"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Well, I thought I'd take my mermaid to her natural habitat."

She stared out the window. "Will Shay be there?"

I glanced over. "We're not going to Chrysalis."

"Where then?"

"You thought I was taking you to the water room?" I said, amused. "For further training?"

She gave an uncertain nod.

I smirked. "Maybe I will now."

"If it pleases you, sir."

"I just applied sunblock to your...well, my favorite assets."

"As if I missed that."

"Careful."

She perked up. "Where are we going then?"

"It's a surprise."

"Are we spending time alone?"

"Kind of."

"Now I am intrigued."

We drove the rest of the way with me holding her hand resting in her lap, listening to music, and enjoying the sunny drive to our destination.

Mia soothed my soul, and even though the day had started off shaky with my parent's unexpected visit, I was fast forgetting all that and savoring these moments. Mia would be the first woman I'd ever brought here. A sanctuary of sorts-a private escape that I only ever shared with Richard or Shay. A place where we could leave the world behind.

I turned off Admiralty Way onto Bali Way and parked in my reserved space. Hand in hand, Mia and I made our way up the boardwalk.

"Are we going on a boat?" she asked breathlessly.

"We are."

Her eyes widened as she took in the line upon line of yachts in every shape and size tethered to the dock. A vast collection of seafaring vessels, some designed for racing and others merely for the pleasure of cruising.

"Which one's yours?" she said.

"This one." I pointed to the small rowboat, its paint peeling, the blue tarp half in the water, an oar missing.

"It needs a lick of paint," she said.

"Wait a minute." I pulled her along the dock. "That's not my boat. Clearly it's been a while."

Mia laughed and hurried along beside me. Her face lit up when she saw the sleek yacht at the end. "Oh, look at that one."

"You like it?"

"It's amazing."

"Let's take this one then." I pulled her up the plank.

"Cameron!" She squeezed hand. "Is this yours?"

"Apparently."

It felt wonderful to be back on her. La Ricochet was my 57m Remington 5777 RIO luxury yacht and easily one of my more extravagant purchases from the last few years. Ricochet outshone the boats around her. I'd not been out on her in months.

Built with carbon glass and featuring the boldest lines, weighing 33OT, she was capable of a cruising speed of 29kts in the most challenging of ocean conditions. The supermodel of boats.

Keith Escobar appeared from the bow. "Hey there, Dr. Cole."

"Keith." I shook his hand firmly. "Good to see you. Thank you for being here."

"My pleasure. She's running well. That tweak to the engine worked wonders."

"Great to hear," I said. "May I introduce my girlfriend, Mia."

She took his hand and it was no surprise to see my sixty something weathered skipper completely taken with her.

With the introductions over, Keith headed back to the helm and Mia and I settled at the stern and huddled close as the boat eased away from the dock and we made a smooth transit out of the bay.

Marina Del Rey's harbor faded from view and the waterway opened up with houses and large stretches of land and condos lining the shore. With the climate warm and the breeze inviting, this really did feel like the perfect day.

We leaned on the balustrade and enjoyed the view, neither of us speaking, merely savoring our togetherness. This was one of the many traits I loved about Mia. She didn't fill the silence, drawing contentment with merely spending time with me and experiencing these new adventures.

"Warm enough?" I asked.

She brushed strands of hair out of her face. "Yes, you?"

I nodded and pulled her into a hug. "Once we get to Catalina Island, you can swim if you like."

"I need a swimsuit," she said, and on my smile added, "You really do think of everything, don't you?"

"Nothing gives me more pleasure, Mia, than seeing you happy."

"This is all so perfect."

I leaned against the railing and faced her. "You're the first woman I've brought on here."

"Cameron, you once told me..."

I lowered my gaze and read the sadness in her eyes. "Say it."

"You once told me that you only want what you can't have. Well you have me now?" She pressed her cheek over my heart.

"Listen, those words were spoken before I ever contemplated you'd become mine. Admit you are. That I own you. That'll you'll obey me in the bedroom. Surrender completely to all I do to you. That you understand your body is mine to fuck at will."

Her fingers scrunched my shirt. "Yes."

"Mia, there's something I have to tell you. I've wanted to since the first moment I met you, but I believed...well you know how it all went down. It became a mess because of me."

"Cameron."

"No, please, you must let me say this."

She gave a nod she would.

"You've been through so much because of the misjudged calls I've made. I've put you in danger, what with Lance and his desire for you and that debacle at Oberon Grove. Not to mention what I've put Richard through. I promise I'll always protect you. Be there for you. I marvel you're really mine. That you forgive my arrogance and respect my need to dominate."

She took my hand and kissed my palm.

"Mia, I fell for you that first day I saw you at Enthrall. But it was too late. Or so I thought. The plan was set. The game plan was underway and Richard needed you. I came to realize I need you too. But at that time, the best thing for everyone was to let you go. I came to understand the blinding truth." I stared off, hoping my words made sense. "When I'm not around you, the world feels wrong." I squeezed her hand. "Tell me I'm not scaring you."

"No."

"Our relationship is the most important part of my life."

"What about your family?"

"You and I couldn't be more right. They don't know me like you do."

She threw herself into my arms. "I'll always love you, Cameron. You save my life every day."

I dipped my head and kissed her. "Mia, love is just a word. That's all. I promise to show you how I feel by reminding you each day I don't take you for granted. I will honor you. Protect you. Shelter you from the storms before they even happen. I will worship you with my body, my mind, my heart, and my soul." I shook my head. "I'm fucking ridiculous. This, this is what you've done to me."

"I feel the same way."

"I promise to prove you've made the right decision."

She beamed up at me. "Guess what?"

"What?"

"We're going to sleep together tonight."

I let out a long sigh and hugged her to me.

We snuggled on one of the wicker couches and enjoyed the view from the deck, watching the world float by. This, our perfect escape.

We spent the rest of the day sunbathing, napping, and snuggling, and with the wind in our hair and the Ricochet's gentle rocking it felt like we'd found paradise.

We dined on lobster and shrimp salad, and no fun day out would be perfect without chocolate profiteroles. We fed them to each other, licking sauce off our fingertips, and savoring the taste of chilled champagne.

Afterward, Mia lay alongside me on the wicker lounger, resting her head on my chest, and l let out a long sigh of satisfaction.

"I want to ask you something important," I said.

She peered up at me. "Yes?"

"Would you be interested in taking over as director of my charities?"

She shifted to better look at me.

"I'm busy with work and Chrysalis, and I'm considering taking on a few more commitments with Cole Tea. I need someone I can trust. These organizations are close to my heart and I know you're the best person for the job."

"Cameron, I don't know what to say."

"Yes, would be nice."

Her face was flushed with excitement. "I would love to."

"Good." I hugged her into me. "That makes me happy."

"That's all I want."

"Then admit we'll always be honest with each other, kind, and quickly forgive each other's indiscretions."

"Indiscretions?"

"When we argue."

"Why would we argue?"

"Because we disagree?"

"I think we're too perfect to argue."

"Is this you trying to be funny?" I tickled her again.

Mia squirmed. "Well as you always like to be in charge, I doubt I'll have much say in the matter."

"Glad we clarified that."

"If I'm going to be running your charity I'm bound to have an opinion on things. So, you'll have to give me some lenience to make decisions on my own."

"I'm sure I can make allowances."

"Thank you for encouraging me."