“Let me give you a quick tour,” the navigator offered. “We have the same electronic navigational equipment as the largest naval vessels. We track our route, other ships nearby, follow weather forecasts and monitor all the technical systems on board.”
The bridge was lined with computer screens and banks of controls. Ana wondered how anyone kept track of it all. When Alejandro hugged her shoulders, she rubbed her cheek along his hand. “This is amazing. Thank you.”
Alejandro found his father’s suite without taking a single wrong turn. The glass doors to the balcony flooded the plush cabin with light. It was as beautifully decorated as a suite in a five-star hotel, and the bed was wide and inviting.
He followed her glance. “We don’t have to swim if you’d rather not.”
His thoughts were easily read in his relaxed smile, but her second experience with the detectives hadn’t left her in a loving mood. “I love to swim. Where are the suits?”
He opened a narrow closet. “Here you are. There’s no red bikini, but there are other choices.” He grabbed a pair of baggy board shorts for himself.
Ana found a black one-piece suit and went into the bathroom to pull it on. “Are all the cabins this beautiful?” she asked through the partially open door.
“This is one of the deluxe cabins. Many Barcelona apartments aren’t this large.” When she came out carrying her folded clothes, he gave her a slow, appreciative glance. “That’s almost better than the red bikini, but I don’t know why.”
She gave a saucy turn. “It leaves more to your imagination.” She found a cap on the closet shelf and pushed her hair up into it.
It was a mild day, the pool heated and Ana swam laps with an easy stroke. She rolled over on her back, and Alejandro swam up beside her. The water felt like liquid silk against her skin, and she fluttered her hands to move closer to him. “I got up too early this morning to challenge you to a race. I’ll add it to our list of things to do.”
He whipped his wet hair out of his eyes, and water beaded on his eyelashes. He treaded water beside her. “Do you really think you could win?”
“I do. When I travel for jobs, I swim at the hotel if there’s time. It’s easier than bringing along my ballet slippers and searching for a parquet floor.”
“I’ve never brought anyone else on board one of our cruise ships, but we’ll come back and swim again. I think the Mediterranean Siren docks next week. Right now, I’m too hungry to race. We didn’t have time for breakfast. Aren’t you hungry?”
She dropped her legs to tread water. “When do you have a class? You shouldn’t be late.”
He gave her a watery kiss. “We have to eat, and I have an hour.” He swam to the end of the pool, pulled himself out and used the pool phone to call the kitchen to request whatever they were serving the crew.
Ana regarded him with a slow smile. He didn’t have an ounce of fat, and every muscle was firm and taut. He’d make a great menswear model. “Have you ever thought of modeling?” She swam to the steps and climbed out. She pulled off her cap and shook out her hair.
“I told you I can’t stand still.” He picked up a thick white towel and dried her off with gentle pats. “Although, if I could work with you, I might be able to manage it.”
She’d brought her purse out on the deck and heard her phone. “Do you mind if I check this?”
He dried his hair with a couple of rough swipes of a fresh towel. “Go ahead.”
“It’s Gian Carlo. Whatever could he want?”
He pulled a deck chair close for her. “Answer and ask.”
She slid into the chair and cocked her head to listen and then covered her cell phone. “He says he has something he has to tell me in person. Do you mind if he comes here, or should I have him meet me at home later?”
That was an easy choice. “Have him come here.”
“He’s only ten minutes away. We can shower and be dressed before he arrives. I’ll go first.”
She quickly ended the call, and he caught her fingers as she moved by. “Fine, because if we shower together, ten minutes won’t be nearly enough time. Put showering together on the list.” He wrapped the towel low on his hips and moved to the rail to wait for Gian Carlo. When he saw the red MG drive up, he recognized the blond man. He waved to the guard and went down to meet him.
“Have the po
lice been after you too?” he asked the model.
“No, but that’s not the problem.” Gian Carlo wore khaki slacks, a black polo shirt and Italian sandals. As they entered the elevator, he eyed Alejandro’s hairy chest. “Going with the natural look?”
Alejandro hadn’t given it a thought. “I’ve got better things to do than shave my chest.”
“Have it waxed. It lasts a lot longer.” He strolled out on the poolside deck. Ana was waiting for them in her prim skirt and blouse. A steward placed a tray of sandwiches on the table beside her, along with beer and lemonade. “I didn’t expect lunch. This is great.” He reached for a sandwich and took a bite before he sat down beside Ana.