“Was it a really rough day?” she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
“It’s been a struggle.”
She nodded, not sure how best to respond.
The food was delicious and dessert even more so. There was nothing to complain about. She enjoyed eating.
The wine was also nice, but after the single glass, she opted for the water available. Silence fell between them and even though the engagement band hadn’t seemed too big of a deal, with it glinting on her finger right now and her insecurities surfacing, it felt like the heaviest thing on her body.
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been on a yacht out to sea,” she said.
The way he kept staring at her, she didn’t know if there was something on her face.
“Mira, you don’t have to be nervous.”
“Do I seem nervous?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. Well, I really don’t mean to be.” A lot seemed to have happened in a short space of time. She’d gone from being a single woman to suddenly engaged and owned by the very same man who’d made her life a living hell growing up. She was even giving herself mental whiplash with how all over the place she’d become.
Drake stood, holding out his hand for her to take. She hesitated for only a split second but even then, she saw the flash of disappointment in his gaze and she quickly slid her hand within his, hoping he wasn’t upset.
Standing up, he moved them a short distance from the table. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a couple of men clearing away the dishes as Drake pulled her into his arms.
“Relax.”
“I am.”
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
She released a sigh and smiled at him. “Like this?” she asked, pressing her body against his.
“Yes. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“It was terrifying. I don’t know what I’m doing.” She giggled.
“You’re with me. There’s nothing you need to do other than enjoy.”
“It’s easy for you to say.”
“So very easy.”
Her gaze landed on his lips and she quickly averted her eyes. She didn’t want to think of his lips, or what they could do to her body.
Drake leaned down. His lips brushed across her cheek. “You’ve got to stop hiding from me, baby. You’re going to be my wife. That means not a single part of you is going to get away. I’m going to cherish you for every single day of our lives.”
“What if you regret this decision?” she asked.
She didn’t know where these thoughts were coming from, or even why she had them. None of them made any sense to her. She pressed her lips together, trying not to freak out. It was hard for her to accept unconditional love without being suspicious.
“Do you regret saying yes?”
Mira shook her head. “No. You don’t think things are moving too fast between us?”
“I don’t think it’s moving fast enough.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh.” He ran his hand down her back, gripping her ass. “I want you, Mira, all the time. Not a moment goes by that I don’t think about you. Where I don’t imagine what our life can be like together. It’s all I want with you, but it’s going to require you to put some things in the past. They don’t matter anymore. All that matters is you and me. No one else.”
Could she really trust it?
Did she have a choice?
He owned her, but he hadn’t forced her to put the diamond ring on.
Drake stopped dancing with her. Holding her hand, he led her below deck. She refused to look at anyone else for fear she’d see judgment and that, she couldn’t handle.
The way he held her, she knew his intent without a doubt. He opened a door and she cautiously stepped inside.
In the movies where there were a lot of boats, the rooms were shown to be small without any real luxury. What she saw now was pure extravagance. The bed was huge and could fit at least five people, if not more. She rubbed at her arms, and Drake came up behind her after she heard the door click.
His face pressed against her neck and he groaned. “I never stop working. Normally, I never want to stop working, but seeing you when I got back to the office, you make me want to be a rebel.”
“You work too much.”
“And now, I’m going to learn to enjoy my reward.” He wrapped his arms around her and began to open the button of her shirt. She didn’t fight him. His movements were quick as he opened her blouse. His hands on her shoulders had her turning toward him.
Biting her lip, she stared at him, waiting.
He ran his hands up her body, pushing the shirt back until it fell to the ground.
With the flick of his fingers, the catch was released from her bra, and next, he took care of her skirt.