Instead of indulging in what she offered right there in a public marina, Miquela pointed to the smaller boat docked beside hers. “We’re going out on that.”
June looked over the starboard side. “Ooh, sporty!”
“You don’t even know yet.”
In Monaco, speed boating was a sport. Hell, anything that combined dangerous, motorized vessels and showing off was a time-honored tradition. (She had shown June the world-famous speedway earlier that morning. If they had more time together in Monaco, she would have taken her to the Grand Prix. Maybe one day, when she was June’s patron.) How much money did you have? How could you best show it off without looking like you were doing it on purpose? There were many art forms in the world, but for European billionaires, this was one of the most recognizable.
“It’s so cute!” June sat in the passenger seat while Miquela checked that everything was in order. “Do you go out in this thing much?”
“On beautiful days like this? As much as I can. But it’s not fun unless I have someone as equally fun to be with.” She winkedat June, although she probably couldn’t see it through their combined sunglasses. “Ready?”
“Should I put on a lifejacket?” June eyed the one by her feet.
“If you really want to. I promise I’m a safe driver!”
Miquela backed out of the dock, careful not to hit any of the other small boats whipping in and out of the marina. June held on with white knuckles, but the glee on her visage wasn’t anything but pure excitement. Her white blouse and shorts looked as carefree as the rest of her.
“You might want to put your hair up, though,” Miquela cautioned at the last minute. “Or so many women have told me over the years.”
“I dunno.” June pulled a red scrunchie out of her pocket and whipped her hair back into a loose, low-hanging bun. “You might look good with long hair.”
“Don’t think so.” Once she was situated again, Miquela gunned the gas on the boat and took off for the open water. June shrieked so loudly that she almost drowned out the motor.
There was nothing like exploring the open seas at top speed, kicking back waves behind a boat, and greeting the blaring sun above. Even with dozens of other white vessels crowding around them, Miquela still saw – and felt – nothing but freedom. When she was much younger, this was one of the only ways she could appropriately get away from her family. This and driving her assortment of luxury sedans and sports cars. Unlike the cars and roadways, Miquela was not beholden to trifle things like roads. She could go anywhere. Whip in any direction. Face whatever view she desired. One of her favorite things to do was speed up and down the length of Monaco, taking in the crowded architecture and wondering what it looked like one hundred, five hundred years ago. Then she would veer off toward the southern coast of France, taking note of the rolling countryside and the Maritime Gendarmerie patrolling the coast for idiot billionairesand lost tourists in need of assistance.And pirates. I always wanted there to be pirates.Now Miquela was glad not to have to worry about pirates, but when she was a kid…
“This is amazing!” June cried, touching Miquela’s shoulder as she whipped the boat around not once, but twice, creating a centripetal force that made both of their stomachs lurch in excitement. “Where the hell are we?”
Miquela slowed down and looked to the shoreline. “That’s France right there.”
“Are we near Nice?” She said it the English way.
“Not quite. And it’s pronouncedNiece.”
June leaned over and kissed Miquela on the cheek. “I’ve never had this much fun on a boat before. What else you got?”
What else? Miquela had enough to blow her mind from here until death!
They spent the better part of an hour jetting around the Mediterranean, stopping here and there long enough for June to take her pictures and catch up on her giggling.She’s really enjoying herself, huh?It was rare for a woman to not enjoy this – unless they were terrified, Miquela supposed – but something about June’s mirth made her happy, too. For a woman who probably had her pick of boating enthusiasts over the years, she was acting like this was a brand-new adventure.She has never been to this part of the world before.No, that wasn’t it. There was something else in that laugh and in that smile. Like she was comfortable with her.
That was it. Until now, Miquela had never been with a woman who was this comfortable with her. They were either putting on a show, trying to seduce, or using her for some other end. Whether she paid them to be there or not… didn’t matter. If she paid them, then it was another job. If she didn’t, then they were trying to get her money in other ways.
June was being paid to be there… and seemed to genuinely enjoy her company.
Their excursion came to an end after Miquela veered back to the port and pulled up alongside the Cornelia by Northwest. By then, other boats were returning to the dock as well, including a speedboat occupied by no other than Regina Richards, an English multi-millionaire whom Miquela had been tenuous friends with since school in London.
“Bolivar! Long time no see,amiga!” The woman stood up in her boat, nearly tipping it over with her lovely, buxom blond companion inside.Great day to take your date out boating, I guess.“You back in Monaco for long? I just got here myself.”
“Going back to America tomorrow!” Miquela called back. “Who’s that with you?”
“You don’t know my girlfriend, Carmen Santiago? She’s from Valencia, too!”
Not going to correct her. “Pleasure, Ms. Santiago.”
She looked up with her freakishly white teeth and tanned cheeks. “Bonjour!” she greeted with a thick Spanish accent. After Regina leaned in to whisper something, she corrected, “Hola!”
“Who is that gorgeous creature with you?” Regina asked, leaning back to get a better look at June. “She must be American. I’m not being rude!”
“This is June! My girlfriend!”
