Revenge is a confession of pain – LATIN PROVERB

Cat's doorbell rang and she rushed to answer it. She knew she looked good in the midnight blue dress. But what she didn't realize was that it brought out the shine of blue in her eyes and clung to her curves like a lover's touch when she moved.

Cat pulled the door open as she promised herself that she'd keep up a professional and composed manner irrespective of Alex's behavior towards her. But all rational thoughts flew out of her head when she saw Alex wearing a sexy half-grin. His melting green eyes skipped over her body in a practiced manner and her heart rate went over beating 100 beats per second.

"Did you wait for long?" He extended his arm to offer her a box wrapped in silver paper.

'"A while," She stared at the offering not making a move to touch it.

"Go on, it won't bite."

"The giver might."

"Only if you ask, nicely."

It pissed her off that Alex had said it wasn't going to be a date, but clearly, he was operating from another playbook. Also, he looked as though he'd stepped off some photoshoot for GQ. In his I'm-too-sexy-for-my-black jeans, open-collared black shirt, and stylish leather jacket, he looked completely edible.

"Weren't you going to send your lackey to pick me up? I didn't realize multimillionaire CEOs had so much free time on their hands for acting as a personal escort?"

"That's multibillionaire CEO to you, thanks for asking."

He chuckled and entered her modest suite as she rolled her eyes at him. Instinctively, Cat grabbed the gift as he stepped in.

"So where are we going?"

He ignored Cat and casually continued to look around the room. Deciding to play it by ear, she put the box on the table and got her purse.

"Aren't you going to open it?" He gestured to the box.

"Should I?"

"If we're to make those reservations we'd better get going."

The drive to the restaurant was completed in total silence. When they drove past the most fashionable part of town Cat started to wonder where exactly they were headed to. She didn't like the uncertainty, but she also knew that Alex wouldn't tell her unless he was ready to.

Alex's beautiful black Aston Martin Vantage finally turned into a bay where a very beautifully decorated ferry bobbed under the shining stars. Spilling with calla lilies, roses, and twinkly lights, it looked like something that belonged in a fairy tale. She didn't remember ever being charmed by a ferry boat before.

"It's beautiful," Cat whispered.

"A body needs nothing more than food and water to survive, for the mind its good conversation, but the soul-" He looked away when she turned to him.

"The soul seeks beauty even when none is to be found," She finished for him. "What is this Alex? I thought you said this wasn't going to be a date."

"Have you? Even once thought about the things you said to me?" Alex gazed at her enquiringly and continued without waiting for her reply, "I hope you aren't afraid of the water."

"I'm not afraid of anything you'd ever throw at me."

"You don't really believe that," Alex drawled in his deep throaty voice.

"But I do."

"Let's tempt the fates then. Welcome aboard the Marianna."

With that cryptic remark, he walked away from her. The captain gave a respectful nod to Alex as he boarded the ferry and she was left with no choice but to follow.

For now.

She regretted ever having agreed to this farce. But as soon as Cat stepped aboard the deck she realized that a wedding party was in full swing. A few other couples and families were standing nearby while the bride and groom were sipping champagne and gazing adoringly into each other's eyes. She felt disappointed that this wasn't a date and that Alex hadn't done this for her. Cat huffed growing angry at the thought of feeling this...misplaced disappointment rather than relief. He was supposed to be public-shy and a loner, wasn't he? But apparently, Alex was eccentric enough to share a wedding party's ferry.

"Don't they look happy together?" A sexy voice whispered in her ear.

"Hmm?"

Snapping out of her confused thoughts, she felt Alex tower behind her as he held out a glass of champagne in front of her.

"It's on the house. Apparently, the groom is very happy about his good fortune. The poor bastard."

She took the offered glass and sipped at the frothy liquid contemplating the scene before her. The salty scent of the water, the heady musk of the man behind her, and the perfume of the flowers made for a drugging brew.

Even without the drink in your hand.

"I hadn't realized you'd become so cynical about the institution."

"Not cynical, just realistic. It's just that I find happiness is not usually exclusive to people with such a rosy outlook on life."

"Oh really? Then tell me, what do you equate happiness with?"

"With someone who's there for you, no matter what, forever and unconditionally," Came the immediate reply.

She'd set herself up for that. She knew it. But it, still took her breath away to hear the huskiness and sincerity in his voice.

As she turned around to get a good look at him, Cat got caught in those emerald whirlpools again. Feeling reluctantly drawn in, she suddenly felt how close they were standing to each other. As his arm brushed hers, an involuntary shiver passed through her.

Just one vague touch. Really, that's all it took?