Chapter 24
GEORGE
I could do this.
I’d encountered hurricanes, pirates, and all kinds of dangerous situations. I could certainly face an interrogation from Rowan Carter.
Not that he’d have any right to interrogate us.
Even if I worked for Rowan, Rafe and I were consenting adults.
Still, I knew the Carter family well enough, and they were especially protective of Rafe.
He appeared to be the most lighthearted of the group, not a care in the world.
But they all knew, as I did now, that beneath the layer of jokes lay a sweet and sensitive man.
But he was also stronger than any of them realized.
There was a determination in his big, blue eyes that I recognized and respected.
The four of us sat up on the sun deck, enjoying dinner and the sunset over the Sydney harbor.
Correction, they enjoyed it. I could barely eat the sumptuous meal set before me since my stomach was in a permanent knot.
Rowan was constantly glancing between us with a furrowed brow, and I found myself fidgeting.
Were my lips swollen? Did we look freshly fucked? And why did I care?
I supposed because my boss was suddenly privy to my private life, awkwardness was allowed.
I turned to Rafe and he smiled at me. Without thinking, I reached out and took his hand in mine.
After the first course and polite but stilted chit chat, Rowan finally broke the tension. “I’m sorry to be blunt, but I find this situation unreal. The two of you couldn’t stand each other a month ago, and now you’re holding hands?”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “It’s called chemistry, Ro. It’s not that difficult to understand.”
“But you two?”
“Why not us?” Rafe replied.
“Well, you have different personality types.”
“Opposites attract. What else?”
“And there’s the age gap.”
“Not relevant.”
“And…I don’t know. It’s just weird to not see you fighting.”
Rafe laughed. “How can I explain this? Remember Kenneth Stilton? He was the bloke in my English class who teased me non-stop when I was sixteen. About my long hair and how I looked and how I walked. And I, in turn, would do the same to get back at him.”
“Of course. You hated him with a passion. I helped you dump his cricket uniform in the river behind school.”
“Yes, I did hate him. But I also made out with him in the locker room after he confronted me. He was my first kiss.”
“What?!” Rowan exclaimed.
I chuckled, my nerves finally ebbing. “I think what Rafe is trying to say with that analogy is that he and I also protested a bit too much.”
“Arguing is just another form of foreplay,” Rafe quipped.
Rowan grimaced.
“We both were curious about the other since we met, but we willfully ignored that and let our initial prejudices run on. But once we had a real conversation, one on one, and got to know each other, everything clicked. Everything changed for the better. This is very real,” I replied and picked up Rafe’s hand, kissing it.
“And now you’re sharing the same cabin?” Rowan asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes. I asked Rafe to move in with me while he’s on board,” I replied calmly and looked Rowan directly in the eye.
My nerves were replaced with resolve. I was not going to be ashamed of my feelings or the direction of my relationship with Rafe.
“Isn’t that a bit soon? You hardly know each other. And what happens when you go back to Miami?” Rowan turned to Rafe.
“I’m done with Miami. I want to establish a new home base. I’m selling the condo, but I’m not sure where I’m going next. I may stay on board with George for a while.”
I longed for Rafe to say he would, not that he ‘may.’
“And what about your photography? Once your client roster fills up, won’t you be traveling all the time?” Rowan asked.
“Not all the time. And what’s your point, Ro?” Rafe’s voice sharpened.
“My point is that both of you have commitments that might mean long periods of separation. Is it wise to start something that has no future?”
Andrew placed his hand on Rowan’s.
“Ro, they know what they’re doing,” Andrew murmured quietly.
“Yes, we do,” Rafe replied and stood up, throwing his napkin on the table.
“I supported you when you first revealed your feelings for Andrew. He worked for you at the time, remember? I didn’t judge, I listened.
I saw the two of you together and I knew what was going on.
I’m asking you to do the same. Trust my judgement.
And George’s, because he’s the finest man I’ve ever met.
And for the first time in my life, I’m in love.
And I will not have you sow seeds of doubt.
Yes, we both have unconventional jobs, but we love each other. And we will find a way to be together.”
Rafe stalked off down the stairs and I stood up and followed suit, despite Rowan’s murmur of protest. I heard Andrew say something as I walked away, but my only concern was Rafe.
“Wait, love,” I called out as I ran down the stairs after him.
“I won’t have him questioning our relationship,” Rafe bit out as he stopped on the bridge deck and shook his head.
I walked over to him and reached out, cupping his face.
“You need to give him leeway to get used to this. Our relationship has done a significant turn in a short amount of time. He’s rightfully concerned for you.”
“Well, his concerns aren’t valid. My heart is my own. And if it gets broken, I’ll deal with that too,” Rafe insisted.
I pulled him in tightly and kissed his temple. I took a deep breath, drawing in his unforgettable scent.
“No one’s ever spoken about me like that. So passionate. Took my fucking breath away,” I whispered in his ear and Rafe’s arms tightened around me.
He pulled back and looked at me. “I meant every word. I want to be with you. You’ll just need to be patient since I’m new at this. I’m sure to screw it up at times.”
“I will wait forever if that’s what it takes,” I replied and kissed him soundly.
I heard footsteps behind us, but I didn’t move. If my boss was pissed, so be it. Rafe was the only thing that mattered.
“Rafe, George,” Andrew’s voice echoed behind me. “Come back and join us. Please. Rowan was just being an older brother. You know him, he worries about everyone. Please.”
I let go of Rafe and looked in his eyes. They were calmer now. He nodded and we both turned back.
“All right. But only because I hate family drama. And I’m still hungry,” Rafe quipped and gave a small smile.
Andrew reached out and gave Rafe a hug. Rafe patted him on the shoulder and drew back.
“You’re a wonderful brother-in-law, Andrew, but please no more hugging,” Rafe joked.
Andrew laughed and held his hands up.
We made our way back upstairs to the sun deck again. Rowan met us at the top, with two glasses of champagne.
“I’m sorry I went into overprotective mode, but I’m still getting used to the reality that the captain of my ship is involved with my brother.”
“Not just involved. In love,” I replied, raising my glass.
“Holy fuck,” Rowan whispered as he looked between the two of us.
“Be warned, Ro. George is very possessive. You’ll be witness to lots of PDA while you’re on board,” Rafe chuckled darkly.
My face grew heated, so I distracted myself and took a sip of the champagne. It was going to be an interesting week.
“Andrew, love, I need another drink,” Rowan commented. “Make that two.”