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They arrived at the Marina arm-in-arm and Alaric led them both down a wooden pier lined by boats of all sizes. There were elegant sail boats with masts that reached toward the brilliant blue sky and stream-lined yachts with their own full crew and staff. Alaric took her down to the end where a modest-sized yacht floated next to the pier.
It might not have been the biggest ship on the Hudson, but it had the elegance to make up for it with an exotic wooden deck, gold and silver trim, a built-in bar, and plenty of room inside to host a sizeable party. It used to be Alaric’s pride and joy. His sign that he’d made it in the world. He couldn’t count how many parties he’d thrown on it before the day his life
had crashed down on him.
As of lately, it’d stood empty as a reminder of the lifestyle that could so easily suck him back in and destroy him. He’d almost sold it a million times. However, hearing Georgia gasp when he walked her up the plank was worth the dock fees he’d paid in the last year.
“Is this…?” She looked it over, running her hand along the smooth railing and the white fiberglass side. “Is this all yours?”
“I’m afraid so.” He frowned and hoped she didn’t find him pretentious. “It’s really not all that impressive.”
“You own a yacht,” she replied, ripping her sunglasses off. “How is that not impressive?”
He cringed. This had been a bad idea. Maybe he shouldn’t have taken her here.
Just as he was about to do an about-face and march her back onto the pier, his Captain appeared on the deck. Captain Finn was in his mid-sixties with a brilliant head and beard of white. He had a soft smile and eyes that crinkled with kindness. He’d been through the ringer with Alaric’s many parties, but had never once complained. Alaric approached him and shook his hand heartily, happy to see the old man again.
“How’s the family, Captain Finn?”
“Oh, they’re getting on,” he answered in a low, gravelly voice. His eyes filled with warmth. “We’ve got seven grandchildren now. The young’un was just born a month ago.”
Alaric nodded happily, making small talk with the Captain. All the while, Georgia did a circle of the yacht, taking in everything with her large, green eyes. Alaric watched her out of the corner of his eye, hoping she wasn’t judging him. If only he’d realized how pompous this would turn out to be.
“I see you brought a friend,” Captain Finn said, turning to smile at Georgia. “Glad to have you, missy.”
“This is Georgia Weber,” Alaric offered. Georgia looked up from inspecting the shiny brass portholes of the cabin. “Georgia, this is Captain Finn. He and the staff have kindly agreed last minute to take us out today.”
She shook his hand and beamed at him. “Thank you, Captain Finn. I’ve never been on a yacht before. My mom would just die. She loves the open water, but we’re from the Midwest, so the closest she usually gets is on a lake.”
Captain Finn chuckled and bowed his head slightly. “I’d be happy to take her out should she ever get the chance to visit. But for now, let’s get this vessel out on the open water. We don’t want to waste a beautiful day.”
Georgia nodded eagerly and the Captain began preparations to pull away. She frowned down at the fancy dress Sally had forced her to wear, disappointment flashing in her eyes.
“I wish I would’ve worn something a little more sea-worthy,” she said, looking back up at Alaric. He couldn’t help but notice the way her nose wrinkled when she frowned. It was cute.
“Got that covered.” He held out the black duffle to her and unzipped it. “I had Angela sneak your bathing suit out of your luggage while Sally was preoccupied with getting you ready. We’re all set.”
She glanced up at him, a funny smile on her face. After a long moment, she pulled her red bikini out of the bag and then looked him up and down. “Where’s your swimming suit?”
Alaric coughed. He hadn’t worn a swimming suit in public since before his accident and he was pretty sure she didn’t want to see him in it today.
“I think I’ll just stay in this,” he said, sweeping a hand over his khaki pants and shirt.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Georgia grabbed his hands and tugged him toward the inside of the ship. An ornery grin worked its way onto her face. “If I’m wearing this, you’re going to at least find yourself a pair of shorts. We both should get to enjoy the water and the sun.”
“But…” he stuttered a reply that was lost in the roar of the yacht’s engine as it came to life.
“No arguing.” She placed a finger over his mouth and her lips curled into a sensual smile that made his insides melt. “Either we both change or neither of us do. That’s the deal.”
His stomach churned with uncertainty. He really wanted Georgia to enjoy this day. He could tell it had been a while since she’d been able to let loose. Her music career had taken over her life.
But then again, the last thing he wanted to do was have his injury in full view. He was so used to hiding it that displaying it in front of a woman he happened to be fake dating seemed like a big mistake. She didn’t want to see that.
“Right now, mister.” Her eyes sparkled with humor, but there was a stubbornness behind them. “Don’t make me go tell the captain that you’re not cooperating with your guest. I’m pretty sure it’s a crime worthy of walking the plank.”
He sighed in defeat. If that’s how Georgia wanted this to go down, then he’d play along.
It was becoming more and more difficult to say no to that woman.
