him. “I haven’t forgotten. For a boat, this has a decent-sized shower. Freya did well.” The first thing he’d thought of when he saw the shower was how much he wanted to strip her down and make good on his promise.

“I think she went the extra mile to apologize for yesterday.”

“She wasn’t listening in, in the car when we talked about the shower or anything about us. The video link wasn’t live until we entered the house.”

“I know. But she’s smart…and I might have admitted yesterday that I’m interested in you.”

“Oh, you did now?”

This must’ve been the conversation they’d had before she’d taken down the FSB agent. Which meant Kira had been in a forgiving mood even before Andre broke in. That made him happy in a ridiculous way. She hadn’t welcomed Rand back just because the danger had become real.

If there was one insecurity he had with Kira, it was that her interest in him stemmed from the fact that he’d managed to help rescue her twice. After all, both times he’d asked her out—each occurring before she’d found herself in danger—she’d turned him down.

He didn’t want to be with a woman who was only interested in his SEAL status. That would be gone. Soon. He wanted a woman who could love the emerging thriller author, or whatever it was he ended up doing after he retired from the Navy.

“I did. She said when I get back, we’ll have a bottle of wine and Morgan will spill all the secrets Freya can’t.”

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