He wanted sex. Wanted to breed her. That was the end goal. Right now, she wouldn’t even complain.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Something different.” He winked at her.
“Are you going to tell me?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said.
Drake got up and began shutting down his equipment. That usually meant he was done for the day. He rarely ended the workday early, so she was interested in his plans. She knew exactly how kinky he could get.
He didn’t give up anything. Even during the drive away from the office building.
She didn’t recognize the route he’d taken. Then she saw the water in the distance as he passed a security gate into a harbor. When he’d lowered his window to show his ID, the scent of the ocean filled the car. She breathed it all in.
He parked and then came around to help her out. Rather than lead her away, he pressed her against the side of the car. Drake cupped her face. “I don’t know how many times I have to say sorry, Mira. Nothing I do seems to get through to you. I’m trying my hardest to make amends … to show you I’m different.” He kissed her lips once. “Do you think you’ll ever be able to forgive me? To love me?”
She felt the weight of the world on her. Drake wasn’t a bully anymore, not with her, anyway. Not like in high school. Nigel had gotten her into this position. Shouldn’t she hate Drake forever for blackmailing her into making his babies?
But what if she wanted to be his now? Did that make it better?
Her conscience constantly played in her head to the point she didn’t know how she should feel anymore.
Mira wanted to fall in love, to have the happily ever after. Could that ever happen with Drake when their relationship started with a contract?
“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I’m trying my best.”
He nodded, and the disappointment on his face made her sad. Drake took her hand. They walked toward the water. The sound of the waves lapping the dock was mesmerizing.
“There it is,” he said.
He was referring to the beautiful yacht tied to the end of the peer. It looked like something out of a magazine or maybe a James Bond film.
“What am I looking at exactly?”
“I’ve charted a boat … for us. It’s fully stocked.” Then he took her other hand, holding them both as they faced each other. “Stop pushing me away, Mira. I want to be everything you need.”
****
Even though Mira allowed him to play with her, to fuck her, her heart wasn’t in it. He was at the point now that sex wasn’t satisfying, not when there was no reciprocation. Yes, he wanted Mira, but now he needed more. The original contract had gone way beyond breeding and ownership. He wanted it all. And most importantly, he wanted her to love him.
He was trying, but she kept pushing him away at every turn. Today, he was going to go all out, to try to make a connection with his woman. They’d missed out on all the natural courting, so he hoped that was the missing element. If she wanted romance, he’d give it to her.
“I honestly don’t think I’ve even been on a boat. Certainly not one like this.”
“It’ll be fun,” he said.
He helped her aboard, her hand tight around his when the boat moved slightly on the waves. Drake had gone all out, making sure everything would be perfect. He hoped it would be enough to win her heart.
There was a lot he needed to handle at the office after his meeting, and even more so with that bitch Katherine. He had a few women stalking him, the money-hungry ones who didn’t take no for an answer. He’d dated Katherine three times over a year ago, and she kept showing up in his life even though he’d made it clear he wasn’t interested. She’d fucked a few of his high-profile clients and friends. If it was to make him jealous, it sure as hell wasn’t working. He couldn’t stand the sight of her anymore.
There was no doubt in his mind the woman Mira came across today was Katherine. Now she’d gone too far. She was more than an annoyance, and she’d be sorry for messing with his woman. There was no way he’d compromise on Mira’s safety.
They took a seat on the sofa at the rear of the boat, and Drake signaled to the captain that they were ready to head out. Mira held on to his arm as the boat powered up and headed to sea. He hadn’t stopped thinking of her all these years. To have her next to him made his life feel complete.
Her long blonde hair blew back with the wind. The smile on her face made her even more beautiful. He wanted to see it more often. He’d been such as asshole, but when he wanted something, he was used to getting his way. Business was one thing, but he knew now that relationships had to be handled with more tact.
“Like it?” he said.
“I love it. It’s so beautiful out here.”
The water was like blue glass with the light wind, hardly a cloud in the sky. Now that they’d put distance between them and the harbor, forested islands dotted the landscape.
He watched Mira, savoring the innocent wonder in her eyes. Her life had been too hard, and he wanted to change that.
“Hungry?” he asked a while later.
“I only had a coffee early this morning,” she said. “I’m kind of starving.” She giggled.
“Good, because the chef has our lunch ready upstairs.”
“The chef?”
“Only the best for you, Mira.”
He assisted her to the upper deck where
