Master of the Deep by Cleo Peitsche Read Free Book Online

with. Obviously Koenraad was very close to whoever had first owned this floating monument to immaturity.
    “No, we don’t know each other well,” she said. “But that’s what this week is about, I guess.”  
    “Yes. Well, I’m very wealthy.” He shook his head. “Obscenely wealthy is perhaps more accurate.”
    “Koenraad—”
    He held up a hand to interrupt her. “It means I can be free with my money. I bought this to help my friend, but I rarely use it.”
    She felt her face heating. Had her disapproval been so transparent? “You don’t have to explain anything to me. Really.”
    “But you’re uncomfortable, and I’m starting to think it’s not just because you’re wondering what grown man would own something like this boat. So why? What’s really bothering you?” He turned toward her, his eyes piercing her, penetrating her soul.
    Even though it was quite warm, she wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s just weird. I feel like I know you, which is dumb, and then when I realize that I really don’t, it kinda throws me off.” She looked up at him. “Does that make any sense?”
    He nodded. “So that’s why you were upset this morning. All this must be overwhelming to say the least. Who I am, what I am, my lifestyle… any one of these could be a challenge. Add it all together, and… I understand.”
    “Why do you keep pushing me away when I try to go down on you?”
    He blinked, clearly not expecting the change of direction. “Um. That’s….” He cleared his throat. “Ok.” He patted the cheetah-patterned seat next to him. “Please sit.”
    She moved, and the moment she was beside him, goosebumps rose all over her skin. She wanted to turn her face into his chest and rub her cheeks on him. A little moan threatened to escape from her throat.
    She kept it at bay.  
    “I’m going to tell you everything about shifters.” He frowned. “Shark shifters. Because all shifters aren’t the same.”
    He adjusted some knobs on the boat’s instrument panel, then took her hand. The touch of his skin thrilled her, and she curled her fingers around his.  
    “Shifters are born this way.” He paused for a long time, and Monroe frowned. If he was already over-thinking this much so early into the explanation, it wasn’t likely to be a very long or complete one.
    “You’re not obligated to tell me,” she murmured.  
    “You’re here at my request. I think you deserve to know.”
    She couldn’t hold his gaze at that, and she stared out at the endless ocean rushing by. They were far enough out that all solid land had disappeared from view. Four other vessels shared the ocean with them, and all were a distance away.  
    Koenraad squeezed her hand. “I like you, Monroe. No, we don’t know each other, but I want us to.”
    “I’d like that, too,” she murmured. God, she sounded pathetic. Even though she’d been kind of a doormat with Thomas, that wasn’t how she was. With Thomas, she’d been trying to be considerate, to give him space to pursue his career. When he’d crossed the line, she’d dumped him.
    Sure, she would have considered getting back together if he’d showed signs of changing, but she wouldn’t have put up with his taking her for granted forever.  
    With Koenraad, though, she was so far out of her element that it unnerved her. He treated her well, but what he was made her feel powerless. It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.  
    “Monroe.”
    She looked up into his handsome face and saw concern written there.  
    “Am I freaking you out? Is this too fast?”
    She shook her head. “No. It’s not too fast, but it feels almost too easy. It’s just… I’ve never had a… well, a relationship… that didn’t feel like…” She frowned. “Like work.”
    “Even at the beginning?”
    She nodded and shrugged at the same time, and Koenraad squeezed her hand again.  
    “You’re only here a week, and I want to take advantage of this time. That’s why