Chapter 10 #2
“Please don’t tell me Tunk got you using that outdated language too.
It’s bad enough he’s got the girls…kids saying it now too.
I can’t lose you to the pirate lingo too, babe.
” I grabbed her hand to honor her request of giving her a tour.
The slip of my tongue had me calling Olive the name I had wanted to give her since I first noticed her.
“Of course not, I’m grown enough to do my own research, and from what my web sources told me, growing legs means setting sail or taking off.”
I chuckled again as we stepped back into the salon.
“Never trust anything online. This is the salon or the main cabin. When my customers rent her out, this is where the main gathering happens.”
“So like a living room per se?”
I tilted my head to the side as I looked at her as she pushed down on the plush cushion before taking a quick seat, doing a little bounce before a wiggle, then standing up.
She was cute as she bounced around the room, ending up behind the bar, now going for the bottle of red wine I stocked just for her.
I smirked at the act as she nodded in silent approval of the brand I picked out.
“Did I do good with my pick? I wasn’t sure of your favorite brand, seeing how, again, my source for even knowing you liked a good wine was a seven-year-old.”
For a quick second, Olive’s brows dipped in as her face grew tight in confusion until it softened, followed by a sweet giggle that escaped her lips.
“Oh yeah, I almost forgot my son was out here telling my business. I’ve never had this brand, but you can’t go wrong with a Merlot.” I was moving now, reaching for the bottle so I could get her a glass while we continued the tour.
“Here, let me set you up.” While I cracked the seal and removed the cork, Olive bent over in front of me, searching for what I didn’t know nor did I care as my focus remained on my task and hers was lost in her ass damn near landing in my lap.
The subtle push up against me had me clearing my throat and Olive popping up with two glasses in her hand.
“Oh I apologize I didn’t realize I was that close to your dic—I mean to you.” I caught her sly smirk.
Is Olive fucking with me right now?
I stood there for a minute before I snorted as I bobbed my head and casually poured a generous amount of the wine into her glass.
I stepped forward, eliminating the space, and pressed my groin into her ass, placing my free hand on the counter while I set the glass down to fully box her in.
I figured I would be the one to throw myself at her since Olive was doing her best at playing coy about the intense connection between us.
I leaned down, putting my mouth near her ear.
Since it was just us two, there wasn’t a need to whisper, but I took this opportunity to invade more of her space as I took in her sweet, intoxicating scent as I spoke my piece.
“Naw, it’s all good, but just so you know, ain’t a kid in sight stopping me from behaving Olive. Play fair or I’ma handle you and all this ass the way I’ve been dying to do.” I heard her gasp before it sounded as if she stopped breathing altogether.
“Highland, how about we finish the rest of the tour so we can make it to brunch?” Her voice was low, sounding strained, which had me chuckling to myself as I kissed her cheek.
“We can do whatever you want, Olive.” I stepped back half an inch to give Olive enough space to turn right into my arms. For a minute her body tensed, which caught me off guard since the last time we were in this position her body melted into mine.
“Relax, Olive. I know how to handle precious things with care. You’re safe with me.”
I closed my eyes, leaned down, and kissed her forehead this time before I made my way down to kiss her other cheek then lower until I lightly pressed my lips onto hers.
It wasn’t even an hour into our date and yet, here I was, taking a huge leap and kissing her. I waited until Olive’s lips parted, taking my quick peck to the next level, and my god, our slow kiss had me groaning while she moaned into my mouth.
The sweet flavor she possessed landed on my taste buds and my instincts were to wrap my arms around her waist tighter.
When Olive’s arms flew around my neck, I knew this could go one of two ways.
I could allow whatever to happen, which I knew would lead to me deep inside of her, or I could break this up.
I knew we weren’t there yet.
Is it a we or a you, Highland?
It’s a we, but gotdamn she tastes so fucking good and her lips are so soft and feel good on mine.
Still, Highland this is too much.
While my mind went back and forth, trying to decipher who truly wasn’t ready, Olive made the decision for me as she broke the kiss, breathlessly calling my name.
I opened my eyes to see her browns gazing at me with a look of passion. It was good to know I wasn’t the only one having a problem with wanting to take it there but knowing the timing wasn’t there yet.
“No. You’re right, too fast too soon. I would apologize for my impulsive actions, but baby, it wouldn’t be sincere because I don’t regret tasting you.”
Olive blushed as she tucked her lip between her teeth.
“Of course not. No regrets.” I reached up and used my thumb to free her bottom lip, tracing it lightly.
My mind went to showing her the bedrooms and I opted out of that part of the tour for now. My dick had thoughts that would have me spreading Olive out on the bed in the main stateroom.
I reached for her wine glass and put it into her hand while I grabbed the other so I could lead her to where we could finish in here first then head upstairs.
I cleared my throat as we stepped less than five inches and were at the wheel and the seats.
“And this is the lower bridge or the wheelhouse. Now, typically this room isn’t a part of the salon, but in our case, since the vessel isn’t that big, we share a common space.” I glided her to the captain’s chair directly in front of the steering wheel and the control shift.
Using one hand, Olive touched everything in her viewpoint, stopping at the key.
She then turned to me with so much excitement in her now bright and wide eyes.
“Ooh can I drive the boat?” Her words made me laugh deep as I reached for her hand.
“Have you ever driven one before?” She took a sip of her wine as she shook her head but her smile didn’t falter as she proceeded with the idea of actually playing captain today.
“No, but I’m a fast learner and I’m sure with me being under the care of the best sea captain I could do circles around the island in no time.
” I chuckled as I helped her up, then placed her hand into mine, which led to Olive interlocking our hands as we made our way outside and up the stairs to the main bridge.
“Oh my gosh, Highland, this is—wow! Wait, you have two steering wheels. How does that work?”
“This is the flying bridge. The lower one is typical for owners chartering around family and friends. Whereas this one is more appropriate to host parties without getting in the way. Here, take a seat.” I released our hold so I could swivel her chair next to mine.
Just like downstairs, Olive’s hands went to work, touching everything.
“You never actually answered my question, so I’m going to take that as a yes.” I chuckled as I shook my head while she was busy with looking at the controls.
“How about on the way there since you don’t know where we’re going, you co-captain and maybe, depending on your alcohol intake, you can drive the yacht back.
” I looked up as Olive was mid sip; she looked down at me.
When she began to spread her legs, slightly giving me more room to fit between them, I inhaled deeply, trying to control my growing dick.
Man, she obviously wants us to take it there.
No, not yet.
I cleared my throat as I answered my question from earlier. It was me who wasn’t ready.
“The first step to driving the yacht is safety first. Before you touch the key, make sure all of your passengers are aware of us leaving port.
“What happens next?”
“We hit this button that pulls the anchor up. Even with tying us off, I like to set the anchor to ensure the yacht doesn’t move at all.” I pointed to the button before giving Olive the signal to hit it. We sat there for a minute before she finally caught on.
“Oh damn, that was my cue.” Her sweet giggles came out as she released my hand then looked around for a cup holder for her wine, but I took it from her.
She blew out what I assumed was a nervous breath as she rubbed her hands together before she leaned up and hit the button.
It had been a long time since I had enjoyed seeing a woman’s whole spirit light up.
The way Olive’s smile stretched widely had me thinking of ways to make sure it stayed that big for me.
She yelped out of excitement the second the motor from the anchor hummed.
“The next step is shove off, which means to push us away from the dock. We should feel that happen in a few seconds.” I stood up to see Tate who was kneeled now on the outside of the vessel, giving us a good push off. I nodded at him, letting him know we were good.
Olive, who didn’t see him, began to look around now with her mouth slightly hanging open.
“Okay, either I’ve had too many sips of this wine already or you got a ghost crew.” She looked from me to her half empty glass since she drank the majority of it. I chuckled as I took my seat next to her and began to turn on my controls so I could properly navigate us to our destination.
“Not a ghost crew, but a crew for sure. I don’t run this place by myself at all.
I have other skippers and stewards to help me host parties, drive the ferry, and everything else.
You’ll have to forgive me. I didn’t want to share you and our limited kid-free time with anyone else.
Not even them. I apologize for taking away the full crew experience from you,” I said as I put one arm around her chair, turning her to face me.
“No, it’s fine. I appreciate this more, seeing you in action.
The other day, I wasn’t able to see you in full captain mode, so yeah, this is nice.
I’m enjoying my time with only you. Besides, there will be other dates for the full experience.
” She grabbed my hand, interlocking it with hers then placing it in her lap this time.
“And then what?”
“Then we start her up. Turn the key.” Eagerly, Olive reached out and cranked us up, clapping her hands once it was done.
“Ooh, Highland, look at me. I’m two seconds from taking your job and being the captain. All I need is my own hat, ya know the ones captains wear.” She nodded while she gave me a cheeky grin and eyes to match.
I smirked as I passed her glass back. It was time to put some food into Olive since the wine had her talking wild now.
“Olive, it’s going to take more than that to be the captain of this vessel. How about you let me handle the driving while you sit back and enjoy the ride of a lifetime. Let me teach you some things on this water.”
I placed my arm across her body, holding her in place while I shifted the gear and hit the gas pedal. The take off wasn’t like skirting off in a car, but the quick wind blew. I glanced over at Olive and that smile didn’t fall so I knew we were good.
“I like when you call me that.” She blushed and I was lost since it was her name.
“That’s your name, right?” I shrugged as I began to put my attention on the open sea. But I felt her glare upon me which had me turning to face her. I tried to play the shit off nonchalantly, but there was a reason. I loved her name and I loved saying it.
Olive kissed her teeth as she rolled her eyes while her face now formed a slight scowl.
“Yeah, but you know what I mean. It’s not the name; it’s the way you say it.
No one pronounces it with much—so much—yeah, I can’t describe it.
But, it’s your tone when you say it that burns into my soul as if you gave me the name.
Not to mention that drag out of Olive sounding like you're saying all love,” Olive shrugged before she continued, “I don’t know. I’m not even sure that makes sense.”
I sat there taking in her voice because I knew what she meant. It was the same for me whenever she preferred to call me Highland over the nickname I had everyone call me. That’s probably why I never corrected her. It was her personal name for me and I loved the exclusivity between us.
“I told you I couldn’t describe it and now I sound crazy as hell. Oh shit, I’m blowing this. I don’t even know how to date without the kids here. I’m sure it’s this glass that I managed to finish way too fast for a first date. You probably—”
She was going, and it was cute, but I cut her off. I didn’t want her overthinking about a simple situation I completely understood firsthand.
“Olive, I promise I get it. It’s the same for me, well, with Highland.
No one refers to me by my first name, and honestly, I love hearing you call me it.
I always thought it was different, but when you say it, it’s like I’m hearing it for the first time and can appreciate the uniqueness.
And maybe I do stretch out your name. I love saying it when it comes to you.
” I tossed her a wink as I reached for her hand that she was fidgeting with to calm her racing nerves.
I held it tightly in mine and brought it to my mouth to kiss the back.
The other day when I did this gesture, it calmed her down, and I was hoping for the same result.
“We’re good. You’re good. Okay?” When she gave me a small smile and nodded, I held my gaze as I stretched my eyes wider. I didn’t want nonverbal communication, not with her.
“Yes. We’re good.”
The rest of the ride was quiet with us just taking in each other’s presence. It had been a long time since I had been out on the water with a woman who wasn’t a paying customer. This moment almost felt surreal. I didn’t know I would be back here so soon.
Fool, soon was five years ago, but it is perfect timing.
I shook my head because I was ready for this, with Olive.