The Skipper & the Billionaire Playboy

There was that god-awful ping of guilt again, make it difficult to catch her breath for a moment. These people were insanely open to her, and she didn’t think it was because Sawyer had never brought home anyone before. Then again, maybe they would have embraced a rabid alligator just as eagerly, but they seemed to be genuinely warm, open people. It was disconcerting either way, especially for someone as reserved as herself.

“Thank you.” She hoped the words weren’t too abrupt, and she definitely hoped she had hidden her reluctance to share a room with Sawyer Sinclair. She hadn’t anticipated this part, having naturally assumed they would provide her a separate room, either because of stuffy old values, or perhaps because they would have wanted to see the two of them separated as much as possible to reduce the risk of her joining the family.

The bitter assumption surprised her, because Nadia had never been one to make snap judgments about people. There was just something about Sawyer that naturally made her think horrible thoughts, and apparently it spilled over to his family as well.

Vowing she would work on that throughout the week, or at least attempt to be warm and charming to the women who were being so nice to her, she forced a smile, finding it not as difficult as she might have expected, even with her chest aching from guilt. Their warm smiles made it easier to reciprocate. “I appreciate you’re welcome.”

Oh, lord, the woman had to hug her again. Caitlin enfolded her in another motherly hug, and Nadia tried not to hold herself stiffly. It was surprisingly easy to surrender to the embrace, and she wondered if her own mother would have given hugs like this, if she were still alive. Unfortunately, in addition to making her feel all warm and cuddly inside, it also increased her guilt. Damn, it was going to be a long week.

Chapter Three

Sawyer was thrilled by how well his family had accepted Nadia’s presence. He just hoped it would buy him some time and get them to leave him alone about settling down. He couldn’t be too upset about his grandfather’s meddling, since it had given him the perfect opportunity to seduce his skipper. It was the perfect setup. They could have an affair, and then she would be gone at the end of the week. No strings, no commitments, and no expectations. It was a business deal wrapped in a multitude of pleasure, as soon as he got a moment alone with her. Yes, he was highly satisfied with his plan and how things were turning out.

He was also highly appreciative of the fact his mother hadn’t tried to stick them in separate rooms. Clearly, his girlfriend had been disconcerted by the knowledge they would be sharing a room, but Sawyer greeted it as one more chance to grow closer to her. Not too close, at least emotionally, but as close as physically possible.

He dressed for dinner in the walk-in closet, since Nadia had taken over the bathroom, including taking in clothing to wear. Apparently, she intended to live in there, and he couldn’t help a quirk of his lips as he imagined her dark skin as a beautiful contrast against the honey-gold marble tub. It was comfortable, but not as comfortable as sleeping in a bed, especially his bed.

An uncomfortable bulge in his pants reminded him of why he didn’t want to think about Nadia too much that way at the moment with dinner ahead of him. He didn’t want to spend the next two hours with an uncomfortable hard-on, though it seemed like a futile battle when she emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later.

Sawyer caught his breath at the brick-red dress that skimmed her knees, but fell around her in a flirty fashion, though it was demure and covered far more for assets than it showed. It revealed enough of her legs that he couldn’t help imagining starting at her ankle and running his tongue up along the calf, behind her knee, and over her thigh until he reached the wet heat between her legs.

Clearing his throat, as he shifted the fit of his pants at the crotch, he walked toward her with a big smile. “You look gorgeous, honey.”

She rolled her eyes, but didn’t comment on the endearment. Clearly, his skipper assumed he was just in the role. She had a lot to learn.

“You look pretty nice yourself, Sawyer.”

How he loved the sound of her name on his lips. It was drawn out, with a hint of smoke. The funniest thing was, he didn’t think she was deliberately making her voice sensual. That was just Nadia, and he was quickly coming to realize beneath her cool reserve and aloof exterior, there was a passionate woman just waiting to escape. He was more than happy to help with that, and he consoled his hard cock with the thought of sinking into her later as he took her arm and led her from the suite.

Though the family dressed formally for dinner, he could see she was surprised by how informal everyone was. There were no servants in sight, and the cook would have left the food on a tray in the serving room between the kitchen and the dining room. Martha always took off the same time each night, because Caitlin insisted she join her own family for dinner too.

It was amusing to see Nadia regard his mother with surprise as she retrieved the tray and pushed it into the dining room. Caitlin didn’t serve everyone, but she did pass the trays around, taking time to remove the salvers first.

He sniffed appreciatively at the grilled tilapia, rice pilaf, and perfectly steamed baby vegetables. His chef aboard the Quixote was probably more skilled than Martha, but there was something different about the older woman’s food that he loved and appreciated. It made him nostalgic. He often forgot that part of living here when he was out on his adventures and finding excuses not to come visit.

After everyone had a serving, they began eating. From the corner of his eye, he watched as she precisely selected silverware and ate daintily. There was exaggerated care in her motions, and he knew she was making a real effort to be what she thought his family would expect. He appreciated the enthusiasm for her role, but he hated her to think they were all stuffy. It was the farthest thing from the truth.

“Nadia, Sawyer tells me you run his boat?” said his mother.

Nodding, she dabbed at her mouth with t

he linen napkin before smoothing it over her lap and answering. “Yes, Mrs. Sinclair, I’m his skipper—captain of the yacht.”

“Call me Caitlin,” reminded his mother. She smiled, her manner coaxing. “How did you come to be in that position, my dear?”

Sawyer noted her relaxation as spoke of the sea, and he realized it was the way to get through to her whenever she was tense. He listened as she spoke raptly of sailing with her father, whose dream had been to race in the America’s Cup. Apparently, she had been on the water since the time she was a little girl and had never considered another career that wasn’t nautical.

“Still, you’re awfully young to be a captain, aren’t you?” asked Kiersten.

Again, Nadia shrugged, and one strap of her dress slipped down slightly to reveal the creamy curve of her shoulder. He had the almost irresistible urge to dip his head and press a kiss there. Only imagining the look of death she would send him, coupled with the reminder they had an audience, held his impulse in check.

“I suppose, and I didn’t have a lot of formal training. I didn’t even go into the Navy. I just picked it all up from my father when he ran a charter business in Florida. Working various jobs of the sea over the years honed my skills.”

His breath hitched when she turned to give him a genuine smile. She was always beautiful, but the expression on her face made her seem open and approachable, and he could imagine just what she would look like in the throes of orgasm.

“I have to thank Sawyer for taking a chance on me, based solely on my interview with him and my résumé. He could’ve held out for a captain with a lot more experience and a formal education.”

He couldn’t help the impulse this time as he reached forward to take her hand from the table, holding it in his, and bringing it to his lips. When he brushed his mouth lightly against her knuckles, he heard her sharp intake of breath, and he didn’t think he was imagining the flare of heat in her eyes. “I’m a smart man, and I know what I want.” If they had been alone, that list of wants would have been short, and entailed mainly stripping her and spreading her across the table.