Her breath caught, but she said hesitantly, “I’m not sure.”
“Fuck if you’re not. Tell me you don’t feel anything.” Enveloping her other hand in his large grip, he dipped his head until their eyes were level—deep, vivid blue and a warm, unshadowed gold. “Tell me you’re not touched by the mythical electricity.”
She slowly exhaled. “I’d prefer not going there.”
“Don’t tell me the lady who advised me not to be spooked is afraid of a little romance?” Pulling her closer so their bodies lightly met, he smiled. “Come on, take the leap. It could be an incredible rush.”
It helped that she felt the hard, solid strength of his body, so she was reminded who he was and what he was; how she’d seen him casually rising from the sofa not long ago with another woman. “You and romance? Seriously? You’d have to have a personality change from what I hear.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” he said, brusquely dismissive. “And this is different. We both know that. Maybe we should Google romance and set up a game plan for novices,” he suggested, only half in jest.
“Speaking of game plans within the realm of possibility,” Nicole said drily, “I do have to let my friend Fiona know I’m staying over. And—in the event even some of the gossip about you is true—just a quick FYI. I don’t take orders.”
“You never know,” he said, smoothly.
She jerked her hands free and frowned. “No, I know.”
“I can change your mind,” he contradicted. She didn’t so much as blink. He liked that she wasn’t intimidated.
“I’m not here alone.” She lifted her chin in willful challenge. “Fiona’s with me.”
“It doesn’t matter.” His lashes dropped infinitesimally. “At all.”
“Because this yacht is yours, the crew is yours—”
“And I can buy anything and anyone,” he finished softly.
Her skin prickled. But a second later she reminded herself that her uncle Dominic had given her a glimpse into both the joy and misery of great wealth and power. “Look,” she said, briskly, “I don’t care if you can paper the world in money, but Fiona needs a heads-up.”
“Then I’ll have someone tell her.” A brief, perfunctory statement.
“No.” Her voice was curt. “I’ll tell her. She has my phone too by the way. I need it.”
Rafe was in no rush to exert his authority. Hell, it might be interesting to show this blue-eyed beauty the finite details apropos who did what to whom. “Suit yourself.” His voice was urbane, his smile well-mannered. “Would you like me to find someone to entertain your friend?”
She grinned. “You know when to stop pushing.”
He inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. “I do.” He laughed. “But don’t get reckless.”
“I hope that’s not part of the orders.”
Her smile dazzled and for a split second it bothered him that she handled herself so well. But a split second later he reminded himself that he wasn’t looking for innocence; he never had. “Of course not,” he said, polite as hell. “Now does your friend need my help?”
“No thanks,” Nicole answered because she could be polite too when she wanted something. “Fiona likes to make her own selections from the titled ranks. It’s her thing this summer.”
“Then she’s in the right place. There’s a full range of titles on board. If she needs any introductions, I’d be more than happy to oblige. Tell her you’ll be gone for a while though.” He smiled. “I have plans for us—with your approval, of course,” he added smoothly.
Nicole grinned. “Women don’t talk back to you much, do they?”
“Not often, no.”
“And if they do?”
A small pause before he said, “It depends.”
“On?”
She was fearless. He smiled. “What I want.”
“I may want things too,” she warned. “So you still have time to change your mind.”
But you don’t. “I think I can deal with it.” A quick flash of white teeth. “I’m a problem solver.”
“Speaking of problems,” Nicole said, suddenly groaning. “I have five brothers and sisters and a mom and dad who like to be involved in my life. So I’ll have to coordinate stories with Fiona. My mother calls at least once a day, usually more often.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m an only child—sort of,” he added. “My mother remarried after my father died and I now have a stepbrother. But Mother’s also part of the business—always has been—and we stay in touch. But I’ll be quiet when you’re on the phone and vice versa.”