AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re here, Miss,” the driver says politely.
I stare out my backseat window, trying to determine exactly what ‘here’ means. But before I can ask any follow up questions, the chauffeur has climbed out of his seat and is walking around to open the back door for me. I smile gingerly as I climb out of the vehicle and look around the deserted area.
The air is chilly and I’m surprised that I can see my breath in faint, misty puffs. Before I can ponder the weather any longer, however, I spy Carlton making his way down one of the nearby docks.
“Hi,” I murmur, suddenly feeling shy. I haven’t seen Carlton since being put on the Dissidence team, and I feel uncertain how to behave around him: professional colleague or new lover?
I don’t have to decide however, because the handsome man approaches me quickly and kisses me solidly on my mouth. I’m surprised at first, but then melt against him, giving into his intoxicating aura of manliness and control. To my disappointment, he releases me much too quickly.
We step apart and smile at one another.
“I’m glad you could make it, but I’m afraid you might get a little cold,” Carlton says as he takes in my outfit for tonight’s date. I’ve opted for a knee-length fitted dress in soft gray, paired with simple black pumps. My jacket is a flimsy evening coat, and I’m already getting goosebumps by the water, despite leaving the heated car mere moments ago. I know that as soon as the sun sets in about an hour, I’ll be frozen like a popsicle.
But to Carlton, I merely smile coyly. “I guess you’ll have to find a way to keep me warm,” I tease softly.
His brilliant blue eyes flash and I’m secretly thrilled that I can cause such a reaction in a man so powerful and confident.
“I’m sure we’ll find a way,” he growls before looping my hand through his arm. Then, with the same authority he seems to reserve for all of his staff, Carlton nods brusquely at the driver who immediately retreats to the car and drives away.
“Do they read your mind?” I ask teasingly.
Carlton grins, his entire body relaxing as we make our way down one of the docks. “I have a well-trained team,” is all he says.
Willing to drop the subject, I take in the scene unfolding before me more fully. “Where in the world are we?”
Carlton looks at me from the corner of his eye. “Lake Michigan.”
I laugh. “No, I know that, I mean – what is this place you’re taking me to?”
It’s his turn to chuckle. “A surprise I hope you’ll like.”
“I’m sure I will,” I giggle with anticipation.
I’ve had a few days to process my feelings towards Carlton. And while I like to think that I’ll be completely able to separate my emotions from my plans, I’ve at least accepted that I’m allowed to be curious about the man. In some ways, Carlton is completely different from the boy I used to worship, and as a result, I feel like I have no idea who he is. So I have to start all over again. Not only that, but we also have the added complication of being colleagues, so I have to go about this carefully.
“You look like you’ve got something on your mind,” Carlton’s deep voice shakes me from my musings.
I smile radiantly. “It’s just that we have a lot to talk about, Mr. CEO.”
“We do, don’t we? But let’s get settled in first,” he growls.
I glance around the dock where massive yachts sway in the cool evening breeze. “But settled in where?” I ask skeptically.
I don’t have to wait long for an answer. A few moments later, Carlton stops in front of an impressive vessel with huge white sides that seem to rise three stories up in the air. In short, it’s a yacht fit for a billionaire.
“Is this your boat?” I stammer, unable to hide my surprise.
“Boat?” Carlton repeats with a smirk. “Young lady, this is not a boat.”
I roll my eyes. “Forgive me, sir, I meant is this your yacht?”
The sexy man grins mischievously. “I like when you call me sir.”
“Carlton,” I say with a mix of laughter and feigned frustration. The man is infuriating and funny, and I hate how my heart seems to speed up around him.
“Yes, it’s my yacht,” he acknowledges. “And it’s the scene for this evening’s sexcapade, sweetheart.”
I feel my heart pounding as I turn to him. Holy shit, he said ‘sexcapade’ and I have no doubt that he’ll have me screaming within hours. But still, it’s crazy that Carlton owns a yacht. My family was solidly working class growing up, and I myself currently live off canned ravioli most nights. Hell, his family was middle class too, but look how much things have changed. I’m with a hot, generous, sexy billionaire and he’s going to show me just how to rock his boat, literally.
