Cruel Money (Cruel 1)

And still, my eyes ventured back to him as he stripped out of his polo to reveal the six-pack abs underneath. My eyes trailed lower to the perfect V that cut into his flesh and moved lower and then lower. His swim trunks were cut, and I could just make out an outline. And, holy shit, I was staring.

“Natalie?” Katherine said.

I whipped my head in her direction. “Hmm?”

“Mimosa,” she said, passing me the drink.

“Thanks.” I didn’t even want the drink but anything to keep from looking at Penn. I wandered deeper into the pool toward the waterfall that flowed from the Jacuzzi and into the pool. The water beat on my shoulders and kept me focused as both Penn and Lewis stepped into the pool.

“Rowe, come on,” Lewis called.

Rowe flipped open his laptop and promptly sat down. He flipped Lewis off.

“Get your ass in here,” Katherine said.

“I don’t want to burn.”

Lark scoffed. “I’m the redhead.”

“Yeah, well, I’m blond.”

“I thought we promised, no work this weekend,” Penn reminded him.

Rowe looked up at him with a sigh. “Honestly?”

“If he doesn’t want to come in, he doesn’t have to,” I spoke up for him.

Rowe pointed two fingers at me and grinned. “Let’s keep her.”

The others laughed and went for more mimosas. It was in that second that the boat moved. I lurched forward, nearly losing my drink and my stomach. But Penn was there somehow. His reflexes were outstanding. I hadn’t even seen him reach for me, and now, my wet, naked body was nearly pressed against his.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

My eyes flicked up to his. No wonder I’d lost control around him last time.

I jerked back. “Fine. Just…still recovering.”

“Are you sure you want to drink?”

“God, Penn, leave her alone,” Katherine said. “She’s a big girl.”

Penn held his hands up. “I was just trying to be helpful.”

“It’s fine,” I said. I didn’t want to argue with him all day. It was exhausting, and anyway, he had kept me from face-planting into the water.

“Uh,” Rowe said, “someone’s phone is going off over here.” He pointed at my bag.

“That’s me.”

I made a hasty retreat from the pool and stumbled a step before gaining my sea legs. Not that I could feel the boat moving that much, but it wasn’t the same as walking on the ground. I dug through my bag and pulled out my phone. Amy had called twice, and now, she’d sent a text.

You hung up! I wanted to hear the rest about Penn. Call me back.

I bit my lip as I grinned. Then, I snapped a picture to show her exactly where I was. Her response was almost immediate.

You bitch!

How dare you!

I cannot believe you are on a yacht without me. Are we even friends?

I giggled. I loved her so much.

Okay, fine. Have a good time. But I need all the deets after! And just…please sleep with him, so I can live vicariously through you.

I’m not sleeping with him! But I’ll call you later to dish. xo

After I put my phone on silent, I went back to the party on the boat. Penn had put some music on, and Katherine was already complaining about it. I didn’t know the song, but I liked it. I liked his obscure choices. But he just rolled his eyes and turned on “End Game” by Taylor Swift to make Katherine happy.

“My reputation precedes me, I know,” Katherine said with a laugh and then started dancing in the pool.

To my surprise, I fit right into their little group, and the afternoon passed like a dream. Mimosas and culinary masterpieces that they all clearly took for granted. We danced and sang and laughed, and I never wanted it to end. I could get used to this life. Even though I knew it wasn’t my own.

I leaned against the railing and watched the sun sliding low on the horizon, bathing the coast in yellows, oranges, and pinks. It was stunning, and I wasn’t ready for the day to come to a close.

“Hey you.” Lewis sidled up next to me.

“Hey.”

“You seem distant. What’s going on under that intense gaze?”

I shrugged. “Nothing. Just not ready to go back. Today has been so much fun.”

“I feel like that every time I come out here. Sometimes, I wish I could work from the yacht and not have to be in the city.”

“Really?” I asked in surprise. “I thought you all loved the city so much.”

“Don’t get me wrong. New York is my home. But this feels like a great escape.”

“Then, maybe you shouldn’t bring your work here.”

“Ah, but it’s so equipped for it. Did I tell you that my father’s suite has a built-in library and study with a private room attached for an assistant?” He grinned. “Or bodyguard, depending on who he’s dealing with.”

“Is your father in the mob?” I asked with a laugh.