Page 58 of Sinful Promise

But neither is Roman if the weapons on board are any indication.

“Eat up. We’ll be docking soon in the Port of Portoferraio. There are shops there, and we can walk to Napoleon’s Fortress,” says Roman.

“Really?” I ask before leaning into him. “Is the fortress as formidable as the one around your heart?”

“You’ll have to find out,” he replies as he sips his drink. The chief steward brings him a plate of food, and I steal a mushroom off his plate and pop it in my mouth.

“This is the most fantastic, juicy mushroom I’ve ever eaten,” I bait him, tilting my head back as if it’s orgasmic and clutching the edge of the table.

He sits back in surprise, then breaks into a smile. The sound of his hearty laugh warms my heart.

“Et tu, Brute?” he replies.

I give him a saucy grin and hear Irina and Alex snickering in the background. By the amused look on Roman’s face, he’s not often challenged. I teased the lion, pulled his tail, and got away with it. This is a first. It feels good to be bold, and I sit taller in my chair. My confidence is growing.

Roman scoots his chair closer to the table and gives me the side eye, which I ignore. Katsia said men don’t like easy women. Every day away from my father has shown me how repressed and stifled my life has been. It’s with Roman that I feel most comfortable. He said he wouldn’t turn me over to Andrian, but he hasn’t explained how he plans to make that happen. I want to be optimistic and believe him, but life has taught me that it’s more realistic to be pessimistic.

I sip my drink, and as soon as I set the glass down, the chief steward replaces it with a fresh mimosa. I’m going to be sloshed if I continue to drink.

“Eat up,” Roman implores me as he cuts into his omelet.

“I’m so full,” I complain, pushing my plate away.

“I’ll have that worked off of you in no time,” he says low enough so that only I can hear.

“I love this island,” Alex announces while lighting his first of many cigarettes and gazing at the shoreline.

“Me, too. I haven’t been here in years,” Irina says. “I’m going to get ready to go ashore. I’ll be down in a few.”

Hell, I thought she was already dressed to go ashore. She’ll probably come back looking like she stepped out ofVogue Italia.

With everyone in such a good mood, I seize the opportunity and say, “Roman, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes?” He finishes eating and wipes his mouth with a linen napkin.

“Can I call Katsia now?”

Roman reaches for his drink and sips, contemplating what? I have no idea. “I planned on it later this evening.” He sets the glass on the table and stands. “You look incredible,” he says. He pulls my chair out, and I stand beside him. “I think it’s time for you to have an Italian handbag, and I know just where to get one.”

I glance up in time to catch a smile on his face. My stomach does flip-flops like a Russian gymnast on steroids.

Roman takes my hand and suggests we climb to the crow’s nest so we can watch the docking process. From this vantage point, we can see how close the boat comes to buoys and other boats without hitting anything. The deckhands scurry around, throwing lines ashore and tying them off. It’s a tight squeeze with such a big boat, but we are safely tied up to a concrete dock in no time.

While all this is going on, Roman is pointing out some landmarks, recounting the island’s history in an animated voice. The fullness I feel inside is not from breakfast. I’m happy and content for the first time in my life. It occurs to me that the quiet conversations and noisy lovemaking we’ve shared the past few days have made me vulnerable. He’s lit a fire in me, fanning it with caresses and kisses, making me feel worthy of his attention.

Damn, why does he have to be so devastatingly handsome? I’m supposed to be looking for a way out when this affair ends. Instead, I’m realizing all too late that I’ve fallen in love with my captor.

23

ROMAN

Docking goes smoothly, and once all the ropes are tied, we cross the gangway to the concrete pier. I’ve been to Elba before and know the town square is within walking distance. Taking Dasha by the hand, I lead her in that direction. This would feel like a first date if Alex and Irina weren’t tagging along.

“Walking on solid ground might feel different after days at sea,” I warn her.

“Thanks, I didn’t know,” she says while looking back atSevernoye Siyaniye. “Wow! Your boat is the biggest one in the harbor. Why does it look bigger from shore?”

“Because you’ve only seen half the ship. The bridge, crew area, engine room, and other guest cabins remain, plus other rooms. By the way, how do you like it so far?”

---