Chapter 34
Scarlett
I’m scrolling on my phone, with a grin on my face.
We’ve done so many things these last five days—hiking on cliffs overlooking the ocean, watching seals swimming, doing yoga on the beach, enjoying Old Town, surfing alongside each other, and picnicking in Balboa Park.
It’s ten thirty in the morning, so I call Jason to get an update.
“Listen babe, you can’t call every day for an update. We’ve got it covered. You’re supposed to be concentrating on the piece of salami in front of you and eating him until you’re full.”
I laugh. “Just checking on things.”
“You checked yesterday. Everything is going great even though you’re gone. I know, shocker.”
“What about the interview with Tessa?”
“Hold on, Paige is right here. We both interviewed her yesterday.”
“Hi, Paige!”
She doesn’t respond with hello. “Why are you talking to us instead of getting pounded right now?”
“Do you guys think of anything other than sex?”
They both reply with a laugh. “You’re funny, Scar.”
“Tell me how it went with Tessa?” I prod.
“Love Tessa!” Paige responds.
“Yeah, she’ll be a great fit. We’ll let you call to offer the job.” He pauses. “Once you’re back. Not right now. Right now, you should be doing exercise involving man parts.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll call tomorrow.”
“No you won’t,” Paige argues. “Just focus on having fun with your guy.”
“He’s not my guy.” My shoulders slump at the statement. I clear my throat. “Besides, I miss you guys.”
“Miss and love you too, babe,” Jason says, “but you need to get off the phone with us and go have fun. I’m not answering your call tomorrow, so don’t try it.”
“Jay—”
“Bye!” They hang up.
I stare down at my phone with my mouth gaping open. I can’t believe they just hung up on me.
“Morning, sweetheart.” Matt comes into the room with a mug smelling like coffee.
“Oh my gosh, I love you,” I say to the mug, but when I look up at Matt he’s staring at me with a look of—pride? I clear my throat. “I love coffee.” I point. “Thank you for bringing it in.”
He nods his head once, his posture erect, smelling of a fresh shower and sandalwood. He pats my thigh. “Pack a bag of extra clothes.”
I take a sip of the latte he made. “For what?”
“You know I’m not going to tell you. Just something fun. A surprise.”
I get up and start packing.
“What, no other questions?” His arms are crossed, with his forearms on display in a white linen shirt. There’s a patch of chest hair protruding on his chiseled pecs. I forgot his question.
I take another sip of my drink. “What? ”
He chuckles. “I’ll leave you to it.”
An hour later, I head out to the living room. “Okay, all set.”
Matt closes his laptop and grabs my bag. He pulls me in at the waist so we’re front to front and kisses me.
I pull away after a few seconds. “What have you been up to?”
“Just a little work. You sleep in until the middle of the day.” He kisses my forehead. “Come on, let’s get going before the sun sets.”
I shove at him. “Hey!”
He loads our stuff into his car in the garage, then starts driving to.
.. somewhere . I don’t care anymore. It’s weird.
After our conversation from dinner the other night, I can trust him.
He opened up to me when he never has with anyone else.
He brought me to his favorite place. I have no idea if we have a future, but there’s a pull towards him I’m sick of avoiding.
I’m probably making a terrible decision.
“I like how you don’t ask any questions about what we’re doing anymore. Finally know who’s in charge around here, huh?” He gives a teasing smile. Buttface.
“Oh, don’t worry, Matt. I’m keeping score. I will keep my promise of getting you back. Maybe my plan is to let you think you’re in control, until one day...bam!” I clap my hands together, trying to create a loud noise. He doesn’t even blink. “I’ll get you.”
“I’m not sure it’s wise to tell me the plan. Now I’m expecting an ambush.”
“Exactly.” I smirk.
“Good thing I don’t scare easily.”
Thirty minutes later, we pull up to a marina.
Matt grabs our bags from the trunk and we start walking down the dock after he inputs a code for the gate.
We’re passing one nice boat after another.
Sailboats, motorboats, catamarans, probably yachts.
I’m not sure what the requirement is to qualify to be a yacht, but most of these boats should be on the list.
He stops once he reaches a catamaran at the end of the dock. It’s fifty feet of white with black touches, an outdoor seating area, a trampoline in the front I’m going to jump on, and a covered space on the roof where you can hang out and drive.
“Wow!” I say, putting my hands over my mouth in disbelief. “We’re going on this?”
He’s looking at me like I’m the biggest dork in the world. Whatever.
“Is a captain meeting us?”
“I’m the captain.” He steps onto the boat.
Is there anything this man can’t do?
“Of course you are,” I murmur.
There’s a walkway at the back of the boat with staircases on either side. In the middle is the boat’s name. I freeze and my eyes widen.
Scarlett Skies
“Ah, you noticed,” Matt declares.
“When did you name it?”
“I bought it last year and it came with the name. Yet another coincidence when it comes to you.” He shrugs with his hands in his pockets, moving up and down on his tiptoes.
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” I tell him.
He grins. “Take your shoes off before you get on. Have you ever been sailing before?”
“My dad took me a time or two out in the bay, but it was a small sailboat. Nothing like this monster. It’s beautiful, Matt.”
“Some might say it’s small, but it’s the biggest I could sail on my own.”
The way he talks sometimes. Hiding behind a facade. I wonder if he realizes he’s so much more than his money.
I remove my shoes and then step onto the boat. I go up the stairs with them in hand. It’s easy to maneuver with handrails all along the side. The sun beams down with a slight breeze.
He starts the engine and then begins untying the yacht from the dock. I’ve made it to the bow and am jumping on the trampoline. Guilt hits me because he’s doing all this work to depart.
“Can I help you?” I ask mid jump.
“Oh no, I’ve got it. Just relax.”
“I could help. I’m not completely useless, you know.”
“Don’t worry, I know how useful you are.” He turns one side of his mouth up in a crooked grin.
I don’t mind the talk, but I pretend to be offended.
“Oh, really.” I jut my hip out and cross my arms over my chest.
He keeps his grin in place as he removes all the lines and takes a place behind the helm.
He replies with a deep, husky voice I’m sure is sin. “You know you like it.”
I turn my back on him so he can’t see my smile and how excited his tone is making me. I’ve never met someone that can vibrate your entire body with their voice. It’s addicting.
Fuck. I’m falling for him. Hard.
He concentrates on driving and gets us out of the marina. It seems like he’s good at everything. Except yoga. I chuckle to myself.
I stare out at the open sea as the wind blows my hair. I still have no idea where we’re going.
Dear brain, please come back. I miss you.
I head to the stern of the boat where Matt is steering. He looks like the sexiest captain I’ve ever dreamed about.
“Where are we going?” I touch his shoulder.
“Just cruising around. Open sea is something, isn’t it?”
I take a deep breath and focus on looking past him. He’s glowing a clear red, reminding me of a rose. It’s showing me he’s passionate about sailing and doesn’t mind the close company.
“What if I was scared of the ocean? Or big boats? I could be allergic, you know.”
He turns his head over to me with one eyebrow raised. “Allergic to boats? Pretty sure that’s not a thing. Besides, you were in the ocean the first chance you got and had no problem going surfing. Figured you would be fine with sailing. This boat doesn’t tilt, so you’ll be okay.”
“What are we supposed to be doing?”
“ You are supposed to be relaxing. Sitting at the front or by me.” He grabs my waist and kisses the top of my head. “There’s nothing for you to do right now. You aren’t in charge of the plan, the boat is clean, and you aren’t at work.”
“You’ve been working.”
“So have you. You’re supposed to be chilling. You are my guest on vacation. Give it up, Miss Scarlett. Relax.”
“You sound like my friends.”
“Scarlett, I got you.”
I look up and give him a small smile. I should just let go and dive in. Him saying to relax does nothing for my fidgeting hands; they’re looking for something to do. He senses my hesitation.
“Why don’t you go inside and get a drink and some food? I’m going to get the sails up so you can really feel the wind.”
I’m going to do more than that. I’ve brought some items I’ve been saving for an occasion like this one. There’s a particular item he won’t be able to resist. I hope I can pull it off.