Becoming Rain: A Novel

Two hours of listening to these guys talk world politics and business is about all I can take. Partly because I’m not interested, but mostly because I have no fucking clue what these guys are talking about. Islamic rule? A Scottish referendum? North Korean missile launches?

I guess I should add CNN to my lineup of reality TV and sports. Too bad I hate watching the news. I can’t talk about business with Aref around these guys. So when I saw Rain leaning against the rail, her sexy, sleek curves calling to me, I had my excuse to detach.

“You two enjoy yourselves. Take a tour, if you’d like. There will be another course of appetizers circulating soon,” Elmira says, shooting a hard look at Rain before drifting away.

Rain’s body is rigid beneath my fingers. “What was that about?”

“I just don’t know how to read her.” With a deep sigh, she shakes her head. “It was nothing. How’s your night?”

Standing behind Rain, holding her like this, gives me easy access to her slender neck. I dip my nose into it, inhaling the scent of her—rose petals—my eyes stealing a glance at the swell of her breasts.

Remembering the night she gave me a millisecond’s worth glance at them at the window last week. It seems she’s more comfortable getting undressed for me from thirty feet and two glass panels away. If that’s what she needs to do for now, I’ll grin and bear it. From what I’ve already seen, it will be well worth the wait.

“Much better now.”

Her body finally relaxes into mine as my arms tighten around her waist, her ass pressing into my hips, about the exact time that my dick begins to harden. Perfect. Well, at least she knows she has my full attention.

When I asked Aref for two cabins, he laughed at me. Part of me wanted to take advantage of this situation, even if just to lie next to her. But, after last Saturday, I know that the likelihood of me controlling myself is near zero, so I figured I’d heed Jesse’s advice. “Follow her lead.” She has an out. If she decides she wants to climb into my bed, it’ll be 100 percent her choice.

And I’m 1,000 percent ready.

Sure enough, another waiter circulates with a tray of shrimp in minutes.

Rain groans. “I think I’m going to explode if I keep eating.” Her hand moves to her lower belly. Without hesitation, I cover it with mine, the width expanse of my fingers splaying over hers, feeling the seam of her panties through her dress with the tip of my pinky. She tenses for just a moment but, after taking a deep breath, she falls farther into me.

“How are the wives?”

She rolls her head until her cheek leans against my chest, and in a low voice, she admits, “Arrogant and boring. Listening to them makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a spoon.”

“So . . . good?” I chuckle.

She flashes a grimace at me. “Sorry. They’re just not my type. You know, the kind you can never fully trust.”

I smile. I want her to enjoy this night, but I’m happy she’s not that type. More and more, these women aren’t my type either. My type is quickly becoming Rain, and only Rain.

I can’t keep my mouth from grazing that soft curve at the base of her neck.

She stiffens momentarily before her head falls back, giving me easier access. “You were up there for a while. Anything interesting?”

“No. They were talking politics, mainly. I could have used that spoon on my own eyes after you did, actually.” I let my words drag over her silky skin with my lips. “Hopefully I can get Aref by himself later.”

Her chest heaves with a quick breath and my arm automatically tightens, fighting the urge to curl my hand up and around one of those perfect tits. “You have business to talk about tonight?”

“Yeah, but only a bit, I promise.”

“That’s okay, I understand.” She turns into me just slightly. “How well do you know him, anyway? You said you just met?”

“Aref wants a partnership with us and I need to test the waters to find out exactly what his terms are.” I’m probably saying more than I should but, I swear, her body is yanking the words out of me.

“Do whatever you have to do. We’re here all night.” There’s a pause, and then, “What kind of partnership? With the garage?” Her hips grind back into me and my mind goes blank, momentarily.

“Uh . . . no. But it has something to do with cars.”

Her free hand rises to slide over my cheek, her trim nails scraping against my light stubble. “We should spend some time with Aref and Elmira tonight. Get to know them better.”

“Sure. We can do that.” Or we can spend the rest of the night in your cabin; to hell with Aref and Elmira, and Rust, too.

Taking her hand in mine, I lead her around the corner, out of prime view. I spin her around in my arms and press her up against the railing, my hand behind her to soften the impact of the metal bar against her back.

The burn in her eyes, the sharp peaks at the front of her dress where her nipples have pebbled, the way her hand settles on my chest, sliding over the contours, makes me think she feels the same way that I do.

But I wait. Something I don’t ever remember doing. I wait for her to make the first move. I begin to think it’s not going to happen, and then I see the decision flicker across her face. She nods at me, like she can read my mind. That’s all I need before my hand’s weaving through her long hair at the base of her neck and I’m crashing into her mouth, tasting the sweet Champagne she just finished on her tongue.

If this were any other girl that I’ve ever been with, we’d be halfway down the stairs to my cabin by now. As it is, I don’t know how I’m going to actually get any sleep with her across the way. “Stay with me tonight?” slips out before I can help myself. I quickly follow it up with, “Just to sleep, that’s all. I promise.”

She doesn’t answer, closing her mouth over mine again, her palms sliding flush up the length of my stomach and chest, one chilly tip finding its way between the buttons of my shirt to slip under, grazing my skin.

I can’t help myself anymore, my hand groping her ass through the smooth silk, ready to lift her onto the ledge and press myself in between her thighs.

A horn blasts nearby.

“Coast Guard!” someone hollers in the background. It takes Rain’s palms pushing against my chest to catch my attention.

“Hey.” She giggles, her cheeks red.

I lost control with her again. It’s too easy. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Her nervous fumbles with that dragonfly necklace make me wonder if it really is okay, but then she gives me a quick pat on the chest and a kiss on the lips before slinking away and rounding the corner.

At some point while we were distracted, a few guests decided it would be a good idea to break out the coke. Rain and I watch as they scramble to snort every last line already laid out on the table before the Coast Guard boards.

Aref marches over to us, his strides much quicker than normal. “If you have anything that you don’t want them to find, I suggest you deal with it quickly. We won’t be allowed in our rooms while they search.”

“Does this happen a lot?” I ask.

“It’s happened once or twice to me since I bought this yacht,” he admits. “What can I say? It attracts a lot of attention.”

“But how can they just do that? Don’t they need a warrant or something?” Luke asks.

“Not on a boat. They have full jurisdiction on U.S.-sanctioned open waters,” Rain says and then presses her lips together.

“She’s right. They can jump onboard and tear this place apart.” He winks at Rain. “But, please, continue enjoying yourself. We’ll be rid of them soon.” As he’s turning, I catch the easygoing smile slide off his face, replaced with a frown.

He marches away, shifting over to another couple, I assume to warn them of the same. “I hope this night doesn’t end up in handcuffs,” I mutter quietly, as the lit-up Coast Guard boat—dwarfed by the size of Aref’s yacht but looking threatening all the same—speeds toward us.

“Why would it? Do you have something to hide?” Rain asks.

I smile down at her, roping my arms around her waist. “Nope. Not a thing.”