Page 28 of Peyton's Price

Below her, the black ocean churned as the massive yacht cut through the water. It was a mistake that made her head swim. Hastily, she turned away, focusing on the horizon instead.

That’s better.

It was a vast understatement. The night sky was full of stars. Entranced by the view, Peyton lingered outside after sunset to see them. However, now that night had settled, the temperature had dropped too much for the evening gown she was wearing.

Peyton had protested the extravagance when Matthias presented her with several gowns over breakfast, but the deed had been done. Besides, the only other clothing she had were those the jogging suits, which she later learned Matthias provided for the staff to wear in their downtime. So it was either wear the gown or grab one of the yacht uniforms. She’d go naked before she wore the white dress from the auction ever again.

Of course, Matthias might enjoy it if she did.

Peyton wasn’t a stranger to masculine appreciation. Although her job had been in the background at the Caislean, she’d had enough run-ins with male guests and men at clubs to know she was reasonably attractive. But since the man she wanted most had never looked at her as a woman, she’d always felt inadequate in that respect.

Matthias looked at her as if he wanted to eat her. Or at least strip her naked.

Flushing, Peyton focused on the ship’s movement. It felt as if they were flying across the ocean, but her host had explained the trip to Boston would take several days, almost a week. TheOrmen Langewas one of the most luxurious mega-yachts in the ocean, but it could only go so fast. A boat would never beat a plane in a race.

Truthfully, she didn’t mind the delay. She would have never admitted it to Matthias, but she was in no hurry to see Liam and the others.

And that must make me the most ungrateful person in the world, she thought, pulling away from the railing. Liam had arranged for her rescue from a terrible fate. The least she could do was thank him. If only she could do that without seeing him again.

“It’s cold out here.”

She spun around to find Matthias. Eyes warm, he watched her. He was wearing a black suit that set off his blond hair and blue eyes. In his hand was a length of dark material. He shook it out to reveal a cape.

“Hi,” she said, jerking her head toward him.

After their rocky start, Matthias had gone out of his way to be a wonderful host. He’d eaten every meal with her and had taken her on a personal tour of the ship, including the engine room and the bridge. Matthias had even taught her how to steer the massive craft, much to the surprise of the crew.

The only thing he hadn’t done was elaborate on the slavers’ sting that had gone wrong. All he’d said was that Interpol had carried it out and almost a dozen girls had died. That had been enough to get her to stop asking questions.

“Is that for me?” She moved to him, then caressed the rich fabric of the cape before he slipped it over her shoulders

“It goes with the dress,” he said, tightening the ties at the neck. The cape was lined with more velvet the same color as her gown. It was also deliciously warm as if someone had been holding it over a heater.

“This is wonderful,” she said, stroking the cape, unable to help herself. “But it’s too fancy for me. I’m a jeans-and-a-sweater kind of girl.”

He laughed. “Peyton, you look lovely in sweatpants. You could be wearing sackcloth, and you’d still shine like a pearl.”

She blushed furiously despite her best intention not to. “You better be careful. With compliments like that, I’ll get a big head and become insufferable.”

“Sure you would,” he said in a wryly skeptical tone. He stepped closer, his large hands gripping the railing as he faced the horizon.

“The stars are so much brighter here,” she said, turning her face up to the sky.

“I know. They never look as bright from land. Even in the desert, far from any city lights, it’s not the same.” Matthias pointed to a cluster of stars. “That is the constellation Cassiopeia. When I was little, my father taught me how to navigate by the stars on a small sailboat—a dinghy really. There was no motor, no amenities of any kind.”

“And no GPS?” she guessed.

He shook his head with a grin. “Just some charts and a sextant. He wanted to make sure I never grew dependent on technology, or even on other people. Which was why he sent me off in that boat for a week-long trip along the coast of Norway near Arendal when I was fourteen.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, alone. No video games, no music players, and no comics. Just me and an old copy ofHungerby Hamsun. It’s a Norwegian classic. It wasn’t the first time he sent me off either. The year before, I had to spend a week alone in the wilderness in Hardangervidda National Park in the dead of winter. However, I was allowed a few essentials that time—a tinder box, waterproof shoes, and a coat.”

“Wow,” she murmured, impressed despite herself. Peyton had been working at the hotel at fourteen, but she had been surrounded by her friends among the staff. Going off for a week on a small boat or into the woods alone would have been beyond her at that age.

He shifted and took her hand, placing it on the crook of his arm. “I hope you’re hungry,” he said. “My chef is doing a Cantonese duck tonight.”

“Not even a little.” She laughed as they walked toward the dining room. “After that lunch, I’m surprised you can even think about food.”

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