Freshwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story (14 page)

As we rounded the turning mark, Grant sped ahead, free in his own wind again. I growled; the rope slid under my hands as I attempted to maneuver the sail back into the proper position. Robbie yelled a command, thinking I already had the sheet in position; I struggled to finish the maneuver, but I could feel the boat slow again. I cursed again, feeling out of sync with Robbie and the boat.

Grant sped forward.

The Gauntlet
had taken control of the race and was dominating. Grant had found a current and was using it in addition to the sails to propel him faster. I could see the two of them in the other boat, performing the maneuvers that I knew we needed to perform, but doing them just seconds faster. Grant and Sarah were a well-oiled team with far more practice working together than Robbie and I had. Every turn, every tack, every shift in the wind they caught and adapted just seconds faster. In a race like this, those seconds added up quickly, and it wasn't long before
The Gauntlet
was well over two boat lengths ahead. It was a death by a thousand cuts as we continued to lose ground.

The race was over. We had lost. I took down the sails as we trailed into the harbor, coming alongside
The Gauntlet
. Grant leaned against the railing of his boat, smugness spilling off him in waves.

"Nice of you two to finally arrive. We were afraid you weren't going to make it." He laughed mockingly. "Well, at least it's nice to know we won't have to worry about you two on race day."

Robbie stiffened at the helm, his body taut with defeat. My hands clenched against the line, wishing I could wrap it around Grant's throat for just a minute. "The race is still a ways away," Robbie growled. "You won't be so lucky then."

Grant waved his hand dismissively. "Keep that positive mindset, Saunders. I'm sure it will make you feel better when you lose next week." He nodded to Sarah, and she turned the helm to steer away. Their gray sails were filled with wind and victory. Grant gave a sloppy salute and winked at me. "Nice boat, Ms. Conners."

My hands shook as I kept them at my sides. Grant's laughter drifted across the water as we bobbed in the harbor and evaluated our loss. I was furious, more at myself than with Grant. We had lost because we weren't as in sync as they were. What was I even thinking, entering into a race as prestigious as the Invitational with only a week's practice?

Robbie scrubbed his hands through his sandy hair, irritation in his every movement. He placed both hands on the railing, closed his eyes, and took a deep, calming breath. I was half afraid he was going to tell me we should just call the whole thing off. We weren't ready.

"We almost had him. We just need more practice." Robbie opened his eyes and looked right at me. "He made mistakes too. Now we know what we're up against. We'll beat him into the lake bottom on race day."

His eyes burned with a green fire that told me he wasn't going to give this up. Robbie Saunders was going to win the Champion of Champions Invitational or die trying. He went to the helm, his every movement full of purpose. We had a lot of work ahead of us until the race, and he wasn't going to let either of us slow down or give up.

"Tacking drill number nine?" I asked, feeling some of his intensity rubbing off on me. We could do this. We were a team, and together, Robbie and I could do anything.

Robbie nodded, and I went to the sails to start the drill. We had work to do.

I
stumbled into the bedroom and started stripping. Everything was sore. I didn't know it was even possible for my eyelashes to ache, but somehow they did. All I wanted was to crawl into a hot shower, eat something full of carbs and fat, and crawl into bed with Robbie.

We had been sailing nonstop for three days since losing the race to Thomas Grant. Robbie had taken the loss personally and was determined to get us ready for the Invitational. We had risen before the sun today, stopping our tacking drills only long enough to eat a quick lunch. A storm was beginning to brew. Not a hurricane, but it was bad enough that the sails were tangling and the going was rough. I was grateful he had decided to let us end the day early. I was so tired I was starting to make mistakes.

We still had one more day of practice left on the island before leaving for Chicago for the race. Even though the Invitational was still three days away, I was already nervous. We had improved dramatically in the short time since our race with Grant, but I still wasn't sure if we were ready.

I could hear Robbie dropping his gear on the floor by the staircase and his heavy footsteps thudding up the stairs. A gust of wind hit the window, splattering fat raindrops across the glass. I peeled off my shirt and leggings, hearing the encrusted salt crunch as I dropped them on the floor. I kicked off my remaining clothes, enjoying the freedom of being naked, and pulled open the double doors to the master bath.

I gasped. Rose petals dotted the white marble floor and floated on a sea of iridescent bubbles in the giant bath tub. Steam from the hot bath blurred the reflection of all the candles in the mirror. I stood and stared at the flowers, bath, and candles. It was the most romantic thing I had ever seen.

"Surprise," Robbie said softly, coming up behind me. He draped his arms over my shoulders, pulling me close to him and pressing my bare back into his bare chest. "I thought you could use a little relaxation. We've both been working hard."

"How'd you do this?" I asked, enjoying the way his warm skin felt against mine. I hoped he would join me in the bath.

His chuckle reverberated through my body. "The beauty of having a butler is that not only does he make coffee in the morning, he can also set stuff up like this." He released me and stepped into the bathroom. "Come on! The water's getting cold."

I took a moment to savor the sight of his perfectly sculpted ass as he bent over the tub to check the temperature of the water. The thought of smacking it sent a shiver of delight down my spine. I suddenly wasn't quite so tired and wanted a new kind of soreness.

I slipped past him, my fingernails rubbing up his spine as I stepped into the tub. Robbie's eyes were level with my ass, and I could tell he was admiring me. I sat down, and the water level rose to meet me. When I laid back, Robbie was right there, his hand providing a pillow for me to lean against. I relaxed, snuggling into him.

"Can I get you anything? A book, a cup of tea? Perhaps a rubber ducky?" he asked me.

I looked up at those pretty eyes of his. "I'd rather just have you."

He smiled. "Here? Or in the bath with you?"

I shrugged and scooted forward. He smiled and carefully got in behind me, his legs pushing on the outside of mine. It was a big tub, so there was still plenty of room. His hands went under the water, wrapping around my chest as he leaned against the tub. I lay back as well, using him as a pillow. I closed my eyes, letting the warm water and scented bubbles take my stress away.

I felt him begin to harden behind me as his hands gripped my breasts a little tighter. I giggled and opened my eyes.

"Shhh!" he said. "Close your eyes. If you ignore him, he'll go away."

I writhed against him slightly. "What if I don't want him to go away?"

I felt him moan softly behind me. "What did you have in mind?"

I reached behind me and ran my hand down to his loins. When I touched him, his member responded with a jump. "Wake up," I coaxed.

"If you poke him, he'll get mad!" Robbie said, laughing.

"Poke," I said, prodding him with my finger. "Poke, poke, poke."

I felt him continue to harden and grow behind my back. "Now you've done it," he said.

I laughed and sat up, turning around. The rose petals and bubbles obscured my view of what was below the surface of the water, but as I came in for a kiss, I could feel how ready he was.

He stood up, dripping water and bubbles. His huge, erect manhood was in complete view now, and I immediately knew I wanted him. He stepped out of the tub.

"Neither of us is going to relax in that tub until we take care of something first." He grabbed two towels from under the vanity and started drying off with one. When he was done, he grabbed the other towel and came back to the bathtub. He extended his hand to help me up, then wrapped me in the towel.

We were close now, just the fluffy fabric separating us. I pressed against him and our lips were almost touching. "What do we have to take care of?" I asked, leading him on.

He smiled. "Our strategy. We need to know what to do in case the motor overheats during the race."

I pulled back and he started to laugh. I gave his muscular chest a soft slap, and he caught me in the towel, wrapping me up and keeping me from making any further attempts. He hugged me tightly, then moved down to kiss me. I could feel how turned on he was, and I wanted him badly. He gave me one last rubdown, getting my exterior as dry as he could while my interior was getting as wet as possible.

The towel dropped, and our two naked bodies once again pressed against each other. Robbie gave me a big bear hug, picking me up and carrying me to the bed. I giggled and held on tight as he sat me down on the bed. He stood before me, his groin right at eye level, and I couldn't help but reach out and grab him.

I looked up at him. "I want you, Robbie."

He smiled down at me, his voice heavy with desire. "I want you even more, Sam."

"Not possible," I countered. Our eyes met again, and he bent to kiss me. Our kisses were fast and furious, full of lust and passion. The tension in my muscles seemed to melt away as Robbie's body massaged mine. I spread my legs, inviting him to enter me. He fumbled in the nightstand, quickly slipping on a condom.

Robbie moved between my legs, and I felt him press against me and push as he accepted my invitation. We moaned together as he immediately drove himself in all the way to the hilt. I felt him move within me as he loosened me up further. A breathless sound of pure pleasure escaped my throat.

"I told you not to provoke him," he said, looking down at me.

I giggled, but my laugh soon turned into a whimper as he began to thrust into me, using his weight to drive his manhood deeper. His powerful arms kept me spread open. His body was still dripping with the bathwater, but I could still tell that he was beginning to sweat as he dove into me again and again.

He lifted my legs up in the air, then pushed them to the side, forcing my legs together. I reached out and held his hand as he plunged into me again, giving me a range of new sensations. I turned my face into the sheet, and I began to writhe as he went faster and faster. My screams of joy must have echoed through the whole house, and I could tell that it also felt fantastic for Robbie.

When I saw his face begin to contort, I knew he wouldn't last much longer. "Yes! Oh yes!" I cried out, nodding my head furiously. With a last heroic push, I felt a warm surge as he found release. His orgasm passed from his body into mine, and we locked eyes as we both undulated in the throes of ecstasy. He continued to grind into me, and I writhed under him.

Then, it was over. He collapsed next to me, smiling lovingly down at me.

"I'm getting back in the bath," I said. "Care to join me?"

"Yep," he said, snuggling deeper into the bed. "In just a minute."

"Okay," I said. I practically whistled as I went back to the bathtub.

Of course, he never joined me. A few moments after I got into the bath, I could hear him snoring. I let him sleep while I stretched out in the tub and played with the bubbles. Between the sex and the hot water, my sore muscles were finally loosening.

After my bath, I found the fluffy robe that he had set out for me by the tub. I tiptoed into the bedroom, hoping to catch him sleeping. Sure enough, Robbie was completely under the covers and passed out.

I got under the blanket next to him. "Robbie," I breathed softly.

No response.

"Robbie..." I whispered again, poking him.

He groaned, then pulled the covers over his face.

"Robbie," I said, sounding like an annoying ten-year-old.

"What?" he said, his voice cracking. I laughed. He sounded just like he had when we were kids.

"What do we do if the engine overheats?" I asked.

Robbie groaned. "Get out the oars and row."

I laughed, then snuggled up next to him. He threw his arm over me and was back to sleep in no time.

His breathing was rhythmic and soothing. Combined with the soft patter of rain on the window, it made a beautiful melody that I knew would guide me to a luxurious sleep. I cuddled deeper into him, soaking up his warmth and confidence. I knew that we were as ready for the race as we could be. We were ready for anything that life might throw our way because we were together. At that moment, I was completely content.

I
stepped into the Chicago Yacht Club, feeling a nervous exhilaration rippling through my body. I was here. I was finally, actually here. Robbie guided me gently inside, the two of us heading for the pre-race skippers' meeting. We were to go over the sailing instructions one last time, any potential weather hazards, and any clarifications needed on the rules and regulations of the Invitational. I usually hated these boring meetings, but because this was the Champion of Champions Invitational, I was actually excited to attend.

Robbie pulled out a chair in front of a prettily decorated table near the windows. The meeting wasn't supposed to start for a few minutes yet, so I stared out through the glass at the view. Chicago's skyline rose in the distance, the gray and metallic buildings looking over the undulating waters of Lake Michigan. Yachts of all sizes bobbed gently in the early morning waters, the sun had started its journey into the day and turned the sky into a brilliant scarlet. Thin, hair-like clouds hung from the dimming stars, the wind nipping at the bright red leaves on the trees.

Red skies at night, sailors delight. Red skies at morning, sailors take warning.
The old nursery rhyme chanted in my head as Robbie and I sat waiting. The weather report on the news the night before had said a storm was moving in. Robbie had waved it away as nothing more than a windy day, but the red skies gave me pause. I knew it would certainly be discussed.