Page 58 of Nine Months to Love
“Touch me.”
“Where?”
“Everywhere.”
We drift in the ocean, the yacht rocking gently nearby, and I let Stefan’s hands explore every inch of me. When I return the favor, he groans into my neck.
“We should get back on the boat,” he says eventually.
“Why?”
“Because if we don’t, I’m going to fuck you in the ocean, and you deserve better than that.”
“Maybe I don’t want better.”
But he’s already swimming toward the yacht, and I follow because my body won’t do anything else.
We climb aboard, dripping and naked, and Stefan grabs towels from somewhere. He wraps one around my shoulders, then pulls me close. “Spend the night with me.”
“Are you daring me to?”
“No.” His thumb traces my jaw. “I’m asking. You’re free to say no.”
The vulnerability in his eyes is what does it in the end. This isn’t the monster snarling threats or the tyrant barking orders.
This is just Stefan, asking me to stay.
“Okay,” I murmur. “Yes.”
He kisses me again, softer this time. “Come on. Let’s get you warm.”
He leads me below deck to the master cabin, where he’s already laid out clean sheets and turned down the bed. It’s such a small, thoughtful gesture, but it speaks volumes.
“You planned this,” I say.
“I hoped.” He towels off my hair with surprising gentleness. “There’s a difference.”
I let him dry me off, let him pull back the covers, let him tuck me in. When he slides in beside me, I curl into his warmth without thinking.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For tonight.”
“We’re not done yet.” His arm comes around my waist. “We still have a lot to talk about.”
“I know. But can it wait until morning?”
“Yes.” He presses a kiss to my shoulder. “It can wait.”
20
OLIVIA
The yacht’s cabin is warmer than the ocean, but I’m still shivering. My hair is wet and splayed out across the pillow, but it’s Stefan’s touch on my bare hip that’s making me feel like temperature no longer has any meaning.
“You’re cold,” Stefan says, reaching for another blanket from the built-in cabinet.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re shaking.”
