My Only Wish Read online

  “Yes. Thank you, Mr. Dixon. Please let us know when dinner is ready.”

  “Will do, sir.”

  Almost immediately, the ship left the dock, the deck slowly rocking beneath her feet. “So, I take it this isn’t you’re first time here?”

  “No. I like to come out whenever possible.”

  “It must be nice to have it at your disposal.” The thought of having something like this to escape to was beyond her imagination. Growing up in a securely middle-class family, she hadn’t wanted for much, but there had never been enough for such extravagances.

  He grunted his agreement, leading her into the living areas. In what had to be the common room, her breath was momentarily lost as she viewed the gleaming mahogany, buttery soft leather, and polished brass. “It’s breathtaking.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” She noticed he studied her and she flushed.

  “I guess that wasn’t too sophisticated of me.”

  “Actually, I find it rather refreshing. Far too many become jaded by this sort of thing. Seeing it through your eyes, I remember the first time I stepped on it. Thank you.” His thumb stroked her cheek and she barely suppressed the urge to lean into his touch. “Can I get you a drink?”

  “Only water, thanks. I’m not quite sure how alcohol and the movement of the boat will affect me.”

  He nodded, filling up a glass before handing it to her. “It’s fizzy water. If you have a tendency of getting seasick, it should help.”

  She sipped at the bubbling drink. “Thank you.”

  “Dinner is ready on the back deck as you requested, Mr. Thane.”

  “Thank you. We’ll be there shortly.” Mr. Dixon left with a brief nod.

  “Shall we? Or would you rather finish your drink in here?”

  “I don’t mind taking it with me.”

  He reached for her hand again, wrapping it in the crook of his arm. She was surprised by the gentlemanly gesture but didn’t comment on it.

  Walking to the back deck, she sighed as the balmy night air caressed her skin. It was colder on the water, but the discreet heating lamps around the deck kept her at a perfect temperature. The candlelight glowing from the table cast a rosy glow on the white dinner service and teased a sparkle out of the crystal, elegantly arranged for two.

  Holding her chair for her, Dylan helped her into her seat before taking his own.

  “I hope you like seafood. It seemed appropriate for the surroundings.”

  His lightened mood helped her to relax. “Sounds perfect.”

  Crusty bread and an appetizer of shrimp glazed in butter sauce were brought out by a trim-looking woman who was efficient at transferring the food from the platter to Abby’s plate without a drip escaping.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Dixon.” Dylan gave the woman a grateful smile before she left.

  “Mrs. Dixon? They’re married?”

  “Yes, they are the permanent caretakers of the vessel.”

  “How lovely. I can’t imagine being able to enjoy this every day.”

  “You’d probably tire of it if you were here that often.”

  “Perhaps. But I like to think it would never lose its magic.”

  “Things tend to lose their magic when you are around them often.”

  She took a bite of the shrimp, the flavors imprinting on her senses. “Oh, if ate these every day, I don’t think they’d ever lose their magic.” She ate a few more forkfuls before realizing he watched her.

  “You should really try some.” She smiled to cover her nervousness.

  Instead, he delivered a few more onto her plate. “I’m enjoying watching you savor them far more than I’d enjoy eating them.” His voice had gone husky.

  Self-consciously, she flicked her tongue to her lips in case she had a drop of butter there. His eyes darted to the movement, darkening with passion. But instead of saying something, he took a bite of his own shrimp, closing his eyes at the experience. And when his eyes opened, the passion she had seen earlier was banked.

  “You were right. These are amazing.”

  “Told you. Would you like more?”

  He shook his head before sipping some wine.

  “So tell me,” she said, buttering a flaky slice of bread, “does your job require you to travel often? I imagine a PI gets around.”

  “Not as much as I used to. I’ve been strapped to my desk more often than not,” he admitted, but didn’t expand upon it.

  “Do you miss it?”

  “Sometimes. I used to travel a lot. It’s a completely different lifestyle.”

  She sighed. “You’re lucky. It must have been amazing to travel and see so much, even if you were there on a job.”

  “Have you not traveled?” He leaned forward, his complete focus on her. She noticed that he would do that every once in awhile, as if he were tuning every sense into her, probing for clues, looking for secrets. It was unnerving, and at the same time flattering, to have his complete attention.

  “No. Not at all.” Then she smiled. “Well that’s not true. I did go to Disney World with my family once. But that was when I was twelve. I don’t remember too much about the airport or the drive over there, though.” He laughed. “Did you travel abroad often?”

  “Yes.”

  Puzzled by his short response, she decided to pry. “I guess it’s all classified.”

  “Some. Our company specializes in high-end security. Most of our clients are very wealthy or famous and we guard their privacy.”

  “I understand. So, what was your favorite place?”

  “My favorite place? You mean country?”

  She waved her hand in a vague gesture. “Or city, or monument, or whatever. What moment stands out more than the rest?”

  Mulling over it, he took another sip of wine as Mrs. Dixon cleared their plates. “I would have to say New York.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s always so busy. You can get lost there if you want to. And it is full of possibilities. Anyone can remake themselves there.”

  “Fascinating. I hadn’t thought of it like that. Whenever I think of New York I just imagine the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty.”

  Mrs. Dixon brought out the main course: crab stuffed chicken in lobster sauce with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The aroma was enough to make her go weak.

  With her first bite, she almost moaned, the flavors exploding on her tongue.

  “Are you always so… responsive when you eat?”

  She could only sigh for a moment before opening her eyes to see his curious look. “I would be if I ate like this all the time. I’d also be one hundred pounds heavier,” she said ruefully.

  “It would be a shame to watch you eat anything less worthy, then.”

  Her cheeks pinked, but she forced the color down, coughing lightly to clear her throat. “So, New York. Is that what you were able to do?” He looked confused by her question. No wonder, she chided herself, it didn’t make sense at all. If she wasn’t so rattled, she wouldn’t embarrass herself that way. “I mean, did you remake yourself there?”

  His eyes glanced quickly to hers, and she wondered what he was looking for. “Again, you surprise me. Not many people would pick up on that.”

  “I guess I’m just good with people.”

  “I think it’s more than that. You seem to understand them.”

  “I hadn’t really thought of it that way. I would say that I enjoy understanding people.”

  The conversation came to a lull as they focused on their dinner, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It gave her a chance to be in his company, to relish the delicious food and the stillness around them.

  She wanted to file away every sense so she could look back on this night, replay how perfect it all was. The quiet hum of the engine as it pushed the boat through the water, the strong smell of the ocean mingled with the scent of melting wax and savory butter, the array of tastes and textures from an incomparable meal, and the companionship of a gorgeous man that made
her blood simmer. It all coalesced into one of, if not the best, evenings of her life.

  As they waited for dessert, Dylan leaned back in his chair, looking more comfortable in his skin than any man she had ever seen.

  Is it any surprise why I’m falling for him? The thought made her jolt. Oh, no. She wasn’t going down that road. This date, this guy, was casual. Not for serious feelings or commitments. She forced those ideas home. This was their first real date.

  Get a grip on yourself!

  “I remember you telling me that you’re a nanny. Do you work most days?”

  She leaned back in her chair, trying to replicate his relaxed pose. “Yes. I mostly work during the week, but there’s the occasional thing on the weekend.”

  “I’m assuming with Christmas creeping closer, they must need you more.”

  “For most nannies, that’s true. However, the family that I work for usually takes a three-week vacation this time of year.”

  “That’s fortunate. It must be nice to have those weeks off.”

  She smiled; the effect of good food began to weigh her down, helping her muscles loosen. “It is. I keep telling myself that one of these years I’ll take the opportunity to travel, but I never do.”

  His head cocked to the side as he shifted in his chair. “Why?”

  “Well, I guess I just couldn’t bear to miss the holidays with my family. My family hosts a large party every year and it’s gotten to be a big thing.” She chuckled. “Holidays have always been huge in my family. It wouldn’t be the same if I spent it alone. What about you? Do you spend the holidays with your family?”

  “No.” His voice was curt before he smoothed it away with a smile. “I don’t have much family around anymore.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say. She didn’t think he would appreciate her sympathy, so she just left it at that.

  Crème brulée was served with a flourish, lifting the mood once again, and sampled with the same gusto.

  “Would you like some coffee inside?” he asked when they were finished, moving to assist her from the table.

  “If I do, I’m afraid I’ll be up all night.”

  They walked inside in silence, the moonlight glimmering over the smooth waves. Reaching their destination, he turned to her so quickly that she almost stumbled. Reaching out to balance her, he brought her into his arms.

  “I’d like to see you again.” His voice was gravelly.

  His rapid mood changes would have most people on edge, but she found them exciting, never knowing when he would take her into his arms.

  She wanted to kiss him, could almost feel his lips on hers. “I would like that too.” She would embrace every single moment she could with him. Because it could always end the next day. So instead of waiting for him to make a move, her hands moved up his back, trailing into his silky hair to bring his head down to meet hers.

  It started slow, another brief meeting of lips. But she felt the same intensity as the night before, the heat that jolted between them.

  It only took a moment before he wrested control away from her, molding her body to his.

  He tasted her greedily, giving and taking until she was breathless.

  “I want—”

  He cut her off with another demanding kiss before breaking away. “Take what you want,” he said, holding her head gently as his gaze burned into hers. “I’ll give you anything.”

  Her breath clogged in her throat. She knew he didn’t really mean that, but it didn’t matter.

  Her lips met his. Out of her mind, all she knew was that she wanted more. More of him, more of feeling this way. He unlocked the part of her that didn’t want to be ignored any longer.

  He brushed strands of her hair away from her face, breaking contact to look at the silken threads. “You’re so beautiful,” he said reverently. “Absolutely perfect.” His look and tender words pulled at something deep within her. And for once, she believed she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for another fevered kiss. She wanted to tell him how he made her feel, but couldn’t. She could only show him.

  He teased her with his fingers, running them up and down her back, her sides, until she thought she’d go mad. She couldn’t think, could barely breathe as they rode the storm of passion together.

  It took a moment for her head to clear before she realized that he was holding her away from him, his breath ragged as his eyes burned into hers.

  “There’s nothing more that I want in this moment than to lay you down on this couch and make love to you.” Her heart leaped into her throat at his words, thrilling at the heat in his eyes. But she knew it wasn’t right. As much as she wanted him, to find pleasure in his arms and give him the same in return, she needed more. No matter what she thought the night before when she entered the bar, she could never recover from a fling.

  Seeming to understand her feelings, he brought her closer for a lingering kiss, teasing her lips, savoring her.

  He released her by degrees, looking as if he wanted to curse for stopping. But his reluctance only made her yearn for him more. He cared enough about her to respect her.

  Helping her adjust the neck of her halter, he drew her hair aside and planted a kiss to her cooling skin, leaving a shiver in its wake.

  Taking her hand, he led her outside, and she was surprised to see that they had docked already. “I’ll take you home.”

  She knew it was for the best. Because if she spent any more time with him, she was afraid she would jump him no matter what the consequences were.

  “Do you have plans on Wednesday?”

  “No. But, I have a stipulation about a second date.” Helping her into the car, he looked at her curiously. “I get to plan it.”

  Part of her wondered if he would balk at her taking control, but when he laughed in amusement, she knew he didn’t mind. “I think I can handle that.”

  “Good. But just so you know. I don’t think I can come up with anything that could top tonight, but I promise you’ll have fun.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  They didn’t speak much on the ride back, and she was grateful that they didn’t feel the need to fill the silence.

  With a final kiss on her porch that left them both breathless, she went inside and closed the door, leaning against the frame, weak with pleasure.

  The beginning of the week flew by as Abby submerged herself in holiday rituals. Her mom had begun making the usual assortment of holiday candies, as it was now December fifth, and she wanted to get her goody plates out to her neighbors early.

  For the past two days, Abby had been up to her elbows in cookies, caramels, chocolate, and lolly-pops, with little time to think of anything other than getting the concoctions up to a certain temperature. After ruining the first batch of caramels, she had been determined to lock out thoughts of Dylan while cooking.

  But today, she was free to do so, and the thoughts that entered her mind had her heart hammering. What had passed between them on the yacht was overwhelming.

  She hadn’t been a nun in her life, but she could definitely say that every experience had paled in comparison to that night. They had been in tune, completely in sync with each other’s emotions and desires.

  That connection was something that her heart yearned for, something that she had wanted her whole life.

  But was it only physical? She hopped in the shower, still pondering the question.

  She hoped it wasn’t. The time they had spent talking, getting to know each other, had been just as enjoyable. He had a sense of humor that she appreciated, and he put her at ease.

  She didn’t feel the need to be anyone other than who she was, and she relished that.

  Finding out more about him, picking away at the different layers to find the man beneath, intrigued her. But would she like what she ultimately found?

  After drying off, she donned her red cashmere sweater and jeans. Pleased, when she noticed
that they drew attention to her curves. Not that she wanted to be overly sexual, but she did want him to notice her.

  She secured her hair in a low ponytail. The salty air that day would wreak havoc in a matter of seconds. But she didn’t care.

  Her cell phone rang on her nightstand, still charging from the night before. Seeing the number, her stomach dropped in disappointment.

  “Hello, Mrs. Shaw. How is your vacation going?” She tried not to fidget as she waited for her employer’s response. But she already knew what she would say.

  “Wonderful, Abby, but we had to hurry back for a meeting. I know this is your time off, but we really need you to watch the kids today.”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you. I know it is an imposition. I hope you didn’t have any plans.”

  “Nothing that can’t be rescheduled,” Abby said reassuringly, but she wished she didn’t have to. She had looked forward to today and was bitterly disappointed that she wouldn’t get to see Dylan.

  “Excellent. We need to leave in an hour, but if you need a little more time to get ready, Mrs. Bennett is here.” The housekeeper that Mrs. Shaw spoke of would be able to handle the kids until Abby arrived, but she knew that the older woman would ply the kids with so many sweets that they would have stomachaches by noon.

  “An hour should be fine.”

  “All right. We’ll see you then.” Abby ended the call and sank down into a chair.

  She loved her job. It was just times like these when she wished for traditional working hours. But there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

  Mr. and Mrs. Shaw paid her well to be at their disposal, whether they needed her at noon or midnight. Both lawyers, they owned a law firm that did steady business and often took them away at inconvenient times.

  Still, her ruined plans were a disappointment.

  She started dialing Dylan’s number to cancel their date, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  Glancing at the glowing screen, she saw that he was right on time. She winced, thinking of the time he wasted in coming to get her.

  She opened the door wide, inviting him in. “Hi.”

  He stepped inside, his limbs moving easily in his jeans and black bomber jacket. “Hi.” He searched her face. “Is something wrong?”