Page 60 of Dagger in the Sea

His eyes still on me, Turo drank from a small bottle of water and wiped at his mouth. “You look beautiful,” he said. “You always do, but you in that dress—” His eyes flicked downward and back up over me. He sucked in air as he twisted the cap back on the water bottle a bit too forcibly, and it cracked. “—spectacular.” The word came out hushed but incisively articulated, and my flesh heated. I was on a stage in a vast, dark theatre, a spotlight shown over me. Turo’s spotlight. All for him.

I cleared my throat. “Thank you. My cousin Silia is a fashion designer. This is from her new spring/summer couture collection.”

“Turn around.” He remained still, his voice coming out low and stern, cutting off my speech, my train of thought, my heartbeat.

I turned around, slowly, my heart pounding wildly under his fierce attention. Silia’s creation was a very fine silvery chain mail draped over a gauzy, white sheath, dipping low down my front, just covering my breasts. The dress was short, the bottom portion, just past my hips, was a web of embroidered silver flowers embellished with Swarovski crystals. My high-heeled, silvery beige sandals with the crossed straps on my feet gave me extra height. I’d sprayed a perfumed oil on my arms, legs, and chest for a bit of sheen and had done my makeup quite simply except for smokey eyeliner and deep red glossy lips. Large diamond stud earrings and an Alessio-designed skull ring flecked with tiny diamonds were my only accessories.

“Spectacular,” he murmured, his eyes finally resting on my legs. His shoulders moved under the thick bathrobe. “So, tell me what to expect at this party.”

“This beach club just opened last summer and they do very well as a restaurant bar and nighttime club attracting an international crowd that is willing and eager to pay. They started as a small restaurant but they’ve expanded and have lots of plans to keep on doing so. Think posh St. Tropez meets Greek Island. Their prices certainly reflect that. They also put on several concerts with some big name Greek singers. Tonight, we start with a fashion show with a number of models, all very theatrical. After that, it will be a nightclub experience. Alessio has a good friend from Norway who’s a famous DJ here in Europe coming to play. He’s been a big draw.”

Turo’s gaze darted out the cabin window. “There are more and more yachts out here since lunch, aren’t there?”

I followed his gaze outside. “Hmm. We’ve sold out.”

“Big crowd then?”

“Big crowd.”

“Are you up for that?”

“I have to be.” I sucked in a breath and pushed my lips into a smile.

“It’ll be crazy, but you’ll be fine. I won’t leave your side.”

His words, the intensity of his eyes made my pulse race. “Okay.”

He came closer. He didn’t touch me, but the air between us was charged. I shifted my weight to combat the sudden weakness in my knees, a quiver rolling through my tummy.

“Unless you want me to keep my distance,” he said.

“No, I want you to stay with me,” I breathed, my heart beating faster and faster.

“And if you need to get out of there, we get out,” he said. “I know you’re used to being in the spotlight, have done it hundreds of times before—”

“I have.”

“But after the shooting, tonight may be different.”

“Are you trying to talk me out of going?”

“No.” He shook his head slightly. “I only want you to be aware. It’s important you don’t push yourself too far. If you get uncomfortable in any way, you let me know. We leave or we just lay low in a quiet corner of the club. Whatever you need.”

Somehow I knew that if I got the least bit uncomfortable, he’d notice. I wouldn’t have to tell him.

“Okay.”

“Tonight may be important to Alessio, but it’s your night too,” he continued.

My heart thudded in my chest at his words, at the fresh, clean scent of his skin. He’d used the green tea and mint shower gel, just like I had, but now that fragrance mingled with his, became his, and made my insides curl tightly.

He took my hand and stroked my fingers. “You’ve worked hard. You deserve to enjoy this party and see it be a huge success.” His tenderness wrapped around my anxiety and dread like a velvet cloak. Easing them in softness and warmth, loosening their grip on me. My vision got blurry and I blinked the unshed tears away.

“Thank you,” I said. “That means a lot to me.”

He brought my hand to his lips. The featherlight brush of his mouth set off a rage of sparks on my skin.

“Well, Lovely, you’re ready to conquer the world on looks alone.” His fingers lazed a trail across my collarbone and those sparks exploded again.

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