Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“Sorry,” he said when he realized I was standing there with his chair pulled out for him.
I shook my head. “I’ll wait as long as you want me to.”
His eyes widened at those words, but I didn’t correct any impression he might’ve gotten because I meant the words in every way possible.
Once we were both seated, I ordered cocktails for us to enjoy while Laurie took in the view.
When our waiter returned with the drinks, I looked Laurie. “Would you like an appetizer?”
“Yes, please.”
“Tell me what you want.”
I saw his eyes widen as I hoped they would when I echoed the words I’d spoken in bed. Several moments passed before he looked down at the menu. I didn’t mind that he was reluctant to take his eyes off me. I could wait all night for him to make his decision.
“I’d like the crab cakes.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll put those in right away.”
Laurie looked concerned as our server hurried off toward the kitchen. “If you wanted something else—”
I held up my hand. “This is about you, remember? This whole evening is about what you want.”
The crab cakes came out quickly. The service here was always impeccable, and I had the advantage of being a respected customer. The staff also knew how to give diners time with each course. I knew that no one would bother us until I signaled to our server.
I smiled at Laurie. “We can go as slowly as you want tonight.” Was every single word out of my mouth going to be an innuendo?
“We can?” His breathless voice made my body tighten.
“We have the table for the night. We can have as many courses and as many drinks as we like, and you can spend all the time you want looking out at the beautiful water.”
“Thank you. For everything.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
He took a bite of one of the silver dollar-sized crab cakes drizzled with mango sauce. “These are incredible.”
The pure joy on his face made my heart skip a beat. “I’ve never had anything here I didn’t like, but you’re right, these are delightful.”
Laurie took a sip of his mai tai and glanced around the dining room, then back at me. “I’m not used to eating in a place like this. I feel like I’m going to do something wrong or say the wrong thing.”
“Do whatever you want. It’s fine. You’re with me and no one would dare say a thing.”
“I’m sure you know all the etiquette rules, so it’s fine for you, but….”
I slid a hand over his. “You don’t know anyone here besides me, and I’m not going to judge you. If it makes you more comfortable, just ask me if you’re unsure.”
“I feel so out of place.”
“You belong here as much as I do. You’re with me, and you don’t have to worry about anything. I’ll take care of it all. Remember, tonight is for you.”
Laurie sipped his cocktail again, and I shifted to look out the window. I pointed to some of the yachts we could see. “I have one very similar to the second one from the right.”
His eyes widened. “Wow, that one’s enormous.”
“She’s a really good size. I’d love to take you out on her someday.”
“I’ve never even been on a boat other than a little paddle boat at a park and one failed attempt with a canoe.”
There were so many experiences I wanted to give him. “You absolutely deserve to experience real sailing.”
“I would like to know what that feels like, but you don’t need to go to any more trouble for me.”
“It’s no trouble. I love sailing. Looking out over the ocean makes me feel so free. I can easily adjust our flights home.”
“What?”
“I’ll get us new tickets, and we can fly to Nassau where my yacht is docked. We’ll take her around for a few days, put her in at my slip in Miami, and fly home from there.”
“You’re absolutely serious, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am.”
I watched as he looked longingly at the yachts in the harbor. “I’m going make the arrangements right now, or rather I’ll contact someone who will make them for me.”
He ate another of the delicious crab cakes while I made a call to set the plans in motion.
Was I really taking him on my yacht, extending the trip? What would happen then? Eventually, the vacation had to end.
He would stay with me. One way or another that was going to be how this ended. There weren’t any other acceptable options. Fuck, I sounded like Miles.
I helped Laurie choose an entrée. He couldn’t decide between the lobster tail and the mahi-mahi. I made the decision easy by ordering both and saying we could share them.
After we’d had a chance to try everything, I asked, “If you could move anywhere you wanted to after this, where would it be?”