She walked over to the side to take in the incredible sights along the coast. Soon they were passing Antibes. She wheeled around. “I’ve been there to see the Picasso museum, but I never saw the town from the water. It’s all so breathtaking.”
“To be honest, I prefer the sight standing a few feet away from me on those fabulous legs. You’re rather breathtaking yourself.”
She laughed in delight. “Keep it up, Dominic. Every woman loves to hear flattery like that.”
“You’re not every woman and it’s not flattery.”
Nathalie turned away and clung to the side of the boat. No. She was one of the small percent who couldn’t have children. The pain of that knowledge had run marrow deep since meeting him.
Before long they passed Cannes with its profusion of glittering yachts and a Mediterranean beach that drew film stars and sheiks from all over.
“I miss you, Nathalie. Come and sit by me.”
In an instant she moved to sit across from him and studied his chiseled male features through her sunglasses. There was never a more beautiful man born. “This is heaven for me.”
He looked back at her through his own sunglasses. “I’m trying not to think about my life without you in it. The day you applied for work, my world changed.”
“So did mine,” she answered honestly. “I’ve been so happy.” It frightened her that in coming to the vineyard, she’d met the man who’d changed her life for all time.
Today she selfishly wanted to put every thought out of her head except to enjoy every single second of this precious time with him. Depending on where the conversation led this evening, it might never come again.
“Do you miss the pharmacy?”
What pharmacy? Her mind was so far away from any thoughts except for him, she was a total mass of unassuaged longings only he could satisfy. She smiled. “What do you think?”
He grasped her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “I think I’d like to sail away with you and never come back.”
Don’t say things like that, Dominic.
It wasn’t possible. She couldn’t allow herself to imagine a life with him. “That’s a tempting thought, but not realistic.” She stood up. “I’m going to get us some sodas. I’ll be right back.”
* * *
He watched her leave. Whatever she was keeping from him had made her squirm, but he wasn’t worried. Dominic wouldn’t let things alone until he’d gotten the truth out of her. There was no way he’d be taking her back until all was exposed.
Two hours later they’d come in sight of Les Calanques. He headed for his favorite channel.
“Oh, Dominic—I’ve never seen anything so fabulous in my life! It’s like entering a canyon of sheer cliffs with a fairy-tale backdrop. The white of the limestone with the blue sky above is out of this world.”
He knew she would love it as he drove his boat in and headed for the sandy little beach at the end. It wasn’t quite noon yet. Any boaters would probably come out later when it wa
s warmer. For now they had this piece of paradise all to themselves.
After cutting the motor, he laid anchor and looked over at her. She’d already removed her life jacket. “How soon can you be ready for a swim?”
“Right now.” She flashed him a smile to die for and took off her clothes to reveal a jade-colored bikini beneath. He came close to having a heart attack before peeling off his own clothes down to his black swimsuit. She beat him to the transom and jumped in the water.
He heard a shriek and laughed. “It’ll warm up.”
“Now you tell me!”
Dominic dived off the boat and swam under the water, catching her around those fabulous legs. They played for a while until he couldn’t take it any longer and dragged her to the warm sand. Pulling her down next to him, he said, “You thought you would get away from me, but I’m telling you right now I’ll never let go.”
She lay there breathing hard with the sun bringing out the gold threads of her silvery-gold hair. “With those light green eyes, you look like a goddess who has enchanted me.”
“This whole day has been one of enchantment.”
He plunged his hand into her hair, which had come undone. “I want you, Nathalie. More than any woman I’ve ever wanted in my life.”