Page 75 of Picture Perfect

Preferably, I would get on the boat for some shots I need. And obviously Rowan hasn’t said shit to anyone about us, or Sawyer wouldn’t have hired me, so maybe I can come aboard without it being a big deal. I’ve felt awkward around all the Cargills for too long. I need to get over myself so I can keep my business afloat.

At the dock end of the gangplank, I call out, “Permission to come aboard?”

Parker laughs from midway up the mast ladder. He calls out, “Permission granted, Autumn. Welcome aboard. We’re just getting ready—

“It’s okay. I’m getting pictures for the website. I won’t get in the way.”

“No problem. Watch your step. We’re working on a few things before the Regatta starts, so there’s equipment everywhere.”

Between the wrenches, hammers, and things I don’t know the name of, I had figured as much. “I’ll be careful. Thanks!”

He waves and gets back to what he was doing up there. I take a few pictures of various angles of the boat up close. The doors of the engine compartment lay flat on the deck, so I step around them on my way to the bow. The early morning view is wonderful.

Without a line of yachts between me and the water, I can see everything clearly from the bow: the harbor, the beaches, the other yachts. Truly, it’s the perfect day to be out on the open ocean, and I’m jealous of everyone who gets to take part.

I bet if I ask Parker, he will let me go with them.

I sigh at the thought. Work to do. No time to play. The engine room door closes behind me, so I turn for a picture of the mechanic and gasp. Looking through the viewfinder, I cannot be seeing what I’m seeing. I lower the camera.

Rowan. Filthy, with both his hands and clothes dirty. All he’s wearing is jeans. No shirt. Sweat glistens down his muscular chest, and I want to lick it off. There’s even a smudge of black oil on his jawline, like he’d absentmindedly scratched his two-day scruff. Most importantly, he looks as shocked to see me as I am to see him.

He starts, “Oh, hey, Autumn.” And he finishes with a smile.

Smiling is better than the last expression I saw on him. “Um, hey, Rowan.”

“I was gonna call you—

“Yeah, me too.” The silence between us gives me more butterflies. I don’t know what to say, and it’s strange to see Rowan unprepared for anything ever, so I want to run away. “Just um, taking pictures. You know. For the club.”

“Right, right. I forgot you do that.”

“Engine trouble?”

“Nothing a little elbow grease and tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs can’t fix.”

I snicker. The way he smiles tugs at every part of me. It’s too soon to see him after everything. If I don’t leave now, I’m going to do something stupid. Or say something stupid. I gulp. “So I should get going. Lots of pictures to take.” I shrug.

“Don’t let me stop you.” I smile and make my way past him toward the gangplank to escape, but Rowan calls out, “Autumn!”

He’s going to ban me from the club or something. Tell me to never darken his doorstep. Or just tell me to fuck off.But when I look at him, he’s nervous.Oh shit, it’s worse. He’s going to ask me to babysit while he goes on a date.His nervousness turns my butterflies into bats, clawing at my insides.

He comes closer until there’s no room for reasonable thought between us. Not even the breeze blows between us. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

I’m breathless just standing this close to him. His scent fills my lungs, and I want to breathe him in forever. The heat from his body soaks into me, and I’m damn near dizzy. “Yes?”

“I am madly, irrevocably, unmistakably in love with you.”

I blink, not sure what to say at the moment. My heart thumps in my chest and I might just pass out. But my brain takes control somehow. “What are you talking about? Why are you saying this?”

He chuckles and if someone could smirk bashfully, it’s Rowan fucking Cargill. “I’m sure my timing could not be worse, and I don’t know. Maybe you’ve moved on or maybe you don’t want…what we had. But I wanted you to know. The truth. All of it. And when you figure out you’re in love with someone, you want them to know as soon as possible. I think I knew it before, but I was too scared. Seems stupid when I say it out loud, because now, the only thing that scares me is the thought of a life without you. I love you, Autumn.”

I want to say it back, but my breath catches in my throat as I look into his eyes. His eyes dip downward to my lips, and before I can think or doubt or stop myself, I ring his neck with my arms and kiss him. It feels like coming home when he holds me tight in return.

As we kiss, the crew claps for us, which makes us both giggle. Then Rowan sees something on my face. “Oh hell, I got you all dirty.”

“Not for the first time.”

He laughs and kisses me again.

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