He eyed her with speculation. “How is Piper handling being alone?”
Was that an idle question, or was there something more significant behind his query? Olivia decided to find out.
“Oh, she’s not alone. Tom could hardly wait for her to get back from the wedding.”
The silence following her remark spoke volumes. So did his next question. “Shall we set sail? You’ll find a life jacket in the locker behind you.”
She turned to get it and put it on, aware of Luc’s silvery gaze following her every movement. “Your first mate is ready.”
Nic flashed her that stunning Castilian smile that masked many secrets. “All right. Untie the ropes, then report to the
mast.”
“Aye Aye, sir.”
They worked in harmony. He started the engine. The Gabbiano moved smoothly out of the harbor to open water.
“Feel that breeze?”
She nodded.
“Here comes your first lesson.”
Nic was a master teacher. Within a few minutes she’d undone the sail the way he’d told her. The wind took over the rest, filling it until it resembled a fat pillow. She almost fell as the boat listed and shot forward.
They were moving without the aid of the engine. Though Olivia was devastated to think Luc hadn’t wanted to be alone with her, she couldn’t help but cry out from the sheer exhilaration of knifing through the water toward the fading light in the west.
“What do you think?” Nic called to her.
She lifted her face to experience the full effect of the salt spray. “I’m in heaven!”
So was Nic. She could tell by his exultant laugh. Out of the periphery she noticed Luc glowering.
The steady breeze drove them as if by an unseen hand. It was love at the first lunge for Olivia. “I feel like a dolphin or a tuna!”
He laughed harder and she joined him. Too soon he pointed to some lights along the coast. “Monterosso!”
“Already?”
“You want to go on to the next town?”
“No! I want to see everything!”
“Then you shall!” he assured her before taking over. With the greatest of expertise he brought them around to the port. The town sparkled like a woman’s diamond tiara.
Once they reached the buoys, he folded up the sail and they glided to the shore where a lot of other boats had anchored for the night.
She could hear music and voices. People were out swimming, playing on the beach.
Olivia couldn’t wait to join them. She’d put on her bikini ahead of time. It only took her a minute to fling off her top and pants.
“I’ll be back!” she called over her shoulder. Ignoring Luc’s muttered imprecation, she got up on the side of the boat and dove in.
The cool water couldn’t have been more inviting. It grew warmer nearer the sand. Olivia swam around, floating on her back so she could take in the view.
On shore a bunch of guys who looked to be in their early twenties were tossing a ball around. One of them missed it, and it flew out over the water. She caught it and tossed it back. At that point they urged her to join them.
Still in pain from Luc’s latest cruel strategy to keep his distance from her, she told the guys she would love to. Why not.