Chapter 13
13
I frowned at the radar and glanced out the windows.
"Not good," I said to Greg who'd joined me in the wheelhouse. "Looks like we're in for some weather."
"I agree. I've been watching it as well. Are you thinking we should readjust our sailing plans?"
"Let's keep an eye on this and see if we can determine what this little monster might want to do," I told him.
I took my binoculars out onto the port wing. I raised them and scanned the skyline and then the beach. Their tour was done and they were seated for lunch. I checked my watch and by the schedule I'd been provided they must be finishing up. I found Beck and gasped to see he was looking straight at me. I dropped the binoculars for a second and then lifted them. How did he know I was looking at him? Or, had he looked up at the same time? He didn't have binoculars, it had to be chance.
I went back in. "It appears lunch is over and they're chatting around the table. Can you connect with Jess, and let her know to pack up and be ready? I'll text Mr. Steele and let him know the situation. Let's give it half an hour and give this system time to turn away from us before deciding to radio the shore excursion to head back early."
"Will do. On it."
I texted Beck about the situation and that we were giving it 30 minutes.
When the wind picked up about fifteen minutes later, I had a feeling that we shouldn't wait any longer and instead get everyone back onboard now. The clouds were rolling in quickly and so far, the waves remained low, thanks to the island. Our tenders were good and solid, but if the waves picked up, then it wouldn't be a pleasant ride back.
Just as I was going to text Beck, my phone pinged.
Beck - do we need to head back sooner?
Me - Yeah, I was hoping the weather would shift but it hasn't.
Beck. - We weren't expecting any weather.
Me. - I know, but I have been watching a system. I'm not surprised with this heat and humidity. We're in the lee of the island, the waves aren't too bad at the moment but it will only get worse. I just wanted you all to know the situation
Beck - I see Jess is packed up
Me - good, Greg messaged her earlier to be ready.
Beck - right, see you soon.
My heart jumped "see you soon". Strange how simple words could create an aching anticipation.
I went out to the bridge wing and watched them bundle all the gear and guests into the tenders. I'd sent out a Zodiac to help and it was a good thing too, because this cranky bit of weather was rearing its ugly head.
The boats arrived, and everyone was aboard safe and sound. I had a feeling we wouldn't be going anywhere until this weather passed. I gave the order to batten the hatches and the stabilizers would be used tonight. A night at a mooring in a storm meant a long one for me and much of the crew.
I t was hard to focus on this meeting, especially since the storm blew in and seemed to settle right above them. He thought of Micki and was concerned for her, as well as the crew. It was paramount that the guests were kept comfortable. Beck tried not to worry about this being Micki's first storm aboard Intrepid and out at anchor. Intrepid was riding the storm gracefully without too much rolling and he was glad Micki chose this spot to anchor when they first arrived.
Thinking of her never failed to prompt his thoughts wander to their one night together. It had been explosive and he ached for them to be together again. But the question was, did she?
He wasn't about to bully her into anything. The choice was Micki's.
Finally, he called a halt to the meeting. It wasn't too late, but it had been a long day and it was obvious the others were ready to call it quits.
He received regular weather updates from the bridge on an app he'd had installed. He also got a text from Greg said the captain wants to remain moored until at least the morning hoping the weather passes. Nothing personal from Micki though. He went to his office and gave the crew the night off, except for those scheduled with watch duties.
A couple of hours later the ship darkened and quieted with most in their cabins. The crew were safely tucked in their quarters, and Beck was in his office getting a bit of shut-eye on the couch. He didn't want to go to bed, he wanted to be ready in case he was needed.
I was in the captain's office just off the bridge. From here I had easy access to controls. So far so good. We were, as I called it, 'cradle rocking', not too significant and hopefully enough to lull everyone to sleep. It was just past 10:30 p.m.
The temperature was dropping and the wind had increased. I pulled on a jacket and the pants, socks, and shoes I had in the office locker.
There's no way I'd go to my cabin until this passed. The sky lit with lightning and thunder echoed across the water. Looking at the radar we had a couple of hours of storm ahead of us. I made myself hot chocolate with the coffee machine I brought here to make my drinks and not have to bother the crew. I curled up on the chair, cupping the mug in my hand and sipping the chocolate liberally laced with whipped cream. I cringed whenever there was a big crack of thunder. I didn't like storms. They were majestic, no doubt about that, but they scared me. I'd seen what a storm could do.
Intrepid rode fine at her anchor and she was stabilized.
Sipping and watching, that was how my next few hours would be, barring any unexpected problems.
I gave word to keep Intrepid closed up tight to keep out wind and rain. The decks had been cleared of anything that could fly away. When the wind and rain howled into the bridge, I jumped to my feet, nearly spilling the hot chocolate when I set it down.
"What in the world?" I ran from the office and slid on the wet floor. My feet went airborne and I was going to go down hard.
Strong hands grabbed me and I was pulled to a solid chest. It was slick and wet and it was Beck.
He was shiny and dripping, decked out in his all-weather gear, including a sou'wester rain hat.
"Well, don't you look like an old sea dog." He put me down and shook out of his gear. "What are you doing here?" I checked the door was securely closed.
"I thought you might like some company." I turned and leaned against the wall. The dim lighting of the instrument panel created a rather intimate atmosphere.
"I'm fine, all's well." I sensed he was here for more than just checking on the boat.
A great flash of lightning and thunder at the same time made me jump.
"That was close." I checked the instruments and Intrepid was fine. "We weren't hit," I whispered.
"We're grounded," he said.
I knew he was standing right behind me. I felt the heat of his body. When he pressed up ever so slightly to my back, the thrill of energy that passed between rivaled any lightning strike. I was charged up, my nerves alight with energy and all needing relief from him. But I'd promised myself not to give in until after we were at port. I rested my hands on the ledge of the instrument panel and braced myself for the emotions that I knew would surge through me.
"This was unexpected. I'm a little surprised that the weather took such a turn." He spoke next to my ear, my hair fluttering from his breath.
"I did warn you." I allowed myself the pleasure of leaning back slightly until my head rested against his chest. We were quiet for the next few minutes until another crash of thunder and of course, I jumped.
He snaked his arm around my stomach and pulled me close. One hand rested on my stomach and the other slid up to my breasts. I twisted in his arms. If I let him touch me there, then it would be all over. Toast. And we'd be banging on the bridge.
"Afraid of storms?" he asked.
I was surprised at the question. It wasn't something I liked to talk about.
I lifted a shoulder. "Hmm." It was all I would say because I wasn't ready to get into that with him.
"A bit of a conundrum, I'd say. A captain, out on the sea —”
"I never said I was afraid of storms." I looked up at him as another flash of lightning lit up his face. He was smiling, goddamnit.
"Then why do you jump at thunder?” As if to drive his point home, another–the loudest yet–boom of thunder echoed across the water and reverberated through Intrepid . I almost jumped right into his arms but I did bury my face in his chest. Damn, I wish I could control my response.
He tightened his grip on me and it helped. Lord it did, and I whimpered at my weakness. This stupid irrational fear of storms was a ridiculous problem. Anyway, if it all went to shit now, at least I was in his arms.
The wind keened around us, and I felt Intrepid getting anxious against her anchor chain. She pitched a little and then settled back down and I listened for the stabilizer alarm. Nothing and I let out a sigh.
"Maybe the storm is having one last yowl at us," I said against his chest and inhaled his scent which calmed me.
"Maybe."
I lifted my face and our eyes locked.
Another bolt of lightning and thunder rent the sky and our lips crashed together with a fury that rivaled the maelstrom outside. I'd been holding back my desire since our first night together. Now it poured out of me just as wild and tumultuous as the tempest battering us. He groaned, lifting me, his hands cupping my ass, and carried me to the chart table. He put me down, our lips never parting, and his hands were everywhere. I was panting and clutching him, almost mindless with desire.
Then his hand was in my pants. He found my heat, and his magic fingers carried me swiftly into a different kind of tempest. One that I wanted more of. I cried into his mouth when my orgasm split me open just like lightning. And another was coming at me. I fell back on the chart table. He was relentless and I was putty when he pulled my pants off and kissed my belly, moving lower until his mouth found me. Unable to move, think. I clamped my thighs on him as he brought me to the pinnacle, at the same moment as a great crash of thunder. It was glorious and I fell limp.
"Oooh, Beck…" Had I passed out for a minute?
He'd wrecked me.
Beck gathered me up in his arms, cradling and soothing me. I'd never felt so safe and secure and couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this way in anyone's arms.