Chapter 14
14
H aving her back in his arms was perfect. The way she held him and was molded to him sent a wave of protectiveness rushing through him. At this point, the complications that weighed on him about a relationship with her didn't matter. He would think about that tomorrow.
This powerful feeling was foreign to him and he'd have to process it. What he did know was that he liked it.
"I'll stay with you here tonight," he whispered in the darkness. It surprised him she was afraid of storms and he wouldn't force her to admit it. She might tell him why on her terms.
She nodded her head and relaxed into him. Beck drew in a sharp breath, amazed she sought him for comfort. It wasn't often he offered comfort or willingly gave it, but Micki was different.
"I don't like the storm." Her voice was low and muffled against his chest. He realized it was probably one of the most difficult things for her to say. Admitting something frightened her. For someone so strong, in control, and powerful, it must've been difficult.
"It is a doozy. But you have kept us all safe, the day went by perfectly. We can't control the weather."
"No, we certainly can't. I hope you can complete the business you had planned. Because we should have been halfway back to Love Beach by now and are way behind schedule. Once the worst is past, I plan to head back to Passion Cove."
"No rush. When you think it's safe."
"Let me down and I'll check the radar." She unwound her arms from his neck.
Reluctantly Beck let her go. The sudden loss of her in his arms struck him.
She looked at the radar and then checked the instruments.
"Okay, the storm is blowing out to sea, that's good. Nothing is coming up behind it. Also good." She turned and leaned back against the console. "We should be good to get underway in a couple of hours."
They looked at each other in the dark with only the instrument panel's glow.
Right then another vibrant flash and a crack of thunder shook the boat. As if to say, I'm not done with you yet.
Micki cringed and then stood tall. He smiled. She was trying not to let it show that the storm bothered her. All he wanted to do was sweep her up in his arms and carry her to his cabin. But he couldn't. She was captain of Intrepid . Needed at her post.
He also sensed her mood had shifted after he put her down. Much like it had after the night they slept together. It saddened him, but he would never force her.
Lightning lit up the bridge again and she was looking over the instruments panel. Fletch was right about her capabilities and he grudgingly agreed that she also came with a whole bunch of other complications.
"I'll stay with you through the next couple of hours." His voice was almost drowned out by another clap of thunder. He saw her shake her head.
"No, no need. Go back to your cabin or wherever it is you need to be. If I need you I'll call you." She didn't look up and remained focused on the instruments.
Beck sighed. As much as he was intrigued by her, and their undeniable chemistry, her signals were confusing.
"Are you sure? Because I —
"I said I'd be fine." Her voice was harsher than before. He was close to sending sharp words right back to her but he bit his tongue. Nobody had the balls to talk to him like that and it surprised him that he let it go.
"Right," was all he said and left the bridge without looking back.
I ntrepid was quiet. After the stormy night, Micki scheduled shore leave. It would give the crew downtime before the craziness of the July 4th party.
Beck was pleased with the results of the cruise slash business meeting down to the barrier island. The guests had left a few days ago and the investors were all in on the project. It looked like the island resort/refuge he wanted to build was a go. It would take a couple of years to complete, but the ball was rolling.
The July 4th party wasn't on his mind much. Beck was provided with updates from his team and they didn't need handholding and he had every confidence in them knowing the event would be a hit.
He shuffled papers on his desk, stacked and restacked them. Beck was frustrated and didn't have to dig too deep to know why. It all pointed to Micki. Something had happened between them the night of the storm. He'd felt it, and was pretty sure she had too. He had no idea why she'd withdrawn from him so suddenly since and communicated only by email when needed.
Where she was concerned, he had some kind of radar and flattened his palm on the wall knowing she was somewhere on Intrepid . He sensed her. Felt her presence.
He hadn't seen her except at a distance since the night of the storm and she was stuck in his head like a song on repeat. She was complicated, one minute soft, pliable, receptive, and the next stiff, cold, distant. He slapped his hand on the wall, yep, he may as well admit it. He liked her. Really liked her.
Yeah sure, there was a big gap in their ages, and she was somehow related to Fletch. Both of those were good reasons to remain at arm's length. But damn, he didn't want that and she'd given him the idea she might feel the same, but then she’s not even talking to him so…
He sighed, maybe it was for the best. He couldn't deny the hurdles they would face if they were together. They did need to talk about it and see if they could overcome the obstacles. If that was what she even wanted!
The upcoming party was where they'd cross paths and then they would figure things out.
S ince the night of the storm, a week ago, I hadn't seen Beck or had a conversation in person. Part of me was relieved and another part was disappointed. It was too hard being around him and I couldn't deny the connection between us. Not to mention I didn't trust myself to resist him.
We communicated through group emails for the party planning, which was this weekend. Each time I saw his name, my belly fluttered, reminding me of the night on the bridge during the storm. How he touched me, tasted me, and my response to him. And then after… his tenderness and care. We were lucky Greg hadn't turned up and caught us and that was why I couldn't let it happen again. What if we got caught out? I shivered at the possibility. Not only that, but I get so caught up when I’m with Beck. I touched my lips, where Beck’s mouth had been and my heart hurt to think of keeping Beck at arm’s length.
I was glad the storm had blown out after wreaking havoc for a few hours, and we got Intrepid underway. I'd been exhausted and when we’d arrived at Passion Cove mid-afternoon, I turned the helm over to Greg so I could sleep. I was too tired to think straight and collapsed onto the bed when I got to my cabin. I’d slept like the dead. A hot and steamy dream about Beck woke me in the middle of the night, and I wished he was beside me. I forced myself back to sleep so I could be up at first light.
The following days I steered clear of private areas, just in case I ran into Beck and took my meals in my room or on the bridge. No matter how much I tried to ignore how deeply Beck affected me, I had to accept I was consumed with thoughts of him. Had he sought me out, I would've been a goner unable to resist him.
I pushed the salad around on my plate and thought about the party. It was a big affair and I was glad I'd managed to escape being pulled into the setup. Fletch had warned me about it and said there wasn't anything I needed to do.
It was invite-only but I knew how these things went. Probably no one would be checking the guest list and that guaranteed there would be party crashers.
I'd been around many yacht parties and some of them had gone a little too wild and security was called to escort the riotous ones off. I'd seen the guest list and some well-known people were coming aboard. Sometimes I fangirled, and other times I was meh about who the guests were. I stabbed a tomato and shoved it in my mouth, liking the burst of flavor when I pressed my tongue against the flesh.
I think I was a bit bored. Keeping to myself wasn't really in my nature and avoiding Beck didn't help either because he'd taken up permanent residence in my brain. Like...it was a perfect day to stay in bed and make love.
Rainy days invited coziness and snuggling.
Stop! It's not going to happen.