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Preston laughed. “Damn right I do,” he said, leaning in closer. “You should come see my house.” He rested his hand on the small of her back. “Biggest one on the island.” He smirked.

Ethan couldn’t see her face, but he saw the hungry look on Preston’s, and his jaw tightened as he pulled himself closer to the window to get a better view.

Preston swayed, clearly shit-faced. “You know,” he said, “most women play hard to get. Stuck up little things…but you? You fucking get it. I like a woman who knows quality when they see it,” he slurred, his wandering hands moving to her waist.

God, what a sleaze.

Preston’s hand traveled lower. “Let’s get out of here and go back to the house early,” He paused, whispering in her head, but he was able to read his lips, “Just you and me.”

“Mmmm,” she laughed, moving his hands from her waist as she turned to the side, clearly not wanting his touch.

There’s no way this woman wants anything to do with this shithead, he thought.

Preston grinned wickedly, obviously not taking the hint. That or he doesn’t care.

“Fuck, you’re so fucking hot.” He pulled her closer. “Come here—” He leaned in toward her face.

Ethan was about to interrupt, yell out the window, and tell her to get away from him, but before he could do anything, her voice cut Preston off.

“Stop. Wait until we’re at your house and alone. You’re going to take me there right now, away from everyone.”

Ethan froze as he watched and listened to the woman as she spoke to Preston.

Her voice changed, not the same one he’d heard her speak with when she boarded. It was like it was layered, some kind of echo beneath her words.

Something deeply familiar.

Just like…

Ethan watched with wide eyes as a golden haze washed over Preston’s gaze. His face stared back at the woman, completely blank, and his hands, which had been gripping her waist, loosened and dropped to his sides, his body now slack in submission.

Preston’s voice was distant and hollow as he replied, “Yes. We’ll dock right now. Straight to the house. Absolutely.”

Ethan’s eyes bulged, and his mouth hung open. He couldn’t believe what was happening.

That…voice…his eyes…

The woman took a step back.

Preston blinked, and the golden haze that had covered his eyes was gone. He grinned back at her as if nothing had happened.

“You know what? Fuck this party, let’s get out of here.”

“Perfect. That’s exactly what I want,” she said with pleasure, extending her hand for him to follow.

Preston took it as she led him toward the front of the yacht, both disappearing from view.

Ethan’s head spun, and the whole room tilted. Before he knew it, he was toppling backward toward the floor. He landed and crashed down with a loud thud.

Propping himself up, he rubbed his back and groaned. His pulse hammered in his ear as he sat forward, gripping the bench.

What…what the fuck did I just see?

The woman’s voice. The way Preston had reacted to it. His eyes, his fucking eyes. Ethan’s hands shook.

It wasn’t just the shock of seeing and hearing what had just happened. It was the fact that it felt so familiar.

He’d seen that before. Heard that voice before.