Not an hour later, Sora stepped onto the uppermost deck of the yacht to find Ravi watching the horizon.

"You look happy."

He turned his back on the waves to welcome her over.

"I'm sailing on the open water with the woman I love. What's not to be happy about?"

"I could probably think of something."

"Not here. This is nature. Let is make you happy. Let me do that."

"What if I want to be the one to make you happy?"

"You already are. Keep doing what you're doing."

"I'll do you one better. Meet me below deck."

"I'll bring champagne."

"I'll bring me."

...

...

Sora returned to the main cabin in her short terrycloth robe to find Ravi pouring champagne for both of them. Pity we won't get to drink it.

"You always take care of me. You've been piecing my heart and my trust back together since you came home. Let me take some of the load off your shoulders."

"How do you propose to do that?"

"Get undressed and I'll show you."

Ravi unfastened the buttons of his Henley and pulled it over his head. She didn't care where it landed when he tossed it away from them.

"I'm feeling better already."

Sora fingered the open neckline of her robe.

"That makes my job easier, but I guess that means I can't justify taking this off." She tightened the tie. "Oh, well."

Pulling her against him, he growled against the side of her neck, "Off. Now."

"Is this robe bothering you? Do you plan to do something about it?"

He stroked the underside of her chin. "Je vais vous faire hurler pour moi."

Sora did love a man who was good with his tongue.

"Thoughts?"

"Translation?"

"I'm going to make you scream for me." He lifted her onto the bar. "Je vais vous faire hurler pour moi. Think you can remember that?"

"I might need a reminder."

"I got your reminder."

Ravi pulled the toe on her robe and slipped down to his knees.

Sora really did love a man who was good with his tongue.

...

...

Sated and frankly exhausted, Sora splayed herself across Ravi's body just for something to hold onto. The ocean was still but Sora felt sure her sea legs had deserted her entirely. Ravi planting kisses across the plane of shoulders wasn't helping for all that they felt heavenly on her heated skin. The ocean air was a beautiful thing. It felt almost as good blowing over her as he did breathing under her.

Based on his wandering hands, Ravi didn't seem to mind.

"Am I the luckiest man in the world or am I?"

"Am I the luckiest woman?"

"Jury's out on that."

He kissed her temple and tangled their legs together as they lay on the half-concealed forward deck. They were dressed enough for the weather, if less than enough for decency, but Sora's mind wasn't on anything decent at this hour. The stars were peeking out from behind wispy clouds. The moon was making an appearance as the night fell, and Sora had Ravi. The problems of Los Angeles seemed very far away this far out into the ocean.

"Have you ever been to Loire?"

"Not yet."

"We'll go next year. The food's incredible, it's been known to bring people to tears."

"I would go anywhere with you."

"You make me want to go around the world in seventy-nine days. If I loved you more, I'd be in a world of trouble."

"Trouble is my middle name, according to you."

"And I'm never wrong."

"No comment."

"Wise answer."

Ravi was nuzzling his bristly cheek up and down her arm while she watched the sunset, content.

"I've been in touch with Chinar."

Sora lifted her head to gauge Ravi's reaction.

"Chinar Darzi?"

He nodded, closing his eyes. "That's the one. We talked while I was at International. He's been thinking about putting together a boutique fashion house and he wants me to head it up. I've given House of Misra my best years, but I'm thinking about dispersing my shares to the kids and striking out."

"Is that what you want to do?"

"It would hurt my dad, which isn't what I'm trying to do. I just want to design beautiful clothes. That should be easy, that's what Misra used to be about. We've become a lifestyle brand instead of a designer brand and that isn't momentum we can maintain over time. We're about to drop the ball, I can feel it. What's going to be left once that happens?"

"I don't know."

"It scares me that I don't either. I know this industry like the back of my hand and I don't know what Misra's future looks like or even if we have one." He swept a hand down her side. "I feel like I'm juggling a million different things...loyalties. Something's gotta give."

"I know what that's like."

"I bet you do, better than me even." Ravi coaxed her to rest against his shoulder. "There are things I have to tell you. They're not easy. Chinar's involved. He's one of the only people to know. I'll tell you. I just need time to get it straight in my head."

Sora tried not to tense. His hands had always been soothing before; they worried her now.

"Will it hurt me?"

"I don't see how it won't."

"Is there somebody else?"

"Not for me, not anymore."

"But back then. There was someone with you in Rome. Are you worried they'll come back? Are there feelings..."

"Nah, this is...it's not anybody but me, and life, I guess." Ravi twined their fingers together. "I want you understand something about me. I'm not gonna say the words all the time. There are days when they just don't come. That's not 'cause I don't love you. Some days it's all I can do to show you. That's me and nothing to do with you."

"Everybody has bad days."

"Yeah, some are really tough. That doesn't change what I feel about you, remember that."

Sora was willing to try, but she was beginning to worry that the writing was on the wall for she and Ravi and it didn't say forever.

...

...

Ravi walked Sora to her car early the next morning.

"Before you go, I have something for you."

"I like presents."

"Figures. Give me your hand."

Sora set hers out, palm up.

"It's not a ring yet but here."

He placed a warm metal object in her hand.

"A key."

"Yeah. When you want to visit me or if you need somewhere quiet to go where you can't be found, my door is open to you. That's why the key."

"Check your key ring."

Ravi regarded her warily but did as he was ordered, checking his pocket for his keys and finally dangling the whole thing by the brand new silver member of the club.

"Sneaky."

"Sneaky minds think alike."

"Damn, you're perfect for me."

"I'll forgive your lateness because you're right, I am."

She didn't end up leaving before the clock struck twelve.