Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Holy fucking swoon. It’s as if he knows exactly what to say to shake off the rest of my mad. A man who not only can dance but is willing to—in public, no less—is as irresistible as being handsome and charming and rich. I knock back the champagne with a grin and put my hand in his. “I would love to dance with you, Damien.”
He leads me to the dance floor, taking my hand in his before twirling me toward him until we’re chest to chest. Face to face. His dance moves are impressive and after a minute or two, our dancing draws the attention of the crowd. A few couples join us on the dance floor while others are content to watch.
A woman with beautiful long red hair and a skintight green dress is laughing loudly, drawing as much attention as we are. Her lips are painted an impressive shade of red and she’s wrapped around a buff guy who I’d describe as a gym rat. When I look up at Damien, I notice that he’s watching the couple. And scowling.
“Are you okay?” I put one hand to the side of his face to divert his attention to me. “Do you know those people?”
“No, but they are obnoxious in a place where that behavior sticks out. I don’t like it.”
I laugh. “Oh, so my man is a snob?”
“What? No. I’m not a snob. It’s just rude.” He shakes his head, the look of disgust evident.
“Hmm,” I say rather than arguing. “If you say so.”
“I do.” His grin is big and bright. “Now let’s get out of here.” He grabs my hand and drags me off the dance floor, through the crowd and up to the deck where there’s nothing but black water for miles all around us and sparkling skies above.
“Where are we going?”
“Dinner,” he says over his shoulder and the sight of him makes the next breath stick in my throat. He’s beautiful and the look of love he’s sending me knocks me off balance.
I love this man with my whole heart.
It’s a scary realization but I do my best to keep my smile placid, at least until I spot the cloth covered table topped with candles and a bucket of ice with a bottle chilling in it. “Damien.”
“Nothing but the best for my precious kitten.”
I like the sound of that far more than I should. “Sounds amazing. Looks even better.” The closer we get to the table the more my shoulders relax and the thoughts about the case fade into the background. It’s easy to do since Damien is here with me and—technically—not in danger. “This is incredible. Thank you.”
Damien takes my hand in his and brushes a soft kiss across the knuckles. “Believe me when I tell you that it is my absolute pleasure.”
When he says it like that, with his voice a little gravelly and his eyes dark and focused on me, I want to fall into the depths of his hazel gaze and never leave.
We sit and enjoy another glass of champagne as the yacht glides through the water. It’s romantic and peaceful.
The food comes out in multiple courses, starting with small bites that lead into bigger and bigger bites until I’m satisfied and feeling so high that I could almost float away. The salmon mousse is excellent—smooth and flavorful. The sushi adds a nice touch of elegance, with each bite bringing a clean, refined taste. Simple, but satisfying.
“Is everything to your liking?” Damien asks.
I nod slowly. “It is absolutely perfect, Damien. Like a dream come true.” The more time I spend with him, the more time I want to spend with him.
Never in my life did I think I’d get so lucky. Losing my dad and then my mom, my string of shitty relationships all taught me the lesson that relationships aren’t for me. They don’t have lasting power. But now, with Damien, I’m believing that maybe I might have what it takes to make this love thing work.
“The moonlight suites you.”
My belly clenches at his sweet words. “You don’t have to sweet talk me, Damien. I’m a sure thing.”
His laughter is low and deep, his hazel eyes sparkling with amusement. “Perhaps, but did it ever occur to you that I want to romance you? That you deserve to be romanced?”
I take a sip, feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world. “I like that you want to romance me.”
“Good.” He leans forward with a seductive smile. “Because I want you to have the best of everything.” He takes my hand and kisses it. Such a romantic move.
My cheeks heat up and I take one last sip of champagne. “I want it, Damien. All of it. Almost as much as I want you.”
He leans forward, his eyes dark. “You have two choices, Francesca. I can seduce you here and pray no one catches us, or I can take you to our suite and take my time, making you come until you can’t walk.”