Chapter 21
ROWAN
A fter an hour-long drive around the island, Andrew and I stopped at a beachfront stand for lunch and a swim.
I noticed a few interested stares, but my disguise was still effective.
The tiny tiki bar was packed with locals, sitting under bright pink umbrellas and sipping fruity cocktails.
It was a new day, a new year, and everyone was in great spirits.
I had a permanent grin on my face thanks to the man seated beside me.
We’d held hands as we left the hotel and hadn’t let go of each other.
I was so happy I thought I might float away along with the clouds above us.
After enjoying a shared basket of fried shrimp and sweet potato chips, we headed down to the beach for a swim.
I noted the heads turning toward Andrew as he walked out of the bright blue sea, and I couldn’t blame them.
I was still worried I would wake up and find out that he was just a figment of my imagination.
But then he walked up to me and kissed me. Yes, Andrew was very real.
We basked in the hot sun for over an hour, then we packed up and drove to Philipsburg and walked the busy streets, popping in and out of shops and galleries.
Andrew picked up gifts for his parents, and I went window shopping.
I was grateful for the anonymity and the time to walk around without a camera in my face, worlds away from London.
Around seven o’clock, we strolled down near the marina and found a bistro with a deck overlooking the water.
There were other couples and groups seated nearby.
“Tell me about your new home in the Keys,” Andrew murmured as we ate grilled lobster.
“It’s a two-story house built in 1941, but the interior was renovated recently. Six bedrooms, six baths as well as a pool, a large garden, and a great view of the water.” I pulled out my phone and found the listing link, then handed it over to Andrew.
He swiped through the photos. “It’s stunning, Rowan. I love the main bedroom with the balcony that overlooks the ocean. You can sit out there and have your coffee in the morning or a drink late at night.”
I had a clear vision of Andrew standing on that very balcony with me and smiling in that way of his that had my heart racing.
I knew it was foolish, but I let the scene unfold.
We only had one more day, but I refused to think that tomorrow was the end.
He’d laid out the rules for this weekend, but we were already breaking them.
“I’m going to convert one of the bedrooms into an office. I’d like to make it my base in the fall and winter months when I’m not on board Now, Voyager . I love France, but maybe I’ll travel there in the summer.”
“That’s a great idea. You’ll be close to Rafe and your parents since they spend the winters in Palm Beach.
At Christmas, your father showed me a picture of his new boat.
It’s not as impressive as your yacht but pretty close.
” He paused and took a sip of water. “How long have you owned Now, Voyager ?”
“I bought it two years ago, just after Jojo and I broke up. He always complained that I had one foot out the door our entire relationship, so I guess it was fitting that I would buy a yacht and take off. He was one to talk, since he was in love with someone else the entire time we were together.”
“And you had no idea?”
“Not at first. I wanted him to move in with me six months after we started dating, but he said he wasn’t ready.
I asked him again after a year, but he still resisted, telling me he liked his own space and that I was too wrapped up in work anyway.
I never pressed after that. About a year and a half in, we attended a charity event in London, and he introduced me to this man.
Watching them interact, I put the pieces into place and confronted him afterward.
I was right.” I paused. Thinking about it didn’t hurt me anymore.
It was a just a sad memory. “His lover’s married and not out.
But Jojo was getting pressure from his family to settle down, so I guess he thought he’d try with me.
As soon as I saw he had feelings for that man, it was over. ”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that, Ro. I know how it feels to be blindsided and suddenly find yourself adrift.”
“I’m just glad that I ended it before we did something stupid like get married.”
“Is that something that you want?” Andrew asked hesitantly, biting his lower lip.
“Marriage?” I gave him all my attention. “Someday, with the right person. You?”
“If you asked me ten months ago, I would’ve said never. But now, now I think… someday, with the right person,” Andrew repeated as he smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but grin in return. That exhilarating feeling swept over me again.
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you about the name of your ship. I know it’s from an old movie, but I wonder why you chose it.”
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, scattered like fragments of sea glass strewn along a deserted beach. Andrew. Love. Marriage. Happiness…
“The movie references a poem by Walt Whitman, “ Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find”. It resonated with me. I’ve always searched for answers, traveled to new places, tried new things. I’ve been hungry for more.”
“Just like you took your family business and expanded it, taking it to new heights. You’re on the hunt and never satisfied,” Andrew commented.
“I suppose you’re right. In business, anyway. I’ve accomplished a great deal professionally, but lately, it’s not enough. Like I told you yesterday, I’ve been unhappy for a long time. Shite, that probably sounds lame. The sad billionaire with his lonely life.”
Andrew chuckled. “Outside of your crazy ass wealth, you’re just like the rest of us. We’re all searching for a community, a family, a person, a place. Whatever it is you need, whatever it is that fulfills you, you gotta keep searching until you find it.”
“I don’t think I’m that far off,” I whispered as I stared into his deep brown eyes. Andrew felt like home to me, like he could read every need and desire I had deep inside of me and answered it without words. It was a welcome realization that was good and right.
He lifted my hand and turned it over, placing gentle kisses on my palm.
The move was intimate, and my cheeks reddened.
I’d rarely shown affection to a lover in public except at clubs in dark corners and as a prelude to fucking.
He glanced up at me, and the burning heat swirling in his eyes made my heart pound in my chest. I had a mind to lean over and kiss him but then I remembered where we were.
He motioned for the bill. We needed to get back to the hotel. Now.
Andrew shook his head. “No, sir, dinner is on me.”
I growled and shifted in my seat. “First off, I’m begging you not to call me sir in public.
Second, I wanted to treat you. And third, give me a few minutes to calm down or the group of tourists at the table next to us will get a big surprise when I stand up – one that was not advertised on today’s menu. ”
Andrew laughed. “First, I’ll try not to, but I won’t make any promises.
Second, we shared a meal and two drinks, so despite my debt, I can handle it.
And third, save that big surprise for later, I already ordered it.
” The server passed him the bill, and Andrew smiled at her.
All the blood in my body rushed south, so I sat there, like an eejit, watching as he quickly tapped the payment machine and thanked the server.
The woman gave him a big smile in return and started chatting him up. Suddenly, I was alert again.
“Thank you for the excellent service tonight. My boyfriend and I had a marvelous anniversary dinner,” I interrupted. I wanted to wipe that flirty smile right off her face.
“Oh, of course. You’re most welcome,” she replied and quickly walked away.
“Boyfriend? Anniversary?” Andrew laughed at my obvious ploy.
“She was about to give you her phone number,” I bit out.
“I doubt that.” He grinned as he stood up. “You’re ridiculous. But I like it.” We held hands as we walked out of the restaurant, and I wondered how I was going to avoid reaching for him while on board the yacht for the next two months.
We drove to the hotel and after a quick walk on the beach made our way back to our room. We stripped each other slowly this time. As promised, I worshipped every inch of his skin and he mine. I was showing rather than telling him exactly how I felt.
“I know we talked about this the morning we arrived here, but I’ve been tested recently, clean bill of health,” Andrew murmured in between heated kisses.
“Me too. I was tested just over two months ago when I had my physical. There’s been no one else,” I replied.
“No condom,” Andrew whispered. “I want to feel all of you.”
“Yes,” I groaned and shuddered.
When I finally slid my bare dick home, deep in the heat of his ass, my whole body trembled with sensory overload.
Andrew looked up at me as he lay on his back, linking his hands with mine, gripping tightly.
There were words building up inside me that wanted to burst out, but I held on to them.
Instead, I showed him with every kiss, every caress, how much I cared for him.
How much I loved him.
Andrew had stolen my heart. This funny, caring, charming man was an unexpected gift that I would never be worthy of.
Our long, languid lovemaking became frantic as we found our bliss together. I came so hard I could barely breathe.
And then I couldn’t. Hardly at all. I started to wheeze and gasp.
Shite, I was having an asthma attack. I couldn’t get any air in.
My vision receded, my lungs burning, screaming for oxygen.
Andrew quickly grabbed my inhaler from the nightstand and passed it over.
One, then two puffs, and I could finally feel relief.
Sweet, sweet air rushed into me. Andrew rubbed my back in soothing circles.
“Are you okay now? Can I get you anything?” he asked. I shook my head as I focused on my breath. I felt the constriction gradually ease and then I was able to inhale normally again.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry. First time I’ve had an asthma attack right after an orgasm,” I gasped. “But what a way to go.”
“Now’s not the time for your British sense of humor, sweetheart. Are you okay?” Andrew looked at me with concern.
I nodded and leaned back against the pillow, my breathing getting slower and deeper. “Repeat that please.”
“Now’s not the time?—”
“Not that!” I whispered as I turned my head to look at him.
“I don’t know what you mean. Sweetheart,” he teased and kissed my shoulder, then my neck. Sweet, soft kisses. Every touch had me falling a bit deeper, a bit harder.
“Yes. Call me that again. It fucking turns me on.”
“I think I could recite the alphabet backwards at this point and it would turn you on.” He rolled his eyes. “How can you think of sex right now? You just had an attack.”
“It’s your fault. You keep kissing me,” I whined, and he shook his head.
“I’m fine now. And so’s my dick. Look.” I pointed to my lap.
“You’re crazy,” Andrew laughed.
“Crazy for you.”
“Thank you, Madonna,” he quipped, then kissed me softly. “I feel the exact same way. Now slide down under the covers and relax.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep.”
He pulled me into his arms, and I moaned at the contact. I fit there perfectly. I never wanted to leave.
“Andrew, I?—”
“Yes?” he murmured as he kissed my neck.
“Nothing. Just hold me and don’t let go,” I whispered.
“I’ve got you, love.”
He certainly did.