AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The captain laughs. “We’ll be casting off in about five minutes. Get comfortable.”
When we’re alone again, Lilly whispers, “I feel weird having a man who can pilot this yacht clean up our food.”
“I’m sure he was happy to do it. Come on,” I say, rising from the table. “You want something else to drink?”
Lilly holds her palm out and nods toward the bottle of water that came with the meal. “I’m good for now. But you should have another glass of wine if you want.”
I shake my head, chuckling. “Wine isn’t really my thing.”
Lilly’s eyes widen. “Then why did you have it tonight?”
“Because that’s what you drank at Mario’s.”
“And you drink beer… an IPA, I seem to remember.”
Grinning, I motion for her to follow me over to the padded benches. “Look at us… being observant.”
Lilly smirks as she rounds the table. “For future reference, I like beer too.”
“So next date, there will be beer.” I grab two soft blankets laid out for us as it is indeed chillier away from the table and heater.
She cocks an eyebrow. “Next date?” She waves her hand around at the setting. “I’m not sure I’m interested in a second date after this. I mean, it’s a little passé.”
I tip my head back and roar with laughter. The thing I’m learning about Lilly—when she’s away from the stressors of her everyday life, she’s quite witty and funny and has enough confidence to poke fun at me.
It’s sexy as hell.
I hold up the blankets. “Are you going to risk cuddling with me?”
She shrugs as if it’s not a big deal. “Why not? You already kissed me today.”
“Might be more of that if you play your cards right,” I tease.
Holding out my hand, I wait for Lilly to place her palm against mine. I lead her over to the port-side benches since we’ll be heading toward the city skyline, which will put it front and center for us to admire as we cruise. I sit, stretch out my legs and tug her down beside me. To my surprise, she curls her legs under her, leaning against the side of my body. I arrange one blanket around her shoulders and the other over both of our lower halves.
“Warm?” I ask, turning my head her way.
She smiles, nodding. “Cozy.”
“Gonna put my arm around you,” I warn.
“Not averse.”
“Gonna take advantage of that and kiss you.” I wait for a few seconds that seem like forever, hoping to fuck she doesn’t pull away. She stares at me. “I’m going to take that as a yes.”
Leaning in, I brush my lips against hers. Lilly flutters a sigh of contentment over my mouth and I pull away. Her eyes spring open in surprise, as if she was expecting more, but that’s all I wanted for the moment.
“Come here,” I order, lifting my arm so she’ll settle in closer. She does, just as the boat starts drifting from the dock. Through speakers built into the bow, music starts, compliments of Capt. Sharpe.
Mumford & Sons. I approve.
We’re silent, listening to the music as we start a slow sail toward the Birmingham Bridge. There’s no breeze other than what’s produced by the movement of the boat and the water is like glass. The temperature read forty-eight when we first got here, and I’m sure it’s dipped a little more. Some might think it stupid to take a boat ride at night in those temperatures, but it’s why the river is nearly empty.
“Let’s get to know each other,” I say as we idle under the bridge, vaguely hearing the hum of car tires above us.
“Okay,” she says, pulling the blanket up to her chin. We’re both still wearing our coats, so it’s toasty. “Me first. Who’s the most influential person in your life and why?”
Chuckling, I twist my head to look down at her. “I thought you’d start with something like,What’s your favorite movie?”
