A Dangerous Arrangement by Lee Christine Page B

you playing nicely with the others?’
    His voice had taken on that playful sexy tone he’d used in the gondola, when he’d asked if she knew the story of Casanova. When he thought she might be involved in a crime.
    Now he knew she wasn’t.
    â€˜Do you mean the other passengers or the players?’
    â€˜Both.’
    A delicious anticipation built inside Marina, making her heart beat faster and her skin flush with heat. She recalled what she’d told him the other day.
    My reasons for taking this gig are extremely personal. Where I go, and with whom, is entirely my business.
    She’d been trying to protect her secret, trying to get them off her case. Had she piqued Dean Logan’s interest with her words?
    â€˜I always try to play nicely, Mr Logan.’ This reluctance by both of them to hang up was totally crazy. ‘But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I can be exasperating and difficult at times.’
    Oh God , why was she admitting this, and to a man she hardly knew?
    â€˜And you told me you were single by choice.’
    She laughed aloud at that.
    He really was witty and charming and clever. And he was smiling too, she could hear it in his voice.
    Marina sobered. While it had been lovely flirting with Dean Logan, that’s all it was. All it could ever be.
    â€˜I should go,’ she said honestly.
    There was another long silence, then ‘You’ll be hearing from me, Marina.’
    â€˜Goodnight, Dean.’
    â€˜Night.’
    She held onto the phone until the line went dead in her ear.

Chapter Eight
    The following morning Marina disembarked the ship’s tender and stepped onto the dock at Taormina. ‘It sure feels good to be back on terra firma.’
    Vlad pulled her cap over her eyes and gave her ponytail a tug. ‘Come on you landlubber, we only have until lunchtime.’
    Marina straightened the brim of her cap and they began walking towards the exit gates.
    â€˜Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you to the Amphitheatre?’ asked Vlad.
    â€˜I’ll be fine. Once we’re off the bus it’s only a short walk, and you’ve been here dozens of times already.’
    â€˜I have.’ He hooked a thumb over his shoulder at the line of tenders ferrying passengers from the cruise ship to the dock ‘The twins want to see the restaurant where the actors all sit around talking like Marlon Brando in The Godfather .’
    Marina laughed. ‘Then how about I catch up with you guys after I finish my sightseeing?’
    â€˜Sounds like a plan.’ Suddenly, Vlad gave a low whistle and pointed up ahead. ‘Will you take a look at that vintage Harley?’
    Marina stared at the gleaming motorcycle. It was attracting a fair bit of attention, mostly from the disembarking male passengers. A few even passed comment, and though the rider responded, he didn’t remove his black helmet.
    Marina slowed her pace as they approached the bike. There was something familiar about the rider. The broad shoulders, the long legs, the effortless balance as he sat astride the bike.
    An image of Dean flashed in her mind, his body relaxed, rising and falling with the movement of the gondola as though he were an extension of it.
    Excitement raced along her veins like an electric current.
    It couldn’t be!
    But as they drew nearer, the rider pulled off his gloves and flipped up the perspex shield revealing the upper half of his face.
    Marina blinked. There was no mistaking the keen gaze that peered at her from inside the helmet. ‘Dean?’
    Beside her, Vlad stopped in his tracks.
    Flustered, she turned to her friend. ‘You go on ahead. I’ll be in touch.’
    Vlad’s gaze shifted from her face to Dean and back again. ‘Are you sure?’
    Marina laid a hand on his arm, conscious of Dean watching the exchange with interest. ‘We know each other.’
    Vlad gave a silent nod and Marina watched him go. Then