Page 45 of It's Not All Fake

I grin, holding the tulips close, taking in their sweet aroma as I watch him. This is like the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers” in a good way, I think. He’s so different from the man I first met. Surely an alien life form has taken over.

“Thank you,” I say again as he returns, draping my purse over my shoulder and reclaiming his spot beside me. We start to stroll down the dock, his arm snug around me.

“So, I don’t have any other clothes. I hope this isn’t leading to a nudist retreat,” I tease, trying to grasp his plans. This conversation has gone drastically different from how I’d planned.

“Just a retreat for two.” Liam chuckles. “Or, if you’d like, I can take you shopping once we get to Catalina.”

“Um—what?” I stop and turn to face him, surprised. I’ve always wanted to visit Catalina Island. And—shopping?

“Is this supposed to be a Pretty Woman remake or something?” I half-joke, scanning for people with cameras, but I don’t see anyone.

Liam smirks. “Well, we can do some roleplaying if you’re up for it.”

I feel my cheeks heat up under his gaze. I have no idea what to say in response. My loss for words only makes Liam’s grin widen.

“Come on.” He loops his arm around me once more, guiding me further down the dock. Ahead, stairs lead up to a massive yacht.

“This is your yacht?” I am astounded by the towering vessel—it looks to have at least three decks and spans the length of a football field.

“No, Bill is lending it to me,” he says casually, referring to the producer I met at the movie premiere.

“You say it like he’s loaning you a book,” I quip, raising an eyebrow. “So, who else is joining us?”

Though I hear no other voices, I’m sure there are other passengers hidden within the dozens of rooms on board.

Liam looks at me quizzically. “No one,” he responds, as if it should have been obvious.

“No one?” I halt just before the stairs, puzzled. “So, are we meeting people at Catalina then?” I guess, trying to make sense of the situation.

Liam tilts his head, his expression mirroring my confusion. “No, I hadn’t planned on that.”

“Oh, I thought this was going to be another celebrity party,” I explain. “I suppose we’ll get our picture taken when we’re out in public at Catalina, though,” I shrug, understanding now that the trip will surely be well-documented by people—maybe paparazzi—at Catalina Island.

I see my meaning click for Liam now, and he steps closer. “This isn’t about making an appearance for me, Chloe.” He cups my face gently, his thumb softly tracking my cheek. “We don’t even have to step off the boat unless you want to.”

“So, it’s just us?”

“We have a full crew, but we’re the only passengers,” he clarifies. “We won’t have another interruption.” I know he’s referencing our scramble to get dressed when the cleaning lady walked in.

A thrill races through me at his words. If this is just sex on the side for him, the pleasure-seeking part of me doesn’t care and is drooling at the thought of him, labels be damned. I want him, there’s no doubt about that. He sees my reaction and a sly grin spreads across his face.

“After you,” he says, nodding to the stairs.

On board, it’s astounding. It’s my first time on a yacht, but this is no ordinary yacht. It’s a floating luxury hotel. Liam keeps hold of my hand as he shows me around the lower level. The kitchen and bar area are sleek and open into a cozy seating zone. Steps lead down to the stern where another lounge and an infinity pool await.

I can’t contain my excitement. “This is incredible!” I exclaim, noticing the yacht gliding away from the dock, heading into the open harbor.

Liam laughs at my enthusiasm. “Ready for dinner?”

I nod eagerly, and he leads me up to the second deck.

A table for two is exquisitely set by the curving balcony at the stern. It’s dusk, and the sun has just dipped below the horizon, streaking the sky with oranges and pinks. The colors glitter across the ocean, creating a mesmerizing backdrop. Candles flicker on the wood plank floor that lines the curve of the balcony and at the center of the table.

The entire scene is breathtaking and unapologetically romantic.

I shake my head, turning toward him. “Liam, why did you do all this?” I blurt out the question, my voice filled with wonder and disbelief. My rational side is butting in, needing an explanation, something to clarify what the hell we are doing.

I adore all of this, but I don’t trust it.

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