Niki led them to a flight of stairs on the yacht, looking over his shoulder and talking to Vanni the whole time about the wreck he’d witnessed that morning during practice trials. Emma hardly listened to him. She was distracted partially because she was busy gaping at the lush interiors they passed as they rose up the yacht—a sumptuous living room on one level, an indoor saloon on the next—but mostly because Vanni had taken her hand into his. It’d been the first time he’d touched her since their interrupted, torrid clench on the dock that morning. Had he noticed how awed—and anxious—she was in these decadently luxurious surroundings in the company of all these beautiful people? She thought that might be the case. Either way, she was thankful for his touch.

They rose at last onto the upper deck that was open to the sky. It was enormous, featuring a sun-bleached wood-planked floor, multiple cushioned lounging chairs and deep sofas, a bar and dining table. A Jacuzzi and shower were located on one end, while on the other, the bridge was located within a glass compartment. Emma could see that someone captained the yacht, a convenience for Niki, she supposed, who was hosting the party and wouldn’t have to think about piloting. Niki led them over to a group of lounging people.

“Emma, you met George last night and this is Cici, her friend, and my cousin Ari,” Niki said.

Emma blinked the brilliant sun out of her eyes as she greeted the two women and the man, who were lounging on cushioned chairs, their feet on ottomans. “Hello,” she said, her voice a little high because of surprise. Both women sunbathed topless, and they were disgustingly gorgeous. The man was yet another specimen of Mediterranean beauty. Ari was drying off a broad, naked chest with a towel. She thought she saw a trace of Niki’s charm in his smoky dark eyes and smile as he greeted Vanni familiarly and Emma with warmth. As for the females, it was the strangest feeling for her to witness such an opulent display of nudity while standing next to Vanni, knowing he was looking at the same thing. No one seemed to think twice of it. Georgia stood when Niki put out his arm for her. Emma was very relieved when she shrugged on a beach tunic and walked with them under the shade of the canopy.

“We’ve got food and plenty to drink, so get whatever you like,” Niki said generally to everyone, but looked specifically at Emma as he took her hand, leading her over to the bar. She smiled her thanks at his warmth. She appreciated his trying to make her comfortable. She was a fish out of water, and everyone must see it. Georgia, too, took pains to draw her into conversation as the bartender served ice-cold champagne and martinis to the newcomers. Emma doubted she could ever feel any sense of true friendship toward the statuesque blonde—her cool aloofness seemed impenetrable—but Emma appreciated her efforts.

The small party took their seats on the open deck, sipped their drinks, and ate delicious, light appetizers. The captain headed the yacht out to sea, keeping the coastline in their view. When they sat, Vanni urged Emma to a sofa that was shaded. He must have realized that despite the sunscreen she’d applied earlier, she’d burn like bacon on a griddle all too soon in the glittering Mediterranean sun. She was as white as a ghost compared to the group of sun-bronzed gods and goddesses. Even Joe Hill, who was fair-skinned by nature, had a good base tan.

Maybe it was the relaxing movement of the boat and sea beneath them or sitting next to Vanni on a couch while his long leg brushed against her thigh—or possibly it was the two glasses of champagne she drank—but she started to feel a little more comfortable. By the time they’d all finished eating, she had drawn up her feet onto the couch and sat leaning against Vanni, his arm draped loosely around her. He’d taken off his shirt, but thankfully the women had kept on their beach wraps while they ate. She felt a little drowsy from the sun and the champagne, and pressed her check against Vanni’s warmed, hard chest. She looked up when he pushed his fingers into her hair and rubbed her scalp. It felt delicious.

“Sleepy?” he asked quietly while the others talked.

She smiled and shook her head.

“Come over to the rail and I’ll show you some of the coast.”

She nodded, wishing he wasn’t wearing sunglasses so she could better judge his mood. He helped her up and they stepped away from the chatting party, hand in hand. They stood at the railing a good distance from the others while Vanni pointed out the picturesque mountainside town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, where a good part of the road circuit meandered. Niki brought them both glasses of champagne after a while, but didn’t stay. Vanni’s arm came around her as they sipped their drinks, and the stunning landscape of Monte Carlo began to unfold. She glanced up at his stark profile as he stared toward shore and wondered if he was finally starting to calm after what had happened on the dock this morning.

She was so lulled by Vanni’s company that when they returned to the gathering, she’d nearly forgotten her discomfort. It made a lunging comeback, however, when she saw that all of the women in their party—Estelle, Vitoria, Georgia, and Cici—were all lolling about lazily in the sunshine, topless once again, their golden-brown, smooth skin gleaming in the hot sun. Niki looked to have fallen asleep in a lounger near Georgia, although it was hard to tell since he wore sunglasses. Simon, Miguel, and Joe were talking quietly. Vanni guided her over to a cushioned double chaise lounge that was near the rail and several feet away from the others.

“Did you put on sunblock this morning?” Vanni asked her.

“After my shower,” she replied.

He nodded and sat, patting the cushion next to him.

Self-consciously, she whipped the tunic she wore over her head. She felt like it was flashing a neon sign in everyone’s eyes, she was so pale. Certainly Miguel and Ari glanced around. Wearing just her bikini, she came down next to Vanni. She noticed the handsome Ari smiling at her from across the deck. Determined not to show her awkwardness, she lay back and closed her eyes, pretending to soak up the sun with as much regal insouciance as the rest of the party.

Chapter 34

Emma said she’d put on some sunblock, but he grew concerned looking at her flawless, smooth skin as she lay next to him with her eyes closed. Even with his sunglasses on, she looked vulnerable to the ruthless Mediterranean sun. He could even see a few delicate blue veins just below the pale skin at her exposed hip bone. And the skin on the plump upper swells of her breasts—the skin that rarely saw sunlight—looked especially pale and creamy. He thought of how she’d looked this morning on the dock while he’d held her beautiful breasts in his greedy, dark hands, the mouthwatering pink nipples poking between his pinching fingers.

In a flash, all of his anguish, all of his lust reared up like a striking snake. His cock stiffened. He jerked his gaze off of her and stood. He knew Niki kept an assortment of sunscreens and oils in a cabinet in the bar area. It wouldn’t hurt to put more on her. He didn’t want to see her burned and uncomfortable, but it didn’t seem fair to insist she stay in the shade on such a gorgeous day. Emma opened her eyes and shielded them with her hand when he returned and lay back next to her.

“I’m worried about you,” he murmured, holding up the bottle of sunblock.

“Are you?” she asked softly. He glanced into her face while in the process of pouring some of the white lotion into his hand. “That’s funny, I thought I should be worried about you.”