Chapter 18 #2
She looks at me, then at the yacht, then back at me. There's something in her expression I can't quite read. Surprise, maybe. Or disbelief. She takes my hand and I guide her up the small gangway onto the main deck.
We're greeted immediately by the captain, a man in his fifties with graying hair and a weathered face that speaks to years on the water.
"Mr. Sterling, welcome aboard." He extends his hand and I shake it.
"I'm Captain Harris. We're ready to depart whenever you are."
"Thank you, Captain."
A crew member appears with a tray holding two champagne flutes. I take both and hand one to Winter.
"The crew is at your disposal for the evening," Captain Harris continues.
"We'll take you along the coast, around the bay, whatever you prefer. Dinner will be served on the upper deck at your convenience."
"That sounds perfect."
Another crew member steps forward—a woman in her thirties with a professional smile.
"Ms. Hayes, I'd be happy to give you a tour of the yacht if you'd like."
Winter glances at me and I nod.
"Go ahead. I'll be here."
She follows the crew member toward the interior and I watch them disappear through the glass doors. I turn to the head steward, an older man named Victor who's been coordinating the evening's arrangements.
"Keep her smiling," I say quietly.
Victor nods. "Of course, Mr. Sterling."
I stand on the main deck, champagne in hand, watching through the windows as Winter is shown around the yacht.
I can see her expression from here—eyes wide, taking everything in.
The luxury salon with its plush seating and polished wood.
The formal dining area that we won't be using tonight. The open-air lounge on the upper deck.
She says something to the crew member and laughs. The sound doesn't reach me through the glass, but I can see it in the way her shoulders move, the way her head tilts back slightly.
It makes me happy. Seeing her smile like that. Genuinely happy, not the polite smile she uses in professional settings or the guarded one she's been wearing since Naples started.
Just... happy. The engines rumble to life beneath my feet and I feel the yacht begin to pull away from the dock. A few minutes later, Winter emerges back onto the main deck. The crew member who gave her the tour says something, gestures toward the upper level, and then leaves us alone.
Winter walks over to where I'm standing near the railing.
"This is incredible," she says, looking out at the water as we glide away from the marina.
"I'm glad you approve."
She turns to face me. "You didn't have to do all this."
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
I look at her standing there with the wind catching her hair, the champagne glass in her hand, the coastline stretching out behind her.
"Because I wanted to," I say simply.
Winter holds my gaze for a moment, and I can see her trying to decide whether to push the question further. She doesn't. Instead, she turns back to the view and takes a sip of champagne.
The yacht moves steadily through the water, leaving the marina behind and heading toward open sea. I find the head steward and confirm that dinner should be served at 7 PM.
He nods. "Of course, Mr. Sterling. I'll let the chef know to have everything prepared."
"Thank you."
I take another glass of champagne from a passing crew member and walk toward the railing. About forty-five minutes have passed since we boarded. The waters are calm, barely any waves, just the gentle rocking motion of the yacht cutting through the sea.
I glance toward the salon and see Winter at the small bar inside, talking to one of the female crew members. She's smiling, relaxed in a way I haven't seen her be around other people. Light music is playing throughout the boat—something smooth, Sade maybe, or something similar that fits the mood.
I pull out my phone and switch it to silent. Then I reconsider and turn it off completely. I want to be present in this moment. No distractions. No business calls. No emails that can't wait until tomorrow. Just this. Just her.
Winter's eyes catch mine through the open door of the salon.
She says something to the crew member and then makes her way out onto the deck toward me.
The golden rays of the setting sun hit her hair and reflect off her eyes.
She looks almost ethereal walking toward me like this, backlit by the warm light.
I walk over to meet her halfway. When I reach her, I hold out my hand. She places hers in mine and I lift the back of her hand to my lips, kissing it gently.
"Took a gamble that you wouldn't get seasick," I say, winking at her.
Winter smiles. "No, not at all. I love the water."
I take a mental note of that.
I reach for her champagne glass and set it on one of the side tables nearby. Then I pull her close to me and start dancing to the sound of the music drifting through the speakers. We look into each other's eyes as we sway together.
"You're not difficult to please," I say.
Winter smiles back at me. "Well, you have excellent taste, it seems, Mr. Sterling." She draws out that last part, my surname, with a teasing lilt.
"I'm just glad you agreed to come to Naples for me," I say.
"I didn't think it was going to work out, but here we are."
Winter tilts her head slightly. "Here we are."
I lean down and kiss her. The kiss is small at first, just a brush of lips. But then Winter responds, pressing closer, and she puts her hands around my neck as I kiss her more deeply. We kiss passionately, slowly, the kind of kiss that isn't rushing toward anything but just exists in the moment.
Then she lays her head on my chest and we continue swaying to the music. I kiss the top of her head and breathe in the scent of her hair.
"Dinner is at seven, by the way."
I want to say more. Want to tell her that this feels different. That she feels different. That I haven't wanted to turn my phone off for anyone in years. But I don't want to wreck the mood.
We dance together for another ten minutes or so, just moving slowly to the music, not talking, just being. A crew member appears with fresh glasses of champagne on a tray. We each take one, the alcohol adding to the slight buzz that's making everything feel warm and easy.
I guide Winter over to the railing and we stand there looking out at the coastline. I point to a cluster of buildings along the waterfront.
"That development there," I say, gesturing with my glass.
"That's another one I'm working on. Luxury condos. Similar concept to the Tribeca project but scaled for the Florida market."
Winter follows my gaze.
"It's a prime location. Waterfront access is a huge selling point here."
"Exactly." I point to another area further down the coast.
"And that one over there, the taller building with the glass facade. I'm an investor in that project. Not leading it, just financial backing."
"Do you prefer leading or investing?"
"Leading. I like having control over the vision. But investing lets me diversify without spreading myself too thin."
Winter nods, taking a sip of her champagne.
"That makes sense."
We continue talking, the conversation flowing naturally from one topic to another.
The sun continues its descent toward the horizon, painting everything in shades of orange and pink.
Time passes without me really noticing. The champagne, the conversation, the gentle motion of the yacht—it all blends together into something that feels almost surreal.
A deckhand approaches us. "Mr. Sterling, dinner will be served in thirty minutes."
"Thank you."
The deckhand nods and walks away. Winter sets down her champagne glass.
"I'm going to go freshen up."
I nod as she begins making her way toward the stairs that lead down to the lower deck where the master suites are located. I watch her intently, the way her dress moves with each step, the way her hand trails along the railing.
Something in me decides to follow her. I set down my own glass and head toward the stairs.
As I make my way to the bottom of the steps and see the door to the master suite slightly open. I don't bother knocking. Without hesitation, I put my hand on the door and slowly push it open.
Winter is in the bathroom. The door is closed. I walk in, shut the door behind me, and stand in the middle of the room, waiting. Only a minute or so goes by before I hear the water running in the sink. Then it shuts off.
The bathroom door opens and Winter walks out. We stare at each other from across the room. She looks at me, giving a knowing smirk. I begin to walk toward her. When I reach her, I kiss her hard. She kisses me back without hesitation.
She looks up at me.
"Dinner's in thirty minutes."
I kiss her again, slower this time.
"That's plenty of time."
I pause, then pull back slightly with a teasing expression.
"But you're right. I guess we should maybe save this all for later."
I take her hand and turn as if to walk out the door. Winter stops me, pulling at my shirt to signal me to stop. I turn back and look at her. Both of us have lust in our eyes.
Without breaking eye contact, Winter begins to unbutton my pants. I move closer to her until we're pressed up against each other. She continues working on my belt, her fingers pulling it free from the hook. She doesn't say anything. She keeps her eyes focused on what she's doing.
Once the belt comes undone, she unbuttons my pants. Then the zipper. I take her hand and slide it into my pants, guiding her to feel my rock-hard cock straining against my briefs. I lean in to kiss her as she begins to stroke me slowly at first, then with more purpose.
Then she kneels down slowly in front of me, her eyes fixed on mine as I watch her. Once she's on her knees, she pulls my pants down first, then my briefs. My cock springs free—long, thick, veins bulging. I feel like I'm about to burst.
Her lips part as she brushes them lightly over my cock, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. The softness of her mouth, combined with the heat of her breath, nearly undoes me. She flicks her tongue over the tip, tasting the pre-cum, and a guttural groan escapes my throat.
“Fuck,” I growl, my fingers gripping chunks of her hair as she takes me deeper.
Her tongue swirls around my shaft, and I jerk involuntarily, the sensation almost too much to bear.
She sucks me with hollow cheeks, her lips sealed tightly around my length as her hands grip my thighs.
My head falls back, and I let out a deep groan, my hips bucking hard as I fuck her mouth.
Her moans vibrate against my cock, as saliva begins to seep from the sides of her mouth, sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through me.
“Just like that,” I hiss, my voice strained as she sucks harder, gagging on it.
Her arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer into her mouth, and I grip her hair tighter, guiding her movements. The wet, lewd sounds of her sucking my cock fill the room, mingling with my ragged breathing.
My control slips further as I continue thrusting, hitting the back of her throat. Her eyes flick up to meet mine, and the sight of her looking at me while my dick is in her mouth sends me over the edge—almost.
I pull back suddenly, my cock glistening and throbbing in the cool air. Her lips are swollen, her chest heaving as she stares up at me, her desire palpable.
“Not yet,” I growl, my voice dark and commanding.
I sit back on the bed, pulling her up with me. My hands grip her waist as I guide her onto my lap. Her legs straddle me, her warm pussy pressing against my cock, and I nearly lose it again.
My hands slide up to grope her breasts. She doesn’t hesitate, reaching between us, as she grips my shaft to guide me to her entrance. The sensation of her wet tight pussy enveloping me as she sinks down on my cock slowly is too intense.
She throws her head back, her moan loud and unrestrained as she takes my girth fully.
My hands grip her hips, guiding her movements as she begins to ride me, her rhythm steady and unrelenting.
Her nails dig into my shoulders, her tits bounce with each thrust as I jerk my hips upward to meet her.
The friction is exquisite, each movement driving me closer to the edge.
“Fuck me good,” I growl, my fingers squeezing the flesh of her hips as I thrust harder, deeper. Her moans grow louder, her movements more frantic as we both chase the inevitable.
Her pussy walls tighten around me, her body trembling as she comes undone again, her cries echoing through the room. The sensation sends me spiraling, my control shattering as my release takes over me.
I grip her in place, squeezing her thighs as I groan, my voice a guttural roar.
My hips jerk uncontrollably as my cum spurts outs in heavy loads deep into her walls, her pussy milking me for everything I have.
I still myself inside of her as my cock pulsates.
She collapses onto my chest, her body trembling with the aftershocks as I hold her close.
Our breaths mingle in the silence, ragged and uneven as we come down together.