Without giving the couple a chance to respond, Fabio steered Katie away towards a quiet area of the yacht. She gripped the rail tightly, trying to stop her hands trembling, taking deep breaths as she waited for the dizziness to pass.
‘What is it, Katie?’ Fabio asked. ‘You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.’
Katie couldn’t speak through her numb lips. She clenched her jaw, praying that tears wouldn’t come. Not here, not in front of all these people, not in front of this man.
‘You’re shivering. Here.’ Fabio took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders. It smelled of him. Lemon and spice.
‘Thanks,’ she mumbled. She wished he would go away. Then she could slink back to her cabin and give in to the tears.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ His voice was gentle.
Please, she thought, don’t be nice to me. Anything else—flirt, whatever—just don’t be kind. If he was kind, it would undo her.
She gave a vigorous shake of her head.
‘Okay, then, I’ll do the talking for a while.’ He indicated a man well over six feet five with silver hair, who was leaning nonchalantly against a polished railing. ‘See him? Do you know he used to be a baseball star before going into the movies?’
Fabio stood next to her, not quite touching, but almost. He carried on, his voice calm and soothing, until eventually she felt some of the tension leave her body.
‘And the red-haired woman in the black dress?’ He tipped his head in the direction of a film star who had been nominated for several awards. ‘I heard tonight that’s she’s planning to divorce husband number five. I can’t imagine marrying once, let alone five times!’ He kept pointing people out, dropping in little bits of gossip and wry remarks until Katie had to smile.
‘That’s better,’ he said, noticing.
‘Thanks for staying with me.’ She cleared her throat. ‘And thanks for not asking me any questions. I’m going to go back downstairs and check on Lucy.’ She shrugged out of his jacket and held it out to him. ‘Please, go back to the party. I’ve monopolised you enough.’
He tipped her chin and looked into her eyes. ‘I’d rather stay with you. I can party anytime.’
The touch of his fingertip on her skin sent a spark down her spine. How could she go from thinking her heart was breaking to feeling like this all in a matter of a few minutes? How could this man have such an effect on her?
‘No, please. I’m really tired, Fabio, but thanks.’
His eyes glinted in the moonlight. He leaned towards her and for one heart-stopping moment Katie thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he brushed his lips against her forehead. It was just the lightest of pressure but enough to send a flash of heat through her.
‘Sleep tight. I’ll see you in the morning,’ he said lightly, before walking away.
Katie was rooted to the spot as she watched him disappear into the crowd. Although she barely knew him, he was making her feel as if he was pulling her into his orbit, from where there would be no escape.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE next day everyone was up early and Katie found them all gathered for breakfast on deck.
A white-uniformed crew member pulled out her chair for her and asked her what she would like to eat. Katie looked at the side table, which was groaning with platters of fruit, pastries and cheese and cold meats.
‘Coffee and a couple of those delicious-looking pastries, please,’ she said.
Fabio was reading the paper, clearly having long since finished his breakfast, and looked up in surprise.
‘I know I shouldn’t,’ she said defensively. ‘But they just look so good.’
‘Hey, I like a woman who enjoys eating. Most of the women I know, with the exception of you, Amelia, barely consume enough calories to keep themselves alive.’
The grin he gave her made her heart thump. She had been feeling anxious about seeing him after almost making a fool of herself the evening before, but he was clearly happy to pretend nothing out of the ordinary had happened and she was grateful to him.
Last night had been the first time she had slept without waking with tears on her pillow. Instead she had slept soundly, dreaming of dark green eyes and a full mouth. God, she realised, feeling a warmth rush through her body, she had been dreaming of being held in his arms, of him kissing her with a ferocity that made her heart sing. She looked away, terrified he could read her mind.
Even though she had clearly lost it. The dream had been so erotic—and so real—it made her blush to remember it. Perhaps it was transference or whatever it was called. Fabio had been so kind, staying with her until she’d got herself together—never mind what he must have thought of her odd behaviour the evening before. She cringed inwardly. So much for presenting a professional front at all times. The last thing she wanted was for him to think that she wasn’t up to the job.
Avoiding his eyes, she looked out to sea. The sun bounced off the water, making it sparkle. To her surprise the yacht was no longer moored. Some time through the night it had moved from the marina out into the bay.
‘Daddy races today, but not until this afternoon,’ Lucy said. ‘Mummy and I are going to stay on board this morning.’ Lucy looked contented with her world.
‘We thought Fabio could show you around the town. Would you like that?’ Amelia suggested, smiling at her daughter.
Katie glanced at Fabio, uncertain. After last night and her dream, she felt shy and awkward in his presence.
‘Shouldn’t we stay here?’ she asked.
‘I’m sure Amelia and Lucy would be glad of some time together,’ Fabio said. ‘But I’m sure they won’t mind if you want to stay and sunbathe. You can swim from the side of the yacht if you like.’
‘Or you can do both,’ Amelia said. ‘Have a dip, then go and see a bit of Monaco before the race. It’s entirely up to you.’
Katie stared across at the clear blue water. The thought of cooling off was extremely appealing. There was only one problem.
‘I didn’t think to bring my bikini,’ she said. ‘It didn’t occur to me.’
Amelia smiled. ‘Luckily I have a drawer full.’ She eyed Katie. ‘You and I are about the same size. You’re a bit shorter and smaller, but I don’t think there’s much in it.’
Fabio was studying Katie speculatively. ‘Didn’t you tell me you swim every day? I wouldn’t mind a swim myself and I’m sure Lucy will join us.’
‘C’mon, Katie.’ Lucy added her entreaties. ‘Mummy doesn’t like to swim and it’ll be more fun if you and Fabio come in too.’
‘Okay, then.’ Katie gave in. Exercise was good for Lucy.
After breakfast, Amelia helped Katie select a bikini. Although they were all more beautiful than anything Katie had ever worn, they all seemed slightly on the skimpy side, but seeing that she had no real choice she chose one that appeared to offer the most coverage.
By the time she’d changed and come back on deck, Lucy and Fabio were already in the water.
‘C’mon, Katie,’ Lucy implored. ‘We’re waiting for you.’
Fabio was treading water. With his dark hair slicked down with the water, he looked different—more vulnerable, more human. And, if it were possible, even more sexy.
‘Yes, vamos. Or do I have to come up there and get you?’ he threatened with a glint in