“Perfectly!”
After a few more steps and protests, he set her back down on her feet. “Is that better?” Maddox examined her as Mila straightened her clothes and hair.
While she fixed herself, Maddox pretended to stretch out his shoulder. “That’s just as well. You were a little heavy anyway.”
Mila smacked his arm with all her might, which still didn’t accomplish much. “You’re a real pain sometimes.”
He shrugged. “I’m a man.” He grabbed her hand and wouldn’t let go despite how she tried to wrench free. “Come on. We have reservations.”
“For what?” Mila jogged to try and keep pace with him as he fell into a crisp pace.
“You’ll see.” He smiled over at her. It was nice to have something to keep her guessing. And her sour expression made him smile. It reminded him of when they first met.
Mila kept quiet on the drive, but her eyes widened as they got out of the car by the water. Maddox led her to a launch boat by a dock and shook their captain’s hand.
“What’s this?” Mila whispered.
“My yacht.” Sometimes, he was surprised at how slow she could be.
Mila glanced down at the glorified dingy and arched her eyebrow. “It’s a little small,” she muttered.
Maddox tilted his head. “It’s that one.” He pointed out to the gleaming white ship moored a little way from the beach.
“Oh…” Mila’s eyes twinkled mischievously though whatever she was thinking she kept to herself. “That makes more sense.”
The crew helped them aboard after a short jaunt across the glittering blue-green water and then served them lunch in the shade of a canopy on the top deck.
Afterward, Mila leaned over the side to admire the view. “Can we go anywhere?”
“Well, it’s not meant to cruise around in. It’s more of a long journey ship.” Maddox wandered to where she stood. After she started to eat, the ice around her had finally melted.
“So you take longer trips in this?” Her voice perked up.
Maddox rested his hand on the rail. “Not me. The crew.”
Mila’s eyes narrowed. “So what do you do on it?”
Maddox took a breath to answer as if he used it for plenty of things, but he didn’t. “Mostly I use it like this.”
“You sit around on it?” she asked in disbelief.
He nodded though the look of incredulity on her face made him uncomfortable. “When I have a chance.” Frequently, the yacht sat around on its own with a paid crew and that was it.
Mila stared at him. “And when is that?”
Mila knew enough about his schedule to realize he rarely took time off.
“Oh…you know…” He shrugged and scratched the back of his head.
Mila folded her arms. “You’re telling me you spent all this money to never use the thing?”
He rubbed at a spot on the railing. “You know I’m busy.”
Mila grunted. “Do you at least swim or invite people over?”
He reluctantly met her piercing eyes but didn’t answer.
After staring him down, she sighed dramatically. “Well, that ends on this trip.”
She skirted around him and disappeared down the stairs. “What are you doing?” he called out as he followed. Would Mila take charge and decide to steer the ship?
She wasn’t reckless but still…. Maddox hurried to catch up with her.
She stopped on the lower deck and tore her shorts and top off–revealing a swimsuit underneath. She climbed up on the side–and jumped.
Maddox leaned over the edge as she surfaced.
“Come on!” She waved for him to follow.
Maddox glanced around but there was no one to see him. And what did it matter? He was allowed to have fun sometimes. At least, he thought so.
Mila called out to him again and Maddox finally stripped to his trunks and dove in.
After all, he was neck-deep with Mila already. He might as well take the plunge.