Maybe he was on to something earlier when he said my presence calms him. I think this is the most chilled out I’ve been in a very, very long time.
No words are said as darkness begins to fall around us.
But eventually, Everett shifts beside me, and I sit up, my eyes and muscles heavy with exhaustion.
He looks down at me with a soft smile, but there’s confusion in his eyes.
“I know what I asked of you last time I saw you was a lot. And I need you to know that I’ll understand if it’s too much. You’ve already got a lot on your plate with growing a baby and runninga business. I won’t hold it against you if you turn me down.” My lips part to respond, but he beats me to it. “Honestly, I’m blown away that you already haven’t. I know I’m not the kind of man anyone really wants to be serious with. As you’ve said, I’m a fuckboy who’s all about having a good time and?—”
“There is so much more to you than that,” I say in a rush, hating hearing him talk about himself like that.
He hangs his head. “Maybe. But what I’m trying to say is that it’s not your job to try to find out, or to help me convince my GM and the rest of the world that I’m worthy of my position on the Vipers.”
“But what if?—”
He reaches out and presses two fingers to my lips, silencing me.
“Not now,” he whispers. “We need to get back to shore. I promised you dessert.”
My stomach growls on cue. How I can be hungry after all the tapas is beyond me. But I’ve stopped questioning the needs of my stomach. It’s following its own rules these days.
Everett shuffles forward, but he doesn’t immediately get up. Instead, he leans closer. His hand wraps around the back of my neck, his touch scorching me from the inside out before he leans forward and presses his forehead against mine.
His lips are barely an inch from mine, his breath dancing over my skin.
I lean closer, my body desperate for more despite my head knowing it’s the wrong thing to do.
“Thank you,” he rasps, his eyes holding mine.
“For what?” I whisper back, confused. I haven’t done anything. He’s the one who’s planned this incredible date. I should be thanking him.
“For finding me. For being willing to get to know the real me when you clearly disliked the hockey player version of me. Foragreeing to tonight and even considering allowing me into your life.”
“Our lives are entwined now, whether we like it or not,” I reason.
“Maybe. But you still don’t have to be doing all of this. You could just be demanding money and access to my medical insurance.”
“That’s not why I wanted you to know.”
“I know. Trust me, I know. But you could have. Hell knows many out there would.”
“I’m not impressed by the size of your bank account or your job.”
“What about the size of my?—”
I slap my hand over his mouth to stop him from continuing.
He chuckles, and it vibrates down my arm.
“I just…I want you to know that I appreciate you and everything.”
I swallow thickly as my emotions begin to get the better of me.
“Right,” he states before pushing to stand. “Dessert coming right up.”
I stay where I am and watch him take control of the boat and safely take us back to where we started.
I can’t lie; he looks hot as hell up there at the helm of this vessel. Even as darkness engulfs us, I can see the way his muscles ripple and pull with every movement. I can’t help but wonder how it would look if he were to lose the shirt.
