Page 61 of The Girl I Once Loved

“Stepbrother,” I growl. “And you promised no more teasing.”

“Fine. Fine. Eye fuck our stepbrother all you want.”

I slap my hand across her mouth as she giggles furiously. Derrick comes out to greet us, an amused smile on his lips when he sees what’s happening.

“Uh, oh. Is my gorgeous fiancée already causing trouble?”

Daisy softens, staring at Derrick in a lovestruck haze, and I remove my hand from her mouth. Now that Derrick’s here, I bet she’ll forget all about Noah and I.

“Never,” she purrs, and I clear my throat, just in case they forget that our parents are around and they can’t start fucking on the dock.

Derrick leads us onto the yacht, and I steadfastly keep my gaze away from where Noah is drinking a beer by the railing.

I sure can feel his gaze on me though.

Is this some kind of game for him? Because the way his stare is caressing my skin, I’m going to go insane.

And I really need to order a vibrator to take the edge off soon.

There’s a full bar set up even though it’s just the immediate family on the boat today, and I hover over to get a drink.

Comfortably numb is my hope for the day.

"Slow down, little stalker. I don’t want to have to carry you home tonight," Noah drawls from next to me. I take an even bigger gulp of my drink because, of course, he’s not going to stay away.

He’s trying to ruin me.

I try to keep my voice steady as I greet him. "Hello to you, too, Noah."

His hand drags across the bare skin of my back as he passes behind me to get another beer from the bartender.

Goosebumps cascade across my skin, and my panties are all of a sudden wet.

Stacy chooses that moment to arrive with her husband and child though, and I’m reminded just why it’s so imperative to stay away from Noah.

Any more heartbreak from him just might kill me.

I walk over to where Daisy and my parents are talking to Derrick’s, and listen politely, pretending to give a crap about what they’re saying.

Curt throws an arm around my shoulders and smacks a kiss across the top of my head.

“Glad you’re here,” he says with a smile, and a surge of affection rushes through me.

“Me too,” I say, and despite Noah, and Stacy, and the awkwardness with my mother…for a moment, I am.

Everyone engages in a lively conversation about the plans for the day, but I find myself struggling to focus. Noah's proximity is a constant distraction, and I can't help but steal glances at him when I think no one is looking.

* * *

The gentle sway of the yacht as it sails over the calm waters provides a welcome respite from the bustling activity below. I had sought refuge on the top deck, needing a moment of solitude to collect my thoughts and escape the prying eyes and curious conversations that swirled around me. The expansive sea stretched out before me, its horizon seemingly endless, a vast expanse that matched the questions and uncertainties filling my mind.

As I lean against the railing, staring out at the tranquil waters, the rhythmic sound of footsteps approach, and I know without looking that it’s him—Noah. I can feel his presence, an almost magnetic pull that has a way of drawing me in, whether I want it to or not.

He settles beside me, his gaze fixed on the horizon, and we stand in silence for a moment, the only sounds the gentle lapping of waves against the yacht's hull and the occasional laughter of our companions drifting up from below.

"I hope you've been happy," he finally says, an ache in his voice that makes my heart race. “Even with what I said the other day…I hope everything’s been okay. Better than okay…”

I turn to look at him, his profile illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun. "Happy?" I echo, completely caught off guard.

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