fantasising, Kyrie Savakis—’
‘It’s Damon, remember?’
She shrugged, a jerky movement that told him all he needed to know about her awareness of him, of them.
‘Contrary to what you think, not all women are placed in your path solely for your amusement.’
‘You mean you have some other purpose?’ he jibed. ‘Apart from socialising, and shopping, and attending a charity function or two?’
His sisters would have his hide if they heard him, and his mother. But he was too busy watching her reaction to his deliberately outrageous comment to care. He was determined to make her lose her cool.
Eyes like jade daggers speared him. The confusion in her expression disappeared, swamped by indignation. For what seemed a full minute she glared, till he felt the heavy, anticipatory thud of blood pound through his body.
‘Congratulations,’ she said finally, inclining her head. ‘You know,’ she mused, her voice soft enough that he leaned forward to catch each syllable, ‘you’re everything I’d expect of an arrogant Greek tycoon. And then some. Thanks for warning me what to expect.’
Without waiting for a response she turned and strolled down the path, her casual gait deliberate provocation.
Damon felt emotion rise to the surface as he digested her words. He had to bite down hard to stifle a bark of appreciative laughter.
Little viper. Did she really think her words could sting him? Yet he had to hand it to her, she didn’t back down or sulk when challenged. She’d looked him in the eye and told him what she thought. Did she know how appealing that was?
Damon’s curiosity stirred, as well as his libido. The more time he spent with Callie the more she intrigued him. She might be shallow and conniving, but she had backbone and a gumption that appealed.
She was more than a sexy bed partner. She was an enigma he was determined to crack.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE deck shifted beneath Callie’s feet. Automatically she adjusted her stance to its gentle roll. It was second nature, like riding a bicycle.
That didn’t stop the frisson of panic sliding down her spine. She fought to suppress it.
Damon thought her shallow and unprincipled. She refused to let him think her a coward too. Surely she could conquer this phobia till they reached the mainland.
Once she’d have revelled in being aboard a sleek beauty like Circe. She slid her hand along a lovingly polished surface. It felt familiar. Smelled like memories of long-lost summer afternoons. Nostalgia welled and with it piercing memories of a simpler time. When she had been loved and loving. When the future had seemed bright and beckoning. Before she’d learned about cruel obsession and manipulation.
‘Alone at last.’
Callie jumped and swung round to see Damon watching her. Reflective sunglasses hid his expression.
Her uncle’s staff were heading ashore after depositing their luggage and supplies.
‘Wishing you were with them?’ His voice was sardonic.
How she did! Instead she confronted twin horrors: her phobia of small vessels and giving herself to the cold demands of a man bent on stripping her pride and self-esteem.
Her lips tightened in a mirthless grimace. If this didn’t kill her she must emerge stronger.
‘Why don’t you show me around?’ If she kept busy maybe she could conquer the worst of her fear.
His eyebrows rose. ‘Of course. Follow me.’ He led the way to the stairs, peeling off his shirt. Bare-chested, he looked the way he had the first time she’d seen him. The sun lovingly glinted off toned olive skin that rippled with strength.
Callie’s throat dried as she followed. If only he was the sort of man she’d first thought him—generous, teasing and tender. A man she could trust.
‘Do you usually sail alone?’ She forced the question, refusing to dwell on fantasy.
‘No. Usually the Circe is full to the brim with family.’
‘Your family?’ Callie froze on the top step. He couldn’t be
‘It’s Damon, remember?’
She shrugged, a jerky movement that told him all he needed to know about her awareness of him, of them.
‘Contrary to what you think, not all women are placed in your path solely for your amusement.’
‘You mean you have some other purpose?’ he jibed. ‘Apart from socialising, and shopping, and attending a charity function or two?’
His sisters would have his hide if they heard him, and his mother. But he was too busy watching her reaction to his deliberately outrageous comment to care. He was determined to make her lose her cool.
Eyes like jade daggers speared him. The confusion in her expression disappeared, swamped by indignation. For what seemed a full minute she glared, till he felt the heavy, anticipatory thud of blood pound through his body.
‘Congratulations,’ she said finally, inclining her head. ‘You know,’ she mused, her voice soft enough that he leaned forward to catch each syllable, ‘you’re everything I’d expect of an arrogant Greek tycoon. And then some. Thanks for warning me what to expect.’
Without waiting for a response she turned and strolled down the path, her casual gait deliberate provocation.
Damon felt emotion rise to the surface as he digested her words. He had to bite down hard to stifle a bark of appreciative laughter.
Little viper. Did she really think her words could sting him? Yet he had to hand it to her, she didn’t back down or sulk when challenged. She’d looked him in the eye and told him what she thought. Did she know how appealing that was?
Damon’s curiosity stirred, as well as his libido. The more time he spent with Callie the more she intrigued him. She might be shallow and conniving, but she had backbone and a gumption that appealed.
She was more than a sexy bed partner. She was an enigma he was determined to crack.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE deck shifted beneath Callie’s feet. Automatically she adjusted her stance to its gentle roll. It was second nature, like riding a bicycle.
That didn’t stop the frisson of panic sliding down her spine. She fought to suppress it.
Damon thought her shallow and unprincipled. She refused to let him think her a coward too. Surely she could conquer this phobia till they reached the mainland.
Once she’d have revelled in being aboard a sleek beauty like Circe. She slid her hand along a lovingly polished surface. It felt familiar. Smelled like memories of long-lost summer afternoons. Nostalgia welled and with it piercing memories of a simpler time. When she had been loved and loving. When the future had seemed bright and beckoning. Before she’d learned about cruel obsession and manipulation.
‘Alone at last.’
Callie jumped and swung round to see Damon watching her. Reflective sunglasses hid his expression.
Her uncle’s staff were heading ashore after depositing their luggage and supplies.
‘Wishing you were with them?’ His voice was sardonic.
How she did! Instead she confronted twin horrors: her phobia of small vessels and giving herself to the cold demands of a man bent on stripping her pride and self-esteem.
Her lips tightened in a mirthless grimace. If this didn’t kill her she must emerge stronger.
‘Why don’t you show me around?’ If she kept busy maybe she could conquer the worst of her fear.
His eyebrows rose. ‘Of course. Follow me.’ He led the way to the stairs, peeling off his shirt. Bare-chested, he looked the way he had the first time she’d seen him. The sun lovingly glinted off toned olive skin that rippled with strength.
Callie’s throat dried as she followed. If only he was the sort of man she’d first thought him—generous, teasing and tender. A man she could trust.
‘Do you usually sail alone?’ She forced the question, refusing to dwell on fantasy.
‘No. Usually the Circe is full to the brim with family.’
‘Your family?’ Callie froze on the top step. He couldn’t be
Similar Books
