Chapter 26
GEORGE
T he party got bigger and louder as the night wore on.
It started out with six of us, and an hour later, the ship was crawling with people. Every deck was packed, and I had a moment’s panic that we’d exceeded capacity and were in danger of being shut down by the harbormaster.
Luckily, Alex had a team member on each level to keep an eye on things.
Rafe and I had made the rounds of the room to meet and greet everyone.
I proudly held onto him and introduced him as my partner, so everyone knew he was taken.
But after an hour, I reined in my possessive instincts and let him go so he, Jared, Rowan, Niall, and Andrew could dance away with the other partygoers.
I sat on the sidelines with Alex and Willem for a good part of the night.
The three of us bonded over our love of sailing and football (soccer).
Alex seemed distracted, or rather, he was always monitoring Jared. Anyone who approached the director, or was standing too close or staring too long, soon got the evil eye from his bodyguard and backed off. Poor Jared, he must have a hell of a time with his personal life.
I had to give the evil eye to a few blokes myself when they got too close to Rafe.
My love was the center of attention and I wondered, not for the first time, what such an amazing man was doing with me.
But my doubts were unfounded as the night wore on.
No matter where he was, he always kept me in sight.
After three hours, the DJ had thankfully changed the mood with a slow song, and I took that as my cue.
“May I have this dance?” I asked Rafe as he stood by the railing with Niall and Jared.
“Without question. I’ve been waiting all night,” Rafe replied as he stepped into my arms.
Niall headed off and paired up with Willem, and Alex offered his hand to Jared. Then I forgot about everyone around us. It was just me and Rafe.
Until a flash of light temporarily blinded me. People were taking photos all night, but I’d managed to steer clear until now.
“In one second, your face is going to be the highlight of someone’s social media post,” Rafe quipped.
“I think you mean your face,” I replied, blinking to dispel the afterimage.
“I don’t think so. I’ve been fielding questions all night from interested parties about the ‘sexy silver fox’ I can’t stop staring at. Who is he? Is it exclusive?”
I laughed at his comment. “You’re making that up.”
Rafe’s blue eyes were as dark as midnight. “No, I’m not. And I told each and every one of them that you were mine, and only mine, so they can look elsewhere.”
His possessive words had my blood running hot. I pulled him in closer, staring down at the face that haunted my dreams. Being near him was as vital to me as breathing.
In that one moment, everything became clear to me.
I knew that even if we ended up oceans apart on opposite sides of the world, my heart would remain with him. It was as inevitable as every encounter and every tide that had brought us together.
“What’s wrong?” Rafe asked.
He’d developed a keen intuitive sense of what I was thinking or feeling. I didn’t believe in such things before, but our synergy couldn’t be denied.
“Nothing, my heart. I’m just looking at you. Memorizing the moment.”
“The first of many.”
“I hope so,” I whispered as we swayed to the music.
“I know so,” he replied, and I smiled at the determination in his gaze.
“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?”
“I really did. I talked everyone’s ear off.
And these real estate people, fuck, they party harder than some celebrities I’ve met,” he chuckled and brushed his lips against my ear.
“I also had an interesting discussion with Jared earlier, but I’ll tell you about that later.
I don’t want to chance anyone overhearing. ”
“Hollywood gossip,” I teased.
“Not yet,” he replied and tucked his head under my chin. “I didn’t get the chance to tell you, Lazulo referred me to another sportswear brand in Switzerland. I’ve got a discovery call with them in two days.”
I stopped moving for a moment. The tiny seeds of doubt began to sprout again. Rafe would be back in Europe, and I was already dreading our separation. But I didn’t want to ruin the time we had together, so I forced my feet to keep moving.
“I’m so proud of you, Rafe. That’s amazing. You’re going to have a full calendar in no time.”
“I’ll always come back to you. You know that, right? I love you.”
“I love you more. And yes, I’ll be waiting. And when I have time off, I’ll come to you. We’ll find a way.”
I vowed to do so.
The sea was my first love, but Rafe was my last.
RAFE
I wasn’t a fool.
I’d felt George tense up when I mentioned my potential new client, and I knew exactly where his mind had wandered.
My verbal promises could only do so much to reassure him.
My lover understood actions more than words.
But if he thought I was going to fly off to Switzerland and never return to him, he was as ridiculous as some of the people at the party tonight.
Most were nice enough, but a few blokes talked to me like I was an idiot. Like being a former model meant I was devoid of brains or feelings. Paying me an empty compliment about my looks was tiring; I’d heard it all before.
These men could learn a lot from a man as wonderful as my George. I wouldn’t dare tell him about some of the comments, including the sexual overtures I’d received. He’d throw the men overboard into the harbor without hesitation.
I hadn’t fully realized, until tonight, how being with George had changed everything.
I’d always had a good deal of self-confidence, but the reality of our relationship made me feel more secure in my person than ever.
I loved how he proudly walked around the room with me and introduced me as his partner.
How he constantly touched me, and even when we were apart, always tethered me with his gaze, like he was one end of the rope tied between us and I was the other.
“May I cut in?” Willem asked and held his hand out to me.
George reluctantly let me go and offered his hand to Niall. Willem turned me and soon we were dancing towards the other side of the deck.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your dance with George, but I wanted to ask you something and it can’t wait,” Willem’s voice hitched.
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great.” He looked over at Niall and smiled.
Then he glanced at me again. “Before this trip is over, I want to ask Niall to move with me to Amsterdam. Do you think I’m pushing too far, too fast?
I’ve made mistakes before, but I’m old enough to know that when something feels right, you need to go for it.
But I’m also twenty years older than him.
What if he doesn’t want to be tied down? ”
“Do you love him? Because Niall may enjoy a good time and act like he hasn’t a care in the world, but he cares. A lot. And I don’t want to see him get hurt.”
Willem chuckled. “I do. At first, I thought he and I would just be a fun thing. You know, vacation lovers. But as always, Niall surprised me. I don’t want our time together to end.”
I gave the model the side-eye and he chuckled. “Don’t harm me, I’m being honest when I say that even though it’s unexpected, it feels right. But you’re his best mate and I want to be sure I have your blessing.”
“That’s very sweet, Willem, but the only one you should be talking to is Niall.”
“I know. I just feel insecure for the first time, like I’ve lost my balance. I’m not sure what he’s going to say, and I’m scared. I want so badly for him to say yes.”
“Then go ask him. I have a feeling you’ll get the answer you’re looking for.”
“Thank you. You’re a good friend. I’m forever in your debt for including me on this trip.”
“Make my best friend happy and we’ll call it even,” I quipped.
Willem nodded and stood back. “Thanks for the dance, but I have something I need to do.”
I watched as he walked over to George and Niall and cut in. Then Willem and Niall disappeared through the crowd. George sauntered over and took me in his arms again.
“What was all that about?” he asked.
“That was Willem about to have a nervous breakdown.”
George’s green eyes grew dark with concern. “What’s happened?”
“Niall happened. He’s going to ask Niall to move with him to Amsterdam.”
George smiled and shook his head. “But that’s wonderful news.”
“It is. If Niall says yes. Willem just needed a pep talk.” I sighed. “Niall moving to Europe will be great. I think we should make it our summer home base. Then we’ll head to the Caribbean for the winter months.”
“You have time to figure it out.”
“I said ‘we’ my love and I meant it. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“I don’t want to get rid of you at all,” George replied and kissed me.
The way he claimed my mouth had me trembling. Our kisses became eager, insistent. I forgot all about where we were.
Oh right, the party.
“I’ve had enough socializing for tonight. Let’s go upstairs.”
“Finally,” he chuckled and steered me out of the crowd.
I didn’t even have a chance to say goodnight to anyone because George was on a mission, cutting through the throngs of partygoers with a speed I could barely keep up with. And I had long fucking legs.
When we finally made it to the stairs, he insisted I go first, as always. Part of that was him being a gentleman, but the bigger part I knew was him wanting to stare at my arse. I made a big show of taking my time, but he would have none of it.
“Faster, Rafe. Before someone stops us and sees my erection about to rip right through these bloody trousers,” he growled.
“But it’s such a lovely night,” I teased as I reached the sun deck. “Why don’t we stop here and enjoy the view?”
The only reply I got was a none too gentle swat on my arse.
I ran the rest of the way up.