Chapter 96: Chapter 96
Amelia's POV
All the way, he glanced briefly a few times towards me but I kept my gaze focused on the scenes whizzing past. If I hated anything in life, it was a surprise and Tristan knew that too well. "So, are we to start our date being mad at one another?" he asked, his voice full of amusement.
"I'm not mad at you," I shrugged, lying through my teeth. He chuckled, knowing that I was lying.
"Baby doll, I can read you. So don't even make such a feeble attempt at lying," he said. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Then tell me where we're going? Someday I'll do the same to you," I threatened. He raised an eyebrow at me as if he loved my suggestion.
"Really? I can't wait for you to take me on a surprise date. I hope it'd be somewhere we'd be all alone! Some deserted island where I can just do what my heart desires. Do you want to know what my heart desires to do with you?" he asked, his eyes dancing with a strange excitement as he maneuvered the car. I simply gaped at him and his filthy mouth which was spewing out anything that came to his head. God! Why didn't he have a filter fitted to his mouth? Of course, I knew that the list of things that he would want to do with me would be long and dirty. My traitorous body wanted to hear them but my mind knew how embarrassing they could be.
"I didn't say that I'd ever take you out on a surprise date?" I said, rolling my eyes again.
"Really? My bad! I misunderstood. So do you want to hear? I'll tell you anyway," he said, his eyes dancing with mischief.
"No, please. I don't want to hear it," I said in a panic, covering my ears and closing my eyes. Still, I could hear his low chuckle, the sound reverberating within the close confines of the car. Thankfully he didn't say a word further. A deep flush stained my cheeks, spreading all over my body.
"You can now open your eyes. We've reached," he said in a husky tone.
We reached Chelsea Pier and Tristan parked the car in a private parking area. Climbing out, I inhaled the fresh air, filling my lungs to the fullest. My eyes sparkled with excitement as I looked around the place with anticipation. Tristan stared at me and then a slow and satisfying smile brightened up his face.
"You seem to like this place," he drawled. I nodded at him.
"Yes, it's so refreshing to be away from the city roads," I admitted. He led me to the waterfront and a beautiful white yacht was anchored there, waiting for us.
I gasped with amazement seeing the sheer beauty of the majestic vessel right in front of me. "Are we going on a cruise?" I asked, forgetting our previous conversation. He nodded, his piercing eyes holding my gaze, taking in my excited upturned face.
"C'mon, let's get you aboard my Aqua Marina!" He said with a wink. I gaped at him with disbelief. This grand thing belonged to him? Dumbstruck, I glanced at the yacht.
The spectacular white yacht had a royal blue livery, a sleek sublime union of elegant, exquisite materials, and a contemporary edge. The sculptural curves from the bow rake swooped down through the deck levels, ending in an arch that plunged to the waterline. The Hendersons company logo 'Springwell Clubs and Resorts' was incorporated at the side of the hull against the signature royal blue backdrop. The huge deck at the topmost level had luxurious seating arrangements and entertainment areas. Right. It did belong to him!
Tristan held my lower back and guided me towards the yacht and helped me on board. "Do you like it?" he asked, smiling proudly at my wide-eyed appreciation of the royal beauty of the vessel.
"Is this yours?" I asked in disbelief.
"No, actually this is Dad's. We use it for business as well as personal purposes," He explained as we went to the spectacular top deck and stood watching the blue water beyond.
"Come, I'll give you a tour " he offered, leading me downstairs. He showed me the opulent interiors of the yacht, the entire space being decorated in white with splashes of blue, in artworks, cushions, panels, and upholstery and small references of it in minor parts, ensuring that the color was ever-present but never overbearing.
A tall uniformed man in his thirties approached us with a friendly smile plastered on his face. He shook hands with Tristan and then hugged him as well, "Welcome on board, T. It's so good to see you after 8 long years." He said, his kind eyes welcoming him.
My eyes widened, Tristan came here eight years back. Didn't he set foot on his vessel for eight long years? Why?
Tristan smiled at him and hugged him back, "Good to see you too, Craig. How have you been?" he asked.
Craig nodded, "I'm good," he said and then looked at me and smiled.
Tristan drew me forward and introduced me to him, "Meet Amelia, she's a very special person in my life," he said looking at me tenderly. I felt warmth spread all over my body at his words. "Baby doll, This is Craig, our Captain," he said.
Craig smiled and shook my hand, "Welcome aboard, Amelia. Glad to meet you! Please make yourselves comfortable. The cruise will be of three hours duration. Dinner will be served after an hour. Enjoy yourselves," He said and with a wave, he left us alone.
I sat down on the plush sofa and looked around as Craig maneuvered the vessel out into the Hudson River. Tristan sat too close to me, his thighs brushing against mine all the time. I felt acutely aware of his nearness and tried to put some distance between us but his hand restrained me from doing so. My heart thundered in my chest and I waited in anticipation for what was to come. This was my first date with Tristan, the date I had always wanted to go on. My dream date!