Page 33 of Pomegranates and Olive

Ginny shakes her head. "All excellent choices but Aydin has an even better idea, we have a group going out on Tora today."

"What's a Tora?"

"That's Tora."

She points out the kitchen window at a wooden boat that is nothing short of an Instagrammer’s wet dream, moored at the jetty. I can picture myself lying on the top deck in a skimpy bikini and my perfect body (which in the fantasy happens to be more Blake Lively than me), sipping on cocktails as the boat cruises on the turquoise water that sparkles like gemstones. “Oh, it’s too cute.”

“We run cruises along the coast for private groups, usually up to 20 people. It’a s whole production. There’s snorkelling and fishing. We either barbeque on a secluded beach somewhere or prepare a huge feast onboard and then there’s more swimming before we return. Today it’s a private cruise for a group of friends on holiday together.”

“And I can go as well?”

"We need someone to help out in the kitchen."

"I'd be happy to help you. No worries."

"Actually, it won’t be us you’ll be helping."

I look from one to the other, trying to figure out just what she is signing me up for, and then like a slow-moving ton of bricks it hits me. "Don't. Just don't."

"Yeah."

"You want me to be stuck on a boat with Deniz all day?"

"You did say you'd help."

"You want me to be his kitchen wench?"

The words were still floating in the air when Deniz appears at the kitchen door and I notice again just how tall he is as he bends slightly to enter the room. He gazes down at me and I can already see laughter in his smoky grey eyes. "Now that's an intriguing idea, Russo."

"Che palle!"

"You've really got a dirty mouth on you."

"Maybe you bring out the worst in me."

He turns to Ginger with a grin. "Can I boss her around?"

"If it makes you happy."

"I think it just might."

Why do I let this man get under my skin?

I think the real question should be, why am I having sexy, near-orgasmic, dreams about him?

"Right, well, now that we've established that I'm the boss, we're wasting time, get moving, kitchen wench."

Aydin smacks him on the back of the head before yelling at him in, what I’m guessing, is a string of Turkish curse words. Deniz chuckles and wraps his arm around me. “What are you implying, cousin? Russo and I are great friends, aren’t we,askim?”

I try to wiggle free but Deniz tightens his grip, pulling me in closer until I’m pressed against his chest. The faint smell of soap, mixed with mint humbugs and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on, tickled my nose and I find myself taking a deep breath.

I forceably push myself away, desperately needing space between the two of us and yet I also want to stay pressed against him, breathing in that intoxicating scent. It’s a conundrum. “Let’s not get carried away.”

His deep chuckle vibrates in my chest as he saunters out the door. I can hear him humming a tune that sounds scarily familiar and I moan loudly and spin to face Ginny with a scowl. “Bastardo!”

"You'll have fun. I promise." She knows she’s in trouble but grins at me anyway. "There’ll be time for you to go snorkelling as well."

“You’ll owe me for this.”

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