Page 55 of The Irresistible One
I could tell he wasn’t done, so I said nothing.
“Again, that puts us in a similar scenario as before. A vulnerable scenario—and you know I don’t like feeling vulnerable. Personally or professionally.”
I didn’t either.
But I couldn’t change who she was, even if he was technically right.
“Maybe the Gordons will stop using her.” A suggestion that was as ridiculous as it sounded in my head, but I had to say something.
“Why would they ever do that? She’s a fucking shark. The shit she pulled with this case, not every attorney could make that happen.”
I understood the similarities he was referring to, but in my head, I could justify it. Sophie wasn’t anything likeher—the part of my past that I kept buried because, otherwise, it pissed me off.
Did I feel that way because I liked Sophie?
Because I wantedmore?
Because I wanted to believe Sophie was different from her?
Fuck me.
I glanced at the water, the peak of the sun illuminating the white tips at the crest of each wave. “We despise each other, Walker. I don’t think what you’re inferring is going to be a problem.”
“Yet you can’t stop fucking her.” He paused. “Am I right?”
“It’s just fucking.”
“Is it?”
My forehead pressed against the glass. “What are you getting at?”
“You need to be careful—that’s what I’m getting at. I don’t care how much she loves your dick and how much you love giving it to her. Her loyalty will always lie with the Gordons as long as she represents them. Remember that. And remember how, last time, that fucked us. And that right there is a major goddamn problem for our family.”
“I know we have three more yachts to look at, but I’m telling you right now, this is the one,” I said to Hayden as we pulled into the marina behind his office, finishing our second sea trial of the day.
Regulations prevented the potential buyer from boating in and out of the marina; the broker had to do it, which was why Hayden was at the helm.
“Do you want me to cancel the other showings?” He lowered the wake even more as we approached the dock and looked at me through his aviators.
“No, I’d still like to see the other boats.”
I stood not far from his seat, holding the top of the staircase,memorizing every bit of the interior. The linen, textured wallpaper, the gold sconces, the undermounted lighting, the molding around each doorway. My feet sank into the white carpet runner beneath me that matched the plush leather couches inside. A color that wouldn’t be easy to keep clean with a daughter Ellie’s age, but that was what detailers were for.
The moment I had stepped onto her, I had known she had to be mine. Over ninety feet of pure perfection, she had triple inboard engines and four staterooms, three heads, and a full galley. More than enough space for two, even three families aboard. Off the stern was the captain’s quarters, should I decide to hire one instead of driving myself.
I knew I wouldn’t find a vessel that had absolutely everything I was looking for, but this one was as close as I could get.
He shut off the engines as we reached the dock, the deckhands waiting to tie us up. “I was hoping you were going to say that.” He put the key in his pocket. “Don’t forget, you extended your trip a day so you could see this gem I’d been telling you about. I think you’re going to be shocked when you lay your eyes on her. All I’m saying is, keep an open mind. No decisions until you’ve stepped foot on her.”
“No decisions yet,” I assured him. “But this one is at the top of the list.”
“Noted.” He nodded toward the deck off the stern. “Let’s sit and recap.”
I opened the sliding glass door and took a seat on the wraparound couch that hugged the edge of the stern, my arms extending across the top of the cushions.
Hayden glanced at his watch when he sat across from me. “Or we could do this over a drink at happy hour. It’s almost five. Do you have plans for dinner?”
“You have family in town.” I crossed my legs, my foot shaking. “Go spend the evening with them.”
