14
TAYLOR
What is it they say?
Revenge is sweet.
And there’s nothing sweeter than walking away from Axel on the swim deck, knowing he can’t follow.
Or he could… if he weren’t bothered about everyone seeing just hownot-so-babyBaby-Ax really is.
And I’m not petty. Honest. But even I can’t help a tiny giggle escaping as he jets away the second my feet hit the deck.
‘Did you not enjoy it, Miss Stone?’ Louis asks, watching Axel’s swift retreat as he hands me a fresh towel.
‘On the contrary, Louis.’ I peel off my life jacket, grinning wide. ‘It was thrilling.’
He takes the jacket, his smile bemused as I turn away – light and heady and more than a little smug. I hum all the way to my room, snagging a celebratory glass of champagne from the saloon on the way.
Time to get ready for round two, AKA dinner.
I pull open the wardrobe, my fingers sliding past the safe options – soft pastels, pretty sundresses, a little black dress –until they find red silk. Bare shoulders. A slit that’s borderline indecent. Perfect.
I lay it out on the bed, smiling as I sip my champagne and enjoy the sinful pop of colour against the crisp, white linen.
‘Oh, Ax, you’ll be sorry you started this little game.’
I take my time getting ready. Showering and moisturising until my skin shimmers. Using every make-up trick in the book to accentuate my features: eyes smoky and popping, lips plump and glossy, cheeks warm and glowing. I sweep my hair back into a tight ponytail, sleek and smooth, and ripe for his fist… not that it’ll get a look in.
I smile as I stand back and check my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror.
Definitely battle ready. The only thing missing is the power heels. They’re against yacht protocol, so pedicured feet it is. And they do add an interesting twist to an otherwise sinful get-up.
‘Ready or not,’ I whisper to the mirror, ‘here I come.’
The sun’s dipping low on the horizon as I step out onto the upper deck, pink and gold hues stretching for as far as the eye can see. The perfect backdrop for the long table that’s been laid out to fit the theme for the night:Romance With a Dash of Fun.
Candles and cream roses mix with mirrored disco balls that scatter tiny stars everywhere you look. Fairy lights are strung between every rail. And soft music plays over the natural lull of the sea.
The adults are all gathered, talking and laughing, an extra ease in the air now the kids are down for the night.
And then there’s Axel, dark and enigmatic as ever. Black hair, black shirt, black trousers. He’s surrounded by theWe Riseteam, a colourful ring of glitz and giggles, yet somehow, helooks completely at ease. My eyes narrow. Is that asmiletugging at his mouth? Is he…enjoyinghimself?
‘My God, sis, you look hot!’
I turn as Sadie barrels towards me, champagne in hand. Her sparkly dress fracturing the light in every direction and making her blue depths sparkle all the more.
Or maybe that’s the effect of too much champagne?
Or Theo?
I give a soft laugh. ‘Thanks. I think.’
‘You know it’s rude to outshine the bride though, right?’ Her eyes dance up at me as she loops her arm around my waist and kisses my cheek.
‘No one can outshine you, love. You haven’t stopped glowing since you moved into Theo’s.’
She chuckles at that, her eyes drifting to seek him out. He’s chatting with her mum friends, but when she looks, he looks, their smiles synching like a reflex.
