Chapter 167
**Sara**
Tom led me down the curved staircase into the yacht's interior. The main salon took my breath away - all cream leather and polished wood, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic lake views.
"Holy shit." I ran my fingers along a sleek granite counter. "This is nicer than my entire apartment building."
"Wait until you see the kitchen." He guided me through an archway into a space that would make Gordon Ramsay weep.
The tour continued through four luxurious cabins, each with its own bathroom that put most hotel suites to shame. Tom saved the master suite for last, and I couldn't help but gasp when he opened the double doors.
"This is ridiculous." I spun in a circle, taking in the king-sized bed, private lounge area, and what looked like a hot tub on the private deck. "How is this even possible on a yacht?"
"Money makes many things possible." His hands settled on my waist. "Including proper soundproofing."
"Is that so?" I turned in his arms. "Planning to make some noise, Professor?"
"Just being thorough with the tour details. Any other questions?"
"Several." I stepped back, ignoring his grunt of protest. "Like, where's the bridge? You know, where the actual boat steering happens?"
"Want to see?" Tom's eyes lit up like a kid about to show off his favorite toy. "It's upstairs."
He led me up another curved staircase to an enclosed bridge that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie. Sleek displays and touch screens covered every surface, with a captain's chair positioned front and center.
"This is insane." I ran my fingers over one of the screens. "How do you even know what all these buttons do?"
"I don't." Tom laughed. "That's why I have a captain."
A knock echoed through the bridge. Tom stepped away from me just as the door opened, revealing a weathered man in his fifties wearing a crisp white uniform.
"Mr. Blackwood." The captain nodded, his salt-and-pepper beard catching the sunlight. "Ready to set sail?"
"Captain Reynolds." Tom's professional tone caught me off guard after his playful flirting. "Yes, please. Just a short cruise around the lake."
"Excellent, sir." The captain's eyes flickered to me. "And this is...?"
"Sara Parker." I stepped forward, extending my hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise, Miss Parker." His handshake was firm, calloused from years at sea - or lake. "First time aboard the Black Pearl?"
"That obvious, huh?"
"The wide eyes give it away." He winked, moving to the control panel. "Most first-timers look like kids in a candy store."
The engines hummed to life beneath our feet. I watched, fascinated, as Captain Reynolds' fingers danced across the screens, the yacht responding to his commands like a well-trained pet.
"Come on." Tom touched my elbow. "Best view is up top."
He led me up one more flight of stairs to an open deck. The wind whipped my hair as we pulled away from the dock, the resort growing smaller behind us.
"Okay, this is pretty amazing." I gripped the railing, watching the wake spread out behind us in a perfect V. The lake stretched out ahead, crystal blue under the afternoon sun.
Tom's arms wrapped around my waist from behind. "Better than pretending to be newlyweds in the resort?"
"I don't know." I leaned back against his chest. "The honeymoon suite did come with that massive bathtub."
"The yacht has a hot tub." His lips brushed my ear. "And complete privacy."
"Does your captain know you use this boat for seducing innocent students?"
"Yacht," he corrected automatically. "And I've never brought anyone else here."
I turned in his arms. "Really?"
"Yes." His fingers traced patterns on my lower back. "You're the first."
"I find that hard to believe." I poked his chest. "Mr. 'I've had plenty of casual encounters.'"
"Those were different." His hands slid lower, cupping my ass. "Hotels exist for a reason."
"Uh-huh." I arched an eyebrow. "And Isabella? Amanda? Your gold-digger ex Josephine, who apparently broke your heart?"
Tom's grip tightened. "Getting jealous?"
"Just fact-checking." I wiggled against him. "Making sure I'm not lounging where some other girl left her thong."
"The only thong I'm interested in is the one you're wearing."
I felt my cheeks flush at his comment about my underwear. "Alright, alright. Point taken." I stepped away from his wandering hands before things could escalate further. "Let's maintain some decorum in front of your staff."
Tom groaned but released me. "You're no fun."
"I'm plenty fun." I moved to the railing, letting the wind cool my heated skin. "Just not into giving your captain a free show."
The yacht cut smoothly through the water, sending mist sprays into the air. The late afternoon sun painted everything golden, making the lake shimmer like liquid diamonds. I closed my eyes, enjoying the rush of wind and the gentle rock of the boat beneath my feet.
When I opened them again, Tom had moved to the opposite railing, his profile sharp against the sky. The wind ruffled his hair, and his rolled-up sleeves revealed forearms that dried my mouth.
"Tom?"
"Hmm?" He turned, sunlight catching his eyes.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You just did." His lips quirked up at the corners.
"Ha ha." I rolled my eyes. "I'm serious."
"In that case..." He crossed his arms, leaning back against the railing. "Ask away."
I bit my lip, watching him in the golden light. "Did you really not plan the whole honeymoon suite mix-up?"
"What?" His eyebrows shot up. "You think I orchestrated that?"
"Well..." I gestured vaguely. "You do own part of the resort."
"Sara, I booked that suite specifically because it has the best view of the lake. And the biggest bathtub." He winked. "The honeymoon mix-up was just... serendipitous."
"Really?" I crossed my arms. "And the champagne? The strawberries?"
"Standard for that suite, actually." He moved closer, his hands finding my hips. "It's marketed as a 'romantic getaway.' Most couples who book it are either celebrating anniversaries or..." His thumb traced circles on my hip. "Looking for a very private weekend."
"So you knew exactly what kind of room you were booking." I poked his chest. "Sneaky professor."
"I didn't think much about it when booking. Just picked the nicest suite available. I should probably tell Marcus to tighten up those honeymoon perks. Can't have every random couple claiming they're newlyweds for free champagne."
I laughed. "Aw, now you're worried about losing money? Mr. Forty-Percent-Owner suddenly concerned about a few bottles of champagne?"
"Hey, those bottles add up." His fingers danced along my waist. "Do you know how many fake newlyweds could scam my resort?"
"Poor you." I patted his chest in mock sympathy. "All those devious couples drinking your expensive champagne. How will you ever recover from such devastating losses?"
"It's the principle of the thing. Some fake newlyweds are worth the expense."
"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow. "And how do you determine which ones are worth it?"
"Well," he pulled me closer, "if they are gorgeous MBA students who drive their professors crazy..."
"Only students? Plural?"
"You know what I meant."
"Do I?" I teased, trailing a finger down his chest. "Because it sounds like you make a habit of seducing students on this fancy boat of yours."
"Yacht," he corrected automatically, then caught my smirk. "And you know damn well you're the only student I've ever-"
I silenced him with a finger to his lips. "The only student you've ever what, Professor? Corrupted? Scandalized? Given an A for extracurricular activities?"
Tom growled and captured my lips in a searing kiss that weakened my knees. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me flush against him as his tongue swept into my mouth. I melted into him, fingers tangling in his wind-tousled hair.
"You," he breathed against my lips between kisses, "are a dangerous woman."
"Me?" I gasped as his teeth grazed my bottom lip. "I'm just a humble student seeking extra credit opportunities."
His laugh rumbled through his chest. "Humble? You?" His hands slid lower, squeezing my ass. "The woman currently teasing her professor on his private yacht?"
"Still calling it a yacht?" I nipped his jaw. "Seems more like a floating love nest to me."
"Keep talking like that," his voice dropped to a rough tone, making heat pool in my belly. "I'll show you exactly how private this boat can be."
"Yacht," I corrected with a smirk, squealing when he pinched my side in retaliation.
"Now, who's being pedantic?" His lips traced down my neck, making it hard to remember why I was teasing him in the first place.
"Still you. I'm just learning from the best. Isn't that what good students do? Pay attention to their professors?"
"You're certainly paying attention to something. But I don't recall this being part of the curriculum."
"You should update your syllabus." I pressed closer, enjoying the growl that rumbled through his chest. "Add a section on practical applications of-"
His kiss cut off my words, hot and demanding. I forgot about teasing, forgot about everything except the feel of his hands on my skin and his tongue dancing with mine.
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