Page 29 of Best Laid Plans
Not even close.
* * *
A couple of hours later, they were sitting at a table in a beachside restaurant with views across its private golden sand cove, groaning with pleasure after stuffing themselves full of what they both agreed was the best pasta dish they’d had since arriving in Italy.
‘I have to try and persuade them to give me the recipe for this so I can teach my evening class how to make it,’ Indigo said, looking round to see whether she could catch the eye of the waiter.
‘Give it a go,’ Julien said with a smile. ‘Just widen those amazingly persuasive eyes at him and I’m sure he’ll do anything you ask.’
He wouldn’t be at all surprised if she managed to do it either. Indigo had such a lovely way about her it was almost impossible not to give in to her charms – as he himself had discovered time and time again this week.
‘Ha! If only it were that easy,’ she replied, her cheeks flushing.
Looking at her now, he realised that talking and bantering with her today had been the most fun he’d had in a very long time. She’d ignited something in him with her quick wit and ability to best his arguments and he’d grown to like her more and more as the day had passed.
She was excellent company.
That was why he’d suggested she join him for a swim from the boat when he’d realised they were about to part ways back at her hotel. It didn’t seem like the right way to end things after they’d had such a good day together.
And he hated loose ends.
They were both quiet for a moment as they watched the waiter bustling about between the busy tables.
‘So where are we picking up this boat of yours?’ she asked, turning to look towards where a number of them bobbed out on the open sea.
‘Just over there.’ He nodded towards the other side of the cove where small rowboats and motorboats were being rented out to eager tourists.
‘You know, I feel like this holiday has turned a corner,’ she said, sitting back in her chair with a grin. ‘Only a few days ago it was looking like I was going to have to sing for my supper and look at me now. I couldn’t ask for more than this.’
When she looked round at him his heart nearly leapt out of his chest at the expression in her eyes. She looked happy. And the thought that perhaps he’d had something to do with that shook him to the core.
Get a grip, man.
‘Anyway’ – she cleared her throat – ‘I guess I’d better settle up.’ She turned to catch the waiter’s eye and make the international hand sign for the bill. ‘Then we can go and cool off in the sea.’
That sounded like a very good idea right about now.
* * *
A short while after that, they were sitting on a white sofa at the back of the yacht that Julien had chartered, drinking from bottles of ice-cold beer.
Indigo leaned back against the plump cushions and stared up at the cloudless sky, barely able to believe where she was right now.
‘You know, when you said boat, I envisaged something more like one of those,’ she said, pointing towards a small rowboat being paddled back to the shore by a hot-and-bothered-looking young man while his girlfriend lay back, blithely trailing her fingers through the water.
‘This is more like a luxury cruise liner, albeit a miniature one,’ she added, flashing him a teasing grin.
She’d been speechless when they’d zoomed across the water by motorboat towards this sleek, handsome yacht, which she’d assumed must belong to some millionaire playboy.
It had a kitchen aboard, for goodness’ sake, and a full-sized bathroom.
And a bedroom.
That last discovery had thrown her for a complete loop.
‘So are you going to sleep here tonight?’ she asked, trying not to sound as covetous as she felt. It must be wonderful to be lulled to sleep by the gentle rock and bob of a boat on the ocean. Especially if Julien was there in the bed too.
Don’t go there…
