Page 120 of Paparazzi Perfect
Stretching my towel out across the wooden deck, I stared dreamily up at the clouds shifting through endless shapes.
So this is what bliss feels like.I wanted to remember this feeling forever. Closing my eyes, the sun warmed my skin against the cool breeze.
“Hey, beautiful,” a familiar voice soothed a fewminutes later.
I opened my eyes and raised a hand to shield them from the sun. As I sat up, smiling up at his powerful frame, my breath caught in my throat, and I patted the towel beside me for him to join me.
“So, I hope you’re not scared off after our conversation last night,” he said, his face aglow.
“I thought I might have dreamed it,” I said, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face. “And no. Living together sounds as wonderful today as it did when you asked me last night.”
A flock of birds squawked overhead. As we stared into the distance a landmass caught my eye. “Oh, look!” I pointed as it came into view.
“Ahh, Sydney Heads. The gateway to the harbor. We’re almost there,” Karson said, standing and looking closer.
When I jumped to my feet, he stepped behind me, cloaking me in his arms as we watched the rocky escarpment grow larger.
“So, do you think it’s been aprettygooddo-over, Firefly?” One corner of his mouth tugged up.
“Pretty good?” I said indignantly. “Agreatdo-over, more like it,” I breathed, pulling his arms tighter around me. “Even better than the first one.”
“Ahh, the perfect do-over.” He chuckled lightly. “Would spending almost every minute in the cabin have anything to do with that?”
“You got me.” I laughed, grabbing the rail as we rose and dipped over the waves. “And this boat is unbelievable… just like home, except better.”
“Especially now we’ve christened it… but I think we should create a few more memories before we dock.” He traced the back of his hand along my thigh.
“Oh, you think so, huh?” I covered his hand with mine.
“I know so.” He reached beneath my top, his hand trailing upward before cupping my breast softly.
As I turned to face him, the boat lurched violently, throwing me off-balance.
“I gotcha,” he said, circling me in his arms again as the boat settled into a steady rhythm and we looked out over the sea.
I dragged myself from the hypnotic pull of the waves. “We’re almost there,” I murmured. “So, what’s the plan? Are we staying on the boat while we’re in Sydney?”
He chuckled. “If you’re okay with it, I’d love that,” he said, the light catching in his eyes and turning them as blue as the sky above.
“I could stay on the boat forever and be okay with it.”
He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it, his face lighting up a moment later. “By the way, did I mention I’m taking you shopping when we get there?”
“Shopping?” I repeated, surprised.
“For some clothes. Not that I don’t”—he smirked—“lovethis look on you. But lesson learned,neversend the chauffeur to buy clothes.”
“Hey! I think I pull off the retired sailor look pretty well.” I struck a pose, running my hand over the oversized aqua-and-yellow spray jacket that clashed perfectly with my red-and-white-striped capri pants.
He shook his head, laughing.
“But yes, something in my actual size that looks absolutelynothinglikethese would be great.” I giggled, tugging up the oversized pants.
“Sorry, I guess Maurice’s taste is more…”
“Geriatric?” I smiled. “It’s all good, he did his best and he’s a sweetheart. Besides, I’ve barely needed clothes.”
“Good point.” He cast me a smoldering glance. “Any complaints?”
