Page 25 of False Pretenses

“Hell no. If this thing goes down, I’m not going to be stuck below deck and drown.”

“Alyssa.”

“I’m not kidding, Nathan. I’m trying to keep it together.”

Her teeth chattered, and her limbs shook. She prayed she wouldn’t act like an idiot in front of him and his men, but it seemed like she already had. The crew nearby tossed her looks of concern that Nathan ignored. He kept his eyes on her.

“Everything will be fine.” He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. “I will make sure you’re safe, and trust me, this yacht isn’t going down easily. The storm is not as bad as it seems. It will be over quickly.”

Lightning illuminated the sky, and thunder crackled, making her shriek in alarm. She sneezed one after another as rain soaked her hair, which had dried even in the early evening sun. When she began to shiver, Nathan pried her hands from the rail and picked her up.

“No, don’t do that. We’re unsteady.”

He crushed her to his chest and strode with purpose to the door leading below deck. Alyssa buried her face against his neck. “If you drop me, I’m going to kill you.”

A chuckle sounded above her head. Somehow he made it to one of the bedrooms without falling, or dropping her, and he sat down on the bed with her on his lap. His hold didn’t lessen for an instant, and Alyssa clung to him, fighting panic. The boat continued to toss about, and the weird creaking from various corners drove her insane. Nathan’s low voice and gentle words kept her from the edge.

“Everything will be okay. I’ve got you,” he murmured, and she felt the vibrations in his chest. Concentrating on his heartbeat, she calmed down. A boat horn sounded, working her up again, and Nathan tightened his grip. “Shh, we’re coming into port. See? It’s fine.”

She climbed off his lap and checked the window. He was right. Lights from the shore pierced the darkness. Her knees gave out, but Nathan was there behind her. He stayed close by while she changed into warm, dry clothes, and he did the same. Not soon enough, they were back on solid ground and headed to his house. Nathan laced his fingers with hers, sitting beside her.

“I hope the storm didn’t ruin the day for you.”

She thought of his offer and shook her head. “No, that didn’t ruin it.”

He appeared about to ask if she insinuated something else did, but thought better of it. Good. She didn’t feel like talking about being his mistress. Not that she had any intention of saying yes. The answer would be no despite how much she enjoyed his touch. Nathan needed a woman impressed with his money enough to go after it any way she could. She was not the one. If he wanted arm candy, let him find it elsewhere. This week was the beginning and end for her, and then back to reality.

Chapter Eight

No matter how many times Alyssa told Nathan nothing bothered her, he knew she lied. She’d felt distant most of the day and even turned away from his advances toward having sex the night before. He’d thought they had moved past the pretense that the attraction between them was feigned. They wanted each other. They had tasted and touched and explored. He desired more, and so did she. So why did she turn him down?

The fact that she grew restless but refused to explain her emotional state drove him crazy and heightened his anger. Was it the offer to become his mistress that upset her? She could say no. He would not like it, but he would accept her decision.

Frustration drove him to invite her to attend a party at a business associate’s hotel. Maybe getting out of the house would help. Finding her by the pool, talking to his mother, he leaned over Alyssa and kissed her hair. He paused to breathe in her scent. Damn, she smelled good, like honey and brown sugar. Perhaps it was his imagination, or his cock, because he grew tight every time he neared her. His beauty’s smooth cocoa skin drew his hands and beckoned to his lips to taste, but he gave in to no more than a stroke along her arm as he sat down.

“Excuse me, ladies,” he said, “enjoying the day?”

“Of course, more with you here.” Alyssa glanced up at him with such an expression of adoration he lost his train of thought. Then it occurred to him she was a pretty good actress.

His mother stood. “I’m going to let you lovebirds enjoy yourselves while I go check on Dad. He should be waking from his nap soon.”

“Mom, you don’t have to leave on my account,” Nathan assured her.

“Nonsense. I was young once, and I’ve been monopolizing all of Alyssa’s time today. I know she missed you when you were gone.” His mother kissed them both and disappeared inside the house. He turned back to Alyssa, but she’d already risen and walked to the pool’s edge to dip her toe in. The knot of frustration wound tighter around him.

“Would you like to attend a beach party with me tonight?”

She turned glowing eyes to him, and a smile transformed her already beautiful face. A wayward dark brown curl bounced between her eyes, and she brushed it away absently. He’d noticed her hair started out very black, but now the sun had browned it a bit. Something tightened in his chest watching her.

“Seriously? A beach party?”

Relief flooded him at her excitement. “Yes, I take it you want to go?”

“Ah, yeah!” She laughed. “When do you need me ready? I can wear one of the sundresses I bought, maybe the blue one.”

He mentally went through all the clothing she’d shown him from her shopping experience and what she’d brought from New York. While he let his mind wander during the times his mother showed off her purchases, Alyssa had captured his interest, and he’d imagined her wearing each piece she had held up for him to see. Well, that and him peeling them off. “How about the green one with the low cut in the front?”

Her eyebrows rose. “That’s so formal.”

---