Page 43 of The Exposed Heiress

He fetched two large towels from below. Coming back on deck, he handed her one and then vigorously began to dry himself.

“It doesn’t take long in the cold water for your movements to slow.”

She wrapped the towel around herself after drying her hair. Squeezing out the remaining water from her hair, she put it into a bun and secured it with a hair tie from her wrist.

Climbing below, he changed into grey shorts and came back to the deck.

Emma reached into her bag and took out a black jumper. Repositioning her towel over hips, she pulled on the jumper and sat back down.

He handed her a glass of chardonnay. “Are you feeling better?”

She smiled. “I had never swum in this river. It felt exhilarating.”

“It definitely helped shed the stress from today.”

She nodded and looked out at the water. He regretted mentioning today. She needed a break from the relentless pressure.

He pulled out biscuits, grapes, brie, sliced turkey, prosciutto, French bread, and figs. “I purchased all the food I could find.”

“Thank you. This is lovely.”

Going below, he returned with two small plates and a knife.

* * *

Emma tookthe small plate that Leo handed her and piled it with grapes, figs, turkey, and bread. Sitting on the long seat opposite him, she crossed her legs and began devouring the food. “It all tastes delicious.”

He smiled. “Food always tastes better after swimming.”

She caught his gaze and said, “Right? I’m always famished after exercising.”

Leo placed a grape between his lips and she didn’t take her eyes off of his delectable mouth.

Sitting up straighter, she said “Most people would have a hard time recognizing the great Leo Bloom right now.”

He popped another grape in his mouth and said, “Sitting in an anchored sailboat eating?”

Glancing out at the water, she said “You’re rather intense most of the time, and never without a shirt.”

He leaned back against the boat. “Does it offend you? I’m letting the wind properly dry me.”

Standing up, Emma placed her plate down near the food. “I should change out on my wet bottoms. It’s not terribly comfortable.”

The waves continued to gently sway the sailboat and she made sure to balance her weight. Instead of feeling cold, his nearness began to warm her skin.

His chest drew her gaze and she allowed her eyes to take in his chiseled muscles and the smooth planes of his masculine body.

Her gaze rested on the line tattoo on his chest. “Why did you chose an anchor?”

“I was nineteen and trying to convince my uncle that I should sail to the Caribbean alone.”

She smiled. “Did it work?”

“No. He chartered a boat to take Tyler and I there the following summer.”

Within inches of him, she removed her towel and placed it on the seat. Pulling her jumper over her head, she tossed it next to the towel.

Standing in front of him in her bikini, she said, “I’m not sure the wind is helping much.”

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