7
O minous stormy grey clouds hovered over St. William’s, a warning that time was running short to get off the island. I stood inside the airport terminal and looked out the window. The outer bands of Gilbert streaked across the sky and the windsock whipped in the increasing wind.
Everything had been a whirlwind since the day I’d found the coins. Cork had been a lifesaver, and I was grateful for his help. He drove me back to the marina and thank goodness my bag was safe and sound.
He waited while I went to my car to ensure all was well. Another indicator perhaps, maybe, possibly, I could trust him. He got out of his car and we stood by mine. It was kind of awkward and I wasn’t quite sure what to do.
A hug goodbye seemed kind of lame, especially after our smexy time on the boat, which, if I was honest with myself, had been amazing. I’d dwelled on it all day.
So when he’d pulled me into his arms, I let him. We kissed. Boy, did we kiss! It was delicious, passionate, and rocked my world. Yes, cliche as it was, the earth moved for me and that was when I accepted I could enjoy this man for whatever time we had together. It was the pivot I think I’d been waiting for and didn’t fight it.
That was five days ago.
Since then, we’d spent a lot of time together, both in and out of bed. We’d done research, talked about the Sirena , he’d even helped at the museum getting the windows boarded up. I looked forward to spending time with him. The sex with Cork was indescribable, and I craved it like a starved woman.
“We don’t have much time,” Cork said, making me jump out of my daydream.
“I know.” I faced him, and he leaned down to me for a kiss. Which, of course, I was eager to return.
We were about to fly off on a quest to a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina. He’d shared information with me about a possible lost treasure site. It wasn’t confirmed but there was a possibility there was a link to Sirena . So that’s where we’re headed.
The distant rumble of thunder and flashes of lightning on the horizon looked as if they were getting closer. Did anyone ever get used to hurricanes? I dreaded them, but also loved them. It was a crazy mix of feelings. I hugged myself and said a silent prayer for Gilbert to skirt the island and not roll over it like a battering ram.
Cork stood beside me but he was checking his phone then glanced at me. “I know. We need to leave now. Come on, the plane is ready,” he agreed. His blue eyes flashing with excitement.
“You’re loving this, aren’t you?” I inquired, unable to hold back a smile.
He returned it. “I guess I am. I like to live on the edge.”
“Daredevil. Just don’t do anything stupid that could kill us both,” I told him. He grabbed my bag, and I followed him to the exit.
“I’ll do my best,” he said over his shoulder.
A sleek black and silver jet sat on the tarmac waiting for us. It was the first visible sign of his significant wealth. It didn’t appear as if he was one to flaunt it, which was definitely a refreshing change.
It surprised me he appeared to remain low key. His interest in finding the Sirena del Mar seemed genuine, and obviously his involvement could be a huge financial benefit.While that was a definite bonus, his interest and help with research, clues, and connections were so important. Doing all the day-to-day work could be overwhelming, especially as I established the museum.
Like now, jetting off because of a clue he received from a friend of his? Being with him definitely had its benefits. I inwardly cringed at the selfish thought and justified that it was because he also wanted to find the lost treasure, just as much as I did for my father.
“Hang on, the wind is strong.” Cork held the door open for me. We ran to the jet, the wind whipping at us, and the plane.
I leaned into him, needing to find a bit of reassurance. “Will we be okay?” I asked him, while also enjoying the comfort of his nearness.
“We’ll be fine. Henry is an excellent pilot and flown in worse conditions. Don’t worry.” He took my elbow and guided me to the steps. “Up you go.”
“Okay, if you say so.” Up I went, and gasped at the luxury inside the jet.
The cabin hostess greeted us and stowed our bags.
I settled in a plush, comfy chair and Cork sat across from me, a table between us. I wasn’t afraid of flying, but with the high winds and threat of Gilbert, I was more than a little more on edge. Cork’s calm demeanor and warm smile helped ease my concern, somewhat, as I gritted my teeth when the plane shimmied and fought against the buffeting of the wind.
I looked out the window. The engines increased their power, and soon we raced down the runway and up into the air. Away from Gilbert and St. William’s. Once above the clouds, the sun streamed in the windows. I relaxed into the seat with a sigh, unclenched my fists, and stretched out my fingers.
The cabin hostess brought us each a glass of champagne and put a charcuterie board on the table between us, reminding me I hadn’t eaten anything yet.
“Thank you, Gail,” Cork said and gave her a smile.
I glanced at her and smiled as well. “Thank you. Would it be possible to get a coffee as well?”
“Of course, I’ll be right back.” She disappeared to the back of the jet and returned moments later with a silver tray holding a silver coffee pot, two cups, cream, sugar, a plate of biscuits, and linen napkins. The aroma of the coffee was divine.
“Please let me know if you’d like anything else,” she said and disappeared to the back again.
Love Beach wasn’t a long flight from St. William’s Island. Cork enjoyed watching Daisy as she discreetly looked around the cabin of the jet. The sudden urge to shower her with all he’d worked hard for and been gifted with rocked him. She was different, unlike most of the other women he’d dated—but this wasn’t a date, right?—the others never lasted long, only wanting the glamor and lifestyle he could offer. Daisy wasn’t a gold digger, and it was a very refreshing change.
And he wanted her for more than just dates. Their relationship had bloomed after the day they met underwater, and he was quite happy with the direction it was going.
She was like him, a treasure hunter. Her reasons were to preserve the historical significance and save the antiquities for future generations and to honour her father’s lifelong dream, unlike his. It gave him pause. He’d been reassessing the reasons why he wanted to find the rare and beautiful. His gaze flickered back to Daisy.
It wasn’t for the money. Maybe it was the thrill? The challenge? To build his own private collection? Or was it something more? He frowned. He’d never given it much thought until now.
Cork reached for the champagne glass, lifted it, and stared into the bubbling liquid. He didn’t really like champagne, so why was he drinking it? He finished it, grimaced, and put the glass down.
“If you prefer something else to drink, just let me know,” he said to Daisy, selecting food from the board.
“Mmm, no it’s great. I love champagne and don’t get it often.” He watched her lift the glass to her lips and sip. He was struck with the urge to have those lips against his again. The sexual tension that crackled between them hadn’t eased up since they’d started sleeping together. It had gotten more powerful.
“We’re really doing this?” Daisy asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Flying out in the middle of a hurricane?”
Cork grinned. “We’ll be fine. We’re above the clouds now and Beckham’s people are already on standby to get us to the island. The weather models aren’t showing the island in its path, so that’s good. But we could get some rough water.”
Daisy nodded and looked out the window. “I’m excited to see what this tip of yours will reveal. If anything.”
“That’s a rather negative outlook,” he commented.
She lifted a shoulder.“Well, I suppose it’s to be expected, having been dragged all over the world for as long as I can remember following clues. Whenever Dad got a hot tip, off we’d go. Sometimes it resulted in a discovery, but more often than not, it didn’t. The Sirena del Mar was his magnum opus that was never realized.”
“Well, then, let’s think positive.” Cork stood. “Want anything from the galley? More champagne?”
“Mmm, yes please, that would be very nice.” She smiled up at him and he caught his breath when this new, very rare and pleasant sensation barreled through him.
Her smile lit her face, and he returned it. Never had he been as affected by a woman as he was with her. Even though they’d only recently met, he felt like he’d known her for a long time. Which, he supposed was kinda true from his viewpoint since he’d done a bit of research on her and the museum… and by extension the Sirena .
Gail met him in the galley. “Mr. Shannon, I can get whatever you need.”
“Thank you, but it’s fine. Why don’t you enjoy the flight and relax? It’s a quick trip.”
“If you’re sure. I don’t mind.”
“I’m sure. Thank you for getting things set up.” He reassured her, not wanting her to think she’d done anything wrong. “Just pretend you’re a passenger as well and help yourself to anything you’d like.”
“Thank you. But, if you need anything, please let me know,” she insisted.
“I will.” He went back to his seat and put his beer and the champagne bucket on the table. Daisy’s eyes were closed. Cork sat and pulled out his phone, letting her snooze.
They’d be landing in Love Beach, then head to the island. Cork had recently invested in a new sustainable eco-resort being built on a nearby island, a project spearheaded by his old friend and business partner, Beckham Steele. The site still had to go through a sustainability assessment to ensure the viability of the project. But that was the last thing on his mind. It was this new tip Beck had told him about.
A few weeks ago, Beck had mentioned an odd bit of information—a story about a centuries-old shipwreck that could be connected to the Sirena del Mar . He’d kept the detail to himself, unsure if it was more than just a local legend, but after connecting with Daisy and deep in her father’s treasure hunt, he knew he had to tell her. He’d also heard of the elusive Sirena del Mar , and while it hadn’t been at the top of his list, after meeting Daisy it had jumped the queue.
He hoped for Daisy’s sake and his, they’d find something.