Chapter 4
4
B eck was stunned and unable to move. He'd told her to stay put! Where'd she go? He messaged security to keep a lookout.
There's this girl on the boat, and I don't know why she's here. Find her.
What does she look like?
Short, long hair pulled on the top of her head. khaki pants rolled up, sandals, red tank top carrying a big green army sack, and a purse thing. She might be homeless. Looks about nineteen. How did she get on Intrepid?
We're on it, there's a lot of places to hide.
I'll go below, and you take the above decks.
On it, boss.
Beck checked the crew cabins as he made his way to the bow. He didn't like barging into the crew’s quarters and he knocked on each door before opening it. Finishing with the crew’s quarters, he entered another section where the cabins were more lavish for guests and the captain. Fletch may be the captain, but he was also his business partner and deserved an owner's cabin.
Beck spoke into the radio, "Any sign of her? Nothing in the crew quarters or guest deck. Heading to the captain's cabin.”
"No, boss, not sighting yet," was the reply.
The captain's cabin door was closed but this time he didn't knock. No one should be inside but he should check anyway.
Beck pushed the door open and stopped dead just inside the threshold, the door closing behind him. The girl's bag was on the floor and clothes were tossed on the bed, but there was no sign of her. He walked over to the closet and was about to check inside when the bathroom door opened and she emerged in a cloud of citrusy-scented steam.
Fully naked.
The moment froze. She stared at him, her hair wet and hanging over her shoulders and down to touch the tip of her breasts. Drops of water glistened along the ends of her hair like silver. He swallowed the lump in his throat, completely taken aback. Her tan shimmered under a sheen of moisture as if painted in gold, and there were no tan lines. He couldn't stop himself from looking at her. She was lean and muscular, her breasts were perfection, and her nipples hard. Further down, her belly was firm, her waist curved, and when his gaze fell upon the neat strip of blond hair between her thighs he had to bite back a groan. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
She was a siren, a mermaid, and no way was she eighteen or nineteen.
He glanced away, unsettled that he had gawked at her so blatantly. He had no idea what to say and for the first time around a woman, or anyone for that matter, he was speechless.
"I forgot a towel before I showered," The husky tone in her voice only enhanced her allure.
"Ah, here." He opened the closet and grabbed a towel. Holding it up, he shook it out and met her gaze.
She didn't look upset or embarrassed. Confidence oozed from her and when she stepped into the towel, she tilted her head up. Her lips were parted, softly plump and wet, eyes luminous, hinting at what she would look like tumbled between the sheets. He closed the towel at her back and she turned it around to secure it.
Watching him, their gaze locked on each other.
Finally, he cleared his throat. "Who are you? Explain why you're here showering and behaving as if you're moving in."
She leaned over, giving an outstanding view of her legs, and hauled her sack onto the bed, dumping it out. He watched her rummage through the pile of clothes and other items.
He forgot he'd asked her a question, and when she dropped the towel giving him a tantalizing view of her back and heart-shaped ass, he spun around, not sure what else to do and gritted his teeth feeling discombobulated.
"You can turn around now," she told him and he did, cautiously, part of him hoping she was dressed and the other part…well…
She was in between, clad in a sapphire blue and white matching bra and panty set and winding her hair into a bun.
"Please get dressed, this is ridiculous. And I need you to answer my question."
She pulled on a white polo shirt, and white shorts with a crisp crease running down the front of each leg. Her belt was woven white and the buckle subtle but shiny.
Her transformation from the homeless ragamuffin to this was astonishing.
"You're Beckham, correct?" she asked, her voice melodic.
He nodded.
“OK then, now that you’ve calmed down, and not such a bear, can we talk?”
"We're talking.” Who was this chick? He wasn't used to being talked to this way, except for Fletch. He squared his shoulders and faced this fiery young woman. She looked up at him, totally unfazed which also gave him pause. She wasn't the least intimidated by him. He knew he could be a powerful force, and it has worked to his advantage at times. But looking down at this slip of a thing, he was thrown while he admired her tenacity. "Why am I a bear?”
Her eyes widened. "That, right there." She pointed at him. "You have to ask? Your behavior in the galley, and reaction to me.” She shook her head and reached for her pack. He could tell it was heavy, but she slung it over her shoulder without effort.
Now he was getting pissed off. "Listen, you turn up on my boat, wander around, and eat my food. I have no idea who you are and you disappear without speaking with me or anyone else. You can't do that, board a strange vessel and make yourself at home.”
" Intrepid isn’t strange, I know all about her. Plus, I was hungry, stopped in the galley, listened to you, then found my cabin.” Her hand curled around the strap of the sack.
"Wha— " Beck was gobsmacked. "Your cabin?"
She met his gaze. Beck was getting angry, but no way would he show her. She was calm, and even though she was small, her presence was big.
"Yes, my cabin."
He narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?”
She smiled, and he was enchanted for the briefest moment. Quickly, he gathered his frayed emotions.
She stepped toward him and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Mick."
Beck was silent, processing what she'd just said. He cleared his throat and asked, "Fletch's Mick?"
"The one and only." Her smile was bright.
You could've knocked him over with a feather.
He put his hand in hers and jumped as if he'd been zapped by a current shooting up his arm, through his chest, and down to his belly. He tightened his fingers on hers and seemed unable to let her go as if that electrical charge had fused them.
Her demeanor also shifted from confidence to something else…he couldn't quite put his finger on it. But, he swore she'd also felt the energy zing between them.
She snatched her hand back and picked up the towel on the floor. She shook it out and went into the bathroom to hang it up.
He continued to speak, "Well, yeah, I guess I was expecting someone else. I certainly wasn't expecting a gir-woman, no offense."
"None taken." Back at the bed, she sat and pulled on socks and white runners.
"I presumed someone by the name of Mickey would be a guy. I apologize," Beck said.
She nodded and stood. "I learned a long time ago not to have expectations. Because if you do, you're setting yourself up to be let down."
"How'd you get so wise so young?" Beck moved back to the doorway.
"Not that young." She cast him a sideways glance with a smirk. “Sometimes I can get away with being a teenager, which you mistook me for.
Beck huffed. She was right but he refused to admit it out loud.
B eck was one seriously handsome, intense with an almost feral way about it. And, I was intrigued.
But, Good Lord, I wanted to smack him and throw my arms around him at the same time. He was an arrogant ass, and some kinda crazy hot sexiness — for an older dude — that threatened to set me on fire. Especially since he'd seen me naked. His presence was huge, like taking up the room huge, and I did my damnedest to keep my face unreadable.
He was processing the information. The last few minutes had been entertaining and I probably shouldn't have been so obnoxious, but it'd been fun! Fletch warned me Beck was intense, and I was prepared and ready for whatever he was about to send my way.
His eyebrows pulled together, dark over arctic blue eyes, with one deeper blue than the other.
”Well shit.” Beck crossed his arms. He was big, and the energy radiating from him came in hot waves. “I didn’t know you were a girl, and just how old are you?”
I wasn't surprised, it happened a lot. I tossed my head back letting out a burst of laughter, then pinned him with a stare.
“I am far from a girl, and it’s not polite to ask a woman her age.”
He was quiet and I’d bet his brain was clicking all the info into place. "You’re licensed?”
"Why would I need to be licensed to take out a big boat like this?" I lifted my shoulders, palms out. "I'll wing it as we go through channels and out to sea. And I don't need to know all the mechanical details about Intrepid , or how to direct the crew, provision, and keep you safe on the ocean." I shook her head. "Nope. I don’t see any reason anybody would need a license for that. Do you?” I arched one eyebrow.
This time his eyes narrowed and a tiny little alarm tingled down my back. Maybe I'd taken it a bit too far and should be more cautious with my attitude, which could sometimes get out of control.
"She's not a boat, Intrepid is a yacht. I think I need to see your papers.” He held out his hand.
I shook my head; what an ass. I handed him a waterproof folder. He took out my papers, glancing from them to me.
"And, I know she's not a boat." I put my hands on my hips, getting annoyed myself now.
He scanned my qualifications and appeared satisfied. I was twenty-six, and more than qualified to handle Intrepid .
Beck sighed and gave the packet back.
"Thank you.” His phone rang and we stared at each other for a few seconds.
"Are you gonna get that? Seemed like a rather intense conversation you were having when I came aboard and then in the galley. No need to babysit me. I know Intrepid like the back of my hand.”
"OK then, well… carry on.” He seemed eager to take the call.
"Righto." I waited for a beat, then spun around. Maybe he would leave.
I heard the cabin door open and close and let out a sigh and flopped on the bed. That was a lot. I'd have to give it to Fletch for not warning Beck about me being female. I knew my size and youth worked against me at times. It was a challenge I faced and I'd learned to be on the offensive. I also knew it could cause issues with people.
My hands shook. But it wasn't because I was afraid or angry–well maybe a little bit angry. It was mainly because of him. The sex appeal that poured off him was difficult to ignore. Damn if he'd awakened my long-dormant libido.
This could get complicated if not handled correctly. I needed the job for several reasons, but a little part of me questioned if I should've taken it, especially after my reaction to Beckham.
I sucked in a breath and gazed around the cabin. It was very nice, "owner” nice. Which of course made sense because Fletch and Beck were owners. Partners. Friends since the beginning of time.
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and sat. Damn right, I should take this job. I knew how to comport myself. I had to. I was a professional, even though young. I'd worked hard to get where I was. Captaining Intrepid would be a fantastic experience and excellent on the CV.
Not to mention the sexy eye candy for a boss. I could use another shower the way the man unwittingly heated me. I sighed at the disarray of the cabin. It certainly didn't send the best impression. I slid off the bed. It was time to organize the room and stow my gear.
Then I'd be ready to check out Intrepid.