My skin started tingling with excited energy as I made my way down the wooden planks to the boat waiting at the end of the dock. Where the hell did these butterflies come from? Was I really that excited to show off a freaking dress?
My pace slowed for a moment as I acknowledged that wasn’t it.
I was excited to show off for Marcus.
Sure he was an obnoxious Forbes-obsessed mogul with an image problem and a penchant for exotic birds…but there were other things about him as well.
The way his eyes got distant when he talked about family, the way he gave both thoughtfully and thoughtlessly all at the same time, the way I felt when he tucked my hair back behind my ear…
Get it together, Bex.
I shook my head and straightened my dress as I paused outside the boat. Then, with those same butterflies rocketing around in my stomach, I lifted my hand to knock. The door opened before I could even touch it. Marcus had been facing the other way, but he turned toward me with a wide smile as he gestured me inside.
“Honey, you remember Mr. Takahari?”
Chapter 21
I felt empty, cold. I couldn’t explain it. I couldn’t tell you where it came from. But it crept up my fingers and settled in the hollow of my stomach for the
entire night.
The dinner cruise was beautiful of course, filled with the routine extravagance I’d come to expect. Takahari brought his right hand man—which I suppose was a good sign—and although the merger was never directly addressed, just discreetly danced around, I got the feeling that things were on the right track.
On that note, I did my part. Earned my paycheck. I tucked away those feelings of finality and detachment and said all the right things. Did all the right things. Smiled at all the right things. It was like I was reading from a script. Playing the role of a lifetime with Oscar-winning precision. In a lot of ways, it felt like the part I was born to play. A charming, down-to-earth caricature of myself. The relatable foil to those stiff, unyielding men around me. It was the perfect ruse. But that’s exactly all it was.
A ruse.
While I kept up my end of the charade like a pro, Marcus seemed increasingly uneasy all throughout the meal. His eyes kept flickering to me like he wished that we were alone, as if there were things he wanted to say. By the time dessert was served, I found that I no longer cared.
“That was absolutely wonderful.” I squeezed Akio in a tight embrace as we stood up to leave. “Thank you so much again for coming.”
The old man bowed in an endearing way that was his custom and placed two gnarled hands on either of my arms. “The pleasure was all mine. I’m going back to Japan for a few weeks, but I’ll be back in California at the start of the New Year. I hope to see you then?”
I smiled sweetly. “I’d love to.”
Marcus’ gaze flickered again to mine, but he said nothing.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen,” I suddenly couldn’t stand to be in the room a second longer, “I’m going to go sleep off that harrowing plane ride.”
Takahari and his men both laughed politely, but Marcus turned to me with mild alarm; a kind of muted panic shone deep in his eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay for a while, Rebecca?” It sounded like a plea. “I could have the porters bring up some coffee.”
I patted his arm dismissively like a girlfriend would. “No, I’m fine. You boys get to it. I’m sure you have a lot to discuss.”
With a parting wave, I slipped off the boat and headed back down the pier, a single thought occupying every corner of my mind.
I could not wait to take off this dress.
* * *
Marcus took me for a ride on his yacht. The sun glittered on the turquoise water, and the sky was the prettiest shade of blue. Of course, I took more pictures. I looked for a dolphin but didn’t see any. One of my patients begged me to bring back a picture of a dolphin.
We pulled up to next to one of the gorgeous islands. He was in plain black swim trunks. Something fitted and designer that gave me my first view of the tantalizing muscular contours running down his chest. I had gone for a simple suit as well. A nondescript, white bikini. It hugged what little curves I had but still covered a good deal more than some of the flashier options in my closet.
The captain walked over to us. “We’ve got company, but I know another place where we can go and have some peace.”
I looked at the boat next to us. Looked like the paparazzi had found us.
“I don’t want to leave,” I said. “The beach looks gorgeous. I’ve always wanted to walk on sugar-white sand.”