Page 59 of Hold Me Forever

Her head tilts up, and in response I lower my face. She sighs, countering my restrained moan. Restrained—because I know I shouldn’t.

She rises on tiptoes, trying to reach me. Our breath mingles as the distance between our lips start to disappear.

“There you are!” Clay’s voice shoots from behind me. “Oh, sorry! Don’t stop on my account.”

I think my brother has just saved us from a romp that would’ve been worse than getting caught in an airplane bathroom. “What’s up, Clay?”

“Nothing. I’ll come back later.” His face tells me he’s not surprised.

“Amber, you remember my brother Clay? People say he’s the more handsome out of the two of us.”

Clay cancels his intention to leave, but for everyone’s sake, we all leave the bedroom.

My brother gives her a peck on the cheek, “Amber The Mender, nice to see you again.”

“Now that Rob mentions it, you actually are more handsome than your brother,” Amber says playfully as we head for the Pentela’s lounge. She looks at the both of us. “How did you start this company?”

“Well, our dad was a boat builder all his life. I started helping him when I was still a kid,” I explain. “When I quit the Navy, I told him that I wanted to overhaul his business. It wasn’t an easy task. Hartley Marine got bigger, but he still wanted to run it like it was a hobby. Then he… he was sick for a while…”

Sick, psychotic, and fucking stubborn.

Perhaps seeing something in my expression, Amber takes my hand, and my mind blanks.

Clay, the ever-reliable conversation rescuer, chimes in. “Rob is an amazing engineer and businessman—well, the proof is in the pudding!” Clay looks around. “Our father knew that, and he eventually left the company. Since then, there’s been no stopping Rob. He’s really the force behind Hartley Marine. I only joined when the company was up and running, after I left the Air Force.”

“He used to be a fighter jet pilot. The ultimate ladies’ man.” I nod at Clay. “But he’s got vision, too. So he’s not just eye candy.”

“That right?” she says, raising a brow at my brother. “So, how much would this one cost?” Amber-Rose takes in a 360-degree view of the Pentela.

“Just over two hundred million,” Clay says. “Before discount.” He winks at me, reminding me of his bet with the prince.

She gapes. “Wow… even if I won the Lotto this weekend. I still wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

Clay and I laugh at her innocence.

“The one outside, her big sister, is just over five hundred million.”

“Jesus Christ!” she murmurs.

“We have side projects as well,” Clay says. “Are you gonna show her them, Rob?”

I question my brother with my eyes, asking how the guests are doing.

“They’re good. Go on, you can disappear, that’s okay. As long as you’re there for the main event.”

“Alright, then. Shall we?” I offer my arm to Amber-Rose and guide her off the Pentela.

“Robson!” The voice grates on me. Bernie has found us. “Helen of Troy launched a thousand ships. This must be the woman who made Rob Hartley wear jeans to his own cocktail party.”

I tuck Amber-Rose under my arm. “Come on, Bernie, you should know how to greet a lady.”

“Sorry. Bernie Andino.” He extends his hand to Amber. “Nice to meet you.”

Amber shakes Bernie’s hand.

“Clay just went back out. Why don’t you talk to him?” I eyeball him.

He gets it and leaves us alone.

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