AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When this is all said and done.What does that even mean?
I’d like to believe this will all be sorted out quickly so my life can go back to the status quo—back to Paris, back to my job, back to… well, I suppose that’s it. Most of my friends are work colleagues, if I am going to be honest, and other than making time for a few bad dates, my life is pretty boring, even if I’m in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Shit. Which reminds me. “My boss! She’s going to lose her mind if I don’t show up at work.”
Leo rises to his full height beside me. It’s rare for me to feel dwarfed, but he manages to make me feel small, petite even. I used to love that. Now, not so much. He casually checks the time on his watch. “Already taken care of. You emailed her this morning saying there was a family emergency back in New York and you’re taking a leave of absence. Pauline was very worried; she sends her regards. Nice lady,” he adds.
I huff out a bitter laugh, unsurprised but still annoyed. “You hacked my email.”
He shrugs, not apologetic at all. “It had to be done. We didn’t need your boss calling the cops when you didn’t show up for work.”
“Hmm, let’s tally up your federal offenses over the last twenty-four hours, shall we? Impersonation, kidnapping, unauthorized email access, grand theft yacht… should I go on?”
He crosses his arms in front of his chest, causing his biceps to bulge enticingly. “Actually, I have something to add to your list. We’re going by false identities. Your name is Alison Henderson, and I’m Leonardo Walker. We live in New York. I’m a Wall Street dude.”
I burst into laughter. “Who in the world would believe that you work on Wall Street!?” His beefy build and canvas of tattoos is more rock star than stockbroker, but if he thinks he can sell that cover story, I won’t stop him. “And why are you the only one with the job? What about me?”
His face breaks into a wicked smile. “Good point. Hmm, let’s think about it.” He gestures with his chin at my bikini. “Stripper?”
A small smirk forms on my lips as I rest a hand on my hip. “Why not? There must be a pole somewhere on this floating prison. I’d be happy to put on a show … for anyone that’s not you.”
All humor fades from Leo’s expression. “Not happening. On this boat, you’re mine. I’m the only one you’ll put on a show for. So if you want to dance for me, by all means. There’s nothing I would enjoy more.” My brow creases in irritation. As if I would dance for him. As if he has any say in what I do with my body. Just him shutting down that idea makes me want to walk around here in the nude.
“By the way, if we’re supposed to be engaged, where’s my ring?”
“Oh, we’ll get to that soon.” He chucks me under the chin in a gesture that has my teeth on edge and wanders ahead.
As we climb the stairs, I notice he’s changed as well. No longer in his standard ripped jeans and fitted white shirt, he’s wearing chino shorts and a button-down pale-pink linen shirt. The ensemble is so not Leo—I’ve definitely never seen him wear anything remotely resembling shorts and definitely not ones that are two sizes too small on him.
Now that I’ve noticed the way the fabric hugs that fine ass of his—well, I can’tun-noticeit.
“Looks like I’m not the only one who had to dip into someone else’s wardrobe,” I mutter.
“You checking out my ass, Aly-cat?”
Busted. “I’d rather eat worms,” I say with feigned sweetness as we enter onto the bridge of the yacht. “Just hard not to notice you stuffed into a pair of khakis. I thought you were allergic to preppy styles.”
“Like you, I didn’t exactly come prepared.” He stares at me intently, his eyes blazing, before he moves closer and murmurs into my ear, “And I thought you were allergic to string bikinis.” The rough pads of his fingers brush against my back, and a warm tingle runs down my spine. It’s so fast, so light, I’m not even sure it happened. Before I can spin on him, he breezes past me, his flip-flops—flip-flops!— tapping lightly against the polished teak floor.
I slide my sunglasses up to my forehead, taking in my surroundings. The bridge, the yacht’s command center, is spacious and modern, with huge windows offering a panoramic view of sun and sea.
As we enter, a line of poised crew members stands at the ready. A silver-haired man steps forward first, introducing himself with a Scandinavian lilt. “Ms. Henderson, I’m Captain Karl Hansen. Pleasure to meet you.” He offers his calloused hand, all seriousness and authority. “My crew and I are at your service.”
“Thank you,” I say. “And please call me Alison.” The name sounds odd from my lips, but I get why we need to keep our identities under wraps.
“Of course. First, let me introduce our chief steward.”
A lively woman that looks to be in her mid-thirties steps forward to shake our hands. She has warm brown skin and a friendly smile. “Bonjour, I’m Genevieve,” she says, her voice tinged with a French accent. “I’m in charge of making sure the food and service meet your expectations. Any culinary or other preferences, please let me know.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her we won’t need anything special because we’re not staying long, but Leo intervenes, throwing a casual arm around me. “We should probably mention that Alison here loves a green smoothie in the morning. Spinach, wheatgrass, broccoli—whatever you got, throw it in. Oh, and a raw egg, too.” His eyes sparkle. “For protein.”
My smile is brittle. I despise smoothies, they’re like drinking baby food, and Leo knows how I feel. He’s also touching me, something I strictly warned him against. Well, two can play that game. I straighten, subtly shaking his arm from my shoulder. “And we should probably tell Genevieve about your… little problem?”
Leo eyes me with interest. “And what would that be, honey?”
“Oh, you know. Your issue…” I wink at him. “Down there.” He tugs at his collar, lips pressing together in a thin line. I’m starting to enjoy this. I let Leo sweat it out for a few more moments, then add, “I meant his heart. Leonardo has high blood pressure. So no salt in his food. Nothing. No cream, no butter, nothing fried of course. Actually, best to serve him a vegan diet.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Leo says, jaw clenched.
