Page 14 of Her Surprise Protector
ThePersistencewasn’t all that impressive compared to the other boats in the marina, despite what people imagined. Since I was a billionaire, most of my friends expected I would have one of the most expensive yachts money could buy. They were always surprised when I explained my dad had bought her years ago. Even though our family spent most of our time in Manhattan, we always maintained the Eagles Perch here in the Hamptons - the estate I had inherited. During my youth, we spent every summer in the Hamptons enjoying our home on the beachand sailing along the Long Island shore.
I didn’t need a new boat. A new boat wouldn’t come with memories of my father standing proudly on the deck, and running his weathered hand over the wheel. Then, I smiled to myself, remembering how once he had cursed until Mom told him, “Hush your mouth, and watch what you’re doing, Honey,” when he ran thePersistenceaground. He also had spent countless hours, teaching a younger version of me how to cast my line over the side and wait patiently for a fish to bite.
The one time I had brought Hallie sailing, she hated it. Hated the open ocean, hated thePersistenceand listened with a yawn when I told her my dad named the sailboat after my mother since she had played hard to get for months. I shook my head at the thought. Hallie had bluntly told me, “When something doesn’t interest me, I don’t want you to think I’m rude if I just ignore what you’re talking about.”
At the time, I didn’t have a rebuttal for her remark. But I didn’t judge what she said as a bad thing, technically. It was like she was trying not to be fake… her weird way of teaching me what bored her… but she had taken it too far. More and more often near the end of our relationship, she used that excuse not to listen to a thing I had to say and randomly cut me off, talking about herself instead.
I got up abruptly and went to get ready for an afternoon of sailing. Thinking about Hallie was a great way to kill a good day right in its tracks. Besides, I had found that for a few days now, she hadn’t been the woman on my mind, filling my thoughts whenever I had a spare minute. A certain sexy single mom with red hair was displacing her.
I liked to have someone to think about since it kept me from dwelling on myself too much. It certainly helped that Elena was a fascinating person. She talked about Bree all the time, but I never minded – all I could do was smile. Elena had confided to me that sometimes she felt overwhelmed, raising a child alone, and that was one reason she had tried to give her ex another chance.
I couldn’t imagine anyone giving the man I had seen push her against a car a chance… Then I remembered I was guilty of the same thing. I definitely had given Hallie way too many chances. I had learned one thing in the last few weeks since meeting Elena; a glance or two wasn’t enough to get to know a person. Neither was over a year, apparently.
Actually, it was,that tiny annoying voice in the back of my head reminded me.There were red flags. You just ignored them.
I told the voice to shut up. For once, it listened, and soon I was on my way to the marina. ThePersistencewas waiting for me, as always. Stepping aboard, I patted her metal railing reverently.
The ocean wasn’t too rough, and the breeze favorable. I had a wonderful afternoon relaxing and planning how I wanted my date with the most beautiful redhead in the world to unfold. By the time we returned to the marina, I had discarded all thoughts of Hallie and worked up a raging appetite.
Hey, sorry, I was busy,I texted Elena back after noticing I had missed one from her.Still on for tonight?
Definitely, just got home.
Great. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way.
She didn’t reply, so I assumed she had jumped in the shower, and I headed home to do the same. The water felt too cool, so I turned up the temperature, and let the steam rise around me while I ran a razor over my face.
Elena had a head start on me; I needed to hurry. Having plenty of clothes to choose from could be a blessing or a curse. So, while I was sailing, I had decided on the look I was going for this evening. I wanted to show Elena I had put some effort into deciding what to wear, but I also wanted to feel comfortable since the restaurant’s decor called for casual attire. Of course, I carefully chose the clothes that would accent my physique.
I ended up choosing a pair of form-fitting jeans, a casual leather belt, and a button-down shirt. Women always notice shoes, so I wore a pair of top-siders that complimented my shirt. To complete my look, I slipped on a watch. A scoop of hair gel and a spritz of cologne, and I nodded at myself approvingly in the mirror.
Ready?I texted Elena.
Yes. Can’t wait!
It wasn’t until I pulled up in front of her house that I realized I had only seen her in professional attire and comfortable, wear-around-the-house clothes. I got out to knock on her door, curiously waiting for her to open it, so I could see how Elena dressed when she went out.
Elena did casual and professional so well… What would in-between look like?
I shouldn’t have bothered to ask myself that question. The woman who opened the door was flawlessly beautiful, just like every other time I had seen her. Elena’s high-waisted jeans barely touched the bottom of her crop top, leaving a sliver of skin showing when her hips swayed as she walked. Then the top teasingly hid what it had just revealed when she stood still. Boots with heels gave her a few more inches of height, and she walked in them effortlessly. In fact, I had a sneaking suspicion that Elena would fit perfectly under my chin right now…
Staring is rude.I didn’t remember who or what had told me that. But it was true, so I stopped. “You look incredible.”
Elena’s cheeks tinged with pink at the compliment.She must not be used to hearing them often… I would have to fix that. “I have you to thank for that, for getting me out of the house. I don’t usually dress up for Bree.”
“Where is Bree this evening?” I asked, holding the door open for her as she grabbed her purse and stepped toward me.
“I have a friend, Payton. She’s a single mother too, and we like to foist our kids off on each other occasionally. But she doesn’t know it’s you I have a date with.” The corner of her mouth twitched, and her eyes sparkled.
“What?” I asked, aware of some joke that existed which I wasn’t privy to.
“Payton has some, uh...strong opinions about you,” Elena said. “I told her about the dog and meeting you again at work.”
“That’s fair,” I admitted, unsurprised. Elena had the right to share those opinions, and I just counted myself lucky that she didn’t, hopefully, hold them against me. “What do you think?”
“I’m still making up my mind.” She flashed me a bright white smile, her eyes a vibrant blue even in the soon-to-be-setting sun.
Despite lots of back-and-forth texting and chatting on the phone, I had wondered how this date would go. Elena had struck me as being eager to please, a little quiet, very polite and quick to apologize for anything she believed she had done in error.
