Chapter 37 Beatrice
BEATRICE
“Oh my god,” I shriek as we take off toward the horizon. The salty air rushes over my face and blows through my hair.
When Everett invited me out tonight, standing beside him while he drives a yacht didn’t even feature on the list of things I thought we might do.
He glances over with a wide smile. It’s a far cry from the man who sat before me in his car not so long ago, struggling to explain himself.
I really felt for him. I understand what it’s like not to have control over your life. Sure, the things I’ve experienced are different from Everett’s struggles, and I’d never try to compare the two, but they’ve definitely helped me understand him more.
He was right; I had done my research. The stories online don’t paint him in a very good light.
He goes through women like most people go through coffee, he gets into brawls, causes trouble, and generally makes Hailee’s life difficult.
I can fully understand why she wants to find a way to clean up his act.
And I can’t deny, there is a huge part of me that wants to help.
I could see the torment in his eyes as clear as day. And while it might not be my responsibility to help banish it, I kinda want it to be.
“Are you okay?” Everett shouts over the sound of the engine and the waves that are crashing against the sides of the boat.
“Yeah,” I call back, my smile as wide as his.
“I didn’t really consider the morning sickness when I planned this.”
“You don’t need to worry,” I say, squeezing his hand. “I’ve forgotten all about it.”
It’s not entirely the truth. It’s impossible to ignore. But this is by far the closest I have come to it.
His thumb absently brushes against the inside of my wrist, and warmth rushes up my arm.
Since he entwined our fingers in the car, there’s barely been a moment when he’s released my hand.
I’m not really sure what to think of it. But I must confess, I kinda like it.
“You’ve driven one of these before, right?”
He barks a laugh. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” he confirms as we race toward, well, nothing.
“Where are we going?”
“Here and there,” he says.
“Right.” I scan my surroundings, taking in the endless ocean. It’s incredible, and so peaceful. Well, aside from the engine.
“It’s so pretty out here.”
Everett looks down at me.
“Yeah, the view is pretty incredible,” he says, his eyes still locked on me.
“Aren’t you meant to be looking where you’re going?”
“Hmm,” he mumbles, his gaze dropping to my lips again just like it did in the car.
My heart skips a beat at the thought of him leaning down to kiss me.
I swallow thickly before absently dragging my tongue along my bottom lip.
I can’t be one hundred percent certain because of the roar of the engine, but I’m sure I hear a growl rumble in Everett’s throat as he watches the movement.
The thought of him wanting me has heat pooling between my thighs.
No, Beatrice.
You might be considering being his fake girlfriend, but that is as far as this is going to go.
It’s already complicated enough. Adding sex into the mix is only going to make it worse.
A familiar whistle hits my ears, forcing me to look away from Everett’s heated eyes, and man, I’m so glad I do, because I find two dolphins jumping through the waves we’re creating.
“Oh my god, Everett, look,” I cry, tugging my hand from his so I can go to the edge for a better view.
I watch them, enthralled by their elegance as they play together.
“So beautiful,” I muse, not realizing the sound of the engine has quieted and Everett has joined me.
“Yeah, I agree,” he says.
He tucks his body right against mine, almost caging me in as I twist around to watch the show.
My body heats as his chest presses against my back.
“Have you seen them up close before?” he asks.
I swallow thickly, desperately wanting to lie and let him believe this is a first for me. But I can’t.
“Yeah. I’ve been swimming with them too. Incredible creatures.”
“Damn, I was hoping to steal a first from you,” he muses in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I wish you had,” I confess, more than happy to let go of a lot of my memories. They’re from a previous life, one I don’t overly enjoy thinking about.
I’m a different person now. Live an entirely different life. But as much as I might want to eradicate my past, my family, and their wishes for me, I know that I’d lose a big part of who I am in the process. I learned a lot from them, just not the lessons they wanted me to.
“I’m sure we can find another.”
We sit there for the longest time, watching the dolphins play until they get bored and swim away. Silence falls between us as the sun continues to set.
Everett moves away, and I twist back into the seat, but before I can get settled, he reaches out and pulls me into him.
The heat of his body burns down my side as he holds me, his breath against my scalp as he presses his lips to the top of my head.
Contentment and a sense of safety wash through me, and in only a few seconds, I relax against him, my eyes on the sunset in the distance.
Maybe he was on to something earlier when he said my presence calms him. I think this is the most chilled out I’ve been in a very, very long time.
No words are said as darkness begins to fall around us.
But eventually, Everett shifts beside me, and I sit up, my eyes and muscles heavy with exhaustion.
He looks down at me with a soft smile, but there’s confusion in his eyes.
“I know what I asked of you last time I saw you was a lot. And I need you to know that I’ll understand if it’s too much.
You’ve already got a lot on your plate with growing a baby and running a business.
I won’t hold it against you if you turn me down.
” My lips part to respond, but he beats me to it.
“Honestly, I’m blown away that you already haven’t.
I know I’m not the kind of man anyone really wants to be serious with.
As you’ve said, I’m a fuckboy who’s all about having a good time and—”
“There is so much more to you than that,” I say in a rush, hating hearing him talk about himself like that.
He hangs his head. “Maybe. But what I’m trying to say is that it’s not your job to try to find out, or to help me convince my GM and the rest of the world that I’m worthy of my position on the Vipers.”
“But what if—”
He reaches out and presses two fingers to my lips, silencing me.
“Not now,” he whispers. “We need to get back to shore. I promised you dessert.”
My stomach growls on cue. How I can be hungry after all the tapas is beyond me. But I’ve stopped questioning the needs of my stomach. It’s following its own rules these days.
Everett shuffles forward, but he doesn’t immediately get up. Instead, he leans closer. His hand wraps around the back of my neck, his touch scorching me from the inside out before he leans forward and presses his forehead against mine.
His lips are barely an inch from mine, his breath dancing over my skin.
I lean closer, my body desperate for more despite my head knowing it’s the wrong thing to do.
“Thank you,” he rasps, his eyes holding mine.
“For what?” I whisper back, confused. I haven’t done anything. He’s the one who’s planned this incredible date. I should be thanking him.
“For finding me. For being willing to get to know the real me when you clearly disliked the hockey player version of me. For agreeing to tonight and even considering allowing me into your life.”
“Our lives are entwined now, whether we like it or not,” I reason.
“Maybe. But you still don’t have to be doing all of this. You could just be demanding money and access to my medical insurance.”
“That’s not why I wanted you to know.”
“I know. Trust me, I know. But you could have. Hell knows many out there would.”
“I’m not impressed by the size of your bank account or your job.”
“What about the size of my—”
I slap my hand over his mouth to stop him from continuing.
He chuckles, and it vibrates down my arm.
“I just…I want you to know that I appreciate you and everything.”
I swallow thickly as my emotions begin to get the better of me.
“Right,” he states before pushing to stand. “Dessert coming right up.”
I stay where I am and watch him take control of the boat and safely take us back to where we started.
I can’t lie; he looks hot as hell up there at the helm of this vessel. Even as darkness engulfs us, I can see the way his muscles ripple and pull with every movement. I can’t help but wonder how it would look if he were to lose the shirt.
I bite down on my bottom lip as I try to picture his tattoos. I’ve seen many shirtless images of him online, so I know he’s covered in ink. But real life is very different from pictures on a screen, even if they are professional ones from underwear shoots and the like.
Now, I’m not saying that I’ve spent time studying those images of Everett in only a pair of tight boxer briefs, but I’m also not denying it, either.
It’s not until we’ve come to a stop at the dock and I rip my eyes from Everett that I realize someone is waiting for us to help moor the boat.
Everett throws him the ropes before he turns to me. The second our eyes collide, a breathtaking smile spreads across his face. And when he holds his hand out, I’m powerless but to slip mine into it.
He climbs up first before helping me and checking that I’m okay once I’m on solid ground.
I smile up at him, once again fighting the desire to feel his lips against mine and his hands sliding over my body.
“You’re pretty good at this dating thing, huh?” I tease as he leads me to his car.
“Who’d have thought it?” he laughs. “I thought my only skills with women lay in the bedroom.”
“Or a club wall,” I quip.
“Yeah,” he muses, pausing to reach for the passenger door for me. “I think about that often. It was hot.”
“Uh huh,” I agree, my cheeks heating.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve got myself off now with the memories on repeat.
The air between us turns so thick it’s almost impossible to drag in the air I need.
“We should do it again sometime,” he rasps.
Desire twists up my insides.
“Yeah, maybe,” I mumble. It’s not going to happen, no matter how much I might wish it would.
“You’re right,” he states. “Next time, it won’t be a rushed moment against a wall.”
My breath catches, and he leans closer, ensuring every breath I take is laced with his scent.
His lips brush my ear, and I only just catch my needy whimper before it spills free.
“And I’ll spend all night worshiping every inch of you.”
I lose the fight, and my whimper escapes a beat before he pulls back, taps me on the butt, and tells me to get in.