When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 147

Amelia

The salt-laden breeze tousled my hair as I stepped onto the gleaming deck of the yacht. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been on a boat this massive or this luxurious. Behind me, Olivia and Sophie were practically bouncing with excitement, their voices rising and falling like giddy teenagers.

"Oh my God, Amelia, look at this!" Olivia squealed, pointing at the polished teak deck that stretched before us. "It's like something out of a movie!"

Sophie was already heading toward the lower deck. "I'm going to find my cabin! This is going to be amazing!"

"Then I'll go with Noah to find my cabin," Olivia said.

I smiled at their enthusiasm, feeling a gentle tug on my hand as Ethan guided me away from the commotion. He led me toward the upper deck, his steps confident and purposeful.

"Let them explore," he said, his voice low near my ear. "I want to show you something else."

As we climbed the stairs to a more secluded area of the yacht, a thought struck me. "Ethan," I said, narrowing my eyes suspiciously, "is this your yacht?"

He gave me that half-smile that still made my heart skip. "It was."

"Was?"

He nodded, stopping at the top of the stairs. "Now it's yours."

I froze, my mouth falling open. "What? No, Ethan, that's—"

"Too much?" He shrugged. "I don't think so. I've already transferred the ownership to your name. Consider it a gift."

"A gift?" I sputtered. "People give flowers as gifts, Ethan. Maybe jewelry. Not multi-million dollar yachts!"

He chuckled, seemingly amused by my reaction. "I'm on an important mission here," he explained, his tone half-joking. "Your uncle entrusted all of you to my care. I wouldn't trust just anyone's boat for this trip."

I stared at him, trying to gauge if he was serious. The wind ruffled his dark hair, and his blue eyes were unusually bright in the sunlight. He was serious.

"You can't just—"

"I already did," he said simply, taking my hand again and leading me toward what appeared to be the master suite. "Come on, let me show you your new floating palace."

The suite was breathtaking—all cream-colored luxury with accents of deep blue. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the ocean, and a king-sized bed dominated the far wall.

"How long will we be sailing?" I asked, trying to focus on practical matters rather than the enormity of his gesture.

"As long as you want," Ethan replied, leaning against the doorframe. "We'll anchor at a few private beaches, maybe do some snorkeling."

I nodded, feeling suddenly overwhelmed. "I should check on Sophie, make sure she's settled in."

Ethan pushed himself off the doorframe. "Of course. The kids are with Michael right now. I'll show you the way to Sophie's cabin."

As we walked, Ethan naturally took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine in a gesture that felt both possessive and comforting. I couldn't help but notice how his thumb absently caressed my knuckles, the casual intimacy making my heart race. When I shot him a warning glance, he merely smirked, clearly enjoying my reaction.

We found Sophie and Rachel on the balcony of Sophie's cabin, both leaning over the railing and gazing at the vast expanse of the Atlantic.

"God, it's beautiful," Rachel breathed. "This is what being alive feels like."

"Did you die yesterday?" James's sardonic voice came from behind us. "Should we find someone to reenact the Titanic jumping scene with you?"

Sophie turned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're so funny, Mr. Hayes. I didn't know you'd seen Titanic."

James looked momentarily thrown, his usual composed demeanor cracking slightly. He nodded once before quickly retreating, clearly unused to being teased by a young woman like Sophie.

Once he was gone, I pulled Sophie aside. "Do you actually like him?" I asked curiously.

Sophie's cheeks flushed pink, but her gaze was steady. "I'm not joking, Amelia. I really do like him—everything from that brooding exterior to those little glimpses of humor he lets slip."

"He's quite a bit older than you," I pointed out gently.

"I know," she nodded. "I'm going to tell Mom about it. Maybe she can give me some advice on how to pursue a mature man like James."

Rachel laughed from nearby. "You're braver than me, Sophie."

Sophie shrugged, her confidence unwavering. "When you like someone, you should go for it. I don't want to leave New York with regrets when this trip is over."

Back in our suite, Ethan wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. "Amelia," he whispered, his voice unusually thick with emotion, "I love you. I'll love you for the rest of my life. That won't change."

I turned in his arms, surprised by the intensity in his eyes. Something seemed different—almost urgent—but I chose not to question it.

"You're being very dramatic today," I teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Is it the sea air?"

He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Maybe I'm just happy to have you all to myself for a few days."

Later, as we unpacked, I brought up Sophie's infatuation with James. "Do you think James would ever consider someone so much younger?"

Ethan considered this, folding a shirt with precise movements. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on the situation. I won't let Sophie get hurt."

"If she ends up heartbroken, I'm blaming you entirely," I warned, only half-joking.

"Noted," Ethan nodded solemnly. "I'll add 'Sophie's heart' to my list of missions for this trip."

As the sun began to set, casting golden light across our room, I remembered something. "Are the kids still with Michael? I hope they're not giving him too much trouble."

Ethan shrugged. "Still with Michael. And I'm paying him double his usual rate."

"That's... generous."

"This is free practical experience for him," Ethan explained.

I laughed softly, understanding the way Ethan showed care through practicality. As the yacht gently rocked beneath us, I felt a sense of anticipation for the days ahead.