a slip in this marina for five years. I turned the water on and stepped out of the glass-enclosed shower.
She stood by the door. “There’s even a bench built into the shower.” She glanced around the head.
I didn’t tell her I’d had it added, or that I’d specified the shower be built to accommodate two people. I was pissed about her comment about the cost of the Carver, and I didn’t like that the exchange of power was slipping to her court because of the size of a fucking bank account. I especially didn’t like it when it was the two of us alone.
I made to step past her to run back up to the galley to get us a couple of waters, but she stopped me with a hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”
The sudden urge to throw her against the wall and pin her arms was so goddamn overwhelming, I fisted my hands. This wasn’t how I imagined having her here would go. I wasn’t going to discuss money with her or the cost of the Carver or any other bullshit. I could take care of her. Not in a lifestyle with private jets or five-figure outfits, but she’d never go hungry or be without.
Her face pinched with concern, she stroked my arm. “Please, tell me what I did wrong.”
The fact that she thought she did something wrong only made me angrier. “Get undressed and get in the shower. I’ll be back in a minute.” I didn’t wait to see if she complied.
I got the fuck out of there.
Except I didn’t go the galley. I kept fucking moving until I was on the deck, pacing, and a figure stepped out the shadows on the dock.
Ty snorted. “You look like I fucking feel.”
“Yeah, how’s that?”
He smirked. “Like you need to smoke something or shoot something.”
“I don’t do drugs.”
He snorted out a laugh. “I’m talking about a fucking cigarette, not weed. I don’t fuck with that shit.” He nodded toward the boat. “How’s the famous singer?”
For a second, I didn’t know if he was being a dick or honestly asking.
“She looked pretty thrown when you brought her out,” he added.
I glanced back toward the galley to see if she’d followed before looking back at Ty. “She’s fine.” I was the one who was fucked-up.
“And you?” he asked.
I didn’t discuss personal shit with anyone. Not when I was younger, not in the Marines and not now. But I was fucked in the head enough tonight to open my mouth. “What do you think her net worth is?”
Ty laughed. “More than we’ll make in a hundred lifetimes.”
That’s what I was afraid of.
“But who fucking cares?” Ty shrugged. “Fuck her, feed her, treat her right.”
I didn’t know if it was the most appalling thing I’d ever heard him say or the best worst advice I’d ever gotten. I decided on neither. “She’s not a dog.”
He shrugged again. “She’s also not shacked up for the night with your brother or any other sorry loser. So count your fucking blessings. And for the record, your brother has a screw loose.”
Like Ty didn’t, but I didn’t argue the point. “Any paparazzi out there?”
“No.” Ty glanced up the dock. “Pussies are afraid of a little wind. It’s been quiet.” He looked back at me. “Can’t say what daybreak will bring though.” He scanned the marina. “Long-term, this isn’t a secure place to bring someone with her level of fame.”
Which was the exact other shit revelation I was stressing over. “I know.”
Ty nodded. “Good. Just making sure you’re not thinking with your dick, because the second word gets out she’s here, it’ll be like flies on shit. The water access alone will be a nightmare to contain.”
Fuck. “You’re not making me feel better.”
“Didn’t know it was in my job description.”
“It’s not.” Ty took some getting used to, but I appreciated his candor.
He smirked. “Glad we got that sorted. Now quit being a pussy and get back inside.”
I shook my head and palmed the handle on the slider.
“Nice boat, by the way. Didn’t know you lived here.”
“Not a boat,” I corrected. “Yacht.” I stepped inside and closed the door on Ty’s sardonic laugh.
Grabbing two waters, I headed back to the cabin and set the bottles down to strip. Then I stared at the gorgeous woman in my shower who was turned away from me, and I realized how right Ty was.