Chapter 20
20
I lay there staring out the window. Who was I kidding, there was no way I could sleep with what happened earlier hanging over my head. It was coming on 3 a.m. and I needed to try and fix what I could. I enjoyed being around Beck and didn't want to jeopardize what we had…were building…what might be.
I could see now that it was inevitable. From the moment I laid eyes on him I knew he was something special. Even though there was a significant age gap between us, I didn't care. I'd managed to keep on my game with him around. So my concern over him distracting me from my job wasn't as significant as I thought it would be. I was pretty sure we could make something work, that was if we wanted a relationship.
But after last night, how was it possible?
Was Fletch as big a problem as I had originally thought? Was it important how he felt about us being together? Kinda yes and no, but overall no. Not that he had any say over my decisions, even if he had been in my life all as long as I could remember. Naturally, I didn't want to jeopardize our relationship either.
I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow. I needed to sleep. Even with my eyes closed I saw Beck; he was all I thought about. And of course, thoughts of him led to sensual, physical, and emotional yearnings making me want him.
Should I wait until the morning to seek him out? He was probably long since in his bed by now. And where I probably would have been.
Yes, wait until morning. Sleep now and be rested when we talk. I rolled over.
Our night had started so well, and it got better until… anyway, I saw a different side to Beck and ...
"Shit. I have to see him. Now!" I told the empty room and tossed the covers off. The urgency to see him and do my best to make things right was overpowering. I had to go to his cabin.
Now.
I flung open my cabin door and ran out, smacking into Beck. He caught me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, almost panting in my haste, and heard it come out rather harshly. I grimaced. This was not the way to start something you wanted to fix.
He let me go and stepped back. "I don't have to be here. I can leave."
I shook my head and grabbed his hand. "Get in here." I hauled him through the door and into my cabin. He was clad only in loose shorts and bare-chested. I bit back a moan.
"Tell me why you came?" I let go of his hand.
"Where were you going?" he asked and his gaze bored into mine in the cabin light.
"Enough of playing these games. I don't like this tiptoeing around and dancing from one foot to the other. Life is complicated enough without making it more difficult." I sucked in a breath before continuing, "I was coming to see you."
His eyebrows shot up. "To see me? At this time of night?"
"I can ask the same of you. At this time of night?"
He smiled and I returned it.
"I want to talk about what happened." His smile faded.
I was getting fired and he wanted me gone before morning.
I walked over to the window with the view toward the dock and town lights sparkled off the water. It was a pretty view. I realized I was unsure how to continue this conversation.
"The way you handled yourself last night –
"I know," I interrupted him "I was just –
"Stop there. I know you were just 'whatever'. We need to talk about it."
"Please, I think I should speak first. I saw what was going on and it was a mess. Ineffective and it was just getting worse so I stepped in without giving it any thought." I waited for a response; instead he was quiet. So I took advantage of his silence to continue.
"I have to apologize. I shouldn't have barged in and taken over and I completely understand that it was embarrassing to you. I wanted to help and not undermine your authority."
"Well, you did," he replied but I didn't hear annoyance in his tone and I let out a breath.
"So, are you going to fire me?" I asked and sat on a chair by the window. I crossed my legs and warmed under his gaze.
He laughed. It was deep, heavy, and seductive. The spark of arousal for him was unexpected right now. It proved our attraction.
"No, I'm not about to fire you. I have to keep you. I've got no one else." One side of his mouth curved into a smile.
He was teasing.
"Ah. Is that what it is? I've got you over a barrel because Fletch is out of commission. Ohh the power." I could tease right back. "Did you ever find out what caused the ruckus earlier?"
Beck nodded and stepped closer to me. "Yeah. A local was pissed at Senator Duval about some land deal they had which spilled over to the game. I didn't ask for details."
"Whatever it was, I just wanted them to take it off my boat."
"Your boat?"
I glanced at him and raised my shoulders. "Yep, as long as I'm captain, it's my boat too."
Beck grinned. "So, as long as you're captain, even though you're filling in for Fletch, you're taking ownership of Intrepid ?"
"Isn't that what you want? A responsible captain dedicated to ship and crew?" I raised my brows innocently. I knew full well Intrepid was his and Fletch’s; I had no claim.
"I suppose that's a good point."
I leaned back in the chair. The room fell silent and I waited. I wasn't sure for what, but waited just the same.
"So, speaking of Fletch," he trailed off.
"Fletch?" I inquired. "What about him?"
Beck grabbed my hand and lifted me out of the chair and into his arms.
"Yes, Fletch. Who is he to you?"
I blinked, surprised by the question. "Ah, you don't know?"
He shook his head. "No, I don't. Fletch never elaborated. Is he your uncle, cousin…what?"
I knew where he was going with this line of questioning.
"Well, if I was his sister, niece, or cousin, don't you think you'd know?" I watched him ponder that.
"What then?" he insisted.
"Why do you want to know?" I didn't know why I drew out answering him, maybe to see him squirm a bit…?
"Come on Mick, I'm pretty sure you know why. You can't come between us. I can't be banging a relative…" he lowered his head and said in a husky tone, "even if I want to. I don't want to face an overprotective uncle."
I gasped at the pulse of blood through my veins and how my body instantly reacted to him.
"I guess then, we should figure it out." I circled my arms around his neck and pulled his head down. "Does an old family friend count as a relative? I've known him most of my life and he gave me the sea bug. Taught me everything. And I'm an adult. I make my own decisions."
Beck's slow smile reached his eyes. "Now that's exactly what I want to hear."
"Is it now? I'm glad it's what you want to hear." I let him draw me closer and sighed. Being in this man's arms was bliss.
"But, what do you think we send a quick text to Fletch, to give him a heads up about us?" He ran his lips up my neck and along my jawline to my mouth. I hung in his arms, unable to make a coherent thought.
"Uhm, well, ahhh. If you —-
His mouth closed over mine and I was lost. He was one helluva a kisser and I let myself be carried away on the waves of desire. Our tongues met. Our kiss deepened.
His hands wandered over me and down to my butt, lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his hips. I clung to him, shivering in delight when his hardness pressed so intimately to me.
He ran his lips down my neck and cupped my breast, breathing through the silk fabric of my sleep top, making my nipples rise to greet him.
"Tomorrow," I whispered.
Beck raised his head. "Tomorrow? What about tomorrow? We're here, now."
"Fletch. We'll tell him tomorrow." I gasped when he pushed aside the fabric and his mouth found my nipple, tugging gently until I squirmed in his arms.
"Fletch who?" He chuckled.
He carried me to the bed and kneeled over me. "It's us. Only us."
I reached for him, pulling him down. "Here and now. Always?"
Beck pushed me into the covers.
"Yes, always begins tonight."
Maybe good things could happen after midnight.