“Once we get out a bit, you can swim or sunbathe.” She’s onboard, and I prepare to embark.
“The photos shouldn’t take long. I’ll take them as I see shots.” She walks across the narrow deck and drops her bag on a bench. “Nice rig.”
“Edward doesn’t play much, but when he does, he’s here.”
“Merritocracy?”
“Yeah,” I laugh. “Pretty silly, but you know. Boats have to be named or it’s bad luck.”
Her nose wrinkles adorably. “Where’s your father now?”
“Iowa. Deposing a client, wishing he were here.” She laughs, and I’m feeling better already. “Have a seat or go below while I steer us out of here.”
“Afraid I’ll fall overboard?”
Running my eyes down her body, “Your sea-legs are amazing, but safety first.” I don’t miss her flush, and I’m ready to get the party started. “Crack open the brut and pour us each a glass.”
A little smile teases her lips. “First let me get a few shots.” Digging in her bag, she pulls out an old-school Canon 35 millimeter and holds it up to her eye.
I glance from the lanes to her clicking “People still use cameras like that?”
“I beg your pardon.” Her head pops up from behind the lens, eyes narrow. She’s so damn cute, I’m wondering why I didn’t suggest a quickie before disembarking. “You wanted professional. Canon makes the best cameras on the market.”
“Stop rewriting history.” The wind pushes my coat open again, more rapid clicking. “You wanted professional. I wanted you.”
The clicking stops, and I wait, wondering how she’ll respond. Nothing. Photography resumes, only now the lens is turned away from me, back toward the harbor rapidly moving away from us.
“I only need a few shots of you for the website, maybe a future publication or bio.” She looks down at the camera, scrolling through the images. “Here’s one.”
She steps to me, holding the device so I can see a stunning profile image. I’m not smiling, which is a surprise. I feel like I haven’t stopped smiling since she boarded the yacht. Behind me is a fuzzy blend of colorful mainsails, masts, and the skyline.
“Damn, girl. That’s good.” Blinking up at her, I can’t believe her cheeks pink.
“I have a good subject.”
A compliment? We’re far enough out that I can set the self-steering and step away from the wheel. She cups the back of the camera, still scrolling through the shots.
“So you’ll be with us another week?” I lean beside her watching. Her expression doesn’t change. “To photograph the other guys and upload these new shots, I mean.”
“It shouldn’t take more than a day to finish up.”
Catching her hips, I pull her back to my chest and look down, over her shoulder at the camera. Her breath quickens, and the sexual tension between us ratchets through the roof. We haven’t been together since Tuesday, which hit me harder than I expected. I’m ready to remedy the situation.
“Maybe we’ll figure out a way to hire you full-time.” Pressing my lips against the base of her neck, I feel her pulse racing.
“You’re moving awfully fast, aren’t you?” She’s breathless when she answers, but I don’t let her pull away.
“Baby, we’ve been flying since Day One.” My mouth moves higher. Slipping out my tongue, I taste her warm neck. This time when she speaks, I can hear her resistance melting.
“You don’t need a full-time PR position. You only want me in the office.”
My hands have moved from her hips under her loose shirt, and I slide them over her bare stomach. The muscles tighten under her skin, and I swear, I’m hard as a rock. “It’s true.” My voice is rough now, as my hands travel higher to the line of her bikini top. “Still, you’re the best. We’re the best. You should be on our team.”
Hands under the material, I roll beaded nipples between my fingers and thumbs, and her head drops back with a little sigh.
“We need to go below.”
I release her body and take her hand. She doesn’t speak, as I pause to shut off the autopilot, park the cruiser, and drop anchor. Thank modern technology for ease of operation. We quickly descend the ladder, and once we’re in the cabin, she’s in my arms. The camera is on the table.