Page 82 of Dancing in the Rain

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “They have lots of room and they thought it made more sense for people to stay over and not have to worry about drinking and driving.”

“That’s very responsible.” She narrowed her eyes. “This isn’t going to be some kind of kinky orgy, is it?”

He burst out laughing. “No. Red’s married, my buddy Dougie is married, lots of the other guests are all married.”

“You know that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Lots of married couples swap partners and do kinky stuff.”

“How do you know this?” he asked, amused.

“Never mind. Okay. I’ll pack a change of underwear and a couple of toiletries.”

“Perfect.”

Whatever she packed fit into her big purse.

He drove down to Monroe Harbor, lights in the buildings around them starting to come on with the setting sun.

“Um, where are we going?” Peyton asked, looking around.

“My buddy Red has a yacht here. That’s where the party is.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“Nope.” He slid her a look as he turned in to a parking lot. “It would be better in the summer, but he was waiting for some of the guys to get back in town for the season to have a get-together.”

She bit her lip. “I can’t do this.”

“What? Why?” Then he remembered. “Oh, shit.” His gut tightened.

Her parents had been killed in a boating accident.

He found a spot and parked then turned to her. “I’m sorry, Peyton.”

“You know?”

“Yeah.” He reached for her hands. “You’re afraid to go on a boat?”

“Well…I haven’t been on one since.”

“It’ll be safe,” he assured her. “Red’s got a great captain and we’re just going to cruise around a little…not far. Then he’s going to dock in the harbor.”

“I don’t know,” she whispered. Her fingers trembled in his hands and he gave them a squeeze.

“Shit. I don’t want to make you do something if you’re terrified.”

“No. We’re here.” She swallowed. “It’s okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She still looked nervous.

“I’ll be right with you.”

Her quick nod was jerky.

They walked through the docks and found Red’s big white yacht. Drew had been on it before a few times, a couple of hot parties in the summer with lots of girls in bikinis, but this one would be tamer.

They were welcomed aboard by Red and his wife.

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