One Long Embrace (Eternal Bachelors Club #5)

“You’re not making it easy for me to leave this room.”


At his words, she yanked her eyes upward and met his. She felt heat rise into her cheeks.

Jay reached out his hand and traced her lips with his thumb. “It’s charming how you blush like that, darlin’, absolutely charming.”



~



Reluctantly, Jay turned and left the stateroom. He stalked upstairs and found Zach waiting for him on deck.

When Jay closed the sliding glass door behind him, Zach pivoted, shaking his head.

“The Ice Maiden? Really?” his friend asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t tell me you’re the only one who isn’t aware of Tara’s reputation. Apparently she’s as cold as ice in bed.”

“We’re obviously not talking about the same person,” Jay protested, but was unwilling to divulge any more. He wasn’t one to kiss and tell. What Tara and he had was something special. Out of this world amazing.

Zach pointed toward the cabin. “I recognize Tara Pierpont when I see her. And that was definitely—”

“Pierpont?” Jay squeezed out. He knew the name, though he didn’t know the family personally.

Surprise washed over Zach’s face. “Oh, no, don’t tell me you don’t even know her name.”

Jay ran a hand through his hair. “She only introduced herself as Tara.” He sighed. How could he not have made the connection? “Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. I have bigger problems.”

“I’d say,” Zach agreed. “What was all that talk about me owning this boat?” He glanced around. “Not that I wouldn’t mind having it.”

Jay drew closer and lowered his voice. “Okay, here’s the deal. Tara thinks I’m a part-time waiter and construction worker. And that you’re letting me crash on your boat during the summer.”

“That makes no sense whatsoever,” Zach claimed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“It makes perfect sense. You just have to pretend you’re my boss. The house in Montauk that I’m renovating is yours, and I’m a contractor working on it. Got that?”

“Why on earth would you pretend to be some working class—”

“Have you ever thought that maybe the reason Tara is known as the Ice Maiden is because she’s not into rich guys?” Jay cut him off.

“Every woman is into rich guys.”

“Tara isn’t. She wants something real.”

“Real? And you think pretending to be poor is real? What bizarre reality are you living in? You’re lying to her. Why can’t you just tell her who you are? I mean—” He motioned to the cabin again. “—clearly you guys had sex, so obviously she likes you. Don’t you think she’ll like you even more once she knows you’re not poor?”

“On the contrary. She’s gonna run for the hills if I tell her now. She’s vulnerable.”

“Well, that’s just perfect,” Zach answered, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “And because she’s vulnerable you’ve decided to deceive her? Explain the rationale behind that for me, please.”

“I wasn’t going to deceive her, but she mistook me for a waiter at the party. And I saw my chance.”

Zach arched an eyebrow. “Chance?”

Jay sighed. “Have you already forgotten what happened with Deborah?”

“I thought you were over her.”

“I am.” And he really was. “But I don’t want to make the same mistake twice. I want a woman to get to know me without being blinded by all this.” He made a sweeping movement with his arm. “You of all people should understand that. Have you never wondered whether the women you sleep with like you for yourself or for your money?”

Zach hesitated for a moment, clearly contemplating the question. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Because one day she will find out, and then this whole thing is gonna blow up in your face.”

“One day. But not any time soon. The Pierponts don’t know me personally. I was never introduced. She has no way of finding out who I really am as long as you play your part. And by the end of the summer, who knows?”

Zach grinned. “You’re a hopeless romantic.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

Then his friend chuckled. “So that’s what turns Tara on, huh? Slumming it with a waiter? Just how hot does she get in bed?”

Jay stabbed his finger into Zach’s chest. “You’ll never find out. I’ll make sure of that.”

“Is that a tone to take with your boss?”

“We’re in agreement then?”

“There are conditions, of course.”

Jay tensed.

“Once production for this yacht gets on the way, I’ll be the first on the waiting list.”

“Deal.”

“Oh, I’m not done.”

“What else?”

“You’re gonna let me prove to you that Tara is into rich guys, after all.”