AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not yet. This is still a prototype, so we’re calling her Hartley Sub-2,” Rocky tells her. “Anyways, you should really go back to the party. Everybody is wondering where you are.”
We probably should.
“What are you going to name her?” she asks me as we make our way back to the showroom.
“Hart of the Seas. Heart without the ‘E’.”
“Sounds like Kate Winslet’s necklace.”
Well, crap. I never thought about that! “What would you name it, then, Miss… Miss… Heart Mender?”
“You’re not very creative, are you?” she teases me. “I’d name it… Blue Scout.”
“I love that,” I say.
Amber-Rose is unchartered waters, unexplored depth, and an intriguing proposition. If there was a submersible that could take me to the bottom of her heart, I’d be on board right now.
But this girl holding on to me is an ocean that calms me, promising a new world that will reward me with kindness and generosity, not material transactions.
There may be a hundred people in this room, smiling and raising their glasses at us, but I only see her face. Her eyes sparkle, her red lips, with that small scar in one corner, invite me to her. We had our first kiss barely moments ago, and it might be premature to show my love to the world—but…
What the heck?
Without warning, I cradle her neck and sear her lips. The energy she gives out from that tiny mouth sends unbelievable heat into my chest. Beneath her perfume, even her powder smell, there’s tenderness that no other woman possesses. I’d put my life on the line just to have this kiss every day, every morning, every night.
I break the kiss, not because of the guests or photographers around us, but because we have run out of breath. Literally. Or I have—because from what I can feel, she could’ve kept going.
“Please don’t slap me,” I whisper, glancing at her hand moving up close to my cheek. “That’ll be worse than being teased for wearing jeans.”
No. She’s not gonna slap me. She palms the side of my face and blows out air, as if telling me I’ve just set her on fire and she welcomes it.
Despite my boldness, this time I decide I’ll be a good host to my other guests from now on. I still have later tonight to dedicate myself to Amber-Rose.
“Come on, it’s time to go.” I hold her hand and guide her to the pier. “This is the sister ship. Food and champagne aboard.”
Terror erases her sensual expression. “Rob...”
She shivers and refuses to come near the ramp.
“Amber-Rose?”
“I’ve had a lovely night. I should go,” she says, hugging and kissing me, but she’s in a rush to get away from the yacht.
“Hey, what is it?” I follow her.
“I don’t want to embarrass you, but I can’t… I’m afraid of boats and the ocean. Please don’t ask me how or why.”
I know about fear of boats, which I think is called naviphobia, but I’ve never known anyone who has it, until Amber-Rose. No wonder she was cold and shaky when I took her onboard the smaller Pentela inside. And the scar at the corner of her lips, the accident she talked about with Matty—could it have happened on a boat?
“Please, Rob, just walk me out.”
Clay spots us. “Rob, Amber.”
“Please, Rob,” Amber whispers before my brother joins us.
“What’s up, guys? We’re shipping out in ten.”
“Amber isn’t feeling well,” I tell him. “I’m just gonna walk her to the car. I’ll be there in a sec.”
