She touched up her lip gloss and smoothed her windblown hair, but there was no fixing the look in her eyes—unguarded and undone in the best way. She caught herself smiling. No. More than smiling. Glowing.
With one last breath, she stepped out of the restroom and made her way to the dining area. Outside, the lake was cloaked in darkness, with golden pinpricks of light on the horizon. A lone candelabra bathed the room in moody candlelight, dim enough to make everything feel like a dream. Shadows pooled in corners, and the scent of something warm and savory drifted from the galley.
Priya’s gaze swept past the flickering candlelight, searching for Ethan. Then she spotted him—standing by the door, half swallowed by shadow. His jacket was gone, and his white shirt caught the dim light, glowing faintly in the corner. He held a glass in one hand as he gazed out at the lake, his silhouette framed against the dark water.
Priya’s chest tightened with something tender and full. Swept up in the dreamy haze of the evening, she crossed the room andwrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her head on his back.
He went as still as stone beneath her touch.
Priya stiffened in horror.Wait a second…Ethan had been wearing a blue shirt under his jacket!
Her heart dropped as she realized she was hugging another man. Her arms, hyperaware of their blunder, remained locked in place, paralyzed by embarrassment.
“Pri?” Ethan’s voice floated in from the deck.
Awkwardly, she craned her neck and saw Ethan stepping inside.
“Ethan,” she stammered, still clinging to Not-Ethan.
“Your drink, Mr. Knight,” the man said smoothly, nodding slightly toward the glass he held.
Priya’s arms fell limply to her sides as mortification washed over her. She had just been snuggling the yacht’s cocktail steward.
“Would you like a beverage, miss?” he asked.
“Sorry,” Priya mumbled. “I thought you were Ethan.”
“No worries,” the man replied with a polite smile. Priya knew her faux pas would be a part of the evening’s entertainment for the crew.
“Handing out complimentary hugs tonight?” Ethan asked, his voice warm with amusement as the steward made his exit.
Priya covered her face with one hand. “Everything looks shadowy and attractive in this moody lighting.”
“That’s on me.” Ethan chuckled. “I asked for romantic, and they went for a vampire’s love nest.” He tugged her closer, guiding her hands around his waist. “We better get your bearings straight, so there are no more mistakes. Take your time. There are many important landmarks for you to map out.” He nudged her hand to his butt. “Vital region. May require multiple passes.” Guiding it away, he moved it to his chest. “This here? Prime realestate. Make sure you can navigate it properly, whatever the lighting situation.”
Priya laughed and looked up at him. “What happens if I get lost here?”
“Then I hope you stay,” he said softly, suddenly serious.
Priya hung on the edge of the moment, her heart hammering against her chest.
Yara’s bright voice cut through the stillness. “Ready for dinner?”
Ethan glanced over, then back at Priya. “Yes, we are.”
“Perfect. I’ll inform the chef right away,” Yara replied, beaming as she retreated.
“Shall we?” Ethan offered his arm.
Looping her arm through his, Priya let him guide her to the table. As he pulled out her chair, he leaned in close, his lips grazing her neck in a kiss that sent heat rippling down her spine.
“Whatever’s on tonight’s menu,” he said, his voice dropping just enough to make her stomach flip, “I’m already looking forward to what comes after.” Heat threaded through each syllable, his eyes on her like he was already unwrapping every inch of her in his mind.
Priya’s brain short-circuited. Her mouth went dry, her pulse unhinged. She somehow managed to lay her napkin in her lap, as if it might save her from combusting.
Taking his seat, Ethan noticed the candles on the table and quickly stood to move the candelabra farther away. “I think we’ve had enough fires for one lifetime,” he said. “From now on, I’m only interested in the slow-burning kind. With you.”
“Careful.” Priya’s lips curled in a smile. “You keep talking like that, and we might start another one right here.”
