“I … I don’t know.”

Josie’s face grew troubled. “Has Dauphine met her uncle?”

“When she was small. I doubt she remembers him.”

“It might be worth showing her a recent picture, so she knows to sound the alarm if he approaches her.”

“I don’t want to scare her. But it’s probably a good idea.” I shook off a shiver. “Let’s talk about something else. What about you?”

“What about me?” She smiled, her eyes dancing. “I’ve already told you everything.”

“I doubt that,” I said. “What are your plans when you go back?” I asked.

The question hit the atmosphere between us like a meteor hitting Paris. Fuck.

Josie jerked like she’d been slapped, her eyes closing tight. Her fingers in mine moved to untangle, and I grabbed hold of them tighter. “Wait,” I said.

I needed to say something. To take it back. But … I wasn’t asking her to stay. She didn’t plan to stay.

Words and needs and demands and denials rose up and crashed silently around in my throat.

Her fingers went limp in mine, which was somehow worse. “It’s fine, Xavier. We’re both aware of what this is. Let’s …” Her voice wobbled. “Let’s just enjoy one more day and not think about after tomorrow.” She pulled her hand away slowly and I let her.

I still couldn’t speak, paralyzed as I was. Inside me, the words rose. I want more. But I left them unsaid, not believing them, and unable to drag them through the turmoil even if I did.

Josie pasted a smile on her face, her eyes bright with determination. “You mentioned caves and grottos. And private beaches tucked away in the cliffs?”

“La Revellata.”

“Perhaps we could take the boat there this afternoon?” She stood and came around to me. “I need to run to the restroom, but,” she leaned down, her lips close to my ear, “I have a fantasy of you fucking me in the ocean that I’d like to take home with me. Let’s do that instead of talk.” Her mouth slipped down to the side of my neck and her lips pressed against my skin, lighting it on fire. Then she stood and hurried inside, her summer dress floating around her curves, her hair cascading down her back.

I grabbed my wine glass and downed the contents, signaling for the check.

Chapter Forty

JOSIE

I’d thought the water was beautiful off the coast of Southern France, but here, off the coast of a rocky island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, it was almost fake. I leaned over the prow of the boat as the anchor plunged down through the water, searching for a bottom that looked closer than it apparently was. When it finally hit the depths and stopped, I couldn’t see the bottom. Yet I could see the mottled blues of rocks and sand through crystal clear water.