Chapter 38
MELODY
Icurled my toes and told myself to settle down. I was acting like a horny teenager. I blamed him. The dude knew how to get me worked up.
Every time I shifted, there was an accidental reminder between my thighs that still pulsed from earlier. My mind kept replaying Austin’s hands under my shirt thirty thousand feet in the air.
Across from me, which was no more than two feet away, his knee brushed my leg each time the jet took a little bump. Each accidental contact sent electric sparks skittering up my spine. He wasn’t even doing anything, just lounging there like he was totally relaxed. I felt like I was combusting.
My gaze darted toward the back of the plane.
The doorway to that bedroom stood open, curtains fluttering in the recycled air.
Inside was an actual queen mattress. A queen mattress.
On a plane. The lizard part of my brain practically yelled that we had at least forty minutes of flight left and only three people in the entire cabin crew.
We could sprint, lock the door, and nobody short of turbulence would interrupt.
And honestly, a little turbulence might make things interesting.
I took a drink of water in an attempt to dampen the heat coursing through me. I remembered the flight attendant’s polite, knowing smile. She had served the champagne right after Austin slid his hand up my thigh and whispered patience. She knew. The entire front galley probably knew.
The ache low in my belly pulsed harder when Austin lifted an eyebrow, lazy and heated, like he could read every filthy rerun and wanted an encore. He knew exactly what he was doing.
I was so going to get him back for getting me all hot and bothered.
I turned away from him and stared out the window. “Austin, look at this!”
I had my face pressed against the window like a kid on Christmas morning, watching as Tahiti emerged from the clouds below us. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Lush green mountains rose from the center of the island, their peaks shrouded in wispy clouds. The coastline was a perfect contrast. The white-sand beaches gave way to water that shifted through every shade of blue imaginable. Azure, turquoise, sapphire, colors I didn’t even have names for.
“It’s incredible,” I breathed.
Austin leaned over to look, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Wait until you see it up close. You’re going to want to get your toes in the sand.”
“I don’t think I can handle it up close. I’m already overwhelmed.”
He laughed, pressing a kiss to my temple. “You’re adorable when you’re overwhelmed.”
The plane descended. I watched the island grow larger, more detailed. I could see individual palm trees now, boats dotting the harbor, buildings clustered along the shore. I didn’t have time to research Tahiti before he whisked me away. I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
When we landed, I felt like I had walked into a postcard. Or a dream. Or both.
The moment I stepped off the plane, the heat and humidity hit me like a wall. But it was a good wall. It was all warm and tropical and smelling of flowers and ocean salt. I loved the beach. I didn’t get nearly enough time to enjoy it, but I loved it.
“Oh wow,” I said, already feeling my hair start to frizz. “It’s so humid.”
“Welcome to paradise.” Austin took my hand, leading me toward a waiting car. “You’ll get used to it.”
The drive to the docks was short but stunning. Every direction I looked, there was something beautiful. I wanted to tell the driver to slow down so I could see everything. The swaying palms, colorful buildings, glimpses of that impossible blue water.
We arrived at the marina, and with the help of an attendant, our suitcases were pushed on a cart down a dock. We followed behind. I couldn’t help but check out all the beautiful boats in varying sizes bobbing up and down.
“There she is,” Austin said.
“Who?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Not a who, a what. More specifically, our yacht.”
My gaze followed his. At the end of the dock was… a ship? I didn’t think you could call it a boat. A vessel? I stopped walking. “That’s the yacht?”
“Yep.” Austin was grinning at my reaction. “Come on.”
The yacht was named Serendipity, written in elegant script on the side. It was massive. Gleaming white against the blue water. Multiple decks stacked like layers of a very expensive cake.
“Austin, this is ridiculous.”
“Just wait. The inside is even better.”
We walked up the gangway, and I felt like I was entering another world.
The crew was dressed in crisp white uniforms. They lined up to greet us.
The captain shook Austin’s hand, welcomed us aboard, and then someone was draping a lei around my neck while another person handed me a colorful cocktail in a coconut.
“Welcome to Serendipity,” the captain said. “We’re honored to have you aboard. Shall we give you the tour?”
I could only nod, too overwhelmed to form words.
The tour was—I couldn’t process it all. The main deck had an outdoor lounge area with cushioned seating that looked so comfortable. There was a bar—an actual full bar—tucked into one corner.
“We have a full-time bartender on staff,” the captain explained. “Just let us know what you’d like, whenever you’d like it.”
We moved to the upper deck, where a dining table was set up under a canopy. Beyond that was a hot tub, bubbling invitingly. And beyond that I saw a slide.
“Is that a slide?” I asked.
“It is.” The captain smiled. “It’s inflatable. We can set it up on the top deck. It goes from there down into the water. Great fun.”
“There’s also jet skis,” Austin added, pointing to where they were secured. “And a floating platform. And what else?” He looked at the captain.
“Paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, a floating trampoline.” The captain was clearly enjoying my shock. “We’re fully equipped for water activities.”
We continued inside, where an air-conditioned lounge offered respite from the heat. Plush sofas, a massive TV, floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views.
“This is nicer than most people’s houses,” I said.
“It’s nicer than your house?” Austin asked.
“It’s nicer than my house. By a lot.” I turned in a circle. “This is insane. All of this. On a boat.”
“Yacht,” Austin corrected.
The staterooms were next. The captain showed us to the master suite and I actually gasped.
The room was huge, dominated by a king-sized bed.
There were windows on three sides, all offering ocean views.
An ensuite bathroom had both a shower and a soaking tub.
There was even a small sitting area with two chairs and a table.
How in the hell could there be a tub on a boat—yacht?
“This is all so much.” I looked at Austin. “We’re sleeping here?”
“We’re sleeping here,” he said with a nod.
“Together?”
“Unless you want separate rooms. But I was kind of hoping we could bunk together.”
I kissed him. “Together. Definitely together.”
After the crew had shown us every amenity, they offered to get us anything we needed. Austin had tipped everyone generously and we were finally alone.
The yacht had set sail while we were settling in, and now we were gliding through calm waters, the island growing smaller behind us.
Austin had arranged for dinner on the top deck. The crew set up a table with candles and flowers, white tablecloths billowing gently in the breeze. The sun was setting and putting on one hell of a show with brilliant shades of orange and pink and purple.
I had changed into a simple sundress, letting my hair down from the travel bun I’d worn on the plane. Austin wore another pair of linen pants and a white T-shirt, looking like he’d stepped out of a luxury resort advertisement.
Dinner was served in courses—fresh fish, tropical fruits I had never tried, flavors that exploded on my tongue. We ate slowly, talking and laughing, watching the stars emerge as the sky darkened.
“This is perfect,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “All of this. Thank you for making it happen.”
“Thank you for coming.” He reached across the table, taking my hand. “For trusting me enough to come along. I know I can be a little impulsive. You’re a good sport for going along with it.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I’m really suffering.”
I looked out at the horizon and let my mind drift. Three months ago, I’d been at Sophie’s wedding, getting whispered about and judged. Austin had swooped in with that kiss and changed everything.
It was hard to imagine this whole arrangement started based on mutual need and it had become so much more complicated.
“I’m glad I showed up at that gala,” I said quietly. “It was…” I trailed off, trying to find the right words. Because how did you explain this feeling? The sense of rightness? It was terrifying and exhilarating. It could either be the best thing that ever happened to me or completely destroy me.
It was magical. I wasn’t going to say that to him. I had a feeling he would think that was cheesy. And it probably was. But that’s what it felt like. It felt magical and amazing.
We sat there sipping our cocktails and enjoying the last of our dinner as the yacht glided through dark water. The air was warm and not even a little chilly. Somewhere below, I could hear the gentle splash of water against the hull.
It occurred to me that this was a moment I would remember when I was old and gray. This perfect night with this imperfect man who somehow made me feel like the most important person in the world.
“What are you thinking about?” Austin asked.
“How wild this is. How a few months ago, I was just—me. Living my life. Building my career. And now I’m here. On a yacht. In Tahiti. With you.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“The best thing.” I meant it. “Scary. Definitely scary. But also the best thing.”
“Scary why?”
“Because this feels too good. Like something this perfect can’t possibly last. Like I’m going to wake up and it’ll all have been a dream.”