Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Do you have to test me at every turn? Let’s try this the simple way. Thank you, sir. I’m so grateful you’re going to take me out on your fancy yacht. How can I repay you?”
“You want me to say that?” I can hear her amusement.
“Sí, start there, and then I’ll see if I want you to throw in a few pleases and thank-yous. That one ‘sir’ might not be enough for me.”
“I already forgot it. Here, say it again and I’ll write it down.”
“Isabel.”
“Yes, sir?”
“I’ll see you at nine forty-five.”
“Your boat better be massive.”
And then she hangs up, leaving me looking down at my phone completely mystified.
Joder.
Chapter Thirteen
Isabel
Party on a yacht is the tenth item on Winnie’s bucket list, and I’m about to cross it off. A laugh bubbles out of me when our driver parks near the dock and I get my first good look at Cristiano’s yacht. It’s a floating city. Long, sleek, four stories high, and accented in the same gunmetal gray as his SUV. It’s a superyacht fit for a supervillain.
Winnie, do you see this? I should get bonus points…
Felix and Ethan lose it as we walk down the dock. Apparently there are rumors at Aura about Cristiano and all his toys. There’s speculation on what this yacht cost, and when they repeat the staggering figure, even I stutter-step. I’m astounded he’s managed so much as a self-made man.
Mr. Yachty himself is waiting for us at the gangway that extends from the dock to the deck, and though the uniformed crew in their starched white shirts helps everyone else board, Cristiano steps forward to take my hand and help me down. His grip is ridiculously large, just like his boat.
“You said it was small.”
“Compared to other boats, it is.”
I laugh as I slip my hand out of his grip, wondering how long he planned to hold on to me. “Yes. Compared to an aircraft carrier it’s a wee little thing.”
Simone overhears me and laughs.
While everyone’s distracted, I chance a peek at Cristiano. He’s wearing a simple black shirt and black swim trunks. He looks so fit and foreboding. I only manage to peel my gaze away from him in time to see Juan Carlos step forward alongside a bikini-clad Daniella.
I should have realized she would be here. I pulled my tricks—bringing Ethan and Felix—and apparently Cristiano couldn’t resist some of his own. I look to him for confirmation, but his brow is furrowed and he shakes his head at me, just once. It’s a silent communication I’m not quite sure I can trust. Did he not invite her?
Juan Carlos introduces himself to the guys, gifting me a warm smile, another attempt at an apology for last night, I think. Then he introduces Daniella to everyone.
When our eyes lock, she laughs. “Oh, you’re the server from Aura. The martini girl! God, you couldn’t get that drink right, could you?”
Annika stiffens beside me, offended on my behalf, but Daniella’s comment doesn’t bother me. It’s clear she wants to shrink me down to nothing, but being a server at Aura this summer is a dream come true for me. It’s a privilege to be here, working as the martini girl instead of where Winnie is.
I ignore her and look back at Cristiano. “Where should we stow our stuff?”
A crew member hears my question and hurries forward, taking our things and offering up two options: We can join a tour of the boat, or we can go straight to enjoying the light bites and cocktails up on the aft deck.
Felix and Ethan want the tour, but Simone, Annika, and I opt for food and drinks. I haven’t had breakfast yet and I’m starving. Juan Carlos and Cristiano join the guys, which means Daniella also joins the guys, her bikini showing off every inch of her curvy figure as she hurries behind them.
Simone eyes her with frigid annoyance.
“She’s awful,” she says with a hiss as the three of us follow the crew member leading us to the deck. “What was the point of making a comment like that about you? In front of everyone?”
“It didn’t bother me. She’s just after Cristiano.”
“Oh.” Simone laughs. “Of course. And he wants you, so she’s miffed.”
My eyes widen and I nudge my head toward the person ahead of us to remind her there are others listening in on this conversation. I lower my voice when I reply, “He does not want me.”
“Oh, he wants you,” Annika confirms casually as she scopes out our surroundings. “You two are dancing around each other, but you will absolutely make out with that man before the day is done, mark my words. Jeez, this boat is nice.”
I’m barely registering it.
Does Cristiano want me?
He’s made it clear he’s hovering around me as a favor to our grandmothers, and though I’ve enjoyed our banter, it could easily be written off as harmless fun, not flirting. I wish I had an objective opinion outside of Annika’s and Simone’s. There’s no way I’m trusting them in this situation; they’re seeing what they want to see.