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“Evening Mr Frazer, Ms Walker.”
“Leah, this is Edward, the Captain of Francesca’s Escape and Tim,” I say, introducing them.
“Pleased to meet you, Ma’am,” Edward says. “If you’d care to follow us. Your brother has already arrived, although he and his friends have gone to the casino.”
I stop dead in my tracks. “My brother?”
“Mr Caleb arrived this afternoon. I assumed you were expecting him.”
“It’s fine,” I say through gritted teeth.
What the hell is Caleb doing here?
So much for a relaxing weekend with the playboy prince onboard.
The gentle touch of Leah’s hand on my arm pulls me back. Her telling smile at my I’m fine comment.
“Let’s see what he wants.”
I huff, only to find myself graced with another one of her stomach-quivering smiles.
CHAPTER 32
LEAH
The view is breathtaking. I’ve walked past marinas before. Vince and I travelled to some beautiful places, but this is different. I know it shouldn’t be, Gabriel is my boss, not my boyfriend, but I can’t help it. Deep inside my stomach, anticipation bubbles.
Glancing over at Gabriel, his lips are tight, and have been since the captain announced Caleb is also onboard. I know the yacht belongs to Gabriel, but his family are free to use it. At least I know Caleb. Any of his other family members and it may have been an awkward introduction.
We follow Edward down a concrete sidewalk that runs alongside the waterway. Tim has taken our bags and gone ahead. I stop and take in the sights.
“This is something else,” I say, my voice breathless.
Gabriel squeezes my hand in response.
Boats of all shapes and sizes line up along the piers and wooden docks that stretch out onto the water. Tethered by ropes to the pier cleats, the slapping of the water against the hulls, a soothing sound in the maze of boats. Lights, music, and laughter fill the air, drowning out the underlying clinking and wind whistles through the aluminium masts.
We reach our destination. When Gabriel said yacht, he meant it. It’s at least fifty metres.
“Welcome to Francesca’s Escape,” Gabriel says. “My escape.”
I turn to face him, “Gabriel, this is...”
His lips twitch, and his eyes sparkle. “Do you think you can have a relaxing weekend here?” he asks.
I tilt my head and tap a finger on my lips as if contemplating his question. “I’ll try,” I say before letting Gabriel lead me up the gang plank onto the yacht.
Tim and our bags are nowhere in sight.
Gabriel leads us past a pool and seating, into the main body of the yacht, and then into the upstairs central stateroom. This is luxury at its finest. Sofas adorn the sides. Windows offer spectacular views, high above most of the smaller boats.
“Would you care for a drink, sir?” a man appears out of nowhere.
Gabriel looks to me and I smile.
“Champagne?” he asks, drawing me down onto one of the sofas.
I smile and nod. What woman is going to turn down Champagne on a yacht in the heart of Monaco. Not this one.
