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Gabriel laughs, and I realise I’m getting used to the sound. “That’s one way of looking at it.” He steps back and I miss the closeness. “Do you want to go for a walk, or do you want to have a drink? I’m not sure what time the miscreant and his friends will be back.”
“Let’s have a drink. I like the idea of sipping champagne on a yacht. Something to tell the grandkids.”
It’s only then I realise what I’ve said.
“Hopefully, it will be something they’re accustomed to,” Gabriel says. However, I’m not sure I like the idea that they’re so accustomed to luxuries they expect them on a plate. Then again, I look at Gabriel and all his siblings. Every single one is successful. Apart from his younger sister, but then Harper is still only that, young. I was only just figuring out life at her age.
Gabriel leads me back through the main deck and onto the upper deck, which holds a seating area and bar. One of the crew is waiting to serve us drinks.
“Follow me,” Gabriel says, taking his drink and walking out of the side door.
I follow as we walk to the front of the boat. A hot tub bubbles away on the deck, and a large seating area stretches out behind it.
“They’ve thought of everything,” I say, following Gabriel.
The area is dark. We are above the other boats around us, so the area is private. The light from the pool and the moon the only thing lighting our way. The gentle beat of music and laughter from a nearby yacht is the only other sound.
We take a seat. I drop my head back and close my eyes, allowing the warmth and scent of the salty sea air to invade my senses, disperse the stress of the past few months.
When I finally open my eyes, Gabriel’s eyes are fixed on me. His expression is contemplative.
I smile. “This is amazing. Thank you.”
“You need to stop thanking me,” he says.
“Easier said than done when you keep doing lovely things for me. My mum and dad raised me to be grateful.”
The light from the pool lights up his smile. “My parents were the same. We were never allowed to take anything for granted. Things had to be worked for. I won’t want it any other way for any child we have.”
“I’m glad,” I tell him honestly.
“It will happen,” Gabriel says, as if reading my mind. “And if it doesn’t happen naturally, we can look at other methods.”
My gaze clashes with his. “Why?”
He gives me his lip-twitching smile. That tells me he thinks I’m being naïve.
“Because I can’t imagine having a child with anyone else.”
His honesty shocks me.
“But?”
“There are no buts. You get me. You ask no more of me than I can give. You’re honest. All this,” Gabriel’s hand waves at our surroundings. “You’re eager and impressed, but you’ll still cook me dinner when we get home, even though you know I can hire a chef to do it for you.”
“But where’s the fun in that?” I ask. “I grew up cooking in the kitchen with my mum. It’s how I learned.”
“Exactly, and that’s what I want for any child I bring into this world. Normality. Love, despite my wealth.”
I’m finally beginning to understand Gabriel. For all his wealth, he strives for a normal life. He still wears the same watch his mother and father gave him for his twenty-first birthday.
“I want that too,” I tell Gabriel, my heartbeat picks up as I stare at him. If we have a son, will he pass it to our child when he reaches twenty-one?
When did I start to see him as a man and father? Not just my boss and sperm donor?
We spend the rest of the evening chatting on the deck. Caleb and his friends are still out partying, but I’m struggling to keep my eyes open.
“Are you ready to call it a night?” Gabriel asks.
