Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, taking in both the ocean and Gannon’s crisp, clean scent that always reminded me of standing on a cliff in the brisk sea air.
Taking a step back, Gannon motioned forward with his head. “Come on, I’m itching to get out on the water.”
“Lead the way.”
As we walked down one of the piers, I took in the vessels around us. Some were small bay boats, some large yachts. All of them had my heart racing with excitement. As much as I feared the ocean—and I definitely feared it—there was something so freeing about being on a boat and sailing over the water. Boating itself was calming and one of my most favorite things to do. But you wouldn’t be able to get me into the water. No, thank you. The only water I was willing to swim in was a pool.
Gannon stopped in front of a beautiful yacht that made my breath catch in my throat. Surely this wasn’t his?
He headed down the side dock and then turned to take my hand to help me up.
“Wait. Gannon, this isn’t a boat. It’s a yacht. A stunningly beautiful yacht! She’s yours?”
He looked at the boat and then back to me. “She’s all mine. Come on, I’ll give you a tour before we take her out.”
I was positive my mouth was open in shock. I started up the plank and stepped onto the main deck.
“Holy shit,” I whispered as I glanced around.
“She belonged to a friend of my dad, and he sold her to me for a great price. Was still a pretty big ticket, but she’s worth it.”
I turned in a circle to take it all in. The deck was teak wood and in beautiful condition. A large table that seated six sat at the back of the boat, also made from teak but stained a darker color.
“The back of this boat is nicer—and bigger, I might add—than my apartment in Boston!”
Gannon grinned. “He threw in all the furniture, so I didn’t have to buy anything. He never used the mattresses either, so that was another win for me. They still had the damn plastic wrap on them.”
“Did he not ever take her out?”
“Bought it right before he found out his wife was sick with cancer. He took it out a few times but never slept on it.”
Nodding, I replied, “That’s so sad.”
There was a small refrigerator on the deck and large sliding-glass doors that led to the main salon. A brown leather sofa and love seat filled most of the area to one side. A large TV hung from the wall, and opposite the couch was a recliner that I could totally see myself snuggled up in, reading a good book. Next to that was some storage and a massive liquor cabinet with a bar cart next to it.
We walked farther inside and I sucked in a breath when I saw the galley. “Again, this is nicer than my apartment in Boston. Look at the countertops…and double ovens? You could live here!”
Gannon laughed. “I’ve spent a night or two on her. Nothing like sleeping while she bobs up and down in the water.”
To one side of the galley was another beautiful solid wood table that matched the oak paneling throughout the main cabin. Above the table was another large-screen TV. Through the kitchen was the bridge that housed seating for a few people to watch as the captain drove the boat.
“How many staterooms does she have?” I asked.
“Four, and three heads. She can sleep up to eight with two crew members, if needed.”
I slowly shook my head. This thing must have cost Gannon a pretty penny. I knew he made good money being a boat pilot, but a yacht? Goodness.
“Let me show you the main stateroom.”
Following him down to the first room, I brought my hand to my mouth as I stared at the massive bed in front of me. More beautiful, dark-colored wood filled the space with navy-blue blinds covering the windows that ran the length of the room.
“I bet this is beautiful at night,” I said.
“It is.” His voice was low in a way that made my insides tremble. My eyes landed on the bed again, and I couldn’t help but imagine lying in it with Gannon. I stopped my thoughts from going there and turned to look at him. “The head?”
He winked. “You’ll like it. Right through here.”
He was right. I loved it. It had the same granite counters, along with his-and-her sinks and a huge shower.
Oh dear, Adelaide, don’t let your mind go there either.
“That’s an impressive shower,” I said as I peeked inside. I turned around—only to come face to face with Gannon.
“It is. I think it would fit two pretty comfortably. We may have to test it.”