Page 156 of The Silver Fox Brother

I reach for her champagne glass and set it on one of the side tables nearby. Then I pull her close to me and start dancing to the sound of the music drifting through the speakers. We look into each other's eyes as we sway together.

"You're not difficult to please," I say.

Winter smiles back at me. "Well, you have excellent taste, it seems, Mr. Sterling." She draws out that last part, my surname, with a teasing lilt.

"I'm just glad you agreed to come to Naples for me," I say.

"I didn't think it was going to work out, but here we are."

Winter tilts her head slightly. "Here we are."

I lean down and kiss her. The kiss is small at first, just a brush of lips. But then Winter responds, pressing closer, and she puts her hands around my neck as I kiss her more deeply. We kiss passionately, slowly, the kind of kiss that isn't rushing toward anything but just exists in the moment.

Then she lays her head on my chest and we continue swaying to the music. I kiss the top of her head and breathe in the scent of her hair.

"Dinner is at seven, by the way."

I want to say more. Want to tell her that this feels different. That she feels different. That I haven't wanted to turn my phone off for anyone in years. But I don't want to wreck the mood.

We dance together for another ten minutes or so, just moving slowly to the music, not talking, just being. A crew member appears with fresh glasses of champagne on a tray. We each take one, the alcohol adding to the slight buzz that's making everything feel warm and easy.

I guide Winter over to the railing and we stand there looking out at the coastline. I point to a cluster of buildings along the waterfront.

"That development there," I say, gesturing with my glass.

"That's another one I'm working on. Luxury condos. Similar concept to the Tribeca project but scaled for the Florida market."

Winter follows my gaze.

"It's a prime location. Waterfront access is a huge selling point here."

"Exactly." I point to another area further down the coast.

"And that one over there, the taller building with the glassfacade. I'm an investor in that project. Not leading it, just financial backing."

"Do you prefer leading or investing?"

"Leading. I like having control over the vision. But investing lets me diversify without spreading myself too thin."

Winter nods, taking a sip of her champagne.

"That makes sense."

We continue talking, the conversation flowing naturally from one topic to another. The sun continues its descent toward the horizon, painting everything in shades of orange and pink. Time passes without me really noticing. The champagne, the conversation, the gentle motion of the yacht—it all blends together into something that feels almost surreal.

A deckhand approaches us. "Mr. Sterling, dinner will be served in thirty minutes."

"Thank you."

The deckhand nods and walks away. Winter sets down her champagne glass.

"I'm going to go freshen up."

I nod as she begins making her way toward the stairs that lead down to the lower deck where the master suites are located. I watch her intently, the way her dress moves with each step, the way her hand trails along the railing.

Something in me decides to follow her. I set down my own glass and head toward the stairs.

As I make my way to the bottom of the steps and see the door to the master suite slightly open. I don't bother knocking. Without hesitation, I put my hand on the door and slowly push it open.