“Tell me right now, or I’ll throw you overboard.”
In answer, he drawled, “I won a gold medal in diving. I think I’ll be all right.”
She couldn’t help her smile or the frisson of pleasure along her spine.
He’d cheated, but he liked that Michaela wouldn’t take no for an answer. And maybe she deserved the truth. “I asked Susan to call your mother. And Flo revealed everything.”
“I’m going to kill my mom,” she growled. But that didn’t stop her from enjoying mortadella and Swiss cheese on a slice of baguette.
Maybe he should have added the Brie and pepper jelly as well.
And though he knew she wanted to get mad, she was downright groaning over the curated meal.
He lifted his wineglass. “The Cakebread chardonnay is delicious. An excellent choice.”
Her chin tilted up slightly, almost defiantly. “I have expensive tastes.”
Without her having to say a word, he guessed that though her tastes might be expensive, she rarely gave in to them. That’s why pulling together all her favorites had been so special. Her mother had even suggested buying the beet hummus at a little deli around the corner from Michaela’s office.
“Since we’re trying out the yacht—” He stretched out the word. “—to see if I like it, let’s just enjoy this meal.” Then he added with a smile, “And not be mad at your mom.”
She waved a hand. “Fine, fine.” Her lips pursed. Then, as she met his eyes, her smile took over, as if she’d realized she was acting like a surly teenager. Michaela would see that as a weakness. Yet her stiff spine told him she’d keep up all her barriers while she enjoyed the meal of all her favorite things.
Halfway through the pasta salad, the beet hummus, and the charcuterie plate, she glanced at him, and her eyes suddenly twinkled. The amazing sight wrapped around him, making his heart beat faster and his breath come quicker.
She surprised the heck out of him by asking, “Are you going to install a diving board in the stern?”
“I hadn’t even thought about that,” he admitted freely. “But it’s a perfect idea. It should be removable, but when we’re not tooling around, I can dive right into the water.” It was brilliant, and he made his decision then and there. “This boat is perfect for me. I definitely want it. I don’t even need to bargain down the price.”
The only reaction was in the flare of her pupils. The commission would be a hefty one, he was sure. But instead of addressing the bargaining, she asked, “Do you still dive for fun?”
“Naturally. I do dives and flips.” With a laugh, he added, “And cannonballs because they’re fun.” Then he had an idea equally as brilliant as hers. “Since you’re the one who suggested a diving board, you have to jump off it with me right after it’s installed.”
She surprised him with a shudder. Wagging a finger, she said, “Oh no, there are things in the ocean that freak me out. It’s too wild. I could get stung by a jellyfish or eaten by a shark.”
He gave a great belly laugh. “I’ll protect you.”
She gave him a stern look. “Not if the shark eats you first.” She shuddered again. “I swear, I’m terrified of all things ocean.”
Another challenge. She presented so many interesting challenges. He’d have to show her how amazing jumping into the clear blue sea could be.
Her first thought: The commission on this sale would be amazing.
Her second: It was so billionaire-ish to buy a yacht without even trying to negotiate on the price.
Her third: Was he buying the yacht just to seduce her?
But the worst thought of all was that she wanted to be seduced.
No, no, no. She couldn’t allow that to happen.
They sailed past Alcatraz, the gloomy monolith looming over them as the steward swept away the remains of their meal. A few minutes later, the young man returned with a platter of mini strawberry cheesecakes.
She groaned. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
But her mouth was already watering for one of the tiny treats.
Troy popped one in his mouth, saying around it, “It’s only a bite.”
