Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
His gaze roamed Michaela’s curves, and instead of seeming pervy, the way his eyes alighted on her made her feel like a goddess. A little voice inside whispered, Do not throw yourself at him.
Not dropping their hands, Troy backed up. “I’d love to show you the yacht, Flo. Michaela has already seen it, having brokered the deal for me. But it has everything I wanted. You have to see it.”
Michaela was dimly aware this could be a trick to get her on board. But her mother would be there for protection. The yacht’s railings had been decorated with garlands of silver and gold wedding bells, along with vases of sweetly scented flowers that led to the bow, where the arbor stood for the wedding ceremony.
Then she saw it along the forward hull. The yacht’s new name. It was no longer Splendid.
Gasping, she put her hand to her mouth. “You’re kidding. You didn’t.”
Flo asked, “What?”
Michaela pointed, and her mother read aloud, “Matchmaker.” Then she clapped her hands. “I love it.”
Michaela turned on Troy, who was smiling that enticingly wicked smile of his. “How did you do this so fast?” There was paperwork, documentation, red tape.
He shrugged, the answer obvious. Because he was a billionaire who had probably paid an extraordinary amount of money to expedite everything.
“But why?”
His gaze traced her features like a caress. “Because the billionaire matchmaker found me the perfect boat.”
“It’s a yacht,” she whispered. But he hadn’t called it the Perfect Match. He’d named it the Matchmaker. After her.
“Without you, I wouldn’t have this beautiful yacht,” he said. “I wanted to give you credit.”
She wanted to throw her arms around him. If her mother hadn’t been there, she might have.
Then he added, “I know you always make your match.”
Oh, there was meaning there, all right. But for some reason, it didn’t scare her as much as it usually did. She’d been doing a lot of thinking these past few days.
Her mother waved a hand. “Well, I’m dying to see the Matchmaker. Lead on.”
Flo was again moved to awe over the luxury of the dining area, the living room, the bar lounge. And the magnificent cabins below with their own deluxe appointments. She marveled over the sundeck, the pool, the hot tub, and the deck in the stern where Troy had fed Michaela all her favorite foods.
And where he’d kissed her for the first time.
If this were a romance movie, it would have been a swoon-worthy moment, with all the accompanying sexy, sensuous looks flashing between them.
Michaela didn’t dare look at him.
To hide her inner turmoil, she asked, “Where’s Lyssa? I thought she’d be getting ready down here.”
Troy pointed in the direction of the hotel. “She’s in the bridal suite, along with all her bridesmaids. The entire wedding party is staying there.” Then he winked. “That’s what the red carpet is for, to create the illusion of an aisle.”
Flo clasped her hands to her chest. “That is so perfect.”
Then Michaela saw it and couldn’t help herself. “Oh my God, you installed a diving board.”
Troy beamed as though she’d given him high praise and pointed to a control panel. “It can be raised and lowered to different heights.” His gaze raking her, he added, “Since you’re wearing a bathing suit, I hope you’ll dive with me.”
She wagged a finger in his face. “Oh no. I’m not going in that ocean.”
Flo added, “Michaela doesn’t like creepy ocean things.”
Troy grinned. “She’s told me. But I’m going to work on her.”
He already had worked on her right here on this deck, kissing her until she couldn’t breathe.
Troy didn’t comment on her flushed cheeks, thankfully glancing at his watch instead. “Speaking of Lyssa, I should get you two ladies seated. The wedding will be starting soon.”
As they headed back to the steps, her mother asked, “Where’s Walter? I haven’t seen him yet.”
“Oh, he’s here, believe me,” Troy said. “He wants to make sure everything is flawless for the day. I’m sure you’ll see him later.”
Helping the ladies down the steps, he once again took both their arms, leading them back down the red carpet to the chairs, which were now almost full of guests. He guided them to two empty seats a few rows back, but instead of leaving, Troy plunked down in the chair next to Michaela.
Aghast, she said, “Don’t you have to do something on board for the wedding?”
“It’s all taken care of.” Then he leaned close, his breath warm and sweet against her ear. “Don’t worry, I won’t try to ravage you in front of everyone.”
Her heart tried to hammer its way out of her chest.
Just when she thought she might melt into him, Walter appeared at the end of their row, dressed in golf slacks and the required Hawaiian shirt, his with a flamingo print. He stuck out his hand, and Troy shook it. “Thanks for saving me a seat,” he said.