Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
When I’m drinking my coffee in the morning with Grace and Devon it’s hard to keep myself from telling Grace the truth about the weird clause, about the instant feelings—all of it.
I can’t stop thinking about our texts and then our phone conversation. It was magical, almost like it didn’t happen, everything about it felt right even if I am still apprehensive.
Devon’s on the phone regarding one of his investments and Grace keeps looking over at me and whispering about Stetson. She’s trying to play it cool, but I can see her husband clocking us every so often.
Devon takes another call and steps away from the table.
“You didn’t tell him, did you?” I ask her as we both keep an eye on Devon’s location.
“No,” she shakes her head. “I haven’t had the time yet.”
“Grace!” I hiss at her when she shrugs her shoulders.
“What?! He’s my husband—meaning he can know this. Honestly, married people tell each other everything. It’s a type of verbal diarrhea that can’t be explained. Besides, it’s not some deep, dark family secret.”
How did she guess?! Shit!
“I just don’t want to make a big deal out of it,” I say.
“Did you see how the girlfriends were all looking at you in envy at dinner, ready to pull your hair out or set you on fire?” Graphic. Grace lowers her voice as she points below to the staterooms where the rest of the group is sleeping. “They’re pissed.”
I laugh. I can’t help the subtle joy that erupts past my lips any more than I can enjoy the smugness that comes along with it.
“Can you blame them?” She asks me.
I shake my head. “No… but I’m sure he has his quirks too.”
Like the family clause that he wants me to sign.
And the whole, ‘gonna make you walk over to my boat then enter you’ sort of quirks. I gulp. I sit up straighter, is it hot in here again? And here I was worried about the cold. Not so much anymore, not even a little bit.
“They’re probably nothing compared to what these people have to put up with,” Grace dismissed my comment while I contemplated fanning myself like I was facing an outdoor wedding in the south.
Before I can respond, Devon walks back to the table. One of the servers places a plate of fresh cut fruit in front of him.
“That was Stetson,” he says casually.
I immediately forget how to breathe. What? What did he need? Want? Say?
“And?” Grace asks casually. I know she’s dying over this too, but there’s no way she’ll let on in front of her husband. I am so not the epitome of calm, cool, and collected.
“He invited us on a small excursion to see the orcas and have lunch on his yacht.”
“Oh?” Grace says.
“It’s an extremely generous offer,” he says.
“Hmmm,” Grace looks intrigued.
Devon looks at her like she’s crazy. “Oh. And… hmmm? I wouldn’t mind a full sentence every so often.”
“Touché,” Grace acknowledges. “So what are your thoughts on an orca excursion with them?”
“I like them and I’m curious to see both the boat and orcas,” he answers honestly. “I think we can let everyone know and if they want to come, they’re more than welcome, if not, they can stay on board as planned for today.”
“That’s a great idea,” Grace agrees.
“And what are you thinking, Charlie?” Devon asks with a sly smile.
I roll my eyes at him because he knows there were no actual thoughts only affirmative answers.
“Funny.”
He laughs. “It is if you saw your face and the shade of red it happens to be.”
I hate my pale skin. It’s so obvious when I’m embarrassed or in this case embarrassed and excited.
“Are you coming or not?” Grace cocks a challenging brow at me.
I swallow the dryness in my throat and grasp at what courage I have left within me.
“I’d like to see the orcas.” There, that sounded normal, calm, some might even say nonchalant now if I could only get the blush under control, I’d be completely convincing.
“I’m sure you would like to see a specific one—orca that is,” Devon shamelessly laughs in my face. “The good news is that he wants to see you too… I’d bet on it.”
“He? Are we still talking about orcas that hunt baby seals in the ocean?” I grumble. I’m anxious to talk to him after last night and the longer I talk to Devon the more I’m ready to bolt.
“I’m talking about an alpha apex predator that hunts on land and sea,” he shrugs devilishly. “What’s wrong with a little adventure?”
If only we knew what kind of adventure…
Contracts? Inexplicably insane sexual tension? Jumping right into a fire with a guy who needs me to sign my life away?
“What, indeed.”
Two hours.
That’s all it takes for my life to completely change. I completely change course within the span of those two hours. Before I know it, I’m on Stetson’s mega yacht, and there’s no turning back. Absolutely no exit plan.
Oh, and I might have signed something too…
As we’re led through this yacht of his that I really have no words for because it’s so huge—I try not to gawk.
But it’s one of those gawk-able type of situations.
His taste is exquisite. It’s understated, but luxurious—masculine opulence intermixed with major Christmas décor.
I’m kind of surprised he’s embraced the holiday so completely.
I wouldn’t take him for a decorating for the holiday’s kind of guy. But…
I like it.
And I’m definitely not mad there’s no exit plan.
One step at a time.
Towards the unknown.
“Are you singing Frozen?” Grace hisses under her breath.
“Shhh,” I hiss right back. “I’m having my own Disney moment.”
I wince–I mean if Disney showcased elicit, naked visuals, with me riding the white knight—not the white knight riding on a horse to rescue me from the evil witch.
Wow my visuals just got complicated.
Disney is so not rated PG in my brain anymore.
“You’re turning red again.” She whispers.
“Am I?” I touch my cheeks just as we’re led downstairs by Stetson’s crew.
“I wish we had embraced the holiday cheer like this,” Devon turns to Grace and frowns like he’s a kid who didn’t get the toy everyone else got in class.
“We have twinkling lights on the deck,” Grace shrugs. “I’ll figure it out next year. But I agree, this décor livens things up.”
It does. And it’s everywhere. No corner was overlooked. But it’s tasteful and feels cozy and just makes you want to sit under one of the Christmas trees (there are three that I’ve counted so far), drink eggnog and sing songs.
As we move through the yacht to join Stetson and Jayson, I can’t help but think how the boat feels like a mini floating hotel with all the rooms and sheer size. I think we even passed a theater. We round another corner and are greeted by several men—young men, or huh, small men.
Small, sexy men.
I have no other way to describe them except as I see them. Here it is—
They’re shirtless dwarves wearing Santa hats.
And honest to God---one is holding a leash to a reindeer that has a sign on it that says. “Ride or Die.”
“Ummm,” I point.
“Hysterical!” Devon claps. “Very inclusive.”
My eyes widen while one of the dwarves waltzes up to me in his half naked glory and winks. “I’ll just take your bags unless you have any other services you need me to perform at this time?”
“Uh,” I laugh and look over at Grace who’s speechless for the first time in her life. To be honest, Devon taking it all in so calmly is what surprises me the most. He’s usually the first one to be concerned.
“Miss Horseman?” the man holds out his hand awaiting my bag.
His inquisitive eyes straight up soul search into my depths, almost like he’s communicating with me but there are no words coming out of him.
I can’t explain the how or why but there’s a sudden calmness that engulfs me.
“Here you go.”
I hand him my medium sized tote—no, I didn’t bring a change of clothes because I don’t know if I’m going to spend the night yet. I might have signed his clause but everything that happens now is still up for a debate. I’m not a shoe in.
Fine.
I did bring my toothbrush so that has to mean something important though I’m loathe to admit it out loud. If I had a smaller overnight bag, I’d probably bring lingerie too. Ugh, I’m already making things complicated, aren’t I?
“You’re beautiful.” He whispers under his breath before flashing me another calming smile and taking a dramatic step back as though he’s on a stage performing.
I wonder then, is he? Is it real? Or is he doing this for his own amusement? Furthermore when a gorgeous man has only eyes for you and wants you to believe it if even for a second, do you complain? No. The sheer audacity! Get it together Charlie!
“I’d like to welcome you all to the Nicholasen Yacht, where fantasy is your reality.” Fantasy. Reality. Just like last night. The sheets. The bed. This man.
Real.
My heart picks up pace as Devon and Grace exchange knowing looks between each other. God knows it’s been a while for me and it’s not like he invited them over for them—then again, weirder things have happened in our larger circle of friends.
Stetson doesn’t stop looking at me.
I wonder if Devon is concerned now.
“And Merry Christmas. I hope you look forward to the new year—I know he already is.”