Page 66 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“Let me help,” she said with a smile, falling into line easily with him as they readied to sail. Minutes later, the boat slipped away from the dock.

“You haven’t forgotten a thing,” Luke said as she tied off a billowing sail.

She smiled up at him, standing and dusting off her hands. “It hasn’t beenthatlong.”

“Speak for yourself, Juju,” he said as he twisted the ship’s wheel. “It’s been long enough for me.”

She pressed her lips together as the salty breeze caressed her skin.

“I guess it hasn’t been for you. Living the dream with the billionaire.”

“Luke, that’s not…” She shook her head as she shifted her gaze to the horizon.

“Not what?” he asked. “Ally said she dug up quite the list of events since you’ve been away.”

“She did,” Julia said. “It’s been…a complicated sixteen months.”

“Sounded like it from what Ally told me,” he said. “But let’s forget that. Do you remember when we used to sail into the north cove and picnic there?”

A smile spread across her face as she nodded, happy to leave the conversation about Grant behind. “I do, yes. We’re not sailing there now, right?”

“No, of course not. I remember how much you love being on the open sea at night. That sense of weightlessness it gives you with the real world completely gone. Nothing but the wind, the water, and the stars.”

It had been too long since she’d had nothing to deal with but the wind, water, and stars. She twisted to study the horizon, letting the wind rustle her hair.

The water rocked them gently as they disappeared into the vast ocean, leaving the town behind. The lights disappeared on the horizon as the sea spread around them.

Julia clung to the railing as she stared out over the moonlit waves. The sounds and smell of the sea wrapped her in a comforting blanket. She closed her eyes, allowing it to take over her senses as she felt her muscles relaxing.

Warm hands slid around her shoulders, squeezing them before arms encircled her waist.

She leaned back into his chest, the familiarity of his embrace soothing her frayed nerves.

“I’ve missed this,” he whispered, his voice tickling her ear.

She let her eyes slide closed again, her hand finding his arm as the warmth of his cheek pressed against hers. The scent of the sea mixed with his aftershave, creating a familiar and intoxicating blend that sent her heart flying back several years.

The boat swayed under her feet, and she reached for the railing to steady herself, her ring clanking off the metal. The sound tugged her back to reality. Sudden memories of the swishing of ball gowns mixed with the gentle waves. Luke’s arms around her weaved together with memories of Grant’s embrace. Her heart ached with memories, each wave bringing back a moment she’d shared with Luke, contrasting sharply with thelife she had built with Grant. Her heart tumbled as she shoved him away and stumbled a few steps away.

“Julia?” he questioned. “What’s wrong?”

She kept her back to him, desperate to control her emotions.

His hand wrapped around hers, gently tugging her back to him. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Her eyes filled with tears as she flicked her gaze up to him. “Luke–”

“Hey,” he said, features melting with concern as he caressed her cheek, “this was supposed to be a nice, comforting cruise. Not something to make you cry.”

She bit her lower lip, leaning into his hand as she closed her eyes.

He pulled her closer, wrapping her tightly in his arms. She melted into him, unable to stop herself from taking comfort in the one familiar, certain thing she knew.

“Julia…”

She lifted her head, steadying herself. He stared down at her, his eyes soft and searching hers. With their faces inches apart, moonlight cast dancing shadows across his features, mirroring the turmoil bubbling in her.

He tilted her chin up to him. A second later, their lips met. His kiss sent her heart thudding against her ribs like it had when they’d first kissed in her teens.