Page 23 of Hooked on a Feeling

“Would you still like to share a picnic with me?” Starr asked him. “We didn’t eat or even have a drink. But the patio is set up nicely. I may only be able to enjoy some grapes or something, but I don’t want our day to end.”

John’s chest tightened because there were a million reasons he didn’t want this day to end either. Or this week. But there wasn’t a thing he could do about the future. Today, he could take what she was offering and cherish it. “The yacht might be done, but you and I have a full day ahead of us.”

That made her smile, and she held out her hand. “Good. Then we can talk about these yoga moves you researched. I’ll teach you proper form.”

“Lucky me. I get to watch you bend over close up? Hmm. What if I can’t keep my hands off you?”

She lifted one shoulder and gave him a sultry grin. “Looks like that might be a personal problem.” She walked down the path that led to the back door of the cottage, and he let out a groan. He hadn’t felt this carefree in a long time. This damn horny. Shit, just imagining Starr bent over in front of him, like she had been the day they’d met, had his dick hard.

“So, tell me about Sunday dinners,” she said. “I’ve never gotten to experience something like that.”

“There isn’t much to tell. Dad has a strict rule that there is no business talk at the table, so that leaves personal. And there isn’t much to ever talk about with me, so I stay quiet and mind my own business and let everyone else do the talking.”

“I don’t believe for one second you have no personal life.”

“Before you came along this week and wooed me, I’d literally been devoting all of my time to Blue. I have so many ideas for that place. I just hope the time comes where I can utilize them.”

“You make it sound like you don’t have the ability to implement changes.” He took the beer she offered him.

“I don’t. My dad is still in charge and apparently has no plans to retire anytime soon. He thinks the company is doing just fine, so he’s not really interested in any of my ideas for improvement.”

“‘Why fix what isn’t broken’ kind of thing?”

“Exactly.”

He followed her outside. The sun blazed hot above them. She took a seat beneath the umbrella, and he followed suit. There was a different view of the offices from there. Good, but different. “I don’t get to enjoy the waves, but the water view is perfect enough.” She nodded toward Blue Horizon’s offices. “What are all the things you want to change at Blue?”

“We’ve all got ideas; it’s not just me. We need to update our look, starting with a new logo. Then Jersey—he’s the brainy tech guy—has some great ideas about upgrades to the control system we currently install. Judge, he’s the jokester; I think I mentioned him before. Well, he races, and he thinks we should build up our brand outreach by offering sponsorships.” He paused and took a sip of his beer. She was easy to talk to. He could feel the knots unraveling inside his mind just by speaking his thoughts aloud. He knew she wouldn’t judge him. She wouldn’t raise her eyebrows and immediately identify and point out the small dysfunctions within the family. “As for my sisters, for the most part, they don’t really care. They’re still young. They aren’t thinking about business yet, but they’re all smart, and when they turn their attention to Blue, if I’m in charge, I’ll be open to listening and considering their suggestions. You can bet they’ll have fresh ideas when the time comes.”

“I get that. I always imagine that someone with such a successful company has to be able to listen to ideas and make the necessary changes. From a business owner standpoint, if someone came along and told me that yoga was becoming more popular due to one reason or another, I would at least research that and take it into account.”

“I have no doubt you would, but if someone came to you and said you should change your logo, you probably wouldn’t be as understanding. I get my dad’s point of view. He has seven kids who all have an opinion about Blue and over forty employees who also have an opinion. It’s not like he can listen to everyone and make rash decisions.”

“But you’re his son. The future king. He should at least listen to you.”

Exactly. “Have I told you it’s nice talking to you?”

“Have I told you how handsome you look?”

“I don’t think you have.” John stood and knelt in front of Starr, pushing her legs apart so he could kneel between them. The muscles in her legs made his mouth water. Her perfectly sculpted legs that went on for days. Legs he wanted wrapped around himself. “You have a great body.” He trailed a finger along the inside of one of her thighs, creating a path of goose bumps in its wake.

“I’m going to miss your compliments when I go back home.”

He slid his finger up higher against her thigh and slipped another finger under her shorts.

“You’re moving into dangerous territory,” she said.

He glanced around the harbor, knowing full well they couldn’t do anything out here. Anyone who sailed by or looked out an office window would see exactly what they were doing. “If your stomach is feeling better, might I interest you in coming to my condo? I’d love to show you the view.”

She placed her finger under her chin, pretending like she was thinking about it. “I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”

“Good. Because remember when I asked you how many times in a row you’ve come?”

“Yes.”

“We’re going to set a new personal best for you this afternoon.”

Chapter Ten

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