Page 72 of Storm Warning
Would she say the right things? Act the right way? This was Nick Ivory, CEO extraordinaire, and she was just... just Kate.
She hesitated on the dock until his hand squeezed hers. “Don’t worry,” he said in a rumble that sent shivers down her spine. “It’s just a boat.” His green eyes held a warmth that belied his words.
It wasn’t just a boat; it was a symbol of his world, a world she feared she might never truly belong to.
He glanced down at her feet. “While your shoes are outrageously sexy on you, the heels might be unstable when we’removing. You might prefer to go barefoot onboard.” He shrugged. “I always do.”
Heat bloomed across Kate’s cheeks as she reached down to remove her heels, although she had no reason to be embarrassed. She didn’t know their destination when she dressed. Nick had kept it a surprise.
He helped her aboard, the polished teak deck warm beneath her now bare feet, the smooth wood almost silky against her skin. A picnic basket sat nestled in a nook, a checkered blanket tucked through the handle. The aroma of freshly baked bread and grilled seafood mingled with the salty tang of the sea air, making her mouth water. A bottle of champagne chilled in a silver bucket, condensation beading on the glass, with two flutes waiting beside it.
Every detail had been carefully considered, meticulously planned. It was... overwhelming. And utterly enchanting.
“This is amazing, Nick.”
Nick poured them both a glass of bubbly, the golden liquid sparkling in the fading light, tiny bubbles racing to the surface. He raised his glass in a toast.
“To new beginnings,” he said, his gaze locking with hers. Warmth bloomed on her cheeks.
New beginnings. Could they have a fresh start after all the drama and uncertainty? She wanted to believe it.
Kate cleared her throat. “Are you a boater, then? You can drive this thing?”
He laughed, a smile flashing across his face. “Yes, I can drive this thing. I don’t get much opportunity to, but I love being on the water. That’s part of the reason most of our resorts are coastal. Come on, keep me company while I get us underway.”
Nick twined his fingers with hers, tugging her to the ladder leading up to the boat’s controls. He started the engines, their hum vibrating through the deck, through her feet, resonating up hercalves. “Stay here.” He slid down the ladder and cast off the ropes holding the boat on the dock before returning to her side again.
The yacht pulled away from the dock, the steady thrum of the engines the only sound as the resort receded into the distance. A sense of peace settled over her, a quiet contentment she didn’t remember ever experiencing. Under the vast expanse of open sky, surrounded by the gentle murmur of the waves, the world faded, leaving only the two of them.
After Nick anchored off a distant sandbar, Kate gingerly descended the ladder back to the deck, where he opened the picnic basket, the soft glow of a solar lantern casting a warm bubble of light around them, painting golden highlights across his features.
“Marguerite,” Nick explained as he put together a plate for her, “packed our dinner. I hope you like it.” His gaze was intense, a thread of uncertainty in his voice as he handed the plate off to her.
Kate smiled. “I’m sure I will. It looks fabulous!” Her plate held grilled shrimp skewers, a fresh sushi roll, a vibrant salad, crusty bread, and a decadent chocolate dessert.
She sampled a little of everything; the flavors exploding on her tongue—the sweetness of perfectly grilled shrimp, the fresh bite of ginger and wasabi, the tang of vinaigrette. “Oh my god, this is fabulous!”
Nick nibbled on his own dinner. “Good. I’m glad you like it.” A strange expression crossed his face—was that trepidation?
“We need to talk. A lot has happened in the last few days, and I think we should clear the air, not ignore it. I want to move forward with you, Kate. I think we have a chance at something extraordinary here, and I want to try for it. That means no more hiding, for either of us. I’ll bare my soul if you will.”
His words punched into Kate, leaving her momentarilyunable to breathe as her fears and doubts jumped to the forefront of her thoughts. With effort, she pushed them away, focusing on Nick, on his eyes that pleaded with her.
“You’re right, but even the idea of that scares the heck out of me. What if you don’t like what I have to say?” She almost whispered her fear, but Nick heard her.
“I honestly can’t conceive of not liking anything about you. You are an amazing woman. Ignore everything else; there is only the two of us here. Let’s simply talk.”
Kate searched his face, his expression, looking for any hint of doubt. She saw none. Her fears ebbed a bit, and she took a deep breath, pushing the remaining fear aside, and lifted her chin. “Let’s do this, then. But first, can I ask about the tox screen? I’d like to get that over and out of the way.”
“Of course.” Nick frowned and took her free hand in his, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. “The tox screen came back positive for GHB. A date-rape drug. It was on that patch on your arm. David reviewed the video but couldn’t get a clear shot of the man’s face. He wore a hat and never looked up at a camera. It was almost like he knew where they were.”
Kate took a breath and blew it out before nodding. “Ok. Now we can ignore that for tonight. We can analyze that to death later.”
Nick smiled. “You are amazing, Kate.”
After that, the conversation flowed: they talked about everything and nothing—their childhoods, their dreams, their fears. She listened, sorrow flickering through her as he spoke of his loneliness growing up, the isolation of wealth and privilege, the constant fear of being used. The pain in his voice was palpable, each word peeling back layers she suspected few people ever saw.
“…It was somewhere in elementary school when I first realized people liked me more for my last name than for who I was…”