CHAPTER EIGHT
THESOUNDOFthe wind finally distracted Mina. She looked up from the intricate design taking shape on her sketchpad and realised the noise she’d been vaguely aware of was the howl of a strong wind from the sea. The dark clouds had moved closer in the hours since her confrontation with Alexei and the light was lurid green.
The hairs on Mina’s nape and arms lifted. She didn’t know tropical weather, but that eerie light reminded her of the explosive storms that occasionally devastated the mountains of her homeland.
A crash made her jump. Mina put her drawing down and crossed to her bedroom window.
A sun umbrella had fallen, knocking over a wrought-iron chair. As she watched, a cushion tumbled past and came to rest against a gardenia hedge.
Mina opened the door and went out, feeling the whip of the wind. Another cushion floated in the pool. She concentrated on saving the rest, gathering them and dropping them inside her room.
As she turned around, a chair slid, screeching across the flagstones. Mina chewed her lip, looking beyond the garden to the taller trees, bending in the wind. If the storm worsened, unsecured furniture could be dangerous, especially in a house with so many big windows. As for that umbrella...
She was grappling with it, trying to close it against the force of the wind when she heard a voice behind her.
‘Leave that to me.’ Large hands took over, Alexei’s shoulder nudging her out of the way. She watched the strain of bunching muscles and tendons in his arms as he fought to close it, then heard a grunt of satisfaction as he finally succeeded. ‘You get inside. This will get worse before it gets better.’ He was already lifting the long umbrella pole and marching away.
Mina frowned, staring as he disappeared around the corner of the house. What had she expected? Thanks for trying to help? She should have known better.
But as another chair careered across flagstones, she set her mouth, grabbed it and followed him.
Nearby, yet screened from the house, was a large garage. Inside, in addition to the four-wheel drive, she discovered a couple of jet skis, a windsurfer, canoes and Alexei, stacking the furled umbrella against a pile of outdoor furniture. He must have been working for some time, securing it all. Mina had been so busy working she hadn’t noticed.
‘Where’s Henri?’
Alexei’s head jerked up. He hadn’t heard her approach over the noise of the wind. ‘Gone with Marie to the larger island for supplies. But the storm’s changed course, coming in faster than expected. They’ll have to stay there till it blows over.’
Even in the gloom Mina could see the gleam of Alexei’s steady stare. Did he expect her to panic at the idea of a powerful storm?
‘What can I do?’
‘Sorry?’
Behind her the door banged shut, leaving them in almost darkness. But not completely. Mina could make out his towering form, close now. The wide spread of his shoulders, the jut of his jaw as if he were still furious.
Mina didn’t step back. To retreat would be to admit fear. She might be stuck here, an unwilling guest of an angry host who saw her as an avaricious plotter, but she refused to show anxiety. Even if therewassomething about Alexei Katsaros that made her breathing ragged and her pulse skip.
But it’s not fear, is it?
It’s desire.
Mina inhaled a breath redolent with the tang of citrus and Alexei, and strove to ignore the flurry in her belly.
‘You said the storm’s coming more quickly than expected and Henri’s not here to help. What can I do to prepare?’
* * *
Alexei peered down at the slim figure before him, wishing it were light enough to read her expression.
It wasn’t the first time she’d surprised him. When he’d rounded the house to find her struggling with the oversized umbrella his heart had almost stopped. Did she have any idea how dangerous that would have been, if the wind had ripped it out of her hold? How much damage it could do as a projectile?
‘Get into the house and stay there.’ He had enough to do without worrying for her safety. The wind was still rising.
For answer, she spun on her foot, headed for the door and yanked it open. Alexei saw her silhouetted against the light, long legs, short white shorts and a tight top that outlined a deliciously willowy body. He remembered the feel of her against him; the combination of taut flesh and enticing, feminine softness had been irresistible.
Then she strode towards the house.
Good riddance. Alexei had more to do and time was running out. Yet, as he carted more furniture to the garage, he found Mina marching towards him, carrying another chair. The wind had strengthened and her long dark hair whipped around her face.