Page 58 of Surprisingly Us

I lead her down the hallway, past the three guest state rooms, one of which is Ramsey’s, to the master stateroom.

“And this is my room.”

I chuckle watching her stand in the doorway craning her neck to look in.

“You can come in.”

“I don’t want to pry. Bedroom spaces are private and I wasn’t sure if there was anything you didn’t want me to see.”

I glance around. Like the rest of the yacht, my bedroom is spotless. Dark wood headboard and nightstands. Navy bedding.

“I am capable of picking up after myself.”

“Where’s your closet?” she asks.

I motion toward the open door. When she takes in all the clothes, her eyes widen and she laughs lightly.

“It’s like you crammed your entire personality into this one room. There’s nothing out there, but in here,” she pulls out a plaid Valentino suit, “it’s so vibrant.”

Seeing the space through Lettie’s eyes makes me realize that while this is where I’m staying, I don’tlivehere. There’s nothing personal besides the clothes in my closet. I could pick up and leave at a moment’s notice if I wanted to. Even though I own the yacht, I’ve never made it a home. It’s temporary, like my time here in the city.

“Yeah, that’s my typical wardrobe, but this,” I motion to the section of the closet that is now filled with the charcoal, navy, and beige suits and solid-colored dress shirts, “is what I need to wear now to prove I’m serious about the board position.”

“Sounds like you’re not happy about that.”

She turns to find me leaning against the island in the middle of the closet.

“It’s part of the role I need to play.”

Her eyes drop to my bare torso for a moment before lifting back to mine.

“Like us fake dating?” She asks.

“Yeah.”

Lettie’s eyes drop again and this time she motions to my still undone button. “That button is making me twitchy. It’s like an unfinished task. I don’t like it.”

I laugh as her gaze drops to the button again.

“It reminds me of eating too much on Thanksgiving and needing to unbutton the top button of your pants. But you don’t look like you overate.” She waves toward my stomach. “You’re all muscly and toned with your six pack.”

I place my hands on my hips and give her a cheeky grin. “Are you checking me out?” I tease.

She scoffs but I can see the way her cheeks pinken at the idea of being called out on it.

“There’s so much skin. I can’tnotlook.” Her gaze skims over my left arm. “I had no idea your tattoo went all the way up to your shoulder and chest. Is that Lake George?” She points to the inked body of water and surrounding trees across my left pec.

“Yeah.” I nod. “Want a closer look?”

When she steps closer, I immediately regret offering. Her feminine scent floods my senses, but instead of wanting to pull back, I have the strongest desire to bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in more.

“It’s beautiful.” Her hand lifts to hover over my skin. She’s not touching me, yet I can feel her all the same.

“Yeah.”

She’s staring at my tattoo, but I’m looking at her.

“When did you get it?” she asks.

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