“It’s an anagram,” I state, looking directly at her.
“For?” She tilts her head to the side curiously, as if trying to figure it out, her lips moving, reading the letters to solve the puzzle, but I kill her probing mind.
“Erika,” I say firmly. “It’s an anagram of Erika.” Why do I feel like I’m suddenly a billion degrees hotter, and my hands feel clammy?
“What?” she exclaims as the penny finally drops. “This is your yacht?”
“It’sour yacht,” I correct her, my pulse racing as fast as ever.
“And you secretly named her after me?” She pokes her finger into her chest, looking a million bucks in a floaty white dress and white sandals, before she pushes her sunglasses from her nose onto the top of her head. Her eyes are bright and full of wonder.
“I named her long before this happened.” I motion to the space between us, feeling slightly uncomfortable in front of my new staff.
“That’s so…”
Stupid? Fucked up? Ridiculous?
“Romantic.” Erika’s lips burst into a wide smile that’s brighter than the sunshine of Bora Bora.
“Is it?”
“Yes, Leon, and the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Erika throws herself into my arms and nuzzles into my neck. “You disguised my name.”
It’s not a question.
“I’ve been disguising my love for you for as long as I can remember, baby.” I kiss her hair, then her neck, pouring my love into her.
“This is yours?” Erika eases out of my hold, her voice filled with emotion and cracking at the end.
“Thisis ours.” How many times do I have to keep telling her that?
“Ours.” She looks behind her at the vessel I’ve spent hours pouring my heart and soul into designing. Every bolt and screw, I chose. “She’s beautiful.”
“That’s why I named her after you.”
“You’re incredible, Mr. Hill. Have I told you that today?” She shakes her head in amazement and disbelief.
“Yes, you have.” When she was coming all over my cock as the sun rose this morning. “But don’t ever stop.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Erika
I hold on to the handrail on the bow, the moonlight casting the biggest spotlight across the ocean. I’m enjoying the balmy air that has made my hair frizzy tonight, but I don’t care. I’ve had yet another best day of my life, and for the last twelve hours, Leon and I have been living on a floating paradise. Lunch was like something out of a Michelin-star restaurant, and I’m certain that if I drink one more glass of champagne, I’m going to turn into one.
Having never understood the desire to live on a yacht or sail on one, as I like my feet firmly on terra firma, I see the appeal now. The serenity of the water and the gentle rocking motion of the yacht are enough to send you off to sleep.
Leon’s arms appear, wrapping around my waist. “What are you thinking?”
“That I never want to leave.”
“Well, we can fly to Bora Bora or anywhere in the world, and have my crew meet us. You tell me where, and I’ll arrange it. That’s if your schedule will allow it.”
His words are super appealing, and I’m already mentally planning when I can take my next vacation, even though this one hasn’t ended.
