In my haste, I forgot my shades. That’s a liability because his smile is blinding.
“You’ve looked me up.”
I respond with a noncommittal shrug.
“And you think you know everything there is to know about me?”
“Something tells me you’re a man of many, many layers.”Darn.That came out so breathy.
“Good thing you have three-hundred-sixty days to discover my many layers…”
My precarious reality slaps me right across the face. I swallow a lump in my throat and force myself to appear confident, even though I’m fully aware that aggravating the man who can help save our family hotel might not be a good idea.
“Do you own the entire harbor?” I’m sure he doesn’t, but I need to change the subject. Fast.
The edges of his mouth twitch, but he doesn’t smile… except with his gorgeous eyes. “I’m a multibillionaire—not quite a trillionaire yet,” he says. “My brothers and I each own a boat. I figured it’s the safest place for us to meet.”
“You’re not planning on kidnapping me and taking me to some remote private island until I agree to this merger-marriage, right? I don’t want to disappear, never to be found.”
He flinches. “You have a hell of an imagination.”
The fact the thought comes to mind indicates how surreal this day has been so far. “You’re a complete stranger.”
“You’re the one who wanted to meet in person,” he says. “I was ready to leave your driver’s license with the concierge, but no, you wanted a face-to-face, and now you’re giving me attitude?”
“I expected to have my feet firmly planted on the ground. When the Bentley dropped me off, I thought perhaps we were meeting at a seaside restaurant, not on your getaway boat.”
“Complete privacy is imperative. Meeting at a restaurant is far too risky. Hence, why we’re here.” He drags a hand down his face. “Are we going to argue about everything?”
I square my shoulders. “Well, I’ve never been sailing before.” I don’t answer his question. Why make a promise I’m not going to keep, right?
“You’ve never been on a cruise?”
“It’s never appealed to me. Too many people in a confined space.”
“And no debauched spring break parties on a boat in the Caribbean or in Mexico while you were in college?”
“No. I’m a good girl—always have been.” I flash him an innocent smile and bat my eyelashes. I’m only missing the halo. “Since I’m a virgin, I hope I can handle it.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Didn’t you tell me you weren’t a virgin this morning?”
I blush from ear to ear. “I mean, I’m a sea virgin. I hope I won’t get seasick.” I try to save face. “I’d hate to embarrass myself.”
“Don’t worry. We’re not setting sail. So you can toss the kidnapping plot out the window,” he says. “We’re going to enjoy a nice lunch on the water, without having to worry about prying eyes, anyone within earshot, or paparazzi.”
“Are you going to dazzle me with your cooking skills?”
“No. It wouldn’t make sense to poison you this early in the game. I need you alive and kicking.” He stretches his lips into an evil grin.
“Not funny.”
“I thought it was.” The evil grin morphs into an arresting smile.
Bastard.
“The chefs at the Pompadour worked their magic. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
“Sounds like I get to live another day and I get to enjoy a spectacular lunch.”
