Page 119 of Vows We Never Made
Surprisingly, Ares is the easiest part Gramps left behind.
Selling the house is going to take serious time and probably a lot of emotional second-guessing from Margot and Cleo. There’s also more inheritance to sort out with both of them, and I told Wilkes I wouldn’t interfere when the time comes.
Maybe I’ll keep the yacht after all.
It’s not like I have any special need for it, but it would be a shame to see it go. Especially when Ares is still around to enjoy the summer sunsets and the wind blowing his mile-long ears back.
I snort, shaking my head.
When did I go so soft? When did I start caring what this geriatric dog wants so much?
Even so, the boat has a certain charm aside from Ares.
The steel railings are warm under my arms as I lean forward, letting the wind rush over my head and my hair. The deck rocks slowly under me as we ride the shallow waves, cruising gently not far off the shore.
Sometimes, I still want to dive in, even knowing how cold the water gets.
Gramps used to take me swimming with the rest of the kids. We’d cannonball off the side of the yacht into the water and do quick laps around offshore rocks and shallow areas. It was always refreshing to feel the frigid bite against my skin in the summer heat.
Like clockwork, my mind goes to Hattie. The way she leaped off the side of this yacht because I told her a legendary author was just a quick swim away.
Impulsive little dork.
And a dick move by yours truly.
I shake my head again, trying to clear it as Ares abandons his chew and trots over to chase off a stowaway seagull on the deck.
The old hound never comes close, bellowing a couple low woofs before the bird takes off, but you’ve got to admire his effort.
“Hey,” Hattie says, sliding up with drinks in her hands. A cocktail for her—a green martini, by the looks of it—and plain whiskey for me.
“Hey yourself.” I swirl the drink, wrapping a grateful arm around her waist.
Being with her feels weirdly natural.
Another problem, even if I can’t believe it’s a dire one.
“Having a nice time out here?” I ask. “Ares has guard duty covered. No worries about stepping on any bird shit.”
She laughs and her head falls lightly against my shoulder, leaning into me.
She’s wearing a yellow sundress today that shows her cleavage and incredible legs. It’s damnably hard not to rip it off her and fuck her through the floor.
Aside from a couple crewmen for navigation at the helm, we’re alone, which makes the thought of getting that sundress off impossible to ignore.
“It’s nice to be out here again. I forgot how relaxing this boat could be,” she says dreamily. “How was your morning? Seems like you were busy.”
“Well, there’s good news.” I reach down and kiss her shoulder, then her ear until her breath stutters. My cock hardens, wickedly tuned to her every breath by now. “I’ve had some long discussions with Daley about that lodge he had planned. If everything checks out, we’ll be breaking ground on it next year.”
“See? I knew he wasn’t so terrible,” she teases.
I nip at her warningly.
“He’s still too fucking smarmy for his own good. We’re taking this one small step at a time.”
“You’re just saying that because his teeth are whiter than yours.”
“I’m saying that because I need to put him in his place. And I don’t need my fiancée having anything to do with his horndog ass.” I trail my other hand down her waist.
