Page 96 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
It was Nicole’s turn to choke on her drink. She coughed and spluttered as wine burned its way down her esophagus while Fiona gave her a knowing look that said she’d read her interest and—God, was it possible she returned the feeling?
“So that’s my sad story,” Fiona said, still holding Nicole in her intense stare. “Why are you all alone on this lovely, romantic boat?”
“It’s my post-divorce splurge for myself,” Nicole said, clearing her throat and wishing she had a cup of water to cool the burning sensation from inhaling her wine. “I came here to rediscover my sense of adventure or find myself…something like that.”
Fiona’s eyes crinkled in a warm smile. “I must say I prefer your story to mine. Not the divorce, but making your own adventure. I like that.”
“Thanks.” Her cheeks were burning. They were probably as red as Fiona’s dress. She really needed to get a grip. Her fingers tightened around the stem of her wineglass. “I’d always wanted to visit the Mediterranean—my family’s from Italy originally—and I’d always wanted to take a cruise. So, here I am.”
“Ballsy of you,” Fiona said, her gaze sliding to the simple gray knit dress that Nicole wore.
She crossed her legs involuntarily. “Do you know this area pretty well, then?”
“I do. It’s lovely,” Fiona said, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she returned her attention to the wineglass in front of her, leaving Nicole feeling somewhat bereft after the intensity and heat of her gaze. “Although I prefer the French Riviera to Italy or Greece.”
“Is that why you moved there?”
“Mm. My favorite place in the world.”
“I was in Paris once, for business,” Nicole said, remembering that she’d been somewhat lonely and off-balance on that trip too. That was two years ago, when she’d first begun to realize how unhappy she’d become in her marriage. If only she’d known then just how much worse things would get.
“Paris is charming, but if you really want to get the flavor of France, you’ve got to visit the countryside,” Fiona said, swirling her wine.
“I’ll have to visit sometime.” Nicole felt a tingle in the pit of her stomach, as if she’d somehow accepted an invitation to visit her, when in reality, Fiona was just making idle conversation. Likely, the attraction was entirely one-sided. After all, it had been an eternity since Nicole had flirted with anyone, gone on a date, done anything but steel herself for another battle of the wills with Brandon. She wasn’t sure she even remembered how to flirt at this point…
“And what is it that you do for work?” Fiona asked.
“I’m the senior marketing manager for an investment firm in Manhattan.”
“Sounds very…corporate.”
“It is.” Nicole released a sigh that seemed to reach all the way to her soul. “I’ve been so caught up in work, I’m embarrassed to tell you how long it’s been since I took a vacation.”
“I’d say you needed this one, then,” Fiona said.
“I did. I really did.”
The man on the other side of Fiona was watching them again. She gave him an irritated look before her gaze darted back to Nicole. “Care to go for a walk?”
“Um, sure.”
“I could use some air.” Fiona stood, reaching for her wineglass and a small white purse that she slung over her shoulder.
Nicole followed, bringing her own wine and her black clutch. Alcohol hadn’t improved her seaworthiness, though, and she stumbled as they reached the doorway.
“Careful,” Fiona murmured, the “r” lost to the cadence of her accent as her free hand grasped Nicole’s elbow. Her fingers were warm, her grip surprisingly strong, and Nicole was almost positive that Fiona lingered several moments longer than was strictly necessary.
* * *
Fiona Boone ledthe way onto the deck, dotted here and there with couples in search of fresh air and darkness to cover their actions. She’d thought this cruise was going to be dreadfully dull after Dimitris stood her up. That was before she met Nicole.
She led Nicole toward the rear of the boat to a quiet spot she’d discovered earlier. The curve of the deck hid them from view, but the protruding hulk of one of the lifeboats kept it from being a popular spot…unless one was looking for a place to hide from prying eyes, and right now, that was exactly what Fiona was going for. She leaned her elbows on the railing, taking in the glittering lights of the Italian coastline in the distance. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Nicole’s voice was softer now, as if hushed by the night.
The ship’s engine hummed beneath them, accentuated by the splash of water against the hull. Rhythmic and soothing. Fiona had always loved the sea, although she preferred to enjoy it with her feet on dry land. She dangled the wineglass in her left hand, watching the play of white against black as water sprayed out of the darkness below. “I like places like this…out of the way, private. I’m not much for crowds.”
“You seem like you could handle just about anything.” Amusement laced Nicole’s tone.
