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Her whole body sighed and softened, relief and joy mingled with excitement and anticipation.

When their kiss spiralled out of control, this time she embraced the storm, her body eager and her desire desperate. He picked her up, his lips caressing her face, then her breasts, as he carried her to the shade of the parasol. When they tumbled on to the velvety towels, her hands were as keen to know his body as to feel his on hers.

Demetrios laid a hand on top of hers where curiosity had her tracing the dark hair above his waistband. ‘Shauna, we have to stop.’

Both of them were breathing heavily and she rejoiced in the effect that she was having on him.

‘Do we?’ she asked, empowerment and desire thrumming through her veins. Leaning down, she kissed his mouth with slow reverence, revelling in the fierce burst of power that shot through her. ‘What if I don’t want to stop?’

‘Dear Shauna.’ His hands raked through her hair, holding her at a distance. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Very sure.’ Even though her body felt shaky with need, her voice was resolute. And then they needed no more words.

Afterwards, their arms and legs entangled, Shauna lay for a moment savouring the delicious feeling of excitement and euphoria. Demetrios, with infinite care and tenderness, had made her feel the most precious woman in the world and now she felt wonderful. Turning her head, she could scarcely believe he was there lying next to her, both of them naked under the sun, it was intoxicating.

Almost shyly, they had helped each other get dressed, packed up their things and clambered back into the boat, Demetrios had kissed her longingly and passionately and she had felt his desire stir again, arousing her own. Her hand moved down to caress him.

‘If you keep doing that, we’ll end up never leaving here,’ he said.

‘What makes you think I want to?’

When they arrived back at the harbour, twilight had fallen and Shauna felt a little apprehensive. Would this be another dream that she’d have to awake from, her bubble burst again by reality? She wished the day would never end. However, instead of steering the boat into the jetty where he had picked her up, he tethered the boat to the St Helena.

‘Why have you brought us back here?’

‘I’m not ready to say goodnight.’ He pulled her close. ‘I want to say good morning to you instead.’

‘What do you mean? We can’t stay here tonight.’

‘Why not? The ship is almost empty, everyone is on shore leave save a few who won’t notice us – besides, this is my boat and I can do what I like.’ He grinned at her like a Cheshire Cat.

‘That certainly has its advantages.’

As they climbed up the ladder that hung over the side, he pulled her up and on to the deck, drawing her towards him.

‘O lover, with your skin so white, the purest alabaster. Delicate as the whitest lily that only opens its petals at night,’ he whispered in her ear.

‘That’s beautiful, what is it?’

‘Sappho. I didn’t put all that expensive education to waste, you know.’

‘You’re teasing again.’

‘Not tonight, Beauty. Tonight, I want you more than ever.’ He took her to his suite and Shauna thought of nothing but Demetrios until she fell asleep in his arms.

The next day, as the sun streamed in through the window, Shauna realized she had no experience of waking up with a naked man in a bed that wasn’t her own. For a moment she wasn’t sure what she should do. Thankfully, Demetrios snaked a hand around her waist and pulled towards him before putting one thigh between hers, claiming one naked breast with his hand and kissing the last of her breath away and rendering her incapable of thinking any more for the next half hour.

The last of her shyness vanished when he insisted on showering with her. It seemed that he had no inhibitions as he walked around naked without a qualm. She wasn’t quite that bold and wrapped herself in one of the robes as they went down to the empty galley to forage for breakfast. There were slim pickings, but Shauna made them black coffee and Demetrios lounged on the bench watching her.

‘What would you like to do today?’ he asked.

She looked back at the craggy hills that rose beyond the harbour. ‘I’d like to see more of the island. Find out what living here is really like.’

‘That can be arranged. I’ve got a jeep which is perfect for the local driving conditions. Some of the roads up in the hills are little more than tracks. There’s a monastery that sits on a promontory on the other side of the island which has a stunning view, and there’s a pretty fishing village at the head of a deep inlet which is home to the local stonemasons.’

She tidied up, making the bed, all the while smiling to herself at the memories of unmaking it last night.

When she was done, she looked around with satisfaction. There was little sign they’d ever been there, which for some strange reason suited Shauna. She wanted to keep their love a delicious secret for a while; it made her nervous to think that anyone might suspect she’d been here with Demetrios – but where did that leave her when everyone came back?