Page 47 of Win You Over
“Finn,” I say as a greeting.
“Look, I’m sorry. I acted rash. If you need to fake date the lo-” There’s a low growl which I quickly realise comes from my chest and Finn changes his direction, clearly having heard it too. “If you need to fake date Booker for a few weeks, I get it. Do what you need. When you’re back, things can get back to normal, right?”
Now is not the time to tell him that the fake part disappeared somewhere in the Mediterranean sea. Though Holden and I haven’t talked about it, nothing about this is fake anymore. Part of me doesn’t think it ever was.
I make a noncommittal sound that must be enough for Finn because he continues talking. We spend a few minutes talking about everything and nothing. It’s so easy to slip back into our friendship, and our banter, but his next words are a reminder that even if things feel like they used to between us, in reality, so much has changed.
“I miss you.” He drops his voice until it’s thick and dark, the way he does when he’s after a fuck. “Reallymiss you. Can I see you when you’re back, after this thing with Booker is done?”
“Let’s talk when I get back, okay?” I suggest not wanting to get into things with Finn right now.
He grumbles something I don’t catch and we end the call. A knot forms in my stomach, as my heart feels tugged in two directions. Finn is a big part of my life. He always has been, but he is going to have to accept that Holden is a part of my life now, too. He will also have to understand that he and I cannot do the things we used to because….
Holden walks back into the room then. He’s removed his contacts and replaced them with his glasses.
Because I am hopelessly gone for this man.
Chapter 19
Remington
“We’re taking the yacht to the archipelago of La Maddalena,” I tell Holden, pointing towards the far end of the marina. “I was thinking we could stop at one of the unpopulated islands before getting lunch somewhere. Swimming out there is incredible. And wait,” I add excitedly, “until you taste the gelato from this little dessert place in town.” I lick my lips and Holden smiles, his eyes hidden by dark sunglasses.
Slotting our hands together, I guide him down the jetty, finding the yacht I’ve hired for the day, before we step on board and are greeted by our skipper, Daniel.
“Welcome aboardAzzuro,”he says, guiding us into the internal part of the yacht and giving us a quick tour. Then, hetakes up his spot at the helm, looking forward out of the large windshield.
Holden heads for the smooth decking at the front of the boat where he sits down and stretches his legs out, taking in the stunning crystal clear sea ahead of us.
“This is amazing,” he exclaims.
I sit behind Holden, one leg on either side of him, resting my chin on his shoulder. “I’m glad I could share this with you.”
He turns his head to look at me. The angle is awkward, but his lips areright thereand I cannot resist him anymore than I can resist taking in air. Pressing our lips together, Holden sighs, his body soft and pliant in my hold.
“I called it,” I say, pulling away enough to look into his eyes. Under the bright Sardinian sun, they’re more honey than dark whiskey, gold highlights making them sparkle.
“Called what?” He turns back to face the sea as the boat moves away from the dock and towards the exit of the marina.
Holden’s hair is tied up, leaving an expanse of exposed flesh at his nape. I dance my fingers along the area, then around his front and along his clavicle, to the hemline of his t-shirt. Despite the heat, Holden’s skin pebbles under my touch.
“That I’d win you over.” I bite his earlobe, and he flinches, swatting me away with one hand.
“Smug asshole,” he mumbles, resting his head backwards onto my shoulder.
We stay like that, wrapped up in each other as Daniel steers us out of the marina and into the crystalline waters of the archipelago. The yacht comes to a stop and when we look around, it’s as if we are the only people left in the world. There is nothing but endless blue, white sands and small rocky islands surrounding us.
“This is the perfect spot to swim,” Daniel calls out over the loudspeaker. “You can jump straight in, or there is a lower decking at the back that you can climb in from.”
I thank him with a wave towards the window at the front of the boat, then stand, offering Holden a hand, which he takes and springs to his feet. We move into the centre of the boat, both of us looking over the edge. Beneath us is nothing but clear blue sea and the odd school of fish that meander by, unbothered by the gentle sway of the yacht.
“Ready, baby?” I ask Holden. He looks to the back, at the dropped decking that makes getting in and out of the boat easier, before taking off his sunglasses and climbing onto the edge. Tipping his lips into a smirk, he catapults himself off the side. He lands with a splash, his dark hair, black t-shirt and black shorts a blur as he sinks deeper.
“I guess that answers my question,” I mutter, before ripping my t-shirt and sunglasses off and jumping in after him.
Warm water engulfs me, and I sink towards the bottom before kicking my legs and surfacing. I’m shaking wet hair out of my eyes when something grips my ankle and drags me down. There is a fleeting moment of panic and despite being certain it is Holden, there is still a part of me that fears the ocean and what lurks within it. Opening my eyes under the water, I spy the fucker below me, bubbles floating around his face as he swims parallel to my body before wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
We break through the surface together, legs working in the water to keep us afloat.
