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“I sink most of my money back into the business. I only pull enough of a salary to cover living expenses.”
“Is that necessary?”
“We don’t all have money to fall back on. I built the business from scratch. No loans. I need to work hard for a few more years, then it will get easier, and I can relax.” Not wanting his focus on me and my business when I wasn’t as successful as him or his brothers, I said, “What about your other brothers?”
“Liam’s in corporate. Wells is a musician. Our music lessons were meant to be a supplement to our education, not our career. Our parents never approved of Wells majoring in music, but if a Sharpe is going to do something, he must be the best at it.”
“That’s a lot of pressure.”
“We’re used to it. We should head back. You’re probably getting hungry.”
“That’s a good idea.” I needed to salvage the day and get something done. I’d never taken an entire day off before. Anxiety built in my chest.
“Let me feed you, and if you still want to head home, I won’t stop you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Like you could.”
It was a bluff because he’d already convinced me to spend the day with him, not working.
He pulled up the anchor and started the engine so we could head back. He sat in the captain’s chair with his legs spread. “Come here.”
I went to him easily, standing between his legs and leaning into his chest. He easily steered around me. We didn’t speak, just enjoyed each other’s company. We’d shared a bit about our pasts, and neither of us felt the need to fill the air with unnecessary chatter.
I felt like I belonged here in his arms. Like we could do this every Sunday from now on, and I’d be content. It was stupid and ridiculous, but I wasn’t ready to let go of this vision.
Silas called ahead, so a couple of workers met us at the dock and quickly had the boat tied to the pilings. We gathered our things, and I waited for Silas to lock up before we headed to the hotel.
In the lobby, he stopped in front of the elevator. “I was thinking we could order room service.”
My stomach grumbled.
“But what do you think about going back to my place? I could cook for you. I want to cook for you.” His gaze flicked to mine, and I saw a vulnerability there I’d never seen before.
No man besides my father and brothers had ever cooked for me. “That would be nice.”
“I’ll run up and get our things.”
I waited for him in the lobby, wondering how I’d gotten sucked into an evening with Silas. I couldn’t resist him. Was he like this with every woman, or just me?
Silas stepped off the elevator, scanning the lobby for me, his shoulders relaxing when he found me.
I approached him, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Were you worried I left?”
He chuckled. “You have a history of running.”
“I’m sorry if you were worried.” I wanted to reassure him I wouldn’t freak out again or have second thoughts about us, but I couldn’t make that promise. Everything was okay when we were together, but I couldn’t predict how I’d feel when I left.
He must have called to have his SUV brought around because it was waiting for us at the curb. He opened the door, and I stepped inside, pleased he hadn’t allowed the valet to do it. I liked that he treated me as someone to be respected and taken care of.
When he climbed inside, he reached over the console and interlaced his fingers with mine. I couldn’t take my gaze off the sight of his long fingers wrapped around mine. My heart squeezed, and I had to look away. I let out a breath, trying to steady my rapidly beating heart.
“We’ll take it one step at a time,” Silas said, as if he sensed my discomfort. “We’re in this together.”
I didn’t say anything, just felt grateful that he got how hard it was for me to be here.
He drove down a stone lane lined with trees. We came upon a large cluster of trees, and then there was a clearing for his house.
“The best part is that it backs to the water.”
