Page 91 of 2 Books in One Bundle
‘I won’t let anything happen to you, Helia.’
He’d anticipated that she would be nervous, and waited for her to give him a sign that she was ready to go aboard. Eventually she gave him a small nod, and he climbed aboard the luxury runabout then helped her in.
He felt a tremor running through her as the vessel bucked and swayed. Her eyes darted to each end of the boat and out to sea. She was nervous. That much was obvious. And with her not being able to swim he wasn’t surprised. But he’d meant what he said. He would never let any harm befall her.
Vasili picked up a bright red lifejacket and brought it around her, guiding her arms through the sleeves, his eyes locked on hers as he did up the clasps on the front, his breathing turning heavy as goosebumps erupted on her skin. Gently pushing her arms out, Vasili found himself once again tightly strapping Helia up. Her body obeyed his silent commands so easily. She was so soft...so delicate. He had to concentrate to ignore the desire coursing through him from having Helia beneath his hands.
‘Sit here.’ He helped her into one of the four seats in the open boat. ‘Nothing bad is going to happen, but you can hold on to this handle if you need to,’ he said, his voice growing gruff as he placed her hand on one of the grip handles. ‘Even if you end up in the water, don’t panic. Your jacket will keep you buoyant and I will get you. Do you understand?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good.’
He wanted to lean down and kiss her, but he would not touch her yet, and wrenched himself away to the steering wheel. He refused to look at Helia. Instead, he eased the boat away from the pier and out to open waters.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked.
‘Somewhere special,’ he answered.
They were already somewhere special. Choosing to honeymoon at this resort had been for his own benefit as well as hers. Everything they would do after they went back to Seidon would be for public consumption, so a little break with some privacy was a small comfort he could offer Helia. Why he was taking her to another special place was beyond him. And he wasn’t going to examine it.
They left the resort far behind as they approached a small island in the archipelago. Slowing the boat down, he brought it to a halt at a tiny uninhabited island. He grabbed a basket from the rear seat—judging from her confused frown, Helia hadn’t noticed it. He wasn’t surprised. She’d been nervous on the entire boat ride, holding on to the handle in a white-knuckled grip.
They made their way onto the beach—Vasili’s favourite place in the whole of Thalonia. People didn’t usually come out to this island, so apart from the sound of the water and the gulls flying above there was utter stillness. Even the sounds of the water seemed far away.
‘It’s beautiful here.’
He glanced over at Helia, who had her arms wrapped around herself, staring out over the calm water. The breeze was blowing her hair out to the side.
‘It is,’ he said, putting the basket down and moving behind her. He lowered his head so his lips were at her ear and pointed over the water. ‘See those cliffs on either side?’ He felt Helia nod. ‘They keep the waves out, so the water here is always calm.’
It was true. There was just a gentle lapping on the shore. All the beautiful violence of the waves was contained in the distance.
‘It’s safe for you to get into the water here. With me, of course,’ he added.
‘This is a wonderful surprise. Thank you for bringing me here. Even if you drove the boat too fast.’ She stared accusingly at him as he stepped away.
‘You’ll get used to it.’
Would she? Did he plan on bringing her back here? Vasili hadn’t consciously thought about it, but he felt centred here. As if he could be anyone. With a million choices before him. It was likely that Helia would need a break too, over the years to come, so why wouldn’t they return?
That answer was a cloud hanging over them... What if her answer to his rules was no?
‘What’s that?’
She broke through his musings, tipping her chin towards the basket.
‘I’d hope a librarian would know.’
Helia rewarded him with an eye-roll.
‘I’ve had a picnic prepared for us. The question is, do you want to swim before or after?’
‘Before. I’m already nervous as it is. I don’t need to eat before getting in the water.’
‘You’ll be fine, Helia. Swim it is.’
Vasili pulled his shirt over his head, depositing it on the sand, and watched Helia shedding her dress to reveal a bright blue swimsuit. His hands curled into fists as he attempted to smother the urges running rampant through him.
