Azure (Drowning In You) (10 page)

Kai had touched it, she remembered. The color may be a chemical reaction of the mineral, to his sweat or something.

So weird.

By the time she went down for breakfast, she’d tried on all the clothes she’d brought with her. She was acting like a schoolgirl. This was ridiculous.

She
was ridiculous.

So he was a
hottie
. So she couldn’t wait to see him again. It still wasn’t a date and she shouldn’t care.

Right?

Kirsten and Markus were there already, discussing the place they’d visit. They’d take the bus to some village up the hills. Something about an archaeological site. Minoan. Very ancient.

Normally she’d be dying to visit. Archaeology was one of her big passions, right up there with literature and ecology. But she could barely hear them.

When and where was she supposed to meet with Kai? He hadn’t said. He was off work today, so he wouldn’t be at the beach bar. Why hadn’t they set a place?

Oh right.
Because he’d run away. Right after he’d been about to kiss her. Or at least it had looked that way.

Maybe she was imagining things. Maybe he hadn’t been about to kiss her.

Kirsten had to ask her twice if she needed anything from the mini market, to which she distractedly said no, then her friends were off on their great adventure, giggling like little kids and holding hands.

She watched them go. It had never been that way with Justin. And she’d never felt the need. Now she wondered why. It looked like they had fun with each other. It looked nice.

Panos waved at her from the reception desk, his face breaking into a big smile. “Good morning! Any luck with your job?”

Oh crap
. “No, sorry.”

“Nothing?”

“Nope.” She hadn’t managed to make Kai laugh. She only seemed to upset him every time.

“Next time. Work harder.” He winked.

Yeah, add to the pressure, why don’t you?
She smiled weakly and looked around the lobby. Kai wasn’t there.

She didn’t know what to expect but she had a bad feeling about this — about spending a day with him. She thought about running after her friends before they caught the bus and left.

Kai hadn’t confirmed they’d meet today. What if he’d changed his mind?

 
Panos harrumphed, looking over her shoulder, across the lobby. She turned and there was Kai, coming through the revolving doors, carrying a huge box of refreshment drinks. He was wearing blue shorts and a cut-off t-shirt, the front dark with sweat and his hair plastered to his face. Her heart beat faster. God, he was so handsome.

She couldn’t help thinking that Justin would never have been caught in clothes that were less than perfect. He detested ripped pants.

“Kai.” She waved.

His eyes widened a little when he saw her and he stumbled. She rushed toward him but he found his footing and lugged the box toward the desk.

“Hey,” he said, out of breath.

“Don’t you have off today?” Panos grumbled.

“I did.” He carried the box around the desk, muscles bulging in his arms. “Christie called me back, said I need to help unload the truck and then with the buffet for tonight.” He scowled. “Sorry,
Liv
.”

Olivia’s mouth hung open. She snapped it shut.
Damn
. She should have gone with Markus and Kirsten.

Or maybe...
“Hey,” she said as Kai emerged from the room behind the reception, wiping sweat off his face on his arm. “I could help.”

Kai blinked, then shot a look at Panos. He opened and shut his mouth, blinked again.

“No way,” Panos said, folding his thick arms over his chest.

“Oh come on. I can’t carry those boxes, but I can do other stuff.” She had no idea what. Or even why she was doing this.

Yep, she was completely mad.

Kai was staring at her, managing to look horrified and glad at once. It belatedly occurred to her that maybe he didn’t want her to stay. That maybe he’d indeed changed his mind and staying to work was his excuse.

“No,” Panos said again and jabbed a finger at Kai. “You never take a vacation and have good time. Today you’re off. I take the boxes and I help fucking Christie.”

Olivia snorted, she couldn’t help it. She hoped this Christie wasn’t within earshot.

“Go on.” Panos made shooing motions with his hands. “Go, have good time with pretty girl. Go.”

Suddenly Kai grinned, a sparkle entering his eyes, and nodded. “Thanks,” he said and turned to Olivia, holding out his hand. “Coming?”

“Sure,” she said, slipping her hand into his and following him outside. She felt dazed, only one thought making it past the buzzing in her head:
he looks happy after all
.

***

“Where are we going?” Olivia pulled on her safety belt, her pulse racing.
Be still, my heart. Not a date, okay? Not at all.

“I know a great place.” He revved the engine and glanced at her. “A quiet beach with trees and...” His gaze lingered on her face, then slid down her throat. He swallowed hard. “I think you’ll like it,” he said in a strangled voice and turned away.

 
She looked down at herself, fearing for a moment she had a pimple on her chest or a stain on her clothes. You never knew. But no, no pimple. She’d chosen a spaghetti strap blouse — which was fitting, since she was a blond noodle, apparently — and her cut-off shorts. As casual as you please.

“Thanks for showing me the area.” She watched his strong hands on the wheel, his corded arms, and fought the urge to fan herself. “That’s nice of you.”

“I want to see you smile,” he said.

Awh
. It was so sweet it made her heart swell. “I smile all the time.”

“No, you don’t.” He stared ahead at the road but a muscle leaped in his jaw. “Don’t get me wrong. I like it when you pout, too, like now, but the smile suits you better.”

She moved her lips, hoping to dislodge the pout. Dammit, she didn’t pout! She bared her teeth, then opened her mouth wide, feeling her jaw stretch. No more pout.

He made a choking sound and she found him grinning, white teeth flashing. God, he was really cute like that.

“Was that a laugh? Did you laugh at me?” She couldn’t help grinning back.

“You were pouting again.”

“I was
so
not.”

He shook his head and kept on driving. She didn’t remember the ride, didn’t glance once outside to see the landscape, or if she did, she didn’t notice anything. All she could see was his dark eyes, his silky black hair curling at his tanned neck, his wide shoulders, just like the first time she’d met him.

Was that what they called lust at first sight — and ever after?

Time sort of lurched and what felt like seconds later, he took an exit from the main road and the truck rolled through orchards and over a bridge. A stream ran below, sparkling in the sunlight.

He stopped at a small store. “I’ll get some water.”

“I’m coming with you.”

They stepped into the tiny shop and selected water and juices from the fridge. He grabbed a couple bags of pistachios and she got cookies. The cashier eyed their selections, then scowled at Kai before cashing.

As they turned to go, the cashier made the sign of the cross at Kai’s back and pretended to spit.

Okay, this was getting old. “So what did you do?” she asked as they climbed back into the truck.

“Do?” He turned on the car but his jaw was clenched tight.

“Everyone glares at you and makes these averting signs. What happened?”

He said nothing, closing his door and getting back onto the road. He drove down the hill, past a few lone houses, and stopped right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. He switched off the engine.

“Look, I’m sorry.” She really was, because he’d been happy and carefree a moment ago and now he had a furrow between his brows. “None of my business. I was just wondering what sort of crime you committed to be at the receiving end of such hatred.”

“I committed no crime,” he muttered, staring at his hands, still gripping the wheel. “Is that what you think of me? Do I look to you like an axe murderer or something?”

“No,” she said, “you don’t. Otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here with you, would I?” She reached out for him but didn’t dare touch him, her hand hovering near his arm. “But why are they treating you like that?”

“They’re angry with everything they don’t understand.” Said so low she barely heard it.

“Like what?”

“They think I’m something I’m not. I’m...” He clenched his hands until his knuckles shone white. “I’m human.”

Okay, rewind.
“They think you’re not human?” He looked perfectly human, right then. Perfectly, utterly vulnerable and sad. “Kai.”

“I don’t know what they want from me.” It came out thin. “I’m here to find peace and I can’t...” He threw the door open and stumbled outside. He went to stand at the cliff, staring out at the sea, the wind whipping his short hair.

She wished she knew what to do, what to say. But every possible word
stoppered
her throat when he took a step closer to the edge and fear blared inside her head.

Not like
Andria
. She wasn’t letting it happen again.

She fell out of the truck and ran to him. Grabbing his arm, she dug her fingers in and held on tight. “You don’t have to tell me,” she whispered, her voice so hoarse it hurt. “Everything will be okay.”

***