Barefoot Kisses (The Kisses 7)

“Yes, he has,” I informed her. “I actually had dinner with his assistant last night.”

“His assistant?” Kathryn frowned and then shrugged it off. “I didn't know he had one.”

“His name's Aiden.” I couldn't keep the smile out of my voice. I looked at Kathryn to see if she recognized the name, but she was too busy making eyes with William. I wasn't even sure she had heard me say anything. I touched her shoulder to get her attention. “You ready for the presentation?”

“I could do this in my sleep,” she replied, finally taking off her sunglasses. “ Besides, half the people here are too hung over to remember it anyway. Remind me to schedule this meeting in the afternoon next year.”

I handed her the clicker for the slide show and took a seat in the back.

“Attention, everyone,” Kathryn announced. Her voice was clear and commanding. “Time to at least look like you're earning your paychecks.”

I chuckled and leaned back in my chair to watch. Even hung over, Kathryn was a force to be reckoned with.

Chapter 13

I hurried back to my room, hoping to find Aiden still stretched out naked on my bed. The meeting had been relatively quick, and now the idea of walking in and jumping on the bed with him had me practically sprinting.

I stepped into the room with a huge grin on my face, only to have it fall off. The bed was made and he was gone. I had only been away for a little while and the meeting had gotten out early. Maybe he did go find another barefoot lawyer. My shoulders slumped.

The room phone rang and I shuffled my feet to answer it. Probably just housekeeping asking if I wanted turn-down service. “Hello?”

“Lena?” Aiden's voice crackled across the line.

“Aiden?” I hoped the almost absurd amount of happiness in my voice didn't scare him off.

“You want to go fishing with me?” he asked.

“Fishing?” I repeated, making sure I had heard the correct word.

“Do I have to answer in the form of a question?” I could hear the smile in his voice. “Yes, fishing. I have a boat at the docks and the weather is beautiful.”

I thought about it for a moment. I had never really understood the appeal of putting worms on a hook and hoping something ate one, but the idea of spending the afternoon out on the water with Aiden sounded absolutely fantastic. “Sure! Let me change and I'll be right there.”

“Okay,” he said, sounding excited. “Dock two. I'll see you soon.”

I hung up the phone and did a happy dance across the room. I had the rest of the day to play with my new favorite person. I quickly changed into a cute, red two-piece with polka dots, a pair of board shorts, and a light t-shirt. Sunscreen and a towel went in a bag and with a pair of sandals on my feet, I was out the door in no time.

I easily found the dock on the water's edge. Aiden waved to me from the bow of a speed boat and I hurried over to him. The boat was painted a sparkly, deep blue and had two leather seats in the front and a larger square area in the back where we could sit and fish.

“Ahoy, matey,” Aiden called out as I came over. I grinned.

“Ahoy,” I repeated, feeling like a pirate. “Permission to come aboard?”

Aiden grinned and reached a hand out over the boat. “Permission most certainly granted.”

I took his hand, soaking in the warmth and strength as he helped me up onto the boat deck. My sandals slipped on the smooth surface of the deck, but he kept me up. I gave him a bashful grin.

“It's easier if you just go barefoot,” he advised. I noticed he wasn't wearing shoes either, so I slipped them off and tucked them into my bag. “Ready?”

I nodded and together we sat down in the two leather seats in the front of the boat. The engine purred to life and he carefully navigated us out into open water.

“Where'd you get the boat?” I asked, pulling my hair up into a ponytail. “It's nice.”

“I rented it from the resort,” he explained. The water was darker as we went out further, but still just as clear. “I know a great little fishing spot not too far from here. Ready?”

“Sure,” I replied, peering down at the water. It looked like I could reach out and touch the bottom of the ocean the water was so clear, but I had a feeling that it was far deeper than I could reach. “I hope you're not spending all your money on me.”

“Don't you worry about what I'm spending,” he chastised. “It all gets written off by the company anyway. Just enjoy yourself and don't think too much.”