“I told youI met someone,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Of course, dear, I remember. I just didn’t expect him to be... you know,real.” The airy, artificial laugh that follows does nothing to soften the stinging comment. “You have to excuse me, Colt. Audrey has a tendency to indulge her imagination.”
Before I stomp my foot, grab Colt, and flee this nightmare-in-the-making, Dad steps in, a pair of whiskey glasses clinking in his hand. He passes one to Colt, then firmly shakes his hand.
“Henry Weston,” he introduces himself.
Unlike Mom’s practiced politeness, Dad’s cheerfulness is genuine. It’s evident in the crinkling around his eyes and the way he looks Colt up and down without a trace of a frown.
That’s good. I was a little afraid Colt’s many tattoos could prove problematic, but it looks like my dad’s fascinated by them.You and me both, Dad.
“Colt Hayes,” he replies. “This is a magnificent yacht you have.”
“Ha!” Dad grabs Colt’s shoulder, with a small shake. “Good choice of an opener. I already like you, Colt. I’ll give you a tour in a minute. Quite a few things onboard will blow your socks off.” He turns to me, his broad grin growing wider. “Is this how you greet your old man? Come here!” He pulls me into a bear hug, whispering so only I can hear, “Did you see the look on her face?!”
He doesn’t have to whisper. Mom’s made herself scarce in her usual manner, sauntering back to the bar where she left her drink, no doubt a boulevardier—she’s all about bourbon.
Dad pulls away, leaving one arm firmly around my shoulders. “Everyone’s getting ready for dinner at seven-thirty. Suite seventeen is yours, as always. I’m borrowing your boyfriend for a while, but I’ll escort him back soon.”
We didn’t plan for this. I look at Colt, gauging his reaction, but his face is impassive as always.
I left my mind-reading kit at home, so... “Dad, we just got here.”
“I’m only talking twenty minutes, princess. Thirty max.”
“But—”
“It’s okay, Addie.” Colt snakes an arm around my waist, gently breaking Dad’s hold.
His possessiveness, though subtle, makes my body sing. He leans in, his lips brushing my hair in a tender kiss. It’s such a simple gesture, but the promise it holds, the softness of his lips on my temple... it feels good.
Too good to be fake. My chest fills with warmth, the heady scent of his cologne soothing my anxiety.
“I won’t be gone long, baby,” he murmurs.
A surge of erotic pleasure pools in my lower belly. I love it when he calls me that. He makes it sound like I’m so precious to him.
I’m floating a few inches above the deck before the tranquil feeling vanishes.
Is he...? Oh, the nerve of him!
He’s making me lookneedy.
Here I am, saving his ass, and he’s having the time of his life at my expense.
“Fine.” I cross my arms over my chest, then realize I’m coming off like a pouting kid and let them fall to my sides. “I’ll go grab a shower.”
“But I’ve ordered you a glass of wine!” my mother wails from the bar. “I want to hear everything I’ve missed.”
“You’ll hear it over dinner,” Dad says, turning his back to Mom as he pins me with a pointed stare roughly translating torun for your life.
I do, leaving Colt behind. TheGirlfriend of the Yearaward won’t be gracing my mantelpiece anytime soon.
Rounding the corner, I peek over my shoulder, finding my fake boyfriend engrossed in a conversation, almost certainly aboutSerenity, with my dad.
TEN
Colt
