Page 19 of A Billionaire for Christmas
Rhys led her toward their charter for the day and reveled in the grin she couldn’t wipe from her face, amused by how her head whipped from side to side as she tried to take everything in at once.
Over dinner at Haven, Sara had mentioned loving the hamburgers from the Cohens’ pier house, so he’d placed an order for their trip. His PA had tried to handle the details and do something “nicer,” and normally Rhys would’ve let him, but this felt different. Because Sara felt different, and he wanted to plan the day on his own.
Still, Axel carried their special lunch and followed them to the boat.
The captain quickly got them underway, and they headed south down the Intercoastal Waterway.
The wind picked up with their speed, and both donned their coats before moving to the railing. Sara took a few photos on her phone. She then slid it back into her pocket and glanced up at him.
“Having fun?” he asked.
“You know it,” she said, smiling at him. “I haven’t been on a boat in years. Is it yours?”
“No, I leave the boat buying to my father.”
She tilted her chin up as she turned sideways to lean against the rail. “And you won’t tell me where we’re going?”
“We’re recapturing your Christmas spirit.”
A hesitant expression formed on her features, and he frowned. “What’s wrong? Why the look?”
“It’s just— You don’t have to spend money on me. You know that, right? I mean this iswonderful,but you’ve already done too much.”
“What do you mean?”
“Buying the trees and helping my parents. Then the guard. Now this?”
He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “The trees were business—with helping your parents out a nice bonus. The guard for my peace of mind, like I said. And the boat— I’m selfish, Sara. This is for me as well. I can go very few places and have privacy. Stealing you away for the day without having cameras pointed at us protects us both.”
She stiffened a bit in his arms, and he frowned. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Sara? Talk to me. Please.”
She avoided his gaze and looked out at the sparkling water and coastal homes rolling by.
“Is it the media attention?” He couldn’t blame her. He hated being hounded for quotes and photos or interviews. “Things have calmed down considerably since spring, but I’m afraid that’s an aspect of my life that won’t change.”
He couldn’t read her expression, but something made him think that wasn’t it. At least not all of it.
“Let’s just enjoy the beautiful day.”
Yeah, something still bothered her. He could tell by the tight lines of her body and the way her eyebrows scrunched over her nose in an adorable furl. But she refused to share whatever thought had set her on edge, so he let it go for the moment. Maybe the day would loosen her thoughts and whatever the worry was.
He pressed his lips to soft skin and kissed away the frown. “We’re almost there.”
“Where?”
He chuckled at her grumbly tone. “You’ll see.”
ChapterTwelve
There was an isolated strip of sand along Masonboro Island. They’d taken their time getting to the spot and arrived around noon.
The captain slowed the boat and threw the anchor before Sara and Rhys boarded a tiny dinghy to get to shore.
Axel stayed behind with the captain, but she noted the man had given Rhys a two-way radio as well as a picnic basket before their departure.
