Free Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray Page B

and echo into the night. They swayed to the music, though they barely moved, holding each other tightly.
    Finally, the music ended and the whirring of the yacht's motor faded.
    Anya looked over the railing. “We're not back yet, are we?”
    “I think we still have about fifteen minutes. We're going to just drift in now.”
    The wind blew relentlessly through the channel and Anya shuddered.
    “Are you sure you're not cold?” she asked Braxton.
    “No, I'm fine.”
    “Too bad.” She opened her coat and spread her arms wide. “I was going to invite you under this with me.”
    When he joined her, he brought his lips to hers, their fervor taking only seconds to build. Minutes passed before they stepped apart.
    Anya sighed. “How can I ever thank you for such a beautiful evening?”
    He stared into her eyes and kissed her deeply, running his hands along her back. “Does this give you any ideas?”
    She smiled.
    Darkness became illumined from the homes lining the Marina's coast. The ocean's motion enticed them and they explored each other, touching, feeling, connecting, as the boat drifted to its destination. When the boat's rocking finally ceased, they pulled away breathless.
    “It's time for us to go down.” His voice was husky.
    “I don't want to,” Anya whined softly.
    He pulled her toward the glass doors leading to the Ocean Room. “We'll have many nights like this.”
    “I don't think you'll be able to top this.”
    “Maybe I'll surprise you with your own yacht.”
    “Braxton, you don't have to buy me a yacht.”
    “Why not? We can afford it. I was looking for an investment and this might be a good idea. Our yacht may not be as big as this one, and we might have to call it a boat—”
    They laughed together.
    As the ship anchored, they held each other and looked out the window, taking in the last moments of the night.
    “I love the Marina,” Anya said, as she peered at the beach houses across the channel.
    “Then I'll buy you a house here.”
    “You just bought a house.”
    “I'll sell it. If you want to live here, that's what we'll do.”
    “Why are you always talking about buying me things? You don't have to—I love
you?
    “That's why I want to give you the world.”
    They heard footsteps and then the captain appeared. “Mr. Vance, Ms. Mitchell,” the Captain said, “I hope you had a good evening.”
    They nodded. “Thank you, Captain Norris.”
    The captain bowed slightly and started down the stairs. Their heels clicked rhythmically over the steel floor as they followed him to the lower deck. On the pier, Anya stood to the side as Braxton talked with the captain.
    When Braxton came back to her, she said, “You're amazing.”
    “So I've been told.”
    “By whom?” She poked him.
    “No one that matters… except for you.”
    “Good answer!”
    They stopped in front of his car and Anya put her hands around his waist. “I have to find a way to thank you.”
    He smiled. “If you can't think of anything, I have a few ideas.”
    “I'm sure you do,” Anya said, just before she covered his lips with hers. The whispering wind stirred and whipped around them, although they hardly noticed.
    “You said you didn't want this night to end,” Braxton said softly. “It doesn't have to.” The words hung gently in the air and mixed with the song on the CD:
A love so fine is finally mine…
    Anya said nothing and Braxton matched her silence. He guided the Land Cruiser onto Admiralty Way. A few minutes later, he said, “Let's go to my place.”
    Her eyes lingered on him for a long moment before she responded with a slight smile. “I don't think so. It's late, and we have church in the morning.”
    “Well …” He paused, searching for words. “We can get up early and I can take you home before we go to church.”
    “Braxton.” Anya closed her eyes and shook her head.
    He touched her with one hand as he continued steering. “I don't want this night to end either.”
    Anya twisted in her seat,