Chapter 7

They'd sailed to the center of the lake, and Brice's muscles ached in that good way, the way that said they'd been working at something they enjoyed. And Brice really did enjoy sailing. Especially with a beauty at his side, an incredible beauty who'd reminded him of one of the things he'd enjoyed most in life but had ignored for too long. Janna had helped him rediscover a part of himself that he'd kept locked away since his parents had passed, and he was very grateful for its return.

The object of his gratitude was currently bent over, coiling a rope like he'd shown her how to do earlier. Her firm bottom called to him, and his cock started aching. Started aching? he thought to himself. It's been aching all day! With a groan, he adjusted himself for the hundredth time, barely restraining himself from going over and grinding his crotch against her delectable ass. At that moment she glanced over her shoulder at him, and the look in her eyes said she knew exactly what he was experiencing.

To distract himself from his inappropriate thoughts Brice moved over to the controls and dropped the anchor. He then had Janna help him lower the sails. The warm breeze across the lake felt nice, and he figured now would be a good time to take a break, maybe convince her to move their date to the plush cabin below decks. "Well," he said, pulling her back against his front and ever so gently pressing himself against her, "we're parked. What have you got in mind now?"

His words were whispered into her ear, and he felt her tremble lightly in his arms.

"I thought we could go below," she said, her breathy voice making it his turn to tremble.

"And...?"

"And...have lunch." She laughed, pulling playfully out of his arms with a wiggle.

Brice groaned. "Oh, I'm hungry all right, but not for food!"

Janna dodged his attempt to grab her again and headed down the short steps to the boat's interior. He chased her, coming to a halt in the galley when his eyes met an elaborate lunch set up in the dining area.

She turned around, raising her eyebrow at him impishly. "Are you sure you're not hungry?"

No, he wasn't sure. All of his favorites from Apriles were spread out on the table in their decadent glory. He watched Janna slide into the booth and motion for him to join her. She then uncorked a bottle of $300 German Riesling and poured them each a glass. Brice picked up an herb-encrusted cheese puff that resembled a swan and popped it into his eager mouth, moaning with satisfaction. Chef LeRoux sure knew what he was doing.

"These are all of my favorites," he said, filling up his plate as she smiled at him.

"I know," she said. "Tony told me all about the things you like, from food to sailing."

Realization washed over Brice in waves. So this was his assistant's not-so-subtle hint to get over his past. "Clever Tony," he muttered, helping himself to a piece of shrimp and chewing it methodically. Janna must have passed the background check, then. Perhaps this was Tony's way of letting Brice know that he approved of her and that he should let her into his life. If that was Tony's intent, Brice certainly shared it.

"Tell me a little bit about the boat," Janna said. "I've really enjoyed sailing with you."

Brice took a deep breath after a fortifying drink of wine. "My father bought this boat when I turned fifteen. He thought we needed to spend more time together as a family. My father had worked hard all of his life to manage the Masterson dynasty, and he realized when I became a teenager that he'd missed most of my growing up. He promised my mother and me that he would make it up to us, and then he bought this boat."

"We learned to sail it together, and any time he had some free time we came out here, sailing around the lake, spending time together. Some of my favorite memories are on this boat."

Janna leaned closer. "I'm sorry if this is too personal. I wanted to come up with something memorable, and when I found out you hadn't been sailing for a while, I thought this would be..."

"Memorable?" She nodded at his words, and he pulled her close beside him. "Oh, it's definitely memorable. In a very good way."

When she smiled, he captured her lips, and their lunch was soon forgotten in the haze of their passion. With a groan, Brice pulled her out of the booth and into his arms, lifting her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. He then carried her through the galley and into his cabin. It wasn't large, but the bed could fit two. Not wanting to release her lips, he gently went to his knees and set her on the bed in front of him, all while pressing his lips to hers.