The Kyriakos Virgin Bride by Tessa Radley Page B

there.”
    Anger forgotten, Pandora reached for the binoculars and came to her feet. “Where?”
    â€œUnder the swarm of seabirds.”
    â€œOh, I see them. Five…seven…no, eight. I see about eight. There must be more underneath.”
    â€œIt’s a big school.” Zac spoke from behind her, and she tried to ignore the fact that he stood so close that the scent of his skin enveloped her. “They’ve been frequenting the island for years. I recognise the big bull with the chip out his dorsal fin.”
    â€œThis is wonderful. We get them at home. Whales, too. But it’s lovely to see the dolphins here, as well. And such a big school. Oh—” she squealed. “Did you see? One just jumped out of the water.”
    â€œIt’s great to have them out there. That’s why I pour millions into coastal and ocean conservation each year. So that their survival is assured.”
    With the binoculars against her eyes, Pandora said, “But you own supertankers and transport crude oil. Isn’t that a contradiction? What if there is an oil spill?”
    â€œThe Exxon Valdez incident was a tragedy. But it increased everyone’s awareness of the danger to the environment. My supertankers are among the safest in the world. While all tankers are vulnerable to storms and human error and mechanical failure, mine are part of the new breed that are double-hulled for greater stability.”
    In the sea, two dolphins arched over the water. Zac watched her squeal with delight, his mouth curving into a smile—her pleasure was infectious.
    â€œIt gives me such a kick to know they’re there.” She lowered the binoculars and looked at him, the laughter fading from her eyes. “You know why that is, don’t you?”
    Zac didn’t think he wanted to know what had caused the happiness to fade from her face, but he could see from the battle gleam in her eyes that she was intent on telling him. “Why?”
    â€œBecause they are free.” She handed the binoculars back to him. “You need to let me go, Zac.”
    Zac looked away, unable to hold her defiant gaze. He didn’t answer. If he let her go, would he ever see her again? Or would this consuming force between them be lost to him forever? How could he explain the corrosive fear that if she left, he’d be alone for the rest of his life?
    He couldn’t utter those words. Because she was all wrong for the man he’d been raised to be. So he swung around and strode away.
    Five minutes later, his face annoyingly clear of expression, Zac returned from the villa carrying a tall frosted glass filled with amber liquid that looked like beer in one hand and a small sherry glass in his other hand.
    Pandora eyed the tiny glass of sherry Zac held out to her and a surge of rebellion rose within her. A sudden urge of devilry prompted her to say, “That looks like something my great-aunt Ethel would drink on a cold winter’s evening in front of the fireplace at High Ridge. I’d like a margarita, please, with crushed ice and lots of salt around the rim. And don’t go too light on the tequila.”
    Zac did not look pleased. “Sherry is what the women in my family traditionally drink before dinner.”
    â€œNot this woman. Perhaps you should ask what I like to drink?” She cast him a quick look. His jaw was tight, his lips pressed in a thin line. “In fact, cancel the order for a margarita. Make it a Sex on the Beach. Please.”
    For a moment Zac looked stunned, then his eyes turned molten.
    Pandora backtracked furiously. “It’s a cocktail…made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange—”
    â€œThis is not funny,” he interrupted. “My wife does not order such things to drink.”
    â€œIt wasn’t meant to be funny.” From behind her fringe she tried to gauge his mood. “And I won’t be your wife for much longer.” Zac