Freshwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story (19 page)

Applause filled the ballroom as two young men sauntered up to the dais to accept a small bronze colored trophy. One of the winners raised it above his head in triumph before walking from the stage. The announcer waited patiently until the applause died down to announce second place.

"In second place, with a time of forty-two hours, thirteen minutes, and forty-seven seconds is:
The Gauntlet
!"

Polite applause sounded as Thomas Grant and the pretty Sarah Parish stepped up on the stage to accept their silver trophy. The lack of enthusiasm from the audience told me that most of the guests felt the same way as I did about Grant. Sarah smiled at everyone in the room, but Grant looked as though he smelled something unpleasant as he took the second place trophy and then stomped off the stage.

Silence filled the room as the announcer again took the spotlight.

"And in first place, with a time of twenty five hours, thirty three minutes, and two seconds:
Avery's Hope
!"

Robbie pushed me toward the stage, holding my hand in his and keeping me from tripping on my pretty green dress. Thunderous applause shook the room as the announcer handed me the giant silver Champion's Cup. Robbie's and my names was inscribed on the base below previous winners. Just seeing my name listed with the top names in sailing my head feel light.

I smiled out at a sea of smiling faces as camera flashes scorched my vision. My face was frozen into a smile, my brain unable to get any other emotion onto my face. My hands were shaking and sweaty trying to hold onto the trophy. I had won races before, but the crowds had never given me this level of attention. I was very glad Robbie was at my side, his shoulder against mine, giving me support.

"Thank you all for attending. Have a wonderful evening, everyone, and good luck for next year!" the announcer cried out over the applause. The lights came back on, but my eyes were still blurry from all the camera flashes. Robbie stepped off the stage and lent me his hand to help me down the stairs so I wouldn't trip on my dress.

Together we posed for several more photos with the Champion's Cup, and then a man with white gloves carefully took it from me to put back up on the display. People seemed to be coming from all directions to congratulate me on my win and tell me how much they were looking forward to seeing me race again in the summer. I felt Robbie's lips caress my head, and then he disappeared behind me, letting me enjoy the attention and glory of winning the Champion of Champions Invitational.

***

I
finally broke away from the throng of well-wishers, darting off into a hallway and ducking around the corner. The hallway was cool and open after the warmth of the ballroom, and it felt good to have some space around me that wasn't full of satin gowns and suits.

At the end of a darkened hallway, peering out a window overlooking the lake, was Robbie. His good arm was up against the window, and he cast a fine silhouette with his dark suit and strong lines. Even with the sling on his arm, he looked handsome.

I put my hand on his shoulder and looked out the window, following his gaze. Boats bobbed peacefully in the harbor, a sliver of moon casting silver light across the waves. It was beautiful and serene. He turned and smiled at me, the soft light from an open door catching the green of his eyes.

"Enjoying your moment in the spotlight?" he asked, straightening from the window.

"Yes, but I'd like to have you with me. You won this race just as much as I did."

Robbie turned to face me, wrapping his good arm around my waist and pulling me in to him. His lips grazed my hairline, his voice soft and low.

"It's bittersweet for me in there," he said gently. I looked up questioningly, and he released me and turned back to the window. "The doctor says my arm will never be what it was. The tendon ripped, and he's not sure it's going to heal properly. He says I will probably never sail again like I used to."

I pushed gently at his shoulder to make him face me. "So get another doctor's opinion. This is a small town; there has to be another doctor who can do something."

A smile ghosted across his face as he shook his head. "Jack had this doctor flown in specifically for me. He's the leading specialist in elbow injuries, usually with football quarterbacks, but he knows what he's talking about. It was a bad break, Sam."

"Oh, Robbie..." I whispered. He turned back to the window to stare at the water.

I knew what sailing meant to him. I knew how much he loved to be out on the water by himself, reliant on only his skill and strength. The idea that he might never sail that way again, or even the time it would take to regain that independence, broke my heart. He was a bird with a broken wing, staring at the open sky and wishing he could once again fly.

"It's okay. We won, right? And I can still sail. I just won't be able to use my arm like I used to. I'll adapt." Robbie turned and put his hand on my shoulder, his face serious in the dim light. "I wanted to ask you something, though. Would you still be with me if I could never sail again?"

I put my hands on either side of his face, looking deep into his eyes so he would see the truth in my words. "Yes. I love
you
, Robbie. Not your sailing ability. If it were a choice between you and sailing, you would win every time." I smiled at him. "The reason I fell in love with sailing in the first place is because I got to do it with you. I would love anything as long as I'm with you.

Robbie's eyes sparkled with heartfelt tears like the ocean in the sun. He leaned forward and kissed my lips softly.

"I love you, Samantha Conners. More than you will ever know. I am a lucky man to have you," he whispered, reaching up to caress my cheek.

I leaned into his hand, feeling the hard sailing calluses against my skin. "You're damn right, you are." I took his hand in mine and kissed it, smiling up at him. "I think I'm pretty lucky, though, too."

Robbie's mouth opened in a wide smile, and he gently curled his hand around the back of my neck and pressed his smile against mine. My heart ached with happiness. I was made of moonlight and joy when I was with Robbie.

"Let's get back to the party," Robbie whispered as we broke apart. "I'd like to dance with you, and since you never let me lead anyway, I think I'll be fine with just one hand."

I laughed and took his hand in mine, the two of us walking away from the dark window and back toward the bright hallway. "You're the one who taught me how to dance in the first place. I only learned the leading part because you taught it to me. You were just too good of a teacher."

The ballroom spilled out light, soft music, and a gentle murmur of laughter. Robbie raised his hand, and I spun in a neat twirl as we stepped through the open doors. Together we waltzed into the ballroom, whirling and dancing as one.

***

T
he water splashes against the hull of my boat, a soft, comforting sound. The sky is bright blue without a cloud in sight. I am at peace. This part of the dream is always pleasant. I like this part of the dream. Evan is alive and happy with Grace. Mom and Dad are safe at home, and we are going to have meatloaf for dinner.

I frown. Mom and Dad are not at home. They are in Heaven. So is Evan. I have never had this happen in the dream before. I always lose them.

The wind plays with the sails, the soft, flapping sounds of the canvas merging into a gentle lullaby with the waves. This isn't right either; the wind is usually a hurricane gale that I can't control.

"Come sail with me, Sam." Robbie's voice echoes through my dream, deep and masculine.

I turn to see him sitting in my boat. The breeze ruffles his sandy hair, and his green eyes are as deep as the ocean. He's perfect. He smiles at me, and the world grows brighter. The blue sky is somehow more vivid, and the water is somehow richer.

"Come sail with me," he repeats, his smile brighter than the sun. There are no storms when I'm with Robbie.

I smile back at him, and take the helm. Together we sail into the horizon on calm waters.

T
he October sun was warm on my skin, complimented by a cool breeze coming in off the lake. It felt good to be on
Avery's Hope
, even if I was still docked. The gulls cried overhead and the boat bumped occasionally against the dock, creating a strange harmony that I loved. I checked my watch again, wondering when Robbie was going to get here. He was already ten minutes late, but I figured he had just gotten stuck talking business with Jack.

I frowned, going over the sails once again just for something to do. Robbie had hired a local to clean up the boat after the storm since neither one of us had been in any condition to do it. The entire cabin had been strewn with food, clothing, charts, and gear; the local had cleaned the inside and put the sails and sheets back in order on deck. The cabin still smelled slightly damp, but it had mostly dried out after the storm. Robbie and I had wanted to take the Hope out one last time before shipping it back to Winchester, just to make sure that everything was in order.

My watch said he was now fifteen minutes late, and I didn't have a phone message, so I decided to just take the boat out and check it myself. There was no reason I couldn't do it alone, and it would be a nice surprise for Robbie not to have to worry about it.

I untied the boat and turned on the motor, taking the helm and heading into the breeze. Soft white clouds floated on the clear blue sky as
Avery's Hope
cut through the green water scattered with golden leaves. It was a perfect fall day, and my heart was light when I heard a shout.

I turned to see Robbie waving on the pier. I shook my head. Of course he would show up just as I left. I waved back to him and started to turn the boat around. I was only about a pool length from the shore, but instead of waiting for me to return, Robbie took a running start, dove smoothly into the water, and began swimming to the boat.

I opened my mouth in shock, quickly trying to stop. I worried for a moment about him swimming with his arm in a sling, but he used a lazy side stroke that used his good arm to propel him through the water. As he came around to the back of the boat, I killed the motor and dropped the ladder into the water to let him up. As he hoisted himself onto the deck, I grabbed a couple of towels from below to dry him off.

He shook his head like a dog, sending water droplets flying across the deck, but a leaf still clung to his hair. I laughed and wrapped one of the towels around him, picking the golden leaf from his sandy hair.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, looking him over. "I was coming back to get you!"

He laughed, his eyes full of a boyish light. "I couldn't wait."

Robbie leaned forward, putting his hand under my chin and kissing me soundly. Crystal drops from his hair fell onto my face, his tongue sweet with the freshwater. It reminded me of our first kiss, sweet and warm, and I smiled as he kissed me.

"What is with you? You look like a puppy getting ready to go for a walk!" I giggled as he danced across the deck. His eyes were greener than I had ever seen them, and he moved like he was dancing with joy. He grinned and headed to the wheel.

"I'll show you. Turn on the motor."

His smile was contagious as I revved the engine, making water spurt behind us in a thin stream. An incredibly happy Robbie took the wheel and began navigating to a point further down the beach. He looked almost gallant in the sunshine, the towel hanging off his shoulders like a cape.

I could see a boat, sails still down as it floated gently on the water. It appeared as though there was a party going onboard, with multiple people walking around on the deck. Robbie seemed to be heading toward them.

"Go stand on the bow," he said, grinning like a kid on Christmas.

"Okay..." I answered, not sure what exactly was going on, but trusting him completely. The boat in front of us was now close enough to read the words printed in big, bold letters down the side: R&S SAUNDERS SAILING ACADEMY.

"R and S Saunders? Who is your new partner?" I asked, shading my face with my hand to try and read the words more easily. I heard Robbie turn off the engine, and I turned around to find him down on one knee, a jewelry box open in his hand.

"Hopefully you are. Samantha Conners, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?" His eyes were big as he waited for my response.

"Yes." The word escaped without me even having to think about it. I loved him more than anything. My heart was dancing a happy jig in my chest, and I was smiling so broadly it hurt. "Yes, I will marry you!"

Robbie's face lit up with bliss. He rose in a smooth motion, and our mouths found one another easily. The world was full of so many colors that I could barely see for my joy. He tasted sweeter than honey, the rough stubble of his unshaven cheek against mine making every sense come alive. His lips were warm and inviting, begging me to kiss him for eternity.

"SAY YES, AUNT SAM!" A small voice called out from the other boat. I broke from Robbie's kiss as he laughed, turning to see the other boat come alongside us. Aboard was a very smiley Avery, Grace, Jack, Emma, Rachel, and Dean.

"So that's why you were late," I murmured softly. Robbie nodded.

"She said yes!" Robbie called out, waving at the other boat. A cheer went up from the deck.

I pulled Robbie in for another kiss, eliciting a second cheer from our family.

"So a sailing school, huh?" I asked between kisses.

"I was hoping you'd be my partner for that too." He grinned at me. "The winner of the Champion of Champions Invitational sure would help convince people to come sail with us."

"I still get to race?"

"You now are fully sponsored by R&S Sailing," he answered, kissing the tip of my nose. "You in?"

"With you, I'd do anything. I'm all yours."

He kissed me then, filling my world with freshwater kisses and love.

T
he big yacht sways gently under my feet. It feels strange to be on a boat without sails, but it was the best way to be out on the water for the wedding. The boat is so large, I would never want to sail it alone. I smile. After today, I'll never have to sail alone again.