Chapter 26 (1/2)

But Christian cannot contain his boyish excitement, and despite my dark thoughts, it's infectious. When he rises gracefully off the bed, I follow, intrigued. What has he got in mind?

Christian straps the key to my wrist.

”You want me to drive?”

”Yes.” Christian grins. ”That's not too tight?”

”It's fine. Is that why you're wearing a life jacket?” I arch my eyebrow.

”Yes.”

I can't help my giggle. ”Such confidence in my driving capabilities, Mr. Grey.”

”As ever, Mrs. Grey.”

”Well, don't lecture me.”

Christian holds his hands up in a defensive gesture, but he's smiling.

”Would I dare?”

”Yes you would, and yes you do, and we can't pull over and argue on the sidewalk here.”

”Fair point well made, Mrs. Grey. Are we going to stand on this platform all day debating your driving skills, or are we going to have some fun?”

”Fair point well made, Mr. Grey.” I grasp the handlebars of the Jet Ski and clamber on. Christian climbs on behind me and kicks us away from the yacht. Taylor and two of the deckhands look on in amusement. Sliding forward, Christian wraps his arms around me and snuggles his thighs against mine. Yes, this is what I like about this form of transport. I insert in the ignition key and push the start button, and the engine roars into life.

”Ready?” I shout to Christian over the noise.

”As I'll ever be,” he says, his mouth close to my ear. Gently, I pull on the lever and the Jet Ski moves away from the Fair Lady, far too sedately for my liking. Christian tightens his embrace. I pull on the gas some more, and we shoot forward and I'm delighted when we don't stall.

”Whoa!” Christian calls from behind, but the exhilaration in his voice is palpable. I speed past the Fair Lady toward the open sea. We're anchored outside the Port de Plaisance de Saint-Claude-du-Var, Nice airport nestling in the distance, built into the Mediterranean, or so it seems. I've heard the odd plane landing since we arrived last night. I decide we need to take a closer look.

We shoot toward it, skipping rapidly over the waves. I love this, and I'm thrilled Christian's letting me drive. All the worry I've felt over the past two days melts away as we skim toward the airport.

”Next time we do this we'll have two Jet Skis,” Christian shouts. I grin - the thought of racing him is thrilling.

As we zoom over the cool blue sea toward what looks like the end of the runway, the thundering roar of a jet overhead suddenly startles me as it comes in to land. It's so loud I panic, swerving and hitting the throttle at the same time, mistaking it for a brake.