Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Grace

" A nd the winner of the helicopter," the announcer says into the microphone, "with a very generous bid of 2.3 million is Stan Washburn."

Everyone claps as Stan nods his head.

I stand on my toes to whisper in Nolan's ear. "He doesn't look very happy."

He chuckles as he watches the sullen old man grimacing. "Maybe he wanted it in blue?"

I'm still kind of lightheaded as they announce more winners. I just had the kiss of a lifetime. The kind that songs are written about and epic tales are told over generations. It was magical.

My mouth is still watering. My body is still humming. I can't believe I kissed this man.

I'm holding Nolan's hand and stroking his arm, feeling his hard muscles under his soft suit. He looks down at me with a smile .

I can't wait to tell my mom about this. She's going to freak out. My dad would freak out too, but in a different kind of way.

"And now for a month-long stay in a luxurious villa in Santorini, Greece," the announcer says. I look up at Nolan with excitement buzzing in my chest. "The winner is… Nolan Barlowe!"

The whole Hyenas team cheers as Nolan goes onto the stage to claim his prize.

He's booked for this summer after the playoffs are over. I wonder who he's going to take…

I smile and clap as I stare at him on stage, shaking that lady's hand. He's so hot. I start to mentally undress him, taking off his suit jacket, unraveling his tie, undoing each button slowly on that crisp white shirt. I picture him on the beach in a bathing suit, his sun-kissed skin glistening from the ocean water.

I've never wanted to go on a trip so badly in all of my life. A month with Nolan in paradise… That would be a dream come true.

"Congratulations," I say as he returns. He immediately takes my hand again and it makes me blush. "Have fun on your trip."

He looks at me with a grin. " Our trip."

I don't say anything. I just smile. It's fun to play along, but it's only been a couple of hours. The month-long stay is in August, four months from now. He might not even remember my name by then. I'm fully aware that this all might just be an unrealistic fantasy I'm concocting in my head and he might bring some other lucky girl instead. But still… For tonight, it's real. I'm going to indulge in the fantasy a little bit while I can.

After the auction finishes, we each grab a drink at the bar and head over to a quiet spot near the stern of the yacht .

"Oh no," I say when I see the lit-up buildings getting larger. "Are we heading back to the pier?"

Nolan pulls up his sleeve to look at his Rolex. "It's almost midnight."

"Already?"

I feel the swell of happiness that's been swirling inside me all night starting to fade. Sadness takes its place.

Nolan and I erase the distance between us. He puts his big muscular arms around me and holds me like he's never going to let me go. I sink into his chest and inhale his masculine cologne.

"The night doesn't have to end now," he says in his deep rich voice. "I can drive you home. I can take you anywhere."

"I came with my father…"

"Right," he says with a heavy sigh.

I swallow hard as I look up at him. "Am I going to see you again?"

He cups my cheeks with his big hands and gazes into my eyes with a loving look. "Of course. I don't know how I'd live without you."

We kiss again and the tingling that starts in my lips travels all the way down to my curled toes. I'm blushing when we finally pull away. God, I love kissing this man. I can't get enough of it.

Knowing we're about to part has dampened the mood a bit. We just hold each other and watch the gorgeous view as the yacht slowly returns to the pier. The stars are shining above our heads and there's a cool breeze from being on the water.

Nolan sees me shiver, takes off his jacket, and puts it on my shoulders. I smile as I inhale his sexy rugged scent.

The moment I'm dreading arrives when the yacht comes to a stop. I hear the crew securing the boat to the pier and then the ramp gets lowered.

People slowly start exiting, but some linger, not willing to give up the free drinks and luxurious accommodations until they're directly told by security to leave.

"I guess we should head out," I say, reluctant to leave this spot. I know that Nolan is going to be starting the playoffs in a few days and if my past experience with my father holds true, he's going to be very busy and very preoccupied. I might not even cross his mind.

"When can I see you again?" Nolan asks as he holds my wrist tightly.

"Dad says you guys are heading to New York for the first round of playoffs. When are you leaving?"

"Shit," he says as he runs a hand through his hair. "I wasn't even thinking about that. I leave tomorrow."

I drop my eyes to the floor and bite my bottom lip. This is such bad timing.

"As soon as I get back," he says, tilting my chin up until I'm looking into his eyes again. "I'll take you out. Anywhere you want."

"I just want to be with you," I say as I step on my toes, going right for that sexy mouth.

A familiar sound hits my ears just as I'm about to kiss him—my father loudly clearing his throat.

I whip my head around and force out a smile when I see my father staring at us with steely eyes.

"Oh, hi Daddy!" I say as I step back from Nolan. He releases my hand and stands up straight.

"Hello, sir. Did you enjoy your night?"

Dad won't even look at him. "Let's go, Grace."

He storms away with his body all tight. I look up at Nolan one last time and just because he's so cute and I can't help myself, I stand on my toes and quickly kiss the bottom of his chin before running after my dad.

I take one last look over my shoulder before I head inside.

Nolan is standing alone on the stern of the ship, watching me and looking crushed.

And looking hotter than ever.