"Get one every year," he said and sipped on his champagne like it was nothing. "I usually don't even go because I don't like to race double-handed, but for you, I would."
"You'd race with me?" I studied his face. Robbie Saunders never raced double-handed. He only ever did single-handed events. In every interview where they asked him why he raced single-handed, he said he never had a partner he could trust.
"For you, Sam. Yes."
I sat back in my chair, floored. This wasn't something that he took lightly. This wasn't something I took lightly. For him to offer to sail with me, to give me the chance at the Champion of Champions Invitational was a big deal. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to even sail in the race, but the idea of sailing with Robbie was what had me more excited.
"Let's do it." Our eyes met and Robbie smiled.
"I thought you'd say that. It's in two weeks, so I'd like to get some practice time in with you before we race," said Robbie.
I nodded. "I'll have to clear it with Grace. She's in the middle of school, and I'll have to find someone to watch Avery, but... thank you, Robbie."
He gave me a soft smile that made me want to kiss him. He must have known how much losing this season had hurt, as only another sailor could. It had broken my heart not to race and the idea that I would be racing in the race of my dreams was almost too much to bear.
"You are most welcome."
I would have stood up and kissed him right there, in front of the whole restaurant, but at that moment our food arrived. As soon as the meal was in front of me, I realized I was starving. Robbie shared a bite of his filet mignon with me in exchange for one of my mussels.
The meal was perfect. The food was delicious and the view outstanding, but the best part was Robbie's company. Robbie and I talked into the night, laughing and sharing stories as we caught up on one another's lives. It was the first time in a long time that I felt completely happy and content while not on the water.
"What about your sailing, Robbie? I saw you did well this year," I said, chewing slowly on a mussel and enjoying the flavor. He shrugged and took a sip of his champagne before answering.
"I plan on entering another World Cup next year. I came close to winning, but I sat out during the storm. If I had sailed through it, I would have placed this year. Live and learn," he answered. "What about you?"
"My sponsors say that I'll probably be able to race for them next season. I'll have to find a new racing partner, but I'm still hopeful that it will work out. If I'm lucky, this season off won't ruin my chances for next year." I paused and took another bite of food. "If things fall through though, I'll just take a position with a sailing school. I've always wanted to teach."
"You'd be a good teacher." He gave me a level look. "You'd have to make sure the students actually follow the rules, though."
I laughed. "That's why I always liked sailing with you, Robbie. You made sure I didn't do stupid stuff. And you're good at explaining things; you'd make a fantastic teacher too."
"Teaching?" he scoffed. "I don't know. I guess maybe someday, but for now, I just want to race."
I nodded. I took a sip of champagne and smiled to myself. I could see Robbie teaching someday and being amazing at it. In my opinion, he'd be an even better teacher than racer, and he was already one of the best racers I knew.
***
"Can I interest you in a second bottle of champagne?" the waitress asked, giving Robbie a toothy smile. We had just finished dessert, and I was stuffed. There was no way I could drink or eat anything else. An introspective smile crossed his face and he shook his head.
"No, thank you. One is more than enough tonight."
The waitress got a confused expression on her face. The notorious Robbie Saunders who liked to drink would have been on his third or fourth bottle by now. "Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes. I think this one was more than enough. Thank you. I think we're actually finished," he replied politely, handing her his credit card. She left and he looked at me, his smile telling me he was rather proud of himself. "Do you know the last time I only had one drink at a restaurant? I think you might be a good influence on me, Sam."
"I always was," I managed to answer with a straight face. Robbie laughed.
"That's not how I remember it. If I recall, you were the one who convinced me we could parachute off the roof. It's a good thing I wanted to do a test flight before we actually did it!"
I laughed, remembering his serious little face at how we had to have a pre-flight checklist and a test run. It was a good thing we practiced on the trampoline before jumping off the roof. Mr. Saunders caught us jumping on the trampoline with our ridiculous backpacks stuffed with bed sheets and made sure Robbie and I didn't break all the bones in our bodies. It was a good memory.
The waitress returned with Robbie's card, and touched his shoulder before leaving. A surge of jealousy rippled through me, but he didn't even smile at her as he signed the receipt and pocketed his card.
"You ready? I know Grace wanted you home before midnight." His smile was only for me. He stood and offered me his hand. I took it gladly.
"I don't think she'll mind if we're a little late. I've never been in the city before, and I'd love to walk around a little if that's okay?" I smiled as he wrapped his jacket around my shoulders. His hand pressed into the small of my back as he guided me to the elevator.
"Whatever my lady wants," he replied with a grin as the elevator door opened and we stepped inside. I leaned against him in the empty elevator, feeling his warm body hard against mine, his arm wrapped around me with his hand still on my back. The doors glided shut, and I couldn't help myself. I stood up on my toes and kissed his cheek. I had wanted to kiss him again all night.
His face was warm and smooth, shaved clean for our date. I caught the corner of his mouth with my lips, feeling it curl up into a smile.
"If you’re going to kiss me, I'm going to need more than that," he murmured, placing his hand on my neck and pulling me into him. His lips were hot and urgent against mine, his tongue sweet and insistent. I drank him in thirstily, like he was water in the desert.
The door chimed as the elevator came to a stop. Robbie pulled back, breathless and flushed. His green eyes burned like fire and he flashed me a fantastic grin. I couldn't wait to kiss him again. The doors opened, and we strolled out into the lobby of the hotel as if nothing had happened, but there was an extra pep to my step, knowing that I had just kissed the most handsome man in the world.
Chapter 10
Outside the night air was almost cold, but in the warmth of Robbie's jacket, it felt wonderful. We stepped out onto the street, the lights making the night seem like day. The neon billboards and TV advertisements made me feel as if I were trapped in a cross-wired, over-lit Christmas tree. Everything seemed to glow or sparkle, and I was amazed at the sheer number of people still out and about at close to midnight.
Robbie wrapped his arm protectively around my waist. I was glad to have him with me. The city was so big, and there were so many people that if he weren't there to guide me, I knew I would have been lost in a moment. It also let me look around, taking in the sights without looking like a complete tourist. I knew with Robbie with me, I could gawk and no one would hassle me.
We walked along the brightly lit street. I knew my eyes were as big as saucers trying to take it all in. Robbie laughed at my childlike interest, pointing out things that he knew I would enjoy. There were signs for Broadway plays, flashing billboards, and beautiful people walking along the street. It was noisy and busy, but I loved taking it all in.
"Where should we go? Do you want to go get a drink somewhere?" I asked, glancing around for a bar or restaurant.
"No, I don't want to drink anything. I'm having a wonderful time just being with you. I'd rather not go into a noisy bar and fight for drinks. I'm much happier just walking with you," Robbie said. He looked almost surprised at his words, but I knew they were true. The arm around my waist tightened as he gave me
a loving squeeze and kissed the top of my head.
"I'm having a wonderful time. Thank you for bringing me out." I snuggled up closer to him.
"You are most welcome," he replied. We stopped in front of a window, peering in at the sparkling jewelry inside. "I'd like to buy you something," Robbie whispered.
"You don't have to do that! You already bought me a boat," I told him.
"But you deserve to have more. Would you like that diamond necklace?" He pointed to a beautiful piece of jeweled artwork in the window. It sparkled under the lights and probably cost more than my house.
"It would look good with my racing gear..." I mused. Then I punched his arm. "No. I'd never wear it, and it's too pretty to just sit in my jewelry box. Thank you, but no."
"Okay, then. I'd still like to buy you something, though." His eyes were soft as he smiled. We continued to walk down the street.
"But I don't want anything. You've got me into the Invitational. What more could I possibly ask of you?" I asked. "Except to maybe go in that toy store with me..."
Wide open doors of a store beckoned customers into a shop full of childhood wonder. I could see thousands of toys inside. I was always on the lookout for something to spoil Avery with, and since the money from the accident was in my bank account, I felt like I could actually afford to get her something.
Robbie laughed an, "Of course!" and together we walked into the gleaming toy store.
The store was amazing. Toys, books, games, costumes, and beautiful colors filled the shop. There was a golden castle big enough for Robbie and me to walk through, and a replica of the Empire State Building with working lights. Glowing plastic trees and whimsical designs accentuated the feeling of being in a magical world made especially for children.
Robbie let go of me and picked up a hardcover children's book. His eyes misted over as he flipped through the pages, suddenly lost in his own world. He turned a page, tracing a finger along the drawing of a cartoon stuffed bear.
"There was a picture of Rachel reading this book to Jack and me on Dad's nightstand the night before he died." He turned the page, a smile curling the corners of his lips in soft remembrance. "I used to love this book."
I stepped closer, peeking over his shoulder. He brushed the picture on the page with reverence, and I knew he wasn't reading the book so much as remembering it.
"I would 'read' it to anyone who would listen." He looked up, making eye contact with me for the first time since we entered the store. "I couldn't actually read it, but I had the words memorized. Dad used to sit me on his lap and listen to me on nights he came home from the office."
I tucked my arm under his, leaning my head against his shoulder as he continued to thumb through the pages of his beloved book. I rarely got to see this side of Robbie.
"Your dad sure loved you," I said quietly. Robbie stiffened and closed the book, setting it back on the shelf.
"You sure?" His voice was cold and distant. "Just because he let me read some book to him... it doesn't mean anything."
"Robbie," I said softly. "I know he did. I saw it."
"You weren't there when it changed. After you left, it was all about Jack and the company. DS Oil and Gas was more of a son to him than I was. I got tired of the amount of times I heard him say, 'Why can't you be more like your brother and work for the company?'" Robbie shook his head and pulled away from me, heading deeper into the store.
I sighed. I knew the death of his father was still weighing heavily on him, but I had no idea how to make him feel better. I knew his father had loved him. His father had taken the two of us sailing and I had seen the love Daniel had for his son. I just wished there was a way to make Robbie see it too.
I hurried after him, catching up to him by a small tower of blocks.
"I'm sorry, Robbie. I didn't mean..."
"No, it's not your fault. I don't really want to talk about my dad right now though, okay?" His eyes held a depth of grief that made my heart ache. He took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Let's see what's in that castle over there."
I followed him, letting him lead me to an opulent golden castle filled with all kinds of princess paraphernalia. Pink and purple dominated, and I chuckled to myself. If Avery were here, she would have thought she had died and gone to heaven.
"Oh... My.... Gosh..." I said, staring at a row of the most amazing princess costumes I had ever seen. There were dozens of them, each in a different style and color. Every one of them was something that Avery would have committed murder with a gleeful look on her face to get.
"Isn't Avery going through a princess phase? The couple of times I’ve seen her, she's been wearing that princess costume," Robbie asked, following me as I looked at the dresses. I wanted to get her one so badly, but some of the dresses cost over a hundred dollars. I started looking for one that was more in my price range, flipping through the tags and trying to ignore the most elaborate ones.
"To say she is obsessed would be an understatement. It's a fight every morning to get her out of the costume and into her school clothes. She snuck out yesterday with the costume on under her uniform," I replied. I pulled out a beautiful golden ball gown, but made a face when I saw the price tag. Just because I was now financially okay didn't mean I should spend that much money on something so frivolous.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Robbie walk over to a sales clerk and point toward the dresses. I groaned a little inwardly. If the clerk came over, I would be pressured to buy one of the more expensive ones. I turned back to the rack, hoping that she wouldn't actually come and try to help me.
"Hello, what size is the little girl you are buying these for?"
Crap, I thought, but I turned around and smiled politely.
"Well, my niece is five years and tends to fit the small size for most things," I said. I kept going through the rack, hoping I could find something less than fifty dollars.
"Excellent. Thank you," the woman replied, turning and then heading back to the counter. That was not the response I had been expecting. I frowned slightly and looked at Robbie. He was leaning against the clerk's checkout counter, a self-satisfied smirk filling his face. His green eyes danced with amusement. I stopped looking at the dresses and walked up to him.
"What did you just do?"
He puffed up like a satisfied peacock with a cocky grin.
"Robbie..." I put my hands on my hips and gave him my best no-nonsense look. It worked well on Avery and since he was really just an overgrown child, I hoped it would work on him too. He just grinned even more broadly.
"All right, sir. I have your order ready. It will be shipped and at the little girl's house by tomorrow evening," the clerk said, joining us at the counter.
"I'm really sorry, but what is his order?" I asked the young woman.
"He just got one of every dress we offer. Your niece is a very lucky little girl." She gave me a blinding smile. I didn't even want to think what her commission on this sale might be.
"Robbie, you didn't have to do that," I said once the clerk left to go help another customer.
"I know." His eyes twinkled with delight. "But you love that little girl and you want to see her happy."
"But, Robbie, it's so much money..." I stopped when the numbers in my head hit the thousands as I added it up.
"What good is dating a billionaire if he doesn't spend money on extravagant presents?" he asked. I shook my head at him. It was so easy to forget that he had money.
"Thank you. You didn't have to do that, but thank you," I said, a happy smile replacing my no-nonsense look.
"This will make her happy, and in turn, that will make you happy." He leaned forward and kissed my forehead gently. "I think I'm the one who is getting the best part of the deal."
The lights flickered, and a warning that the store would be closing soon came across the overhead speakers. Robbie took my hand in his, and together we headed back toward the entrance. About halfway to the doors, I stopped, dropping Robbie's hand and hurrying toward t
he book display.
Robbie watched me, a look of curiosity transforming into a soft smile as I picked up his beloved children's book and quickly paid for it at a small counter nearby.
"I think she'll enjoy reading this to you," I said as I came back to Robbie, the bag looped over my arm.
We stepped out into the New York night, the lights fabulously bright. It felt like it was still daytime with all the people still rushing about, but my watch said it was just past one in the morning.
"I need to get you home before your sister kills me," Robbie said as he saw me looking at my watch. "She's going to think I'm a bad influence or something for keeping you out so late."
I put my hands on his chest, feeling the warmth of his body through the dark green dress shirt. He reached out and pulled me in to him, one hand behind my neck and the other on my waist. Our lips connected, sweeter than honey, and I melted into him. His kiss was gentle at first but also filled with hunger. Every fiber in my being ached to be with him, to have more than just this kiss in a brightly lit street corner.
He released me, breathless and flushed. I knew I was breathing hard, but I could barely contain myself. I wanted to kiss him all night. Damn getting home! Damn tomorrow! All I wanted was to have him kiss me again.
He smiled, his perfect, supple lips curling up and making his eyes sparkle like the ocean. "Time to get you home," he whispered.
I nodded. Always the good one, I thought, but I let him wrap his arm around me and lead me back to the hotel where a car was waiting to take us to the helicopter.
***
I kissed Robbie the whole way home. I'm sure the helicopter pilot thought we were behaving like love-struck teenagers, but I didn't care. I just wanted to kiss him until my lips were raw and even then, I knew I would want more.
The helicopter landed, and Robbie walked me home. The night was cold and I was glad for Robbie's jacket wrapped around me. His hand was warm in mine as he escorted me to my front porch. I stepped as slowly as I could, trying to make the night last forever. I didn't want it to end. I just wanted to stay, my hand in Robbie's, for as long as I could.
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