Mina dragged in a deep breath, rich with the tang of the sea, and sighed. How long had it been since she’d spent time away from crowds and cars? Not since her last visit to Jeirut. There she’d been rejuvenated by the rough majesty of the arid mountains, the sparkling clean air with its unique fragrance and the quality of the light that was unlike anything else.
‘This is glorious.’
‘I think so. There aren’t many places like it.’
‘With no neighbours?’ She scanned the opposite end of the beach, seeing only the rise of a headland covered in a tangle of green forest.
‘Partly that. But the island itself is pretty unique. It was never cleared for farming so a lot of the natural forest is left. Its conservation value is tremendous, especially for several species of endangered birds.’
Mina swung around to discover Alexei surveying her rather than their surroundings. She wasn’t used to being the centre of attention, not since she’d given up her royal duties in Jeirut and disappeared into her life in Paris. Yet it wasn’t just the fact Alexei watched her, it was the intensity of his regard. As ifhewere the artist and she a model.
‘What are your plans for the island?’
‘Plans?’
Mina turned back to the stretch of white sand, imagining it lined with buildings and an oversized marina. ‘Ecotourism or some other sort of development?’
‘You assume I’m going to develop it?’ Something in his voice snagged her attention and she looked up at him. His gaze was shadowed by the brim of his hat and unreadable.
‘You’re a businessman. Anyone with commercial sense would see it has enormous money-making potential.’
‘Is that what you see?’ His voice dipped to a gravelly note that made her skin shiver.
Mina shook her head and tried to repress regret at the thought of it transformed into a busy holiday resort. ‘I can see it, yes.’
‘But you don’t approve.’ Had he read her so easily?
She shrugged. ‘Not all progress is an improvement.’ Her gaze took in the forest and a flash of bright colour as some small bird curvetted into the blue sky before disappearing again into the green.
‘I agree.’
Mina started and swung back. ‘You do?’
‘Why so surprised? Even businessmen can appreciate beauty when they see it.’
Not all businessmen. Mina had met enough, so wrapped up in building more wealth or power, who never considered the impact of their actions on others or the environment.
At fifteen she’d had a stand-up argument with her father about a development proposal for the foothills near the capital. The scheme would bring short-term jobs but most profits would go offshore and the environmental damage would be catastrophic. In the end the plan was modified. It was one of the few times her father had been swayed. A local company had won the contract in a compromise between development and conservation. Now that area attracted tourists, drawn by the natural beauty and nearby facilities.
‘Carissa?’
‘Sorry.’ She blinked and focused, reading the lines around his mouth that spoke of disapproval. ‘What did you say?’
‘I asked what you have against businessmen.’
‘Nothing.’ Just selfish rich guys who expected others to dance to their tune. Yet the vibe she got now from Alexei was a million miles away from that.
That intrigued her. Standing with the ocean lapping near their feet and Alexei’s dark gaze heavy as a touch, Mina felt something new shiver through her. More than sexual awareness. More than impatience and indignation. Something that spread warmth and niggled at her protective, no, her combative attitude.
‘So you’re not going to change the place?’ It seemed too good to be true.
‘Oh, there’ll be changes.’ He waved his hand in an encompassing gesture.
Disappointment was sour on Mina’s tongue. Why had she allowed herself to think otherwise? ‘Such as?’
‘Some cabins near the landing strip for visiting scientists and a small research facility.’ Mina looked up and caught his fleeting smile. ‘That’s all.’
He’d deliberately led her on, and she’d fallen for it, because she was primed to believe the worst of him. And he’d guessed. Yet instead of taking offence, he was amused.