Page 34 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

Jonathan stood abruptly.“I need to use your radio.”

“Of course.”

I followed them to the bridge, where Jonathan made a series of calls—first to the Coast Guard, then to what I gathered was his company headquarters.His voice grew increasingly authoritative with each conversation, the island castaway transforming back into the powerful CEO right before my eyes.

“I don’t care what the protocol is,” he said firmly to someone on the other end.“I’m authorizing a private search effective immediately with full resources.”He glanced at me.“Yes, we’re both fine.We’ll need transport from these coordinates tomorrow.”

When he finally put down the radio, some of the tension had left his shoulders.

“My helicopter will meet us tomorrow morning,” he explained.“I’ve arranged for the search for Captain Reynolds to continue.My company will cover all the costs.”

The resolve in his voice reminded me of our first meeting—a man accustomed to giving orders and having them obeyed.But now, instead of finding it off-putting, I admired his tenacity.

“You don’t think he’s gone, do you?”I asked quietly when we were alone in the small cabin they’d given us for the night.

Jonathan sat on the edge of the narrow bunk.“I don’t know.But I’m not giving up on him without being absolutely certain.”

I sat beside him, our shoulders touching.“He’s lucky to have you fighting for him.”

“It’s the least I can do.”He ran a hand over his head.“If I’d listened to him about the storm, none of this would’ve happened.”

“You can’t change the past,” I reminded him.“But what you’re doing now matters.”

He turned to look at me, his eyes searching mine.“Will you stay with me?Through this search, I mean.I know you probably want to get back to your life, but?—”

“Yes.”I didn’t hesitate.“I’ll stay.”

Relief washed over his features.“Thank you.”He pulled me into an embrace that felt naturally domestic.

That night, we slept in a real bed for the first time in a month.Though the cabin was tiny and the mattress thin, it felt luxurious after our shelter of palm fronds and salvaged fabric.

As Jonathan’s breathing deepened into sleep beside me, I stared at the metal ceiling, trying to process everything that had happened.Tomorrow would bring us back to civilization and the real world with all its complications and inequalities.

Jonathan had insisted nothing would change between us, but I couldn’t silence the doubtful voice in my head.We had been equals on the island, dependent on each other for survival.Back in his world of corporate power and wealth, would that equality survive?

I turned to study his face in the dim light.Even in sleep, his features were strong, but I’d come to recognize a vulnerability.The month on the island had changed him, stripping away some of the arrogance and control that had defined him when we met.

It may have changed me, too.The chef who boarded his yacht had been defensive, determined to prove herself.The woman lying beside him now had proven more to herself than she’d ever imagined possible.

Whatever tomorrow brought, we would face it together.That much, at least, I could believe in.

Chapter11

Jonathan

The helicopter descended toward the fishing trawler, its rotors churning the calm sea into froth.

Janet stood beside me on the deck, her hand gripping mine tightly.The wind from the rotors whipped her hair around her face as she stared at the approaching aircraft.

“Your chariot awaits,” I said into her ear, trying to lighten the tension I felt in her body.

She managed a small smile.“I’ve never been in a helicopter before.”

“It’s just like a really loud, shaky elevator,” I assured her, though I knew her anxiety went beyond fear of flying.This helicopter represented our return to reality—a reality where she was uncertain about our future.I understood her hesitation, but I was determined to show her nothing between us would change.

Captain Martin approached us as the helicopter hovered, preparing to land on the cleared deck space.“It’s been an honor, Mr.Black.”

I shook his hand firmly.“The honor is mine, Captain.You saved our lives.I won’t forget that.”

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