This isn't friendly business discussion. This is corporate warfare. Strategy and threats and the kind of maneuvering that probably skirts the edge of legal.
The men emerge thirty minutes later, all handshakes and smiles. They leave, and Phoenix comes back to the upper deck.
"All done," he says, like he didn't just orchestrate what sounded like a hostile takeover. "Ready to sail?"
"What was that about?"
"Business."
"It sounded more like a mob meeting."
He grins. "It's not that dramatic. Just negotiations."
"With threats and shell companies?"
"That's how business works at this level. You can't be nice and expect to win." He starts the engine.
He takes us out of the marina, and soon the coast is a distant line on the horizon. The sun is starting to sink, painting the sky in oranges and pinks that look unreal.
Phoenix cuts the engine and we drift.
"Come here."
I walk over to where he's standing at the wheel. He pulls me in front of him, my back to his chest, his arms on either side of me, caging me in.
"Look," he says, his voice low against my ear.
The ocean stretches out forever. The sunset turns everything gold. California coastline in the distance, beautiful and wild.
"This could be your life," he says.
My breath catches. "What do you mean?"
"Stay. Not just for a week. Stay here with me. Write full-time. No more coffee shop. No more tutoring. Just you and your writing and this."
I should pull away. Should put distance between us. But I can't seem to move.
"In exchange for what?"
"Nothing."
"Phoenix—"
"I mean it." His arms tighten around me slightly. "Stay. Let me take care of you. Let me give you the life you deserve."
"Nobody gives something for nothing."
"I do." His breath is warm against my neck. "For you."
I turn in his arms, and suddenly we're face to face, inches apart. His eyes are dark and intense and locked on my mouth.
"Why?" I whisper. "Why me?"
"Because when I look at you, I don't see someone who needs rescuing. I see someone worth everything I have."
He leans in. Slowly. Giving me time to pull away.
I don't.
