by Lindy Corbin
What a fool she’d been. She’d had one last chance, at the car, to tell him that she loved him and she’d let anger stand in her way.
Kara jumped to her feet. “Dad, let me borrow your cell phone. I’ve got to call him.”
“It won’t go through.” Elaina spoke from the bathroom door. She tied the belt of her long, white robe as she stepped into the room. “I’ve been trying for hours. The Coast Guard has tried the ship’s radio as well, but there’s been no response.”
With jerky movements, Kara slammed back into the seat before the computer, forcing herself to read the public advisory. The hurricane was projected to pass between Nassau and Miami, skirting the edges of the east coast of Florida and making landfall on the coast of South Carolina. The leading edge of the thunderstorms that wrapped around the eye was already being felt in Miami. There might have been time, after the repairs were made, for the yacht to slip out ahead of the storm. Someone had to know if they were all right.
She turned in the chair to face her stepmother. “What can we do?”
“Niko called when they left Nassau. He seemed to think there was time to make the run.” Her tone took on a defensive note. “He would never endanger Eduardo’s life or risk the ship.”
“Of course not, but he couldn’t have known the storm would strengthen so quickly.”
Kara cringed inside at her own words, desperation creeping in and scattering her thoughts as her glance was drawn back to the huge red circle on the weather map. It didn’t seem possible that the ship could make it through. It was sleek, fast and fairly large, but small compared to the hurricane. “I have to know if he’s safe.”
A slight frown crossed Elaina’s brow and she exchanged a glance with Kara’s father. “It’s a seven-hour run from Nassau in good weather. It could be dawn before they reach the mainland.” She hesitated for a moment. “If you want, you can stay in Niko’s condo on Miami Beach tonight. It looks over the yacht basin where they dock the ship. I’ll alert security to let you into the building.”
“Won’t it be dangerous?” her father protested. “The storm could turn.”
Ignoring him, Kara said, “That’s perfect. Thank you, Elaina.”
Elaina moved closer to her father and put a hand on his arm. “None of the computer models have it turning. There are no evacuation orders in place for the city. Kara will be fine.”
The woman turned toward her with a smile so similar to Niko’s that it nearly took her breath. “It is important for Kara to be there when Niko arrives. There are things to be said, yes?”
Kara nodded slowly, wondering for a moment if she were so transparent that everyone knew she was head over heels over Niko. The thought should have embarrassed her, but the emotions were so real and strong that she couldn’t find anything wrong with acknowledging them publicly. She felt comfortable knowing that Niko was a good man, worthy of her love. Whether he returned it or not, it was right. She’d never regret their time together.
“Take the rental car,” her father urged as he gave her a quick hug. “We’ll call a taxi for the airport.” She spent a few more minutes getting directions then returned to her room. Her leaving complicated their travel arrangements back to New York, but it couldn’t be helped. As soon as she was sure Niko had made it in safely, she’d fly home out of the Miami airport.
The trip back across the Everglades was surreal. She was virtually alone on the long flat highway and stopped only once for gas and coffee. The wind blew in gusts that rocked the car and tossed dried leaves and grass that struck the windshield of the car with incredible force. The guard at Niko’s complex was sleepy and ill humored, muttering under his breath as the storm blew the door out of his hands, slamming it against the wall.
Hours later, Kara sat alone on the floor in front of the glass windows of Niko’s living room, looking out over the yacht basin. Dawn peaked in shades of light and dark gray. She watched as car headlights tracked across the causeway between Miami and the island of Miami Beach. The lights of the city that had kept her company gradually dimmed from radiant red, yellow and green to dreary brown as the street lights and neon winked off one by one. Rain came in flurries, driven against the windows by the force of a fitful wind. Below, she could see flags on various docked ships snapping in the strong breeze. She checked her watch for the thousandth time.
They should be here by now. Somewhere in the long night, it had occurred to her that they might not even dock on the pier below. She didn’t know the procedures for entering the country on a yacht. Perhaps they had to be cleared through Customs somewhere else first. She sipped at her fourth cup of coffee and pulled the soft blanket she’d found in a closet closer around her. She reached for the cell phone charging in an electrical outlet and checked for messages again. Nothing. Muttering to herself, she considered calling Elaina for another contact phone number, perhaps Eduardo’s family or even George’s. Anyone who might know if the ship had arrived safely.
Leaning forward, she rested her head against the cool glass. She was an impetuous fool. What was she doing here? She had no idea what she’d say to Niko when he arrived. She’d tried to create the scene in her head as she wandered through his apartment, touching his things, looking for a connection to him. Nothing came to her. The longer she sat here, the greater the fear grew that he’d be uncaring, might even taunt her for chasing after him. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she rolled to her back and starred up at the ceiling. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t live with herself if she left for home without telling him that she loved him. If he didn’t feel the same, at least she’d know that she’d tried.
She rubbed her eyes, wincing. The inside of her eyelids were like fine sandpaper against her pupils. She let her eyes close for just a minute, hoping to activate the tear ducks that would moisten them. It felt unbelievably good to shut out the light.
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“As much as I like watching you sleep, I can’t help wonder what you’re doing on my floor. You should be on your way to New York by now.”
Kara jerked awake, widening her eyes in shock. Niko sat cross-legged on the floor beside her. She’d been so soundly asleep that she hadn’t heard him enter the apartment. He was dressed in an orange windbreaker, unbuttoned to show a dark tee-shirt and jeans. Rain had dampened the shoulders of his jacket and droplets lay glistening in his dark hair. She sat up with care. She wanted to launch herself into his arms, but for now, it was enough to know that he was safe.
He seemed tense, almost as on edge as she was herself. Her mind foggy as it emerged from sleep, she said the first thing that came to her. “What took you so long?”
His gaze moved from her face to the window behind her, then back again. “We had to track around the hurricane.” He shrugged. “The journey took a little longer than usual.”
The sky had darkened to deep purple as storm clouds chased each other across the vast expanse visible from the high-rise building. Lightning flared so far away that the boom of the thunder was muted by distance. Far below, the palms thrashed in the wind, their fronds slashing the air like the plastic legs of an octopus-shaped children’s water toy. Rain splattered against the glass, rattling it in its frame. She shivered. He’d been on a ship out in that. Either he was deliberately downplaying the danger or, like Eduardo, he enjoyed a touch of adventure.
Adventure was one thing. Risking his life another. Her lips firmed, accusation shading her tone. “You sent me away.”
His eyelids dropped to conceal the blue-gray of his pupils. “You seemed willing enough to leave with Matthews.”
Kara’s lips parted in surprise. “Frank and I are not together like that. We’re friends. A marriage between us would never have lasted. We both realize that now.”
When he didn’t respond, she went on. “My leaving had nothing to do with him. I left because you wanted me to. You planned it down to the last detail. You insisted that I go.” Had it been some sort of test that she had failed by not fighting harder to stay with him?
&n
bsp; He seemed to ignore the question that hovered behind her words. “A lot of good it did. You found your way back. By the way, who let you in? I saw Tony on the front desk, and he is under strict orders not to let women in.”
“Why?”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Why no women?”
She punched him them, her fist making contact with the damp orange fabric and unyielding muscle underneath. “No, damn you. Why did you send me away?”
He sighed. “It was for your own good. I couldn’t risk you being hurt.”
“By the storm?”
His shrug wasn’t an answer. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the muscle that stood out in his jaw, evidence of tension that he tried to hide. Was he worried about her safety during the storm or about the possibility that she would be emotionally damaged by their relationship? Either way, his admission of concern caused a bubble of hope to flow through her veins. “You could have told me the truth. You made me believe you didn’t want me.”
“What makes you think I do now?”
Her breath stopped in her chest and she heard the rush of the storm loud in her ears as the blood drained from her face. She searched his face, hoping for any hint of softening. His eyes were so narrowed she couldn’t see their color. Still, he had not suggested that she leave and she’d always thought actions spoke louder than words. “I don’t believe you. It wasn’t for my good. It was for yours. You’re so scared that history will repeat itself that you refuse to reach out and take what you want.”
“And you’re not? What makes you think I would be any more faithful to you than Frank?”
The words were soft. Taunting. They struck deep, as they were supposed to.
Her back stiffened as she stared at his features, so still they could have been carved from granite. He was warning her that he was a player, but somehow, she couldn’t believe it. She’d seen his face and heard the desolation in his voice when he spoke of the day his daughter was born. He’d been hurt deeply and wouldn’t open himself up to the chance of that kind of pain again.
It would take time and patience to convince him to try. Suddenly, she wondered if holding on to her man were as simple as being willing to fight to stay with him, to prove that she would never leave him.
Without allowing herself to dwell on the possibility of rejection, she launched herself at him, taking him backward to the floor with her weight. Her chest pressed against his dark tee-shirt, the warmth of his body through it a shock to her chilled skin. One hand on the floor supported her while she cupped his cheek with the other. Her face was so close to his that she could smell the ocean on his skin, mingled with the hint of the aftershave he’d bought in Nassau. She breathed deeply, wanting to bury her face in his neck, but knowing she had to say the words in her heart out loud.
“I am scared, but I trust you and I know we are right for each other.”
He stared up at her, not speaking. Desperation crept into her tone.
“Please, Niko, give us a chance. I’ll move to Greece to be near you. We can learn to be friends, date, move in together. I’ll do whatever you want, whenever you’re ready.”
“Whatever?”
She lowered her head, her lips brushing against the curve of his strong jaw. She felt the muscles tighten as he clenched his teeth. “Anything except leave,” she whispered against his skin. “I can’t go through that again.”
He reached into the pocket of his jacket and drew out the blue beaded anklet he’d bought her in Key West. “Would you wear this if I asked?”
The bracelet he’d said meant nothing. She had begged and pleaded, offering him the temptation of her body. It was time for him to give her a hint of how he felt. “For protection against the evil eye?”
“No, as a symbol that you’re my woman. Just until I can get you something more suitable.”
His woman. It sounded oddly brusque coming from his lips. Not his normal smooth words, but incredibly right. “I’ll wear it forever.”
He wrapped the anklet around the wrist that lay on his chest, holding it there untied, his large hand wrapped around her arm. He stared into her face, his gaze direct. “You must only wear it if you love it.”
The unasked question hung in the air between them. Her hand tightened against his jaw, moving to caress the rough stubble of his beard. She had admitted to herself that she loved him. Why was it so hard to say the words to him?
“I love it.” Her voice was uneven with emotion. “Love you.”
Niko’s hold on her wrist tightened, the slow smile that crossed his lips taking her breath. “I thought I’d never hear you say it,” he murmured on a soft exhale. Releasing her wrist, he put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her tighter against his chest. “I’ve been telling you how I feel about you for days. Agapi mou, my love.” He lifted his head from the floor to brush his lips against hers. He whispered, his breath warm against her cheek, “Kardia mou, my heart.”
She’d heard the words many times, had thought them sweet nothings. Later, she would find a way to punish him for hiding his emotions behind his language. Now, her feelings for this strong yet tender man demanded physical outlet.
“You annoying Greek god,” she said fiercely, her fists clenched into the soft knit of his shirt. “I don’t know why I love you so much.”
“Same here,” he said. “Now kiss me.”
About the Author
Lindy Corbin appears to be a mild-mannered accountant, but inside her beats the heart of an adventurer, fated to climb the tallest monuments in the world. Alas, she ascends these stairs alone as friends and family wisely use the elevator. When not dreaming of traveling to 1000 places, she lives in the lush oasis of South Florida, where sunshine and all the odd characters it attracts form a sizzling backdrop for her contemporary stories.
Lindy published her first novel, Auction Affair, in 1988 with Pageant Books. Babies and bills intervened, but finally, she is weaving words together again and avidly searching the internet for photos of the hottest heroes for her book covers.
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Gypsy Bond
A novella by Lindy Corbin
The palm reader spoke of two paths. Would one lead Juliet to her gypsy husband?
At sixteen, Juliet Bailey was hand-fasted to the gypsy, Marko, but when the tribe moved on, she was left behind. For years, she has endured snubs and snide remarks whispered behind lace fans. Now that the gypsies have returned, she demands her rightful place beside her husband.
Marko, who returned to Derbyshire to lay aside his memories of their rash affair, refuses to acknowledge the union. Though attracted to her still, he is convinced that her happiness lies in taking a husband who is her peer.
Stung by Marko’s rejection, will Juliet choose the path that will separate them forever?
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
friends
