Free Avoiding Mr Right by Sophie Weston Page B

him in considerable dudgeon. She mistrusted him. There was a distinct possibility that underneath that electric attraction she might even dislike him. He had certainly made no attempt to be conciliating. And it was all too obvious that he was used to getting his way without question.
    Yet, on the other hand, she reasoned, he was civilised as well as attractive. There was a spark— something between them which she had never felt before with anyone else. It made her feel thoroughly unsettled. She was not going to allow herself to get involved too deeply, of course, but … surely she owed it to herself to explore the sensation a little? Purely in the interests of self-knowledge, naturally—so she would recognise it and know how to deal with it if it ever happened again.
    Her thoughts broke off there. Christina was too honest to lie to herself. Not allow herself to get too involved, indeed! Look how far she had come already, entirely contrary to normal habits or even her natural wariness of an evasive stranger!
    Get real, she told herself. She shook her head ruefully and chuckled. Luc flicked up an interrogative eyebrow.
    ‘Nothing,’ she said to him, still laughing at herself. ‘Perhaps I need to put a brake on those weaknesses of mine, though.’
    Luc grinned. ‘That would be a pity.’
    She laughed aloud at that, stretching her arms to the cloudless sky. ‘I’m inclined to agree with you. Especially in this heavenly place. The sea is probably a magic mirror.’ She moved her shoulders in delight. ‘Let’s swim.’
    Luc’s eyes were warm with appreciation. He entered into the spirit of her flight of fantasy, pretending amazement.
    ‘In a magic mirror?’ he mocked.
    Christina sent him a look from under her lashes. ‘I bet it makes everyone who swims in it tell the truth,’ she taunted pleasurably.
    Luc made a face. ‘Then I shall have my question ready,’ he threatened.
    But Christina was too busy twining her hair up on top of her head to be intimidated. She skewered it into place with a couple of pins and untied her shirt to reveal the bikini beneath. Luc watched her with amusement.
    ‘You look as if you haven’t swum for weeks.’
    ‘Say days and you’d be close.’ Christina kicked off her shoes and thrust her toes into the sand with enthusiasm. ‘I got away yesterday but that was the first time since we left Athens.’
    He raised his brows. ‘You don’t swim off the Lady Elaine ?’
    Christina wasn’t going to tell him that she didn’t like the way the captain’s eyes followed her. It made her sound like a wimp. Though that was probably the real reason why she had limited her swimming and she knew it.
    ‘Have you seen the water in the harbour?’ she countered instead.
    Luc’s eyes narrowed. She was not sure he believed the implied excuse, but all he said was, ‘You can’t spend all your time in harbour.’
    Christina gave her bubbling laugh. ‘Very nearly,’ she said. ‘You should see the scrapes the Lady Elaine has had.’
    ‘Good grief,’ he said blankly.
    She wriggled out of her shorts and was ready. She folded her clothes neatly, put them on top of her shoes on a convenient rock and raced into the water. Then she turned back, the water surging gently up to her waist. She flung back her head with delight and saw him standing there with his hands on his hips, surveying her.
    ‘Come on,’ she teased. ‘Now, this is a weakness that is really worth having.’
    She scooped the water up in her palms and flung it high, sending up sprays of diamond droplets into the afternoon sun.
    Luc stood very still.
    Christina shook the brilliant water out of her eyes.
    ‘Come on. What are you waiting for? It’s warm ,’ Christina called to him. She flung out her arms above her head, watching the water fountain off them. ‘Oh, this is heaven.’
    Luc seemed to shake himself. He gave her a sudden smile. It was, she saw, a dazzling one. Irresistible. Oh, well, for once she was not going to fight it.