Page 60 of Unbound Boxset

CHAPTER TEN

Her soft-soled shoes made no noise as she walked down the dock. The sound of boats gently bobbing in the water echoed on the soft breeze. A perfect summer night for a sail. Julianna wiped her damp palms down the sides of her gauzy cocoa skirt and cursed herself for acting like a sex-starved groupie. Why was she nervous? She’d done things with this man she never thought possible—including letting him lick maple syrup from her body, inch by inch. She had no shame left.

But tonight felt different.

She’d sail on his boat. Spend time in his sacred space. A bond with this man would make it more impossible to be unaffected when he walked away. For the past week, she’d been allowed to explore the secret depths of the woman she was and always dreamed to be. He stripped her clothes to reveal her body, but each hour she spent with him tore more of the barriers away.

When had it morphed into more than sex?

She nibbled her lip and thought over the last few nights with him. Wrung out and sated, he always held her in his arms and they talked. With darkness cloaking them, naked limbs entwined under the sheets, she shared things about herself usually kept hidden. His razor-like focus while he listened gave her a sense of feeling seen and heard for the first time. The aching loneliness eased, and was replaced with a burning need for more of him.

His touch. His stare. His words.

His heart.

As much as she rationalized it, Jack Wolfe had carved away a part of her soul. She’d never forget him or the time spent transforming the Cliff House from a prison into freedom. She was changing more each day, but the goal remained the same.

Her relationship with Bryce changed everything.

Things were getting more serious. All the core elements were there for them to move forward. His last conversation hinted about the importance of obtaining a virtuous wife. She assumed he’d done a background check on her and found everything in order. The only item she’d lied about was Jack and her secret sexual affair.

Tonight may be their last night together. She needed to break things off with Jack.

Julianna watched a lone dark figure make his way down the dock to meet her. Clad in white shorts, a button-down khaki cotton shirt, and boat shoes, he struck her as a rich socialite taking a spin on his yacht. He moved like royalty, with no apology and no hesitation. His sheer masculine presence whipped out and caught her in a painful grip, and Julianna realized she’d never met a man who connected with her on such a sensual level. Instead of sating her craving, he only inspired more hunger.

“Good evening.”

His husky whisper rose up to her ears in a caress. “Good evening,” she said.

“Follow me.” He led her down to the pier and stopped in front of an older schooner. The elegant lines and chipped paint clearly showed an old lover who held more emotional attachment than of value. A hand-painted sign proudly bestowed the name THE PRINCE. “This is it. Not much, but it’s gotten me where I wanted to go and never let me down.”

She smiled at his possessive words and motioned to the sign. “Care to elaborate?”

“Absolutely not. Let’s just say it’s an old family joke.”

Julianna perched on the edge of the dock and watched him ready the boat for sail. He moved with a seamless grace, his fingers capably pulling and untying ropes, his steps sure as he moved over the wet floor. He jumped lightly down and put out his hand. Julianna waited for the verbal invitation needed to be spoken in the boating world, like a vampire needs permission to enter a home.

“Come aboard.”

She gave him her hand, and hated the instant sizzle of naked skin against hers, his thumb automatically rubbing into her palm to prolong the sensation. Her feet hit the deck and she withdrew. He allowed her the space and led her through the cabin for a quick tour.

The schooner was small and well built. Bright white canvas sails adorned the sleek, rich wood. His space seemed functional but nothing more, and Julianna assumed he barely had enough money to survive from town to town. Definitely Peter Pan syndrome. Why else would a grown man refuse to get a job, have a family, and settle down? Still, she tried not to judge because her life was the complete opposite, and not her choice.

On the open deck, he’d set up a small folding table with a white cloth. Wine chilled in a bucket alongside crab and fresh corn on the cob. Paper napkins and utensils completed the casual dinner.

“I hope you don’t mind eating before our sail. I had back-to-back jobs today so I didn’t have time to eat.”

“No, it’s perfect. Looks wonderful.”

The moon hung in a perfect crescent and fought with an array of stars. The breeze blew light, with a crisp sting that kept the body alert. She watched him pour wine and serve while she enjoyed the gentle sway of the boat and the endless blackness of ocean spread before her. They nibbled on crab and sipped wine in silence before he asked the question.

“Julianna, would you take off your top?”

Her glass paused in midair. “Excuse me?”

His smile was pure amusement and wicked intent. “You heard me.”

“Someone will see.”