Page 22 of Clause & Effect
“Are you coming or not?” Grace cocks a challenging brow at me.
I swallow the dryness in my throat and grasp at what courage I have left within me.
“I’d like to see the orcas.” There, that sounded normal, calm, some might even say nonchalant now if I could only get the blush under control, I’d be completely convincing.
“I’m sure you would like to see a specific one—orca that is,” Devon shamelessly laughs in my face. “The good news is that he wants to see you too… I’d bet on it.”
“He? Are we still talking about orcas that hunt baby seals in the ocean?” I grumble. I’m anxious to talk to him after last night and the longer I talk to Devon the more I’m ready to bolt.
“I’m talking about an alpha apex predator that hunts on land and sea,” he shrugs devilishly. “What’s wrong with a little adventure?”
If only we knew what kind of adventure…
Contracts? Inexplicably insane sexual tension? Jumping right into a fire with a guy who needs me to sign my life away?
“What, indeed.”
Two hours.
That’s all it takes for my life to completely change. I completely change course within the span of those two hours. Before I know it, I’m on Stetson’s mega yacht, and there’s no turning back. Absolutely no exit plan.
Oh, and I might have signed something too…
As we’re led through this yacht of his that I really have no words for because it’s so huge—I try not to gawk. But it’s one of those gawk-able type of situations. His taste is exquisite. It’s understated, but luxurious—masculine opulence intermixed with major Christmas décor. I’m kind of surprised he’s embraced the holiday so completely. I wouldn’t take him for a decorating for the holiday’s kind of guy. But…
I like it.
And I’m definitely not mad there’s no exit plan.
One step at a time.
Towards the unknown.
“Are you singingFrozen?” Grace hisses under her breath.
“Shhh,” I hiss right back. “I’m having my own Disney moment.”
I wince–I mean if Disney showcased elicit, naked visuals, with meridingthe white knight—not the white knight riding on a horse to rescue me from the evil witch.
Wow my visuals just got complicated.
Disney is so not rated PG in my brain anymore.
“You’re turning red again.” She whispers.
“Am I?” I touch my cheeks just as we’re led downstairs by Stetson’s crew.
“I wish we had embraced the holiday cheer like this,” Devon turns to Grace and frowns like he’s a kid who didn’t get the toy everyone else got in class.
“We have twinkling lights on the deck,” Grace shrugs. “I’ll figure it out next year. But I agree, this décor livens things up.”
It does. And it’s everywhere. No corner was overlooked. But it’s tasteful and feels cozy and just makes you want to sit under one of the Christmas trees (there are three that I’ve counted so far), drink eggnog and sing songs.
As we move through the yacht to join Stetson and Jayson, I can’t help but think how the boat feels like a mini floating hotel with all the rooms and sheer size. I think we even passed a theater. We round another corner and are greeted by several men—young men, or huh,smallmen.
Small, sexy men.
I have no other way to describe them except as I see them. Here it is?—
