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She burst into laughter. “Thank God you’re not a standup comedian.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Focus on the boat,” she said serenely. “Last thing we need is to get lost in the middle of the Pacific.”
“We’re not goingthatfar out,” Nate grumbled, but he did as she said and refocused on steering the boat.
They settled into a companionable silence as he navigated them further into the open waters. The sea breeze brushed over them like a lover’s caress, soft and full of promise. Kris watched as the lights of the marina grew smaller and smaller until they were nothing more than diamond pinpricks in the distance. Meanwhile, the sun descended beneath the horizon to an explosion of cotton candy pinks and soft purples whose hues deepened with each passing minute.
Kris could see other boats bobbing in the water, but they were so far away they might as well be in another world.
It was just her, Nate, the sky, and the sea.
They stopped at some point between land and infinity. The motor fell silent and gave way to the gentle whoosh of the waves lapping against the sides of the boat.
“I’ll be right back.” Nate disappeared into the cabin and returned with a woven picnic basket. “Dinner,” he explained. He opened the basket and took out two cans of ginger ale, a bottle of wine, cheese and crackers, grapes, and roast beef sandwiches. “It’s not anything fancy, but this is more comfortable than dressing up for some stuffy restaurant.”
“You don’t have to justify it. It’s your big day. You can celebrate however you want.” Kris inhaled a lungful of fresh sea air. “Besides, this is nice. I love being by the water. It calms me, helps me think and…process, I guess.”
After a minute or so, she felt a prickling heat on her face, and she turned to see Nate staring at her with a strange smile.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
“I like you like this.” Nate laid on his side and propped himself up on his forearm, looking for all the world like a movie star lounging on a yacht.
Kris arched a questioning eyebrow.
“Relaxed,” he clarified. “Yourself. Without the armor.”
“I don’t have armor.” She sat next to him and unwrapped a sandwich.
“The Chanel and Prada and whatnot. That’s armor.”
“No, that’s clothing. High-quality, expensive clothing.”
He appeared undeterred by her sharp tone. “You’re rich. We both know that. But who are you without the money?”
“Still me, only poor.” Kris took a small bite of bread, roast beef, cheese, and condiment. Oh, wow. Who knew a simple sandwich could taste so good? “Can we talk about something else? This is the most depressing celebratory dinner I’ve ever been to.”
“You said I could celebrate however I want. Maybe I want to get to know you better.” Nate’s mouth quirked up. “By talking. Not…by what we did a few days ago.”
Kris zeroed in on his straining erection. “Sure, Jan.”
“Don’t worry about Nate Jr. He’ll behave.”
She almost spit out her food, which was so not attractive. Red stained her cheeks as she wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. “You are something else. You know that?”
“Yep.” Nate stretched lazily before popping open one of the ginger ales. “This is one of our last nights together. Figured we should, you know, make the most of it.”
Emotion swelled in Kris’s throat, and her sandwich suddenly tasted like cardboard. Was shesadabout her contract with Nate ending? She didn’t even like the guy.
Well, fine, she liked the way he looked. He made her laugh. He was smart and talented and hardworking. Plus, he was an amazing kisser and her heart went all wonky around him…
Double fuck.
“I don’t know,” Kris blurted, more out of a desire to take her mind off her dangerous thoughts than to answer Nate’s question about who she was beneath the gloss and glamour. “I am who I am. An heiress. It’s shaped my childhood, mylife.Every relationship and experience I’ve had has been colored by money. To ask who I am without it would be me asking you who you are without…”
“My incredible good looks and charm?” he suggested.
