twenty-two
SOPHIE GATHERED HER damp hair and climbed the stairs to the top deck.
King sat at the helm, staring out at the ocean glimmering under the orange-yellow light of the evening sky.
Earlier, he had run off as if he wasn’t comfortable with the topic of their conversation. She’d taken her time in the shower to give him some space. While she’d never viewed being raised by a single parent as a disadvantage, after hearing what little King had revealed, she knew she’d grown up fortunate. All of the money in the world couldn’t replace love. It sounded like a handy slogan in a fortune cookie, but from the hurt she’d witnessed in King about his father, it was obviously true.
She went to the helm. “Hey, you.”
King stood. “Hey.” He drew her to him.
“I missed you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, enjoying the feel of his bare abs pressed against her belly.
“I had to confirm we are where we should be.” He kissed the side of her neck and found the spot. Not just any spot, but the one that made her knees weak every time. “As wild as you were in bed, I honestly thought you unmoored the boat.”
“Oh?” She feigned innocence as she toyed with the strings on his shorts. “I assumed you had all the right equipment to keep things under control.”
He grinned. “You have doubts?”
“Hmm.” She tapped her lips as if in deep thought. “That’s a tough question. Can I get back to you on that?”
“Get back to me, huh? I’ll help you make up your mind.” He tunneled his hands underneath her shirt.
Laughing, she swatted his hands. “I’m ticklish. Stop.”
“Not until you come up with an answer.”
“I have.” She tried to wriggle away, but he held on. “Yes. I mean no. I don’t have any doubts.”
“Right answer.” Smiling, he pecked her on the lips. “Speaking of equipment, have you ever piloted a boat?”
“No.”
“Would you like to?”
A thrill shot through her, and she leapt into the captain’s chair. “Absolutely.”
He explained the various controls and the basics of boating. Then, he guided her into slowly opening the engine and throttling forward.
The powerful craft roared to life, and soon they were dipping and gliding over the waves.
Sophie screamed in delight. “I love this!” She glanced at him.
He appeared sad. Troubled.
Inadvertently, she veered left.
King quickly covered her hands with his, taking control. He backed down the engine to a low rumble and brought the boat to a stop. “We need to talk.”
She’d never seen him like this. Concern made her rise from the chair. “About what?”
“Nothing. Everything.” He cradled her face and pressed his lips to hers.
Sophie opened for him, welcoming him, and slipped her tongue over his.
His musky scent and the fresh smell of soap lingering on her skin surrounded her. Together they created their own appealing, erotic fragrance, and all she wanted to do was immerse herself in it.
His groan rumbled into her mouth as he wrapped his arms around her. Intensity and growing desire infused his deepening kiss.
She held on to him, absorbing the intensity and longing his kiss conveyed.
A long moment later, only a requirement for oxygen made her reluctantly break away.
“Wow.” She laid her forehead against his as her breathing steadied. “I’d like to see what happens when something is really on your mind. What do we need to talk about?”
“You.” He stroked her cheek. “So tell me, sweet Sophie. How much more time will you give me?”
Forever. The word floated in along with its impossibility. Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked them away. As she looked at him, she conjured up a playful smile. “At least a few more hours. I’m having too much fun handling your throttle to end it right this second.”
“How would you feel about handling it a little longer?” He smiled. “I know you said the weekend, but why do we have to end it?”
“I’ve got to concentrate on Meagan’s show.”
“I’m not trying to keep you from making jewelry. I support you.” He held her by the waist. “I’m talking about us spending a little more time together. Haven’t you enjoyed being here with me on the boat?”
“This is different. It’s just us. There’s more to contend with in the real world.”
“You mean other women.”
“Yes, but I understand that you don’t want to be tied down. Neither do I.”
“So we’re in agreement. What’s the problem?”
She laid her hands on his chest. “I’m not interested in being a part of your lineup.”
“You’re not.”
“So you don’t have another woman waiting for you at the dock?”
“No.” His shoulders fell with a deep breath. “What do I have to say to make you understand? I just want to be with you for a little longer.”
A little longer. They’d had a good weekend. What was the point of prolonging the inevitable?
“Make it an unforgettable ending on your terms.”
Perhaps Meagan was right about closure. Why not construct a sweeter ending? One filled with memories of her and King enjoying each other in every way. “If we do this, it’s just until I leave Kingman Partners.”
King opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head as if in answer to some internal question. He gave her a lazy half smile and leaned in. “All right. It’s settled, then.”
She laid her hands on his chest. “One more thing. What about Aiden? He’s big on keeping personal life separate from professional.”
“We will, and honestly, I don’t see the need to tell him until afterward. Are you done with the objections?” He kissed her.
As his tongue glided over hers, she reeled from waves of desire. “Yes.” She murmured the assent as she wound her arms around his neck. More kisses. More orgasms. More of him. She’d allow herself to have those things awhile longer, but she’d still protect her heart.