“It’ll take about twenty minutes to get to the other boat, so why don’t you dry off in the sun until we’re closer,” I suggest, picking up a towel and walking to the front of the boat, where I spread it out. “That way I can keep an eye on you while I drive.”
“You just want me to stay naked, huh?” she teases, taking a sip of her wine.
“I might have ulterior motives,” I chuckle, motioning to the towel. “On your stomach,bambina.”
Lea grins, downs more of her wine, and lies on the towel. I make sure she’s comfortable before walking inside the enclosure and raise the anchor.
I’ve got a fantastic view from the helm when I start the motor. Lea—naked as the day she was born, on full display while I drive.Some men would kill for a sight like this. Taking a bullet with their name on it would be the last thing on their mind. They’d burneverythingto the ground for one more day with a girl like her.
And I want to. I’m imagining things that are impossible. Not just Lea in my bed. I could have that, regardless of what happens at the end of the week. I’m thinking about the future. Imagining her in a white dress as my blushing bride. Imagining her belly swollen with the heir to the Morandi family. Imagining a life I was robbed of, and never expected to eventhinkabout.
“I think I’m already dry!” Lea calls out, shifting so she can drink some wine.
“I’ll let you know when you need to put your swimsuit back on!” I yell, motioning ahead. “We can’t even see the other boat yet!”
I glance at the marine radar. Nothing on that yet, either. Plenty of time to enjoy the sight of this gorgeous girl while the sun kisses her delicate skin. Plenty of time to imagine all the things I’ll never have. They’re nothing but a fantasy. I know that. Still, I can let my mind wander. That’s certainly better than dwelling on all the reasons that make it impossible.
When I see the other boat’s blip on the radar, I slow the engine to a crawl and walk to the front of the boat. Lea looks up at me with a grin on her face, and all I want to do is kiss her. I swallow hard and gesture to her swimsuit.
“Alright,bambina,” I say. “Get dressed.”
Lea sighs and does as she’s told. My dick throbs to attention as I watch her shimmy into the swimsuit and adjust her skirt. It’s getting harder to resist her by the second.
“Oh, I see the other boat!” Lea says, turning away and pointing toward the horizon. Then her expression changes to one of worry, and she glances at me. “You’re sure there’s nothing to worry about with the sharks?”
“There is no danger at all, because we’ll be in a cage when we go underwater,” I say, trying to ease some of her concerns. “And if it’s too much, we won’t stay long. This is supposed to be fun, remember?”
“I like having fun with you, Massimo,” she says, nudging me with her hip.
“So do I,bambina.”
I like it way, way too much.
CHAPTER 21
Lea
I put my hand up to block the sun as we close in on the other boat.
The shark boat, or whatever it’s called, is much bigger than the mini-yacht, but it doesn’t look like it is built for leisure. It’s painted white along the top and blue along the bottom. I can see a huge cage hanging from a crane. A cage I’m supposed to be in, while sharks swim around me.
“H-how many people have died doing this?” I ask apprehensively.
“None that I’m aware of,” Massimo chuckles, then he walks over to the ladder. “Captain Reynolds, good to see you. It’s been a while.”
“Massimo Morandi!” Captain Reynolds responds, his voice a little gravelly and thick. “And…”
“This is Lea,” Massimo says, gesturing to me.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Captain Reynolds tips his hat to me.
Captain Reynolds is an older man in his late forties or early fifties. I can see some gray hair poking out from beneath his peaked cap. He looks like he’s spent most of his life outdoors, and his ruddy complexion suggests he doesn’t believe in sunscreen like Massimo does.
Massimo secures the yacht and helps me onto the ladder. He keeps a hand on my bottom until I’m high enough for Captain Reynolds to take my hand. Once I’m safely on the deck, Massimo ascends the ladder.
“I put a few pieces of chum in the water as soon as I saw you on the radar,” Captain Reynolds explains. “And it looks like we’ve already got some takers for the bait.”
I glance at the radar and notice several smaller dots moving around near the boat.
