Grateful but hot, I unbutton the denim jacket Margot gave me, glad to have a breast pocket with a button to slip my ring into. The damn thing is so loose, the heavy diamond’s bound to be a casualty of sailing as I work the ropes. Though having it fly off my finger and lost forever like a Titanic treasure has just become my next favorite fantasy.
And Margot’s heavy jacket really isn’t necessary. The day is warm and bright, and I’m getting more of a workout than I have in a while.
I do my best to keep up with Austin, who isn’t holding back. He’s running me through so many tasks after we cast off, his passion is contagious. With all the quick moves and strength needed to maneuver the boat as it speeds out to sea, the bulk of the denim coverup gets in my way. Mindful of Margot’s loaner, I carefully set it aside.
With the spray of the ocean at every turn, and the warmth of the California sun on my face, there’s no denying it. I’m spoiled for life, and even more so as Austin promptly refills my champagne for the fourth time. If he keeps this up, I’ll have to pee, and I have no idea where the bathroom is on this thing. But hell, another glass of champagne in, and I’m not above plopping my ass off the starboard bow and peeing like nature intended.
“This is amazing,” I say loudly, shouting to compensate for the gusts of wind and crashing of waves against the bow. Or because all this champagne makes me loud.
“I’m glad you enjoy it.”
“I think I’m addicted,” I say as Austin secures a final stretch of rope.
“Well, it’s easy to do with a boat this size.”
“You’re an amazing teacher. Seems like you’d be more Navy than Army with this skill set.”
“So, you know I was Army. Now who’s stalking much?”
“Excuse me?” I wave an accusatory finger right in his face. “Who’s got a go army, beat navy sticker on his motorcycle helmet? Sure, it’s small, but I did see it. I’m half surprised I didn’t see Property of US Army tattooed on that springboard of an ass of yours.”
His lip curls into the sexiest half smile I’ve ever seen. “It’s tattooed somewhere else.”
As we laugh, his smile fills me with something. Something stupid. Like, imagining an alternate universe where a guy like Austin sweeps me off my feet as we sail into the sunset. Another sip of champagne, and I realize we are sailing off into the sunset. Just him and me.
Thoughts of Dimitri intrude on this fantasy, and for a million reasons I can’t vocalize, I’m itching to do something daring. Impulsive. And shed about two ounces of flawless cushion-cut brilliance that’s been dragging me down for months.
“Evie?” Austin stares at me with questioning eyes and a curious grin. “Are you okay?”
I’m not sure okay is the right term. I’m trapped in an engagement to the catch of the millennium, yet with every fiber of my being, I know it’s wrong. And maybe, for once in my life, I can make a decision for myself with blatant disregard for the consequences.
Maybe it’s the sea air. Or maybe it’s being this close to this kind of a man. A man who couldn’t give two shits about status or power, or least of all money. A man who is in the here and now, enjoying a sail on a sunny day.
Or maybe it’s just the booze.
Whatever it is, it’s about to make me do something I know I’ll regret when I return to Dallas. I know it’ll create the media shitstorm of the century. And I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, it’ll end my engagement in the worst possible way.
But right now, it’s going to feel fucking fabulous.
Determined, I hand Austin my glass of champagne, standing proud and tall before him. Then I pick up the denim jacket and delightedly toss it into the sea. Ten-carat ring and all.
Confused, Austin stands there scratching his head. “I thought you and Margot were close.”
“We are.” I sigh with relief. “But she’ll understand.” Turning, I retrieve my glass of champagne and lift it high in a toast to the lone jacket bobbing on the sparkling waves of the sea.
Austin’s brow wrinkles with concern. His hands wrap around my arms, and his stern gaze captures mine.
“Evie, what—” But as his hands slide down my arms to my hands, his gaze drops, and his head snaps up to scan the sparkling waves with alarm. “Fuck!”
Releasing me, he kicks off his deck shoes and strips off his jeans and shirt as I gawk from the buzz of champagne. That and because he’s buck naked again, and unbelievably hot.
Commando? Really? Oh. My God.
Before I know what’s happening, Austin leaps off the boat, diving into the ocean and swimming with all his might in long, controlled strokes.
I’m too stunned for words. He’s still moving fervently to the jacket—which surprisingly is floating—but farther and farther away from the boat. Helpless, I realize as I watch that the distance between him and the boat has grown too far, too fast.
Panicked, I flip through mental flash cards of his lessons, and do everything I can to drop the sails and slow the boat from speeding away. Next, I grab the wheel, controlling the glide enough that the massive boat has at least turned back some as it coasts along.
Built like an Olympic athlete, Austin somehow manages to catch up.
I toss the life ring as far as I can, desperate to help, and thank my lucky stars that it lands close enough so his arms loop through it within seconds. Hauling in the rope length by length, I manage to pull him toward the sailboat with a speed that I can only attribute to the flood of adrenaline pumping through my veins.
He’s winded but refuses my hand, pulling himself on board without assistance. Dropping the soaked jacket at my feet, he coughs, gasping to catch his breath before snatching up a towel to wrap around his waist.
When Austin finally manages words, they’re harsh. “What the hell were you thinking?”
The glare he turns on me hardens his expression so much that I have no choice but to look away. Then I walk to the far end of the boat where I curl myself up on the cushioned seating, stare off at the ocean, and wish like a child that I could start this day again.
He could have—
Cutting off that horrible thought, I fix my eyes onto the horizon, staring at nothing.
The sun is setting, painting the sky in a rich array of oranges and golds, blending with the deepening blues and streams of purple. It’s beautiful. And in the glow of the warmest sunset I’ve ever seen, I’m cold, and so empty and alone, I can barely breathe.
Austin’s hand lands gently on my shoulder, and now it’s my turn to shrug him away. I don’t mean to, but the booze messes with me. Or maybe it’s the guilt.
I don’t deserve his kindness or friendship, or even his sympathy. Getting to him before something happened was a miracle, but the outcome could have been so much worse, and all because of me.
Tenderly, his arms wrap around me, not letting me go as my weak attempt to free myself dissipates. My body is swallowed by his heat. And for all the wrong reasons, I don’t want to push him away. I just want this man to hold me.
I take a few long sniffs to avoid a tidal wave of tears. “I’m s-s-s . . .” I take a deep breath and try again. “I’m s-sorry.”
“Shhh,” he whispers against my hair. “It’s fine. You, um, did good for your first time. Dropped the sails and managed the rudder like a pro. You’re a fast learner, and you think on your feet.”
Austin’s light peck against my hair is as innocent as they come, and I don’t move because I need this. Need him to not be upset with me. Need him to just hold me for as long as he can.
As the daylight fades and the boat drifts along with no direction or momentum, I relax back against this man who’s been letting me lean into him. Stroking his arm, I feel the damp sleeve of a shirt he threw on when he was obviously still soaking wet.
The question I don’t want an answer to pushes past my lips. “Why’d you do it, Austin? Why would you care what I do with that ring?”