Page 49 of Devoured By You

“He’s also responsible for his passengers.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure my ass doesn’t knock the stick, or whatever it’s called, when he’s banging me on the bridge.”

I shook my head. Addison was a free spirit, a woman who careered through life determined to make the most of every day. I envied her sometimes-reckless-but-always-joyous attitude to life. I worried far too much. About everything.

“Morning, ladies.” Familiar hands gripped my shoulders, and the smell of Blay’s cologne tickled my nostrils. “Do you have everything you need?”

“We do.” Addison smiled up at him, blinking rapidly. “Do you?”

Blay chuckled. “That depends.”

I twisted to look up at him. “On what?”

His thumbs grazed my nape. Goose bumps peppered my skin.

“On whether your friends will forgive me if I steal you from them for the day.”

Blay knew I had plans with my friends for today. I’d told him all about the catamaran trip last night during one of our catch-our-breaths moments. He hadn’t mentioned spending today together.

“I know you have plans, but I wondered if I could tempt you to change them.”

I scanned my friends’ faces. Every single one nodded. I had no clue what I’d done to deserve these women, but I was never letting them go.

“I’ll have to weigh up my options. What did you have in mind?”

Blay pulled over a chair from a nearby table and sat. He draped an arm over the back of my chair. “I have a house here in Barbados. I thought you might like to see it.”

“Hmm.” I tapped my finger against my lower lip. “A house. Or a catamaran trip with, according to Addison, a hot captain. Decisions, decisions.”

“Erm, a hot captain whom I’ve already claimed,” Addison corrected. “You have one hottie. You can’t claim two. Greedy bitch.”

Blay chuckled again. “That is tough competition. But I’m sure I’m up to the task.”

“I’ll bet you are,” Addison said in her usual too-loud voice.

I glared at her, willing her to shush for once. “As long as it’s okay with my friends, then that sounds lovely.”

“It’s fine by us,” Raya said, grinning.

“Yeah. Go get some.” Addison winked, adding, “More.”

Laughing, despite my determination not to, I stood. “Okay, handsome, lead the way.”

Catcalls and whistles followed us as Blay took me by the hand and led me from the restaurant, a smile stretching across his face.

“Are you smiling because of my crazy friends or because you got your own way?”

“A little of both, maybe.”

“Appreciate the honesty.”

His arm slid around my waist, and he kissed the top of my head. “I will always give you that.”

He gave me so much more, but I kept reminding myself that this wasn’t for keeps. It was a blip in the history of time, a dalliance, a holiday romance that, in seven days, would end. I’d return to England to fix my cataclysmic manuscript, and Blay, well, Blay would crack on with building the next superliner, or whatever his future plans were.

I tried not to focus on the tight band around my chest at the idea of not seeing him again once the cruise ended. That way led to trouble, and I couldn’t afford to fall for a man who’d made it clear his number one priority was his business empire.

Besides, my priority was my business empire. It might not be as large as his, nor as lucrative, but it was no less important to me. Whatever was happening between us, I needed to remind myself regularly of its temporary nature. To treat it as a bit of fun, and one that I could look back on when I was old and gray with fondness.

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