Page 32 of Never Fake Date the Financier
Ella’s eyes widen. “Was he the guy shaking his cane at that statue in the fountain?”
I sigh, rubbing my eyes. “Probably.”
Ella hums, and I can feel her tense muscles relax under my fingers. “Maybe we should have a safe word.”
“A safe word? I didn’t realize that our relationship has evolved to?—”
Ella groans. “Focus, Adrian. We kissed once. We’re not…Ahem.The safe word is for the awkward convos. Or if Lillian decides to steal me away to throw me overboard.”
“She wouldn’t.”
“I’m only partially joking, but I think you should have a conversation with her. She’s…obsessed.”
Lillian was the last person I thought I’d have to worry about. “Will do.”
The yacht’s horn blasts, and Ella jumps.
“I was not expecting that.”
I’m trying to formulate a response, but I don’t want to move. I don’t want to speak. I want to keep holding Ella in my arms.
“Adrian?” Ella’s voice is hardly above a whisper. But when she repeats my name again, I’m finally pulled from my trance.
“We should get going. We’re already running late.”
I nod, my throat tight. My muscles tight.Everything’stight as I meet Ella’s gaze. “Alright.”
Ella moves, breaking away from me. I take one step but pause, breathing in her perfume. Fuck. It’s perfection.
“Adrian?” Ella calls back to me over her shoulder.
“Yeah. Be right there.”
But I don’t move. Instead, Ella strides over to me. “You should probably stay close.”
She grabs my hand, and it feels right. Perfect. Like it’s right where it’s meant to be.
“I’ll need a meat shield in case I feel the need to hurl over the side of the ship.”
I laugh. “I’ll hold your hair.”
She faux swoons. “Such a gentleman.”
I grunt a response. She wouldn’t be calling me a gentleman if she could read my mind. The way I’ve been stealing glances at her all day. Thinking about claiming those lips all over again. The rest of her. I know there’s something there. She wanted to kiss me almost as badly as I did. I could feel her body submitting to me as I tasted her sweet mouth. If only…
“You’re staring, Adrian.”
“Can you blame me?” The words come out before I have a chance to stop them, but I don’t regret them. Not when her cheeks flush that delicious shade of pink. Not when her fingers tighten around mine. Not when I hear that sharp intake of air…
“Smooth. But save some of that charm for when we’re actually on board.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
When we finally reach the deck, a steward greets us with flutes of champagne. Ella takes hers but doesn’t drink, eyeing the gently swaying floor with trepidation.
“Remember, if it’s too much,” I whisper, placing my hand on the small of her back. “Just say our safe word.”
“I don’t recall settling on one.”
