Billionaire At Sea

15

Mia

The following day, Damian sent his limo to pick us up and deliver us to his yacht.

“My God,” said Ridley under her breath as we headed down the dock toward the massive luxury boat. “I can’t even imagine the amount of the check used to pay for that thing.”

“It’s beautiful,” I replied, stunned at the sheer size of the vessel. It had to be well over three hundred feet long.

“Michael said it was one of the top twenty largest yachts in the world,” said Ridley. “I think he said it was around one hundred and twenty meters and could hold up to fifty guests. That’s not even including the crew. Isn’t that insane?”

“Yes. It’s crazy.”

The driver, who was helping us with our bags, spoke up. “They featured this ship on television about a year ago. It’s definitely one of the largest yachts in the world. There’s even a helipad on it.”

“Yes, but is there a pool?” asked Ridley. “That’s all I really need to know.”

“There’s both a pool and a spa,” he replied.

As we drew closer, I noticed Damian standing on board and watching us. He waved and we waved back.

“And you tried talking us out of this,” murmured Ridley.

“Not just me. John. And Adam, too,” I reminded her.

She snorted. “Another reason to leave them both in the past.”

I nodded.

“I swear, if you don’t snatch this guy up, you’re crazy,” she whispered. “Look at the way he’s looking at you.”

My cheeks burned. Damian was indeed staring at me rather intently, but it didn’t mean he was available to be snatched up. “Stop.”

She laughed.

Damian’s crew took our bags and then helped us board the yacht.

“Welcome, ladies,” he said, walking toward us. Unlike the other night, he was dressed very casually in cargo shorts and a light blue tank top that not only showed off his tan, but broad shoulders and sinewy biceps.

“Thank you for having us,” I replied, my stomach full of butterflies.

“Damian, your boat is beyond words. It’s simply gorgeous,” said Ridley.

“Thank you,” he answered, removing his sunglasses. “I’ll give you a tour after my staff shows you to your rooms. I need to make a few calls and then I’ll come find you.”

“Sounds great,” I replied.

“Follow me, ladies,” said Marshall, one of the crew members who’d met us on the dock. “I’ll show you where your cabins are.”

“Lead the way,” Ridley said.

“See you soon,” said Damian before heading in the opposite direction.

We followed Marshall to our rooms, which were across from each other. When I stepped inside my cabin, which was decorated in light beige and pale blue colors, I was instantly captivated by how elegant it was. From the beautifully handcrafted woodwork, to the cream-colored plush carpeting, it was obviously more luxurious than some of the nicest five-star hotel rooms.

“Wow,” I said, looking around. “This is gorgeous.”

“Where would you like me to set your bags?” asked one of the other crew members, Aaron.

“Anywhere is fine, thank you,” I replied, still looking around in awe. The cabin had a mini-bar, a large television, a walk-in closet, and a plush chaise lounge. Then there was the king-sized bed, which faced a large set of windows overlooking the ocean.

“So, what do you think?” asked Marshall, stepping into the room.

“It’s wonderful,” I told him.

“Good. Damian will be happy to hear that it has met your approval. By the way, the bathroom is stocked with towels, soap, shampoo… almost everything you might need, in case you’ve left something at home. But, if there’s something we’ve missed, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I can’t imagine needing anything more than this,” I said, smiling at him. “Thank you.”

“No problem. Damian has very good taste,” he said, glancing around the cabin. “And just so you know, yours and Ms. Blake’s are the nicest cabins on board, besides the master suite, of course.”

“That was nice of him,” I said as Ridley walked in.

“It sure was.” She looked at Marshall. “By the way, call me Ridley. We’re all working for Damian. I think we can forgo the formalities.”

Marshall grinned. “No problem. And feel free to call me whatever you want. Hell, everyone else does,” he joked and then winked at Ridley. “Or whenever you want.”

I bit back a smile.

Ridley smirked. “Thanks. We’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’m really looking forward to tasting your cooking,” Marshall said, walking toward the doorway. He looked back. “I have a feeling it’s going to be the best we’ve had on the ship so far.”

“No pressure there,” I said, chuckling.

“Has he hired a lot of chefs?” she asked.

“There was one he was using quite frequently,” he answered, turning around. “He ended up firing her.”

Ridley’s eyebrows shot up. “Why?”

He took a few seconds to answer. “Rumor has it that she stole from the ship.”

“Wow. Did he have her arrested?” I asked.

“Damian was going to press charges but she overdosed on drugs, a week after he fired her.”

Ridley and I stared at him in shock.

He went on. “We found out later that she was heavily into narcotics. We had no idea.”

“That’s horrible,” I said. “Did she commit suicide or was it by accident?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “I believe it was an accident but who’s to say.” Marshall lowered his voice again. “We think she was stealing from the ship to pay for her drug habit. She was paid very well, but apparently, not enough.”

“I can’t believe we didn’t see anything about it on the news,” said Ridley.

“I guess overdoses aren’t newsworthy,” he answered. “Anyway, enough about that. Damian should be arriving soon to show you around the ship.”

“Thanks, Marshall,” said Ridley.

“Yes. Thank you,” I said.

“You’re welcome and remember, I’m just a phone call away if you need anything,” he said, his eyes resting on Ridley again.

“Okay,” she said.

When he was gone, I started giving her crap about him just to pay her back about Damian.

“Wow, he really likes you. Did you hear him?” I lowered my voice. “‘Call me whenever you want’. Talk about straightforward. Kind of sounds familiar.”

She chuckled. “Maybe so, but I can’t even think about another man right now. I don’t know what I’m going to do about Adam. I still have feelings for him. I can’t just… turn them off.”

“I’m going to give you the same advice you’ve been giving me – forget about the jerk. If he’s not willing to change, then he’s definitely not worth your time. At least forget him while we’re here.”

“I don’t think that will be too difficult,” she said, admiring the view of the ocean from my room.

“How’s your room?” I asked.

“The same, basically. Come on. I’ll show you.”

I followed Ridley into her cabin and it was just as extravagant. We both had all the amenities imaginable, including a bidet and whirlpool tub in the bathroom.

“Have you ever used one of these?” she asked, examining the bidet.

“No. They scare me,” I joked.

She chuckled. “Oh, my God, this one has its own air-dryer.”

“Wow. Even your lady-parts get pampered on this ship,” I said, smirking.

“I have a feeling yours might even get a massage if you play your cards right.”

Groaning, I pushed her out of the bathroom just as someone began knocking on the door.

It was Damian.

“So, what do you think?” he asked us, grinning.

“I think you’re going to have a hard time getting us to leave when this trip is over,” Ridley said. “The rooms are stunning.”

“I’m glad you approve. Wait until you see the rest of the ship,” he replied.

“We’re excited to see it,” I said, as we stepped out of the cabin. “How long have you owned the yacht?”

“A little less than two years,” he answered.

“Did you buy it new?” Ridley asked.

“No. It’s only six years old, though,” Damian said.

“Has your son been on it much?” I asked.

“Several times. He actually prefers our fishing boat,” replied Damian, “which is much smaller and usually it’s just the two of us on it.”

“Oh, how sweet. Do you take your son fishing quite a bit?” asked Ridley.

“As much as I can. It’s been about a month since we’ve last gone,” he replied. “I plan on remedying that very soon, though.”

“Where is he right now?” I asked.

“At home. Kendall is staying with him, as is his nanny, Alice,” he replied.

“Your cousin? The singer?” Ridley replied.

“Yes. She is staying there over the weekend and then on Monday, she’s going to join us on the ship. After the guys are gone, of course,” he replied.

“Oh, cool. Then we get to meet both of them,” I said, smiling.

“Yes. It should be a good time. Like I said, you’re both welcome to stay with us next week, too. I hope you’re planning on it,” he said over his shoulder as we left the cabin.

“We are, as long as it’s not a bother,” I replied.

“Hell, no,” he answered. “And you don’t have to cook, unless you feel compelled to. I figured next week we’ll just mostly grill and take turns with the meals.”

“You can cook?” asked Ridley, smiling.

He grinned. “Don’t get your hopes up too high. Yes, I can grill a mean steak and I’m pretty good at flipping patties. That’s about the extent of my culinary skills, however.”

We both laughed.

“Don’t worry. Mia and I will take care of most of the cooking next week. It’s the least we can do after everything you’ve done for us,” replied Ridley.

“Don’t feel obligated,” he said. “I really want you to enjoy yourselves.”

“Then allow us to cook,” I answered. “Because, honestly, the kitchen is where I enjoy myself the most.”