He chuckles. “Let’s go onboard and get this business meeting on its way.”
“Okay.”
We start walking.
“My boat is docked right at the end. Her name isDaniela. She’s the one with the American flag and the flag with the king chess piece wearing a crown.”
“You named your boat after your best hookup, König?” I laugh. “Man, she must’ve been something else.” It’s a low blow, but I can’t help it.
His face turns somber. “No. I didn’t name my boat after my best fuck.” He takes a deep breath in. “It was my mom’s name. She passed away?—”
“I’m so sorry, Phoenix.”Fuck, I put my foot in my mouth.I feel like the worst individual on the planet. I deserve the guillotine for that insensitive remark. “That was out of line.”
“You didn’t know.”
I shake my head in response because it’s best to keep my mouth shut.
He keeps talking, oblivious to my utter shame.
“My father, brothers, and I honor Mom’s memory on our boats. Daniela Graciela Alandra Emiliana Peleritti was an Italian Argentine, born in Córdoba. Italians and Argentinians tend to give their kids multiple middle names. Hence, why Mom had three. Dad’s yacht is namedBella Daniela. He used to call Mom,Bella. These days, Roman uses it since Dad doesn’t use it as much. Slate and Wilder have their own yacht and use it in rotation. They named their boat, Alandra. The name means defender. Mom was the ultimate momma bear, even when we were grown men. She carried a great deal of guilt at not being able topreventmy older brother’s death. Barron’s boat was named The Peleritti. We sold it after he died—it carried too many memories.”
I’m all choked up. “What a beautiful way to honor your mom.”
“Yeah.” A smile that doesn’t reach his eyes appears on his gorgeous lips. “Let’s go,” he says.
“Okay.”
We keep walking.
“There she is,” Phoenix says.
Since my eyes are trained to my feet to avoid getting my heels stuck between the planks of the boardwalk, I’m unprepared when I look up.
Whoa.“That’s not a boat. That’s a yacht.”
He shrugs. “Sixty feet of smooth sailing when I take her out at sea.”
Some of us have a charmed life.
“Come on, I’ll help you onboard.” Phoenix takes my hand into his.
Like earlier, his touch ignites my body.
The effect he has on me screws with my head.
I balance my shoe on the first stair, grip the rail, and climb onto the luxury vessel.
If I could whistle, I would.
I may not like the guy, but he surely knows how to live.
The sleek, plush and streamlined interior of Phoenix’s yacht matches the unquestionable elegance that’s so prevalent at the Pompadour. The space is expansive and to my surprise, inviting. I have nothing to gauge this yacht against, but I suspect this baby cost an obscene amount of money.
“This is––” I search for my words. “It’s so luxurious.”
“I wanted it to be comfortable.”
“Comfortable? You could live on this yacht year-round.”
