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“Certainly not like Philip, but I do need to eat, and I hate doing so alone in a restaurant. I enjoy conversation, which I suspect you find hard to believe.”
“I’m beginning to wonder just how many times you’ll surprise me.” She glanced around the salon and sighed. “I can see why people could get used to this way of life.”
“I wish I had more time to spend on the boat, but business comes first.”
“Thorn. The name certainly doesn’t sound Italian whatsoever.”
“Ah. You’ve figured out the primary discord in my family, the reason my father was almost disowned.”
A smile crossed her face. “He changed your family’s last name.”
I nodded. “Yes. I didn’t understand as a child why my grandfather’s name was different, so I finally asked. After Grandpop cursed in Italian for almost three minutes, he told me that my father had wanted a powerful American name in order to woo a woman.”
“Your mother.”
Laughing, I nodded again.
“That’s amazing,” she added. “What is your real last name?”
“Trevisano.”
“That’s a beautiful surname. What does your mother prefer?”
I rubbed my knuckles down her cheek, surprised and happy she didn’t flinch. “My mother doesn’t have a choice.”
“Like father, like son.” Her skin was warm, a light blush creeping across her jaw. “I mean in that you’re both dominating.”
“Yes. It runs in the family. My sister is the most commanding of all.”
“I might like your sister.”
“And I suspect Danika will like you as well. She hates what she calls ‘useless people who simply take up space on earth’ and yes, that is a quote.”
As her laughter filled the salon, I realized I hadn’t enjoyed spending time this way with anyone my entire life. She had a way about her that allowed me to relax, focusing on nothing but the moment.
“You’ll need to trust me, sweet Jade. I’d like to show you around the boat if you don’t mind.”
She took a deep breath, holding it, then nodded. This was the first time she’d placed her trust in me. I wouldn’t destroy it, her gift far too precious.
At least for now.
“Are we staying here tonight?”
“We can, if that’s what you’d like. I’ll leave that up to you.” I led her to another set of stairs and onto the upper deck. She wrapped her fingers around my arm, taking cautious steps. “Listen to the sound of the music.”
I’d carefully selected evocative pieces that would pull on her emotions. She took a deep breath, but there would be no way she could believe I wouldn’t place her in harm’s way.
“I’m really scared. I hate admitting that to you.”
“It’s not a weakness, Jade. I’m afraid of heights.”
“Really? I can’t imagine a man like you as being afraid of anything.”
“You’re right. You don’t know me that well. There isn’t a man alive, no matter how powerful or influential who isn’t afraid of something. Why don’t you like the ocean?”
“I love the ocean,” she said, her fingers digging into my skin as I pushed her forward. Then I turned her around, pressing her bottom against me. My cock was rock hard, the hunger building to an insatiable level. “I’m afraid of drowning, taken to a dark abyss I can’t escape.”
I could tell she hated providing anything that might be considered ammunition against herself. As I walked her toward the railing, her breathing became labored, her body shuddering as she attempted to fight me.
