Chapter 15

Jaxon

He probably shouldn’t have told her the truth.

He wasn’t sure if admitting that he wanted to break her would help him have sex with Mia. But as the rest of the date continued, she didn’t act differently, just her usual sarcastic humor with a couple of jibes at his masculinity whenever she could get one in. He didn’t care. 

The whole time Mia attempted to show him her assertiveness she wore a gown he bought her. It was a gold strapless lace that formed tight all the way to the middle of her thighs and then flared out like a mermaid’s tail.

“And now I’m Ariel, your little mermaid?” she’d said as she left the dressing room.

Jaxon placed his finger against his forehead. “Wait, don’t tell me. What was the hero’s name? Prince Eric.”

“I have no idea.”

“Definitely, Prince Eric.” he captured her hand and enjoyed the warmth of her skin. “The captain says we have fifteen minutes before we dock for dinner.”

“Where will we be eating at in Miami?”

“We’re not going back to Miami. We’re going to Cuba.”

“Cuba? Have you lost your mind? Are you talking about the country? I thought there were restrictions for Americans to sail there?”

“Yes. I’ve heard of some, but remember, I’m not American. For everyone else in the world, it’s perfectly fine to sail off to Cuba. I figured it would be a good idea since it’s only forty five minutes away from Miami on a boat.”

“Where are you from?” she asked.

“My brother’s and my citizenship is with Austria, but for as long as I’ve been young, I lived everywhere. My mom was from Spain so we visited their a lot too.” He guided her outside. “Let me take you on a tour to pass some time.”

“Okay.” She looked around. “How many levels does your yacht have?”

“Four. There’s a lower deck with a swimming platform, four bedrooms, a suite that my brother and I fight over, engine room and further away are the crew’s living space.”

“Yikes. That’s just the lower deck?”

“Do you want to know what’s on the main and upper deck? You’ve already been on the sun deck.”

She twisted her lips. “Tell me the truth. Is this your thing? Do you usually take a girl on a tour?” She did air quotes for tour.

“I may have taken a few women on one or two tours.”

“Typical.” She stuck her tongue at him. “I’d rather not have the traditional impress-the-chick-I’m-hoping-to-bang tour. Let’s just sit somewhere and have a glass of wine. Is that okay?”

Intriguing. Did she decide not to go on the tour to try and unbalance him or was she just annoyed that she wouldn’t be the first woman he took on one? Women were crazy.

She ran her fingertips along the wall as they walked to the dining area on the upper deck. “How much is this monstrosity of lavishness?”

“My yacht cost several mill.”

She whistled. “I couldn’t imagine spending that much money on one item, let alone having that much in my own bank account. Insane.”

“Yachts cost way more than this. You should ask my brother about some of the highest ones. He’s more into luxury items than me.”

“How much do you think the most expensive boat is?”

“Eight hundred million dollars. It has twenty four bedrooms, mini-submarine, and—”

“Excuse me, did you say a mini-submarine?”

“Yeah. Crazy right?”

“Demented. What the hell would anyone need a mini-submarine for? That’s just wasting money because the bastard can.”

“I know, that’s what my mother tells my dad all of the time. She absolutely hates that sub.”

She stopped on his side. “Your dad is the one that owns the eight hundred million dollar boat?”

“Yep. It’s why my brother and I move around a lot. We practically grew up on it. I don’t think I can even sleep in a bed that’s not being rocked by the ocean.”

“Lucky you.”

He risked a chance and tugged her close to him. “How lucky do you think I am?”

“In life, pretty damn much. With me, not at all.”

I’ll break you, Mia. You’ll eat all of those confident words by the end of the summer.

They arrived at the desk. Selena, one of his many servers, prepared two glasses of champagne, as usual. She was accustomed to his brother and his games and understood they enjoyed wining and dining their women before honing in to close the deal.

“Is this a full bar?” Mia strolled over. Gold lace trailed behind her. She waved at Selena and asked,

“Would it be okay if I had a shot of tequila instead?”

Tequila? Really? That was not romantic at all.

Selena paused and turned his way. “Sir?”

“Sure. That’s fine.”

“Join me,” Mia suggested.

What are we, fraternity guys on spring break?

“No way. I’m not a big drinker.”

“Then let’s do some shots.” She clapped.

He raised one eyebrow. “Shots? I just told you I don’t drink that much, nothing more than wine.”

“That’s pretty shocking. I figured you for a big partier.”

“Well after enough partying, I’ve learned that tequila and I don’t do well.”

Smirking, Selena set two shot glasses down and filled them up to the rim with brown liquid.

Mia seized both and handed them to him. “How about this? For every shot you down, I’ll give you a kiss.”

Oh really?

“And how long can this kiss be?” he asked.

“A normal length.”

“I’m not sure what a normal amount of time is.”

“Five seconds,” she offered.

“Ten.”

“Oh goodness. Fine. Ten seconds, pervert.”

“With tongue?”

She parted her lips. “Just a little, but now you’ve lowered the time of kissing back to five.”

“I’ll take it. However, for future notice, when you want to kiss me, all you have to do is ask.” He downed a shot and immediately regretted it.

Scorching hot fluid burned his throat. It felt like his esophagus was on fire. He hit his chest and coughed.

Of course, Mia chugged one like she’d had a cup of water and then set the glass on the wooden surface. “That’s one. Can you go another or are your princely panties all jumbled in pain?”

“Princely panties?” He looked at Selena who was now blushing and doing her best to hide a giggle.

“Pour us another, please.”

She did. He and Mia swooped theirs both down within seconds. This time even Mia scrunched her face up in horror and looked away.

Fuck! This stuff was strong.

Mia raised three fingers in the air. “One more to make three.”

She’s either an alcoholic or trying to do something sneaky.