“Okay, when you said we were going out for dinner and drinks, this isn’t what I pictured.” Isabella huddles into me and watches as the Chelsea pier grows smaller in the distance and the seven o’clock harbor cruise pulls out of port.

More people are crowding at the diminishing dock. Now that we’re farther from land the air is becoming too cold to enjoy. I look over at my side and see a stunning young couple, no older than their mid-twenties, smiling and holding each other.

“I wanted to make sure I had the whole evening with you, so I figured one of these dinner boat tours would work. Now you can’t get away,” I joke, wrapping my arms around her and pressing tight against her from behind as we watch the harbor spread into a breathtaking view of Manhattan from the open deck.

Looking back over at the couple, it’s now an elderly pair with white hair snuggled up together. As if a time warp occurred when I looked away, and the first couple had transformed into a vision of their future about sixty years from now.

“Hey, I’m not the one who cut our last evening short, remember?” The ocean air swirls in around us, making her shiver a little. Her short, low-cut dress isn’t exactly practical sailing attire, but I’ll be damned if I’m complaining.

Even when she looks like she’s fighting hypothermia, she’s sexy.

“Fair enough. I do want to apologize for that, Isabella.” I rub my broad hands over her arms in an attempt to warm her. “I should’ve told you before we went home that I had an early morning. I guess you could say, I got distracted.”

Desire infuses my voice. I’m starting to question my decision to take her on a three-and-a-half-hour cruise. It’s an unbearably long period to restrain myself against so much temptation.

“There’s no need to apologize.” Her tone is as breezy as the salty air. “I still would’ve made the same decision if I knew.”

“Good.” I’m flooded with relief as the tension drains from my arms. “I was worried you’d get the wrong impression.”

“If you were worried, why didn’t you call or text?” She searches my face for answers, but now isn’t the time to drag her down with Lisa’s baggage. My shoulders tense back up and my jaw clamps shut. I’ve only just gotten away from dealing with another bout of Lisa’s insanity. The last thing I want to do is ruin this evening hashing it all out again. I don’t want to start a romantic evening by being prickly.

“Come on, let’s go down below. You’re turning into a block of ice!” I grab her hand and lead the way to the glassed-in observation deck below us. It’s much quieter inside without the whirling breeze and waves crashing loudly against the side. “Would you like a drink?”

She nods in reply.

“I’ll have what you’re having.” She finally finds her voice.

Cupping her face, I give her a quick kiss before making my way to the bar. Waiting for the bartender, I know I should be watching the view of the shore sailing by, but I can’t manage to pry my eyes from the spectacular view of her ass. Somehow, I manage to stop gawking like a teenager and look back out the window to the second best view I’ve seen today.

After gathering our glasses from a polite young man who looks underage to be serving alcohol, I cozy up beside Isabella. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“I was just thinking about the future, I guess. Nothing too interesting.” She takes the glass of wine from my hand, and her eyebrows reach skyward as the first sip splashes over her tongue. “Mmmm, this is really good.”

My thoughts race as a moment of jealousy strikes me, wishing she were swallowing my seed down her throat as eagerly as she’s gulping her wine.

I manage to compose myself, focusing back on the conversation instead of my dirty thoughts. “You’re right, the wine is great. But you’re wrong if you think the future isn’t interesting. I’d love to hear about your plans.”

She sullenly stares out the window. “I’m not totally set on anything right now. Still just figuring it all out, you know?”

“That’s wise.” I nod. “It’s better to take your time and make the right decision than rush into something you won’t want five years from now.”

She looks down at her wine glass like she’s reading tea leaves.

Can she see her future in the bottom of her nearly empty drink?

“Everything okay?”

“Oh, I think I’m just a little tired.” She snaps back from her daydream. “Anyway, I don’t know much about the future, but I can tell you I’m enjoying the moment right now.” She smiles up at me, and my body aches for the privacy to show her how I really feel.

“So am I.”