But I was curious.
I spotted Marcus on the sky deck.
“Well, if it isn’t Zachariah Webber.” He grinned and approached with his arms out. “I thought you’d be hanging back in the shadows, not showing your face. This is a little public for you, isn’t it?”
“You know me too well.” I handed him a bottle of beer and clinked the neck with my own. “It’s good to see you, Marcus.”
“Well, I couldn’t resist the invitation.”
“You’re always up for a good time.” I sipped my beer, and leaned against the railing, surveying my floating domain. I nodded or raised my glass at a few familiar faces. They knew not to approach. “I have a proposition for you.”
“Oh, I’m intrigued.” He grinned with too many teeth, but he was a handsome fellow. He’d already caught Lucinda’s attention; I would use it to my advantage.
“The young woman you were speaking with on the dock.” I motioned toward shore. Marcus leaned over the railing, looking for the cameras, I assumed.
“You have the whole placed rigged.” He looked up.
“Well, the safety of my crew and guests are my utmost priority.” I grinned.
“Bullshit.” He smirked. “You’re a voyeur at heart, my friend.”
“So, back to the woman, Lucinda.” I stepped closer to him. “You two spoke for a while.”
“Yes, I remember.” He nodded. “She was sweet with a little sass, like I like them.”
A heat spread across my chest and I looked down to find my fist tightening.
“I hope to have a few spots on my dance card reserved for her.” He shrugged. “If she’ll have me,” he added with a chuckle.
It took an enormous amount of restraint not to sock him in his smug face.
He must have seen that and stepped back. “Or maybe her dance card is already full.”
Perceptive man.
“I need your help with something.”
His interest was piqued. Marcus was a people-pleaser. I didn’t have to remind him he had no choice.
While his moral compass was as skewed as my own, Marcus had the nerve to be uncomfortable. I’d had to remind him of his allegiance and debt to me.
After I filled Marcus in on my plan, I returned to my room before sail-away and took my perch in front of the bank of cameras, watching the evening unfold.
The door to the lounge had been opened and the room cleared. Tables had been assembled and arranged in a U-shape. Mountains of food covered each surface. The menu consisted of finger foods and every seafood known to man, alongside fresh vegetables and sushi. I wanted the menu light but decadent.
More tables were set up outside and a DJ played popular music from the sun deck. The mood was light and comfortable. It was the perfect proper cocktail party. Not a hint of the kinkiness set to follow after dinner.
The DJ and most of the stewards would be excused for the evening and take a tender to a nearby anchored boat. The captain began the night with a toast as his team pulled away from the dock and then we were off to our anchorage about twenty miles southeast of the marina.
On the cameras, I spotted Lucinda immediately. She was stunning in a soft silky lime-green dress that showed off her beautiful shoulders. It dropped down in the back to accentuate the curve of her ass.
My mouth watered.
Her every move exuded both confidence and submission, which was an amazing feat. She was my dream realized. She stood off to the side, sipping on a fruit juice. No alcohol was served after hours. Small diamonds hoops adorned her ears and a small cluster of diamonds hung on a platinum chain around her neck. It fell just in the sweet spot where her cleavage began. I knew it was a cluster of five diamonds and platinum because I had given it to her on her sixteenth birthday.
“Fuck.” I adjusted my cock in my pants and zoomed out, locating Marcus. I saw the moment he spotted her but hesitated to approach, his conscious warring with itself.
I smirked. It wasn’t like he was opposed to handling negotiation for me. I imagined his real dilemma was that he wanted her for himself. But not enough to go against me. All things equal, in a contest between the two of us, I would win. I always won because I played dirty.
