Page 9 of Redemption
I looked down at the liability form in my hand, then back to her. “No, I just need you to sign this.”
“Oh, what for?” she asked, her voice grating on my nerves.
“You’re diving tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, why?”
Jesus Christ. I ran my hand down my face. “You need to sign this because you’re diving tomorrow.”
“Oh.” She took my pen and signed her name, accenting it with a little heart.
“Perfect, thank you.” The incessant beeping from the coffee machine was soothing compared to what I just endured. I left her at the table and went back to fill my cup. Ready to get back to my office, I turned and nearly spilled the steaming drink. The intern was standing inches away from me, looking up at me with a smile.
“Can I help you?” I glanced at her signature. “Amy?”
She placed a hand on my chest that fell to her side as I took a step back. “Will you come dive with us tomorrow? I’m supposed to drive the boat, but I’m kind of scared.” Her fake eyelashes made wide arcs as she blinked deliberately, trying to play the damsel.
"Scared, huh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded, her eyes wide and pleading. I thought about it for a moment, then sipped my coffee while desperately trying not to smile. I didn’t care about her fear, but this was a good opportunity—a chance to spend some time with Sophia outside the confines of the office. Maybe out on the boat in the sun with some drinks, I could get her to loosen up and get over the damn painting. I’d rather not have my secretary treating me so poorly.
"Alright," I finally said, tipping my coffee cup in her direction as if toasting our new arrangement. "I'll be there." I signed my name on the liability form.
Amy's face lit up, and she bounced up and down. “I can’t wait.”
"Don't mention it. Now if you'll excuse me."
“Of course, you’re a busy man,” she said with another flutter of her eyelashes.
I walked around her with a smile, then made my way back to my office.
Sophia
The salty morning air clung to my skin as I left the building with Amy. My bikini top and shorts looked modest compared to her string bikini—she was practically naked. A long wooden boardwalk stretched out to a small harbor where boats swayed under the watchful eyes of seagulls, eager to claim bait from an unsuspecting fisherman preparing his boat. Amy walked ahead of me, a big smile plastered on her face.
“You seem a little too excited for this,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.
“Do I?” She glanced at me, her smile faltering.
I softened. “No, I’m sorry. It’s your first time out—of course you’re excited.”
She looked at me cautiously, then perked up again as she spotted someone in the distance. I followed her gaze to our boat, now just a short walk away. Waving back at her, but locking eyes with me, was the last person I wanted to see. Despite my obvious irritation, a smile formed on Gabriel’s face.
“You invited him?” I muttered, but she was already jogging toward the boat, deliberately bouncing with each step as if her outfit wasn’t attention-grabbing enough.
“I’m so happy you came!” she exclaimed. Gabriel reached out a hand, matching her energy. She took hold of it, letting him guide her onto the rocking boat.
“Aren’t you excited too, Sophia?” he asked, extending his hand as I approached the boat. “It’s a beautiful day. Take my hand.”
I forced a smile, my jaw tight. “No, thank you.” I stepped onto the boat, trying to come to terms with this situation. My foot was just inches from the deck when the boat dipped unexpectedly. My stomach lurched, like I had missed a step on a staircase. With one foot still on the pier, I fell forward. Before I knew what was happening, I was standing steadily on the boat, my hair whipping in my face.
“You’re alright,” Gabriel said, his voice calm. His hands firmly gripping my waist and ass.
I stepped away from him and pulled my hair into a ponytail, my cheeks flushing. Under the bright noonday sun, I hoped he hadn’t noticed, but the way he looked at me suggested otherwise. I moved to stand next to Amy as Gabriel rummaged through the boat's compartments.
“Do you have another hair tie?” Amy asked, her eyes narrowing as her hair whipped into a tangled mess.
“No, sorry,” I replied, my tone flat.
