Daniel shook his head. "I prefer face-to-face for initial contact." When her face fell, he added, "Don't worry about it. I've plenty of other things to do, people to meet, places to go. I'll need to come back at some point—I can meet up with him then."
But Laura still looked worried. "I know I'm not in a position to discuss business with you on Paulo's behalf," she said earnestly, "but if I can help you in any other way, I will."
Daniel couldn't help himself. With more than a hint of suggestion in his voice, he said, "Thank you, Laura. I may take you up on that."
Chapter Ten
The aroma of charcoal drifted across the deck. Carlos flipped fresh sardines on the grill while his wife prepared salad and cut chunks of fresh bread. Since Laura was absorbed watching them, Daniel wandered off down the boat, chatting with the few English-speaking passengers he found and returning to her when the food was ready. It seemed a little early in the day for the port that they handed round, but they drank it anyway to wash the meal down, and when they'd finished eating, Daniel nudged her and stood up.
"Fancy helping me with a bit of interpreting? I spoke to some of the other passengers while you daydreamed, and I think this is something we could recommend to our clients. Small boat, not too crowded, nice atmosphere. I wouldn't mind asking Carlos a few things, though, since I'm here."
The boat had turned around to head back to town, and Carlos and his wife were busy tidying up the lunch debris. When Laura explained about Daniel's interest in the trips, Carlos sat them down and poured more port, happy to tout his new business.
As Laura interpreted easily for the two men, it occurred to Daniel he had yet another job ahead of him: to add Portuguese to the French and Spanish he'd picked up over the past few years. It always helped to make an effort, even if the other party spoke English. Away from the tourist hotspots in the sort of authentic places his clients liked to visit, English wasn't always widely spoken. The thought of the studying involved made his brain ache.
They were heading back to their seats when Laura suddenly went back to Carlos, holding a hurried exchange in Portuguese before she came back to join him.
"What was that all about?" Daniel asked as she sat down.
She hesitated. "I . . . was just telling Carlos off for being so generous with the port. I didn't get much sleep last night. I think it's made me a little light-headed."
Daniel wasn't convinced, but he let it pass. "I'm more than impressed with your linguistic abilities," he told her. "You're wasted as a teacher—you should be my personal travelling interpreter instead." He was only teasing—on a subconscious level, the idea rather appealed to him, but it was hardly practical. To lighten it a little before she got the wrong idea, he added, "You're not nearly as incompetent as I thought you were that first day!"
Laura's eyes flared bright violet. "Under normal circumstances, I'm more than capable, thank you," she replied huffily. "It's only when you're around that I seem to . . ." She stopped short.
His eyes danced with amusement, light flecks in the deep blue depths. "It's nice to know I have such an effect on you."
In a tone more frustrated than angry, she said, "The only effect you have on me, Daniel Stone, is to irritate me so much I can't think straight!"
She moved off a few paces to lean on the rail, staring out across the water. Daniel watched the breeze loosen her ponytail, the stiff line of her back, the curve of her hips in snug jeans; he imagined the curves under her sweater. Leave it alone, Daniel. But he couldn't leave it alone. Couldn't leave her alone.
"You can't keep trying to escape from me like that," he said as he joined her. "You ran from me the other night, too. It's not good for the ego, you know!"
When her lips twitched, he tested a little further. "Why did you run?"
Laura blushed. "I . . . thought things might get out of hand."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't call a good-night kiss getting out of hand, would you?"
She shrugged. "That all depends on where the kiss leads, doesn't it?" She sighed. "I'm not interested in a holiday fling, Daniel."
"Then what are you interested in?"
"I'm interested in getting through this year's holiday without throttling one of the guests!" she snapped.
Daniel laughed. He couldn't help it, even though he knew it would only infuriate her more—and he was right. Her fists clenched on the rail.
He wished she would lighten up, relax a little. "We're going to have to learn to get along, Laura, especially since you promised to do anything I need while I'm here." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively in an attempt to make her laugh.
She didn't. "I meant I'd help you within reasonable limits," she clarified. "There's a difference."
"That all depends on what limits you define as reasonable." His hand brushed hers where she held the rail, and a flush raced across her cheeks – whether in response to him or because she was plain furious, he couldn't tell. He would have placed a bet on the former.
"You're staring at me again," she grumbled half-heartedly.
"I can't help staring at you. And alongside the staring, I wouldn't mind a little kissing."
He lowered his head a fraction, until his lips were inches from hers. He could sense her tremble lightly. Hoping it was anticipation, he slowly lowered his mouth to hers, allowing time for her to stop him before their lips met. To his surprise, she didn't.
Daniel kept the kiss light, not wanting to spook her, half expecting her to protest and pull away—maybe even to slap his face—but
