“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. I just….” She glanced at the large flat-screen on the wall. “It’s lovely. You’ve done really well for yourself, Ronan.”
I didn’t want to have this fucking conversation, but I also didn’t want it hanging over my head. “I don’t make what you do, not even close. But if you decided to walk away from all of your money, I’m more than capable of supporting you.”
Her eyes went wide. “No, please, you misunderstand. I wasn’t implying that you couldn’t. It’s just….” She waved her hand around, then she laughed with embarrassment. “It’s hard to forget where I come from when I’m with you. The past and the present seem to blend into one, and I was honestly looking around at everything through the eyes of a girl who grew up on the streets in Trinidad. Ten years ago, I could not have imagined this to be your life.” She smiled shyly. “You really did do well for yourself, Ronan. I’m happy for you.”
Uncomfortable with the compliment, especially coming from her, I didn’t reply. I also had to admit that ten years ago I couldn’t have imagined her life either. “I’ll start the shower.” Stepping past her, my mood suddenly shit, I walked into the head.
“How long have you had the boat?” she asked, calling after me.
I didn’t give her eye contact, and I didn’t correct her. “I commissioned it nineteen months ago and took possession eleven months after that.” But I’d been on a waiting list for a slip in this marina for five years. I turned the water on and stepped out of the glass-enclosed shower.
She stood by the door. “There’s even a bench built into the shower.” She glanced around the head.
I didn’t tell her I’d had it added, or that I’d specified the shower be built to accommodate two people. I was pissed about her comment about the cost of the Carver, and I didn’t like that the exchange of power was slipping to her court because of the size of a fucking bank account. I especially didn’t like it when it was the two of us alone.
I made to step past her to run back up to the galley to get us a couple of waters, but she stopped me with a hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”
The sudden urge to throw her against the wall and pin her arms was so goddamn overwhelming, I fisted my hands. This wasn’t how I imagined having her here would go. I wasn’t going to discuss money with her or the cost of the Carver or any other bullshit. I could take care of her. Not in a lifestyle with private jets or five-figure outfits, but she’d never go hungry or be without.
Her face pinched with concern, she stroked my arm. “Please, tell me what I did wrong.”
The fact that she thought she did something wrong only made me angrier. “Get undressed and get in the shower. I’ll be back in a minute.” I didn’t wait to see if she complied.
I got the fuck out of there.
Except I didn’t go the galley. I kept fucking moving until I was on the deck, pacing, and a figure stepped out the shadows on the dock.
Ty snorted. “You look like I fucking feel.”
“Yeah, how’s that?”
He smirked. “Like you need to smoke something or shoot something.”
“I don’t do drugs.”
He snorted out a laugh. “I’m talking about a fucking cigarette, not weed. I don’t fuck with that shit.” He nodded toward the boat. “How’s the famous singer?”
For a second, I didn’t know if he was being a dick or honestly asking.
“She looked pretty thrown when you brought her out,” he added.
I glanced back toward the galley to see if she’d followed before looking back at Ty. “She’s fine.” I was the one who was fucked-up.
“And you?” he asked.
I didn’t discuss personal shit with anyone. Not when I was younger, not in the Marines and not now. But I was fucked in the head enough tonight to open my mouth. “What do you think her net worth is?”
Ty laughed. “More than we’ll make in a hundred lifetimes.”
That’s what I was afraid of.
“But who fucking cares?” Ty shrugged. “Fuck her, feed her, treat her right.”
I didn’t know if it was the most appalling thing I’d ever heard him say or the best worst advice I’d ever gotten. I decided on neither. “She’s not a dog.”
He shrugged again. “She’s also not shacked up for the night with your brother or any other sorry loser. So count your fucking blessings. And for the record, your brother has a screw loose.”
Like Ty didn’t, but I didn’t argue the point. “Any paparazzi out there?”
“No.” Ty glanced up the dock. “Pussies are afraid of a little wind. It’s been quiet.” He looked back at me. “Can’t say what daybreak will bring though.” He scanned the marina. “Long-term, this isn’t a secure place to bring someone with her level of fame.”
Which was the exact other shit revelation I was stressing over. “I know.”
Ty nodded. “Good. Just making sure you’re not thinking with your dick, because the second word gets out she’s here, it’ll be like flies on shit. The water access alone will be a nightmare to contain.”
Fuck. “You’re not making me feel better.”
“Didn’t know it was in my job description.”
“It’s not.” Ty took some getting used to, but I appreciated his candor.
He smirked. “Glad we got that sorted. Now quit being a pussy and get back inside.”
I shook my head and palmed the handle on the slider.
“Nice boat, by the way. Didn’t know you lived here.”
“Not a boat,” I corrected. “Yacht.” I stepped inside and closed the door on Ty’s sardonic laugh.
Grabbing two waters, I headed back to the cabin and set the bottles down to strip. Then I stared at the gorgeous woman in my shower who was turned away from me, and I realized how right Ty was.
I did need to count my fucking blessings.
She was here.
My Songbird.
And I wasn’t letting her go. Not again.
Stepping into the shower behind her, I swept her wet hair over her shoulder and away from her neck.
She startled, but then she leaned back into me and looked up. “Hi.”
Her eyelashes wet, her hair slicked back, water raining down on her bare breasts, she was so goddamn beautiful. My cock hard just looking at her, it took every ounce of control I had not to bend her over the bench and sink inside her tight cunt. “You’re mine.”
Her arm came up and she grasped the back of my neck. “Since the first day I saw you.”
I admitted a truth. “I don’t want to share you.”
Frowning, she dropped her arm and turned to face me. “You don’t have to.”
“When we’re alone, no I don’t. But beyond these decks, I do.” And I needed to reconcile that. Fast.
The lines between her eyebrows didn’t ease. “I’ll do my best to keep you away—”
I put my fingers over her lips. “You won’t do anything except be yourself. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Her hands landed on my biceps, and I liked how she always reached for me there. Whether she realized it or not, she was reaching for my strength. And that’s exactly what I wanted to be for her. Her strength.