Saved By A Billionaire Brit Read Online Free PDF Page B

certainly change in an instant, and change forever. A shiphand came around serving drinks, and I gulped it down. I don't remember what kind of drink it was.
    At the end of the afternoon I stopped in the hotel office to talk with Anne. She was full of information.
    "The island in the center of the caldera had a small eruption last summer. It was smoking a lot more then. Oia has earthquakes all the time. Several of the houses there were destroyed or condemned a few years ago. Oia has continued to have small tremors, but nothing as severe."
    Anne smiled, but I wasn't reassured. There is nothing like living inside an active volcano to inspire strong feelings of self-preservation. I felt life rapidly returning to all my body parts, including my brain. It was the ultimate irony that all this island beauty came from so much geological violence.
    That night Robert sat on my couch, my head on a pillow in his lap. He stroked my face and damp hair.
    "Robert, I'm not sure why you want to hang out with me. I've been like a patient or an invalid. I feel like I should apologize to you, but instead you are the one who apologizes all the time."
    "Well, I guess I'm attracted to female novelists."
    "I haven't even written a novel yet. You are giving me credit for something I haven't done. I have exactly ten pages of notes and a weak plot outline. That's a long way from a novel."
    "You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?"
    "Well, you have to understand. I grew up the skinny, smart girl with dark hair. I was never the pretty one. Then things got worse; I had to wear glasses. By high school I finally won second place in a beauty contest, but I thought a judge over thirty was too old to know anything about beauty."
    Robert laughed out loud and kissed me on the cheek. "Well, I guess I'm confused because I'm thirty. All I see is an incredibly beautiful woman. Are you aware that men turn to stare at you when you walk by?"
    At this point I pulled his head down to me and kissed him full on the lips for the first time. My mind was blank, but apparently my body needed more. His touch was familiar and exciting at the same time. Was he wearing a scent or did he just smell like that all the time, a combination of sea air and soap? As he held me, I felt my core relax for the first time in days.
    My hair was full of salt water, my skin was sticky, and I was exhausted. I stared at Robert, and I wanted to keep him forever. But that wasn't what I said. One afternoon cruise and it might not be wise to start throwing around words like "forever."
    "Robert, I've made a decision. I need to put the past behind me and use my time to work on my book. I'm going to wash my hair and go to bed early. Then tomorrow I want to visit the archeological dig at Akrotiri to make notes."
    "Well, do you need any help? I still have the jeep, and I could drive you. John and I are both anxious to spend some time there too. I'm pretty good at reading maps, and John read archeology at university. He might know a bit about ancient Minoan culture."
    "I'd love to have some help. Are you sure you won't be bored. I'll be working. It's a shame I can't find a date for John, given the circumstances."
    "I have the answer for everything. I'm keen to use my new camera, and perhaps I can take photos for you? And don't worry about John. He can certainly take care of himself. He grew up in Africa, like I did. I think he was already planning to visit Akrotiri tomorrow. In fact, I believe he fancies the assistant manager and wants to take her. At least he was going to ask her."
    "Anne?"
    "Yes, I think that is her name."

Chapter Four
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    W hen I woke up in the middle of the night, my skin felt smooth and cool against the clean sheets. I hadn't been brave enough to go bare on the beach, but sleeping clean and naked seemed perfect. I floated out of an erotic dream and rubbed my own breasts. Some delicious man had his shaft between my legs just seconds before. It was thick, and