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I nearly rolled my eyes at the mention of Max. Max was definitely going to be a problem. I went over to him and without hesitating, I dragged my fingers up his abdomen. He was as solid as he felt and I lost myself in the ridges of his toned torso. I wanted to feel it pressed against my naked chest. I felt my mouth go dry just thinking about it. I cleared my throat so I could speak again. “Well, Max doesn’t need to know.” I raised my brow.

The wind started to pick up slightly, rustling my hair. I wished I had pulled it back but I decided to leave it down now. I kept my eyes on his, trying to decipher those baby blues. I could tell he had baggage, secrets he might not ever share with even those closest to him. I didn’t need that. I didn’t want that. I didn’t need warm words and support. I didn’t need commitment. I didn’t need any of the relationship things. I just wanted to feel his body on top of me, pinning me down, holding me hostage until I screamed his name. I felt myself get wet just thinking about it.

Hawk took a step back, forcing my hand to drop to my side. I could see the desire cloud his eyes. I knew he wanted me too, knew from the way those eyes turned a shade of midnight. I could feel the way his muscles twitched in response to my touch and I knew I had power over him. I knew he wanted me. Why, then, would he fight it? Why would he step away?

“I can’t,” he said. His eyes were suddenly guarded again and any possibility of us being together went out the window.

“Why not?” I asked.

I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling my cheeks pinch with embarrassment. I didn’t throw myself at guys, but the few that I went after always responded. I wasn’t used to getting rejected and I hated the feeling I got from it. Shame. Embarrassment. I wanted to crawl underneath my sheets and never come out. I wanted to jump off this boat and swim back to the yacht where it was safe. I wanted to punch a pillow - better yet, a nice pair of abs - to vent my frustration.

He swallowed. I watched his Adam’s apple bob. “You wouldn’t understand,” he said. I could hear the dismissal in his tone. I was being written off. Again. This reminded me of my father all over again.

“Let me guess,” I said. I was defensive with him. I couldn’t help it and I didn’t particularly care. “You think, like most everyone else, that I’m a spoiled brat who’s used to getting my way.” The waves of the ocean were small but they pushed a little harder than I expected and I nearly lost my balance. “And you think that this falls into the same category as that.”

Hawk furrowed his brow as though he didn’t quite understand what I meant. But then he shrugged those incredibly broad shoulders.

“Listen,” he said. “I’m not going to lie and tell you spoiled little rich girl wasn’t one of my first impressions of you,” he replied. “You did use the ‘do you know who I am’ card, after all. But I can also appreciate that there’s more to you than I know, just like there is to everyone. Your brother, Max, looks at me like I’m going to steal you away from...I don’t know what, exactly. But I get it. I have a little sister too and I would probably feel the same way he does about you. I just need you to know that I see you.”

I furrowed my brow. “And what does that mean?” I asked. I almost stomped my foot but that might play into my spoiled reputation and I didn’t want him to tell me so.

“It means I know you’re hiding underneath your sexual confidence,” he said. “You’re just someone who wants to be loved. You want to be accepted. You want to know you’re good enough. It’s related to your daddy issues.”

“Daddy issues?” I snapped.

He nodded once. This time, he crossed his arms over his chest, causing his biceps to strain. I couldn’t stop staring at them. Which really hurt the attitude I was trying to give him.

“Daddy issues,” he said. “Bodhi told me.”

I clenched my teeth. Of course Bodhi would run his big mouth. That boy was more of a gossip than I could ever hope to be. “And what about you?” I asked, throwing my arm out to gesture at him. “You run away when things get too uncomfortable? You leave the yacht and try to swim and sail away? You’re in the Marines and yet a big brother scares you? Being alone scares you?” I scoffed. “Maybe I do want to feel loved, even if it’s just for a night. What do you expect, when even my brothers - God bless them - give me these pity jobs because my own father won’t trust me with his company? And you won’t trust me with your body. I can assure you, it would have been amazing. I could have made your toes curl and you’d forget everything, every bad thing you’ve ever experienced, just for a little bit. But now, it’s never going to happen. I want a man who isn’t afraid to be with me, be it for a night or forever.”

I turned around, ready to stalk off, but he stopped me by grabbing my wrist. I turned, ready to go off on him, when he stopped me with one look. He reached out and tentatively curled a tendril of my hair behind my ear. I froze. My body shuddered under his touch. I wanted to feel it all over my body. Then, he dropped my wrist and stepped away once more, letting me go. When I did, he didn’t stop me. I wished he had.