Page 42 of Peyton's Price

Trick still stood at his open car door when she disappeared inside.

* * *

The porterat the door of the Ormen Lange took one look at her and stood back, admitting her aboard with a respectful bow. That was the easy part. It was dinnertime, so she searched for Matthias in the dining room, but it was empty. So was the pool, the gym, and, according to one of the steward’s, he wasn’t in his office.

In the end, Priya found Peyton wandering the second deck. Priya took pity on her by leading her to Matthias’ stateroom, which occupied the entire prow of the third story.

“Through there,” Priya said, pointing at the deck outside the French door, disappearing like a genie before Peyton could casually ask if Matthias had delayed his departure for business reasons.

Heart pounding, Peyton stepped outside on the deck. Matthias was across the deck at the railing that faced the open sea. He stood still, but there was tension in his posture.

At least he’s alone out here, she thought as she inched toward him. Imagine if she’d done this and he’d been entertaining another woman.Or a man.Now that would have been awkward.

Her strangled laughter carried in the wind. Matthias started, spinning around, his face slack in surprise.

“What thehellare you doing here?”

She stopped short, stricken into immobility. The hurt must have shown on her face because Matthias rushed to her side, reaching out to grasp both her arms. “I didn’t mean it like that, Peyton. I’m thrilled to see you. It’s just—well, why aren’t you with Liam?”

Peyton shuddered, covering her beat-up heart with her hand. The poor organ couldn’t take many more of these jolts and shocks.

She cleared her throat. “I assumed theOrmen Langewas still in port because you were waiting for me. I’m sorry that was presumptuous.”

Matthias tilted his head. “I was waiting for you.”

“Oh. Good.” Peyton stared up at him. Despite the shadows under his eyes, he looked amazing. She scowled. “Then don’t scare me like that.”

Matthias moved to caress her hair. “I was only going to give you one more day, or so I told myself. I didn’t think you would come. Did Liam not call off the wedding?”

“Nope.” She smiled.

Matthias seemed genuinely confused. “Why not?”

“Because the stars haven’t realigned.” Sighing, she shrugged, twisting to put her hand on his arm. “You just have to accept it… He’s not coming back to you,” she said softly.

He laughed. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

She dropped her eyes, focusing on the tantalizing bit of his chest visible underneath the small gap at the top of his button-down shirt. “You were wrong.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

He seemed so certain, but Peyton didn’t know how to convince him so.

“What is it they say about one man’s trash being another man’s treasure?” She grimaced. “Not that you think I’m treasure or anything like that.”

His smile was wry. “Well, you were very expensive.”

Blushing, Peyton tried to cover her face with her hands, but it wasn’t easy. Matthias still held both her arms.

“Peyton, to me, you are worth any price—a prize beyond measure. It’s obvious to anyone who meets you. And you can be damn sure Liam knows your value, too. He’s just too pigheaded to admit it. I don’t know what his problem is, but, and please pardon my language,fuck him. He had his chance.”

His lips came down on hers—the briefest of kisses. But he raised his head before she even realized what was happening.

Matthias fished his phone out from his pocket. “Captain Nilsen, this is Raske. Pull up anchor. We’re leaving.Now.”

Peyton blinked at his hard tone as he hung up the phone. “What’s the rush?”

The corners of his mouth turned up. “You may not believe this, but Liam will come for you. So we’re not going to be here. Like I said, he had his chance.”

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