Dario clutched the steering wheel, fighting to keep his boat on course. He glanced at the gas gauge. For the past several moments the needle pointed at E. He begged every deity for the last drop of fuel to burn and the craft to slow down.
The engine sputtered, coughed, and then shut off. The prow lowered and the momentum propelled them some ten yards. He swallowed hard and pressed his hand on his chest. His heart raced.
Ante exhaled loudly, pulling his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. “We’re just below our island. Let’s hope we’re within the reach of the service.”
He dialed, while everyone stared at him. Finally, he pumped his fist in the air. “Yes, it’s ringing.”
“Oh, thank God.” Irena’s shoulders lowered and she eased the grip on Ella’s wrist.
Ante scooted toward the prow. “Can you hear me better now?”
“We’re fine.” Dario pulled Irena into a hug, then reached one arm to Ella. “Don’t be scared, Ante is calling for help.”
Ella exhaled loudly and buried her face in his shoulder. “What was that thing Uncle pulled out? Why did boat accelerate after he ripped it?”
Dario kissed the top of Ella’s head. Damn it, her first sea voyage in his craft had to be scary. “I don’t
know, love. Somehow the camera was wired into the navigation system and messed things up.”
Their boat had been tampered with. First chance he got, he’d have the craft dry docked and the mechanic check everything. This wasn’t some amateurish job. If Fred’s goons had done this, the man had pros working for him.
Ante returned to the stern, tucking his phone into his pocket. “Ana’s brother is on his way.” Ante examined the small spy camera he’d ripped from the cockpit. “Where could this transmit to?”
“Who knows?” Dario took the device in his hand. “I hoped they enjoyed watching snow on the screen. The Wi-Fi signal drops a few meters outside the harbor.”
“Kris is on his way.” Ante pointed at the speck on the water leaving the harbor. Dario squinted at the fast approaching boat. Several meters away, Ana’s brother waved from the prow, his friend steering toward their vessel.
Dario squeezed Irena’s shoulder. “Doubtful Fred got our location by spying with this device. Once we’re sure, I want to take you to the secluded spot I told you about. Let’s spend one night alone. Just the two of us lost to the world.”
She nodded, but uncertainty flashed across her steely gaze. Damn Fred. Now they’d have to play it safe for days. Dario had planned to take her to his favorite stargazing spot tonight.
****
Dario pounded the stubborn peg into the ground between the rocks. The clinking of the hammer on the metal head eased his angst. Hard to believe two weeks
since their wild speed experience and his nerves hadn’t settled. The slightest noise made him jump. His favorite spot never failed to relax him and since he tied his boat to the rock about an hour ago, the therapy worked and his head cooled.
He checked the rope connecting the fly of the tent, satisfied with the tightness, he straightened and shook the stiffness from his legs. ”Our chamber awaits, my lady.”
Irena stood on the highest point of the rock overlooking the islet, a pair of binoculars pressed to her eyes.
“The stars won’t be out yet.” He glanced at the sun. The burning ball had sunk low, washing the sea in the golden twinkling light.
“I’m not looking at the sky.” She didn’t spare him a glance, scanning the horizon.
“Anything?”
“Not a soul out there.” She lowered the glasses. “Looks like we’re alone in this wilderness.”
“It’s a nice change from the crowded house. Though Ante’s in-laws love to have people around.” Passion pulled into his pelvis with the anticipation of nightfall. The two times they’d snuck into the attic for a quickie only fueled his desire more. Tonight wasn’t meant just for observing the night sky.
Irena raised the binoculars to her eyes again, turned another few inches, scanning over the vast sea surrounding the rock they stood on, the larger island Sylba a hazy mass in the distance. In a moment, she strutted toward him and sat on the ground. “Ante’s in- laws remind me of your parents. Gracious hosts, ready to feed you, still, I feel like we’re overstaying our
welcome. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed to leave Ella and come here. Not that we could pry her away from Jasmin. On the other hand, we are overdue for some time alone.”
“We sure are.” He groaned at the thought of the pleasure he planned to give her tonight. Better to change the subject or he wouldn’t last until the dark. “The two girls are like sisters. They are becoming inseparable. Perhaps it’s time we start looking for a house.” He stepped over the sparse bushes growing among the rocks and inspected the back side of the tent. “I can’t start planning our future. The enemy is cunning. It won’t take them long to figure out lights in your condo are on a timer. They’ll find us.” The sight of the tent seemed to pull her out of the temporary gloom. “Oh, I’m such a lousy helper. Anything else left
to do?”
“You can bring the basket of food from the boat. Or you can stay here and pump up this mattress since you don’t want to sleep on the boat.” He waved at the foot pump then pointed at the blue box storing a double size bed, folded until the next use.
“It’s cramped and stuffy in there. I rather stargaze from here than through an open hatch.” She glared at the box and scowled. “Ugh, I think I’ll get the food and leave you to pump it up.”
“I’m kidding.” He chuckled at her fast retreat. “The mattress has a built-in pump. The manual is for emergencies.”
“Happy pumping, then.” She called over her shoulder, pulling on the boat’s lines, tied to a peg he’d chiseled out of a rock first time he found this place. Whenever the life asked too much, and his longing for
her became unbearable, he’d escaped here. While sailing around the world, he had taken many mental trips to this islet.
With their bed ready in a few minutes, he slid the mattress inside. It took most of the tent space, but it was comfier than the hard bed on the boat. He tossed the sleeping bags in the corners to spread them later. Before he joined Irena at the small pebble beach, he unzipped the window at the top of the tent. Perfect view of the sky appeared. A slow descend down the steep rock face, he found the food basket left on the small pebbled beach. Next to it lay Irena’s clothes, her lavender silky panties and bra held by the weight of a large round stone on top of her jeans and sweater.
Had she gone swimming? The sea water was freezing. Her head broke the surface, answering his question.
“Come in, it’s beautiful.” She splashed water in his direction.
“Have you lost your mind?” He backed up as far as the face of the rock allowed. A shiver rushed down his spine. “You want to get sick? It’s middle of February.”
“And have you lost all track of time? It’s now the end of March.”
Had it truly been over a month since she returned to him? Yeah, he had lost the track of time, and his heart. When he loved someone, time didn’t matter. He reached for the belt buckle on his jeans and kicked off his hiking boots.
“I can’t believe I’m about to do this.” Peeling his socks off, he pulled his hoodie over his head, then slid his pants and boxers off. The icy water hit his toes, he drew a sharp breath through his teeth and shrugged
clenching his arms to his chest. “Do you have any idea what cold water does to a man?”
She blew bubbles on the surface. “If you’re referring to the shrinkage, I think the cold is having an opposite effect on you.”
“Just wait until I’m in up to my hips.” He took another step forward, searching for the flat stone on the bottom to set his foot.
She flipped onto her back, her breasts bobbing on the surface. Like a tantalizing mermaid, she wiggled her index finger for him to come closer. It would be hard to lose his erection with such a pretty picture in front of him, cold water or not. He took another step forward, sucked in his stomach as coldness wrapped around his mid-thighs. It was now or never. In one swift move, he took a plunge and dove in, pulling her under with him.
He kicked his feet toward the surface and splashed Irena. “Woohoo! Brr…liar, you said the water’s beautiful.”
“Give it a couple of minutes. You’ll warm up.” She splashed him back. “I checked the sea temperature before we left. It’s balmy ten degrees.”
Her naked body brushed his, making him forget the coldness and giving him the idea to challenge her to a race in order to loosen his stiff limbs. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
In an instant, her legs closed around his hips, and he slid his hands down her back to cup her butt.
“My,” she gasped, rubbing the heat between her thighs on his hard cock. “And you were afraid of shrinkage.”
“I was wrong,” he whispered before seizing her lips with his. Her velvety tongue teasing his, her body
fusing with his, all spinning in his mind and he gave her the control. He was in her hands. His plan to take her to the stars tonight was instantly forgotten. Then again, why wait? He would be good and ready again by the nightfall.
“Shall we continue inside the tent? We have a nice, comfy, warm bed there.” He brushed his thumb over her hardened nipple, applying enough pressure to tease, but not to satisfy, and coaxed a heady breath from her.
“No, I want you here and now.” Her hand wrapped around his cock, massaging his already aching shaft.
Stepping backward until the water again reached his ankles, he lowered on the flat stone wide enough to help him hold her on his lap. Her boobs bounced in front of him. He seized them, then with a soft pull, drew her nipple into his mouth, sending her hips into jerky spasms. Slowly he trailed his hand between the valley of her breasts, down her firm stomach, stopping at soft curls of her mound. She raised her feet on his shoulders and he cradled her back in his arms. She angled her hips to shimmy with the slow building rhythm. The need to taste, touch and smell her salty skin urged him to trail his tongue from her neck to her collarbone. Bending his knees to position her on his thighs freed his arms. Instantly his hand searched for the heat between her legs. Pressing his thumb on the hardened nub, he increased the pressure and speed of the teasing finger deep inside her.
“Oh, yes-s-s,” she whispered, tightening her hold around his neck.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, burying his face on the swells of her breasts. Her heart beat fast under his ear.
After years of spending his lowest days on this desolate rock and fantasizing about making love to her, he finally got to realize his wildest imaginings.
“Dario…” Her strained whisper was barely audible. “I need you, now. Inside me.”
Yes! He raised her hips and poised her at the tip of his cock. “All for you, babe.”
Lowering her, he slid deep into her moist center. She was his for taking and he was hers for giving. She bent her knees and pushed against his chest to shift her hips closer to him and pull him in deeper. Leaning on his elbows allowed him to tilt his pelvis higher, and meet her strong thrusts. Her cries grew louder, spurring him to grunt. Here in the wilderness, they could be truly free. He let go of all inhibitions and released his voice, as hers reached a near scream. With his hand dipped between her legs, he rubbed her clit. She clenched her thighs. Her back arched and each spasm of her orgasm propelled her voice higher.
With one last thrust into the final tremors of her climax, he let out a guttural cry and collapsed on the pebbles, pulling her to his chest. His hand cradled her neck, he panted until he could speak again. “Holy shi…you’re putting me through some tough workout.”
“I do, don’t I?” She kissed his neck, then cuddled against him.
“Hey, I’m not complaining.” He ran his hand through her wet hair. “Between workouts at Martina’s brother gym and the bedroom, my hip bones reappeared. I thought I’d never see them again.”
“They look so sexy on you. I lose my control when you drop your pants.” A shiver stiffened her body. “I’m getting cold.”
He wrapped her in his arms and rubbed her back. “We should go back to the tent and dry off. I’ll build us a nice fire.”
“Let’s go.” She pushed away from him and got on her feet. With her shoulders hunched and arms folded over her stomach, she headed for the tent. The skin on her ass still showed his red hand prints from his hard squeezing. He’d never get enough of her sexy little tush.
He stood and rubbed his rump beneath his tailbone, where a rock dug in during their lovemaking. He scooped up their clothes and the basket of food, then followed her up the steep rock. At the top, he turned and gazed toward the small pebbled beach. In all his fantasies he made love to her inside his tent on the comfy mattress, instead, she had surprised him with her skinny dipping. Going for a swim in mid-March, crazy for sure, but there was a first time for everything. He stared at the tent on top of the flat rock and lust slammed into his pelvis. Well, the day wasn’t over yet.
He found her shivering and pulling the sleeping bags out of their drawstring sacks. “Did we bring any towels?”
“Right here.” Reaching into his duffel, he grabbed a large, fluffy terry cloth, snugged it around her then pulled her to him. Cradled in his arms against his chest, he rubbed her back with one hand and caressed her head with the other. “You’ll be warm in a few seconds.”
She took one corner of the towel and rubbed his hair. “Sorry I made you go for a swim. I must’ve been delusional, but water just beckoned me to take a plunge.”
“I’m not sorry at all. Here, finish drying your body and join me.” He handed her the ends of the towel and set to zip the sleeping bags together. Had he known the day would take such wild twist, he would’ve gotten their sleeping nest ready.
“Your bed, my lady,” he said, flipping the corner of the covers.
She dropped the towel and crawled across the mattress on all fours, her firm butt swayed before she flipped onto her back and rolled into a ball. He lay next to her and pulled the covers over them then scooped her in his arms. Gasp by long gasp, her shivering ceased and even breathing continued. Her body relaxed, but his tightened all over again, holding her now warm, nude snuggled against his.
Sleep wasn’t coming to him as his erection grew. He kicked off the covers, but the chilly air did nothing to soothe him. Placing her head on the pillow, she murmured in her slumber and rolled onto her side. With a soft kiss to her temple, he left her to rest and in two strides approached the stone circle where he’d stacked the driftwood, and crumpled, old newspaper for kindling. She wouldn’t sleep for too long, as usual, only a quick power nap to recharge after achieving such a powerful orgasm. A smile stretched his lips. Lately, she’d been hornier than usual, probably making up for the fourteen years of drought in the love department. Or maybe staying at the full house limited their freedom and they weren’t always able to act on their urges.
He lit the paper and the flames licked the dry wood, sending embers high into the darkness. If this timber burned as fast, the fire would be out before Irena’s nap. That would not do.
He headed for the tent and grabbed the flashlight from his bag. Irena stirred at his rummaging and he slipped out before she awoke. His hasty search for anything burnable produced some dry moss and grass, and several pieces of wet plywood that would no doubt smoke, but would extend the life of their little bonfire.
Back at the stone circle, he threw kindling on the embers and poked the stick at the dying fire. The wet plywood hissed at the contact with the heat. As he’d predicted wisps of white smoke curled from the pyre.
Irena emerged from the tent. Sleeping bag wrapped tightly around her while her bare feet poked out with every step she took.
She plopped down next to him and ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m having a major case of bed head. I never should’ve fallen asleep with wet hair.”
“You look fine, babe. Besides, who’ll see you out here?” He nudged her with his shoulder.
“You are looking at me, right now.” She worked her fingers through her hair faster and then scrunched her face.
“That’s because you’re beautiful, even when you don’t think so.” He reached for the basket behind him and placed the wicker case on his lap. “Hungry?”
“Starving.” Leaning over his bent knee, she inspected the contents of the bin. “M-m-m you packed my favorite. Ooh, I love these canapé sandwiches. Oh, my! Fruit and dessert, and of course…” She pulled the bottle out and waved it in front of him. “A good wine.”
“I’m not sure about good wine.” She snatched the basket from his lap. He raised his hands in surrender. It must be the fresh sea air that opened up her appetite lately. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were
starving.’
She stuffed her mount with cheese slices and crackers. “We skipped lunch and then we got busy with, well…I don’t need to remind you.”
“After such a huge breakfast, I never thought I could eat again.” He poured wine into two glasses and handed her one. “Cheers.”
Their glasses touched with a dull thud. He gave her a sheepish smile. “Plastic cups. Maybe we should forgo them and just drink from the bottle. After all, we are pretending to be castaways.”
“Who’s pretending?” She took a sip from her glass, then coughed up, placing her hand on her chest. Her voice strained when she spoke. “I’m sorry, but it’s too sour.”
He handed her a bottle of water. “It’s okay, babe. The choice in the store is small. I thought this Chablis would be sweet. Oh well, we won’t be getting drunk tonight then.”
She brought the bottle to her mouth and took a long pull. “This is better. It’s safe.”
He pointed at the basket. “Left me any food?”
“Oh, sorry.” She placed the basket between them. “Don’t think I’m being selfish.”
He reached inside and pulled out a container with bite-size sandwiches. “You’ll love these.”
Taking one between her forefinger and thumb, she inspected the contents. “Prosciutto and thinly sliced cantaloupe. Worth a risk.” Then she popped the food into her mouth and chewed slowly. “M-m-m another delicacy. I’m afraid I’ll gain weight if you keep feeding me like this.”
“Ah, you got nothing to worry about. I made sure
the meat is extra lean. Your tummy shouldn’t complain.” He munched on a slice of baguette. The food she loved hated her in return and after the two times he got to witness the ugliness of her suffering, he vowed he’d be more careful in selecting and preparing meals.
She stopped eating and fell silent, shook her head and glanced away. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Look, I know you’re worried about your future…but—” Her silence troubled him. “You can’t put your life on hold because your future is uncertain, and nothing good will come out worrying about it. Live for the moment.”
“I wish I could.” She toyed with the bottle’s cap but didn’t meet his gaze.
“We gained some powerful allies. No matter how many lowlifes Fred can buy, when things heat up, they’ll all scramble. I’d bet on that.” Dario kissed her temple, coaxing a shy smile from her. She would worry he involved a cop in the case. His buddy, Joe, had only repeated what he said to Ante, giving Dario a feeling Joe knew more. “I wanted to talk to you about something else.”
“Yes?” She perked up and reached for more food. “Ella gave me an idea, and I already touched on it
with Ante. I guess I should’ve asked you first before I talked to everyone else, but it just kind of worked out that way. Hope you won’t get upset with me.”
“What’s up? Just spit it out.” Her eyebrows drew closer as she picked another grape from the stem.
“We decided not to renovate the restaurant. It’s too much money and we’re leasing the space. Instead, we’ll rent it out to our neighbor. He can manage it and drive
Fred out of business.”
“The same neighbor Fred bailed out of the fine? Then promptly bought him out without him knowing it?”
“The same.” Dario tugged on the sleeping bag wrapped around her when the night breeze picked up and blew through his shirt. “Care to share?”
“Sure.” She stretched her arm out, inviting him to her warm, naked body under the blanket.
He sat her on his lap and enveloped them in the thick cover. “So, if you agree, I’ll come to Canada with you.” He paused, waiting for her reaction. A half smile tugged on her lips and encouraged him to continue. “Don’t worry about money. There’ll be enough until I get something going.”
She pressed her finger to his lips, quieting him. “I’m a rich girl now. My biological father bequeathed me his investor’s portfolio.” Her gaze wandered off toward the sky. “Only wish I could thank him for everything.”
“You already did and I’m sure professor Vlahos watches over you.” Dario gave her a reassuring squeeze. “What do you think of my suggestion?”
She returned her gaze to him. “Babe, the fastest way for you to get a visa would be if we marry. And it’ll take years to divorce Fred. Father Diego is helping me out with this, but so far I haven’t heard a thing from him.”
“I want to marry you the moment your marriage with Fred gets annulled. But until that time, I’m not letting you go.” Dario swallowed a lump in his throat. No matter what the future held, they belonged together. The Gypsy’s amulet predicted so, even if for a long
time he lost the faith in the prophecy. She placed her hand in his and the old pipe cleaner he’d wrapped around her finger all those years ago came into his focus. Reaching into the folds of the basket, he pulled out the small, blue velvet box he saved for over a decade.
“I’ve waited fourteen years. It’s time I replace this,” he said, sliding the pipe-cleaner off her finger.
“I don’t get five minutes of freedom?” Her teasing tone caused him to chuckle.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the box in his hand. But when he opened the box, revealing the three diamond ring set in white gold, her jaw dropped. He’d envisioned going down on one knee when he proposed to her, but she sat comfortably on his lap and he didn’t want to move her to live out some fantasy. Funny how life worked out differently.
He poised the ring at the tip of her finger. “Will you marry me?”
She closed her eyes and her lips trembled, hovering between a smile and a frown. After a long exhale she nodded fast. A single tear ran down her cheek. “Babe…I…you know my situation. It’s not saf—”
He stifled her protest with a deep kiss. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
“I was afraid of that.” “Marry me then.”
A single tear raced down her cheek and she licked her lips. Then nodded again. “Yes, I’ll be your wife. It was our destiny and still is.”
With one hand cupping her cheek and his thumb wiping the droplet, he slid the ring on her finger. “I hope this is a happy tear because you’ve made me the
happiest man alive. Look, the ring is a perfect fit.”
“Of course it was a happy tear,” she whispered, pressing her forehead to his. For a few precious moments, time stopped and the world consisted of the islet surrounded by the blue sea and the two of them.
She straightened and extended her arm, flexing her wrist. Flames of the fire reflected in the diamonds of her ring. “It’s as beautiful as the stars above us.” With her head tilted toward the sky, she swiped her fingers under her eyes. “Wow. You were right. They look so low you could reach out and grab them.” Wrapping her arm around him, she turned her face to him and kissed his lips, then again and again, until her tongue probed his mouth and tangled with his. Breaking the kiss, she licked her lips and whispered, “Make love to me in the tent.”
He scooped her into his arms and carried her to their love nest. They dropped on the bed and he proceeded to kiss her senseless. “Did you bring your naughty bag? I’m dying to try that dual stimulator on you.”
“Oh, yes, it’s in my rucksack.” She wriggled under him while he left a trail of kisses from her abdomen to her neck. The next moment she froze. The fire extinguished from her eyes, replaced by fear. She placed palms firmly on his chest, and her breathing seemed to cease.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, not able to shake away a feeling of dread. Her sudden unease wasn’t just a mother’s intuition and he should not dismiss it lightly. He checked his phone. No missed calls or messages. Ante would have contacted him if something bad happened…if he could.
She shot out of the bed and pulled her clothes on in haste. “Something’s happened. We must go back to the island. No time to fold the camp.”