Page 11

For the first time in my life, I don’t know what to do.

At first, I was so mesmerized by her beauty, her perfect body, and her angelic face that I didn’t even consider our age gap. But now, as I see her dressed in a robe too big for her delicate body, her hair wet from the shower, and no makeup on her face, I realize that Zoe is a very young woman.

I don’t have to think too long and too hard, though. Without any indication of what might happen next, in the same way she did on the ship, Zoe comes to me.

There is no hesitation. She wraps her arms around my neck, pressing our bodies together.

This woman has the power to unleash a side of me that has never come out with anyone I was sexually involved with before—a protective instinct.

“Thank you.”

I don’t want to talk. Not yet. I’d rather smell her freshly bathed body, feel her feminine form molding to mine and the way her fingers trace the back of my neck.

I tense with desire because she wakes up a savage urge in me, but I know that’s not what she needs right now. “Did you sleep? ”

She steps back, seeming to finally realize what she’s done. “Yes, and I’m sorry I jumped on you. I’m not used to this, but?—”

I place my fingers over her lips. “It’s been a hell of a day, and I’m the only familiar face you have.”

“It’s not that, but if I explain myself, you’ll think I’m immature.”

Despite all the shit we’ve been through today, I smile. “Try.”

“I like hugs and being alone. When I saw you, I did it on impulse.”

“Hug me?”

“Yes,” she says, eyes on the floor.

There’s a submission about her that excites the hell out of me, and I know it’s part of her temperament. At the same time, she knows how to stand up for herself when she has to, hence her refusal earlier today.

“Are you hungry?” I ask, trying very hard to focus on something neutral.

“Yes.”

“Want to go out to dinner?”

“First, tell me what happened at the police station.”

I explain quickly without hiding the worst details, including Tamara’s report that the captain even drugged a crew member.

When I finish talking, she’s so pale I think she might pass out. “Sit down.”

She looks around, seeming lost.

I pick her up and put her on the couch. When I look down, her robe is open a little, part of her thigh sticking out. I pull away so I don’t give in to the temptation to touch her. I’m not a teenager. If everything goes my way, I’ll have plenty of time to get to know every inch of her delicious body.

“I can’t believe they planned something like this for me. How could Tamara betray me like that?”

God, she’s too innocent for this world.

“Was I naive?” she asks as if she is reading my thoughts.

“No. I think anyone in your shoes would be shocked. I’m an experienced guy, and I never imagined a situation like that.”

“I need to tell my mother. May I use your phone? Oh my God! What about my suitcase? ”

“I already asked them to bring it here. You were probably asleep when they arrived.”

“I don’t even know what to do. I mean, I need to buy a plane ticket home, but I haven’t received my week’s paycheck yet. I need to figure out how to get it.”

Her cheeks are red like fire, and I quickly understand that she has no way of returning to the United States unless she is paid.

“That won’t be a problem.”

“How so? Oh Jesus, I need to talk to my mom.”

“You may use the phone if you like. I can also arrange your return to the United States. First, I have a proposition for you.”

“Proposition?” she asks, looking suddenly alert.

I know I’ll probably spend a few good years in hell for what I’m about to say, but she’s irresistible. “Yes. Spend time with me in Europe. I won’t be returning to New York until the end of the summer, so let’s get to know each other better.”

I’ve never gone this far with a woman. What I’m proposing to Zoe is to be tied up for more than a month with one another.

She opens her mouth and closes it again as if deciding, then finally speaks. “We don’t know anything about each other.”

“We’ll have time for that. For now, no promises or demands.”

“Is that what I did earlier today? Did I demand anything?”

“No. Actually, you argued with me, and I respect you for that.”

“What you really wanted from me when you asked me out to lunch this morning wasn’t to get to know me better,” she states.

“No. I wanted you, and that was all.”

Again, her beautiful mouth opens in an expression of astonishment. “You are brutally honest.”

“Yes. Does that scare you?”

“I’m not sure, but I think I prefer honesty. What does it imply if I say I’ll stay with you?”

“Whatever we both want.”

Zoe may be young, but she’s not that naive and understands perfectly what I don ’ t say.

She stares at the floor. “If I say yes, I need to let my mother know anyway and give her your address, too. ”

“That won’t be a problem, but I intend to leave the city in my boat. I don’t want to stay here.”

“Why not?”

“A lot of people know me. I want privacy with you.”

“First, I will accept your invitation to dinner. Then I’ll decide on your proposal. I need to think, but anyway,” she says, getting up, coming over to the armchair where I’m sitting and reaching for my hand, “I want to say thank you again.”

I separate my thighs and bring her between them.

She keeps her grip on my hand, and I play with the bow of her robe with my free hand. She follows the movement, exhaling heavily, but she doesn’t pull away.

“I want you. To taste every bit of you, Zoe. But the decision to stay with me is in your hands. If you want to go home, all you must do is tell me.”

“I’ve never done anything like this.”

“I figured.”

“And you still want me?”

I stand up and cup her face with both hands, my thumbs caressing her cheeks as I bend down to speak in her ear, my lips touching her lobe. “I don’t tend to repeat myself, but maybe you need a sample.”

I nibble, letting my tongue run over the soft flesh of her neck, and she trembles against me, but I don’t go too far. She needs the courage to make up her mind, so I force myself to take a step back.

“Go change. We’ll leave in half an hour.”