Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
DALTON
I pull up to the marina with Drew singing in the backseat and a stunning Savanna by my side. I take in the crowded parking lot on a Sunday afternoon. Finally finding a vacant spot, I drape my arm over Savanna’s seat, my hand brushing her bare shoulder, causing gooseflesh to erupt across her arms.
Jesus.
My heart rate goes into overdrive.
Cocking my head sideways, I study Savanna’s profile as she stares out the passenger window, watching as I maneuver my truck into the spot. My eyes trail her toned legs, her hands fidgeting in her lap. I make my way up to her neck, and my eyes snag on the hot pink strings tied in a perfect bow.
Fuck. I can stare at her all day.
Because the way Savanna looks right now? Sitting in the front seat of my truck in a tiny bikini top against sun-kissed skin, paired with barely-there denim shorts and an old baseball hat pulled low over her wavy blonde hair?
Should be fucking illegal.
And with all due respect, there’s no telling what I might do if I caught a man ogling her today.
Best-case scenario? I rip his eyes out.
Worst case? I bury a body.
I’ll have my work cut out for me today with Savanna parading around my boat looking like this.
I wipe the dirty thoughts from my mind and adjust the hungry beast in my swim trunks, putting my truck in park. I round the bumper and open the doors for Drew and Savanna. My southern manners are swiftly coming back to me.
The girls swing their bags over their shoulders as I grab the icebox full of sandwiches I picked up—definitely needing to thank Hudson for that idea later.
We make our way down the marina to the dock, where my dad’s old fishing boat rocks gently in its slip. “There she is,” I say, pointing to the seasoned fishing vessel.
Drew skips in front of us, her eyes widening as she looks back at us. “I’ve seen this boat before!”
“Yeah?” I raise an eyebrow at her. “That wouldn’t surprise me because it’s been in this Marina since I was your age.”
Her mouth falls open. “Whoa. That’s an old boat!”
I chuckle. “Sure is. It was my dad’s. When he passed away, he left it for me. He used to take me out almost every day. That’s how I learned to be such a great fisherman.” I wink.
Drew stops skipping so Savanna and I can catch up. “Really, every day?” Her eyebrows reach her forehead.
“Yup. Just ask your mom.” I nudge Savanna with my elbow, earning myself a playful nudge back. My mind immediately races to the countless memories of summers well spent fishing with Hudson and Savanna.
My eyes were never on my reel, but were always on Savanna.
Savanna chuckles at my side. “It’s true, Drew. Dalton wasn’t lying when he said he taught everything your uncle Hudson knows.” She winks.
My pulse quickens when she gives me a shy grin.
Making our way down the dock and to the slip, I jog ahead and jump aboard the vessel to help the girls on. I take Drew’s hand, steadying her as she climbs over the side. I snap a life vest around her immediately—she’s precious cargo, and I’m not taking a fucking risk when it comes to her safety.
Once Drew is situated at the helm, I turn toward Savanna. Lifting her by the hips and guiding her over the edge, her body slides against mine until her feet hit the deck. The instant shock of electricity radiates between us.
I hear her breath hitch as she peers up at me from under her baseball hat. “Thanks, Dalton.”
“Anytime, gorgeous,” I murmur, keeping my voice low enough so that Drew won’t hear.
Savanna blushes, glancing over at Drew.
After I finally tear my eyes away from Savanna, I get to work prepping the boat to leave the marina. Luckily, the wind is in our favor today, so departure should be a breeze. Savanna, having been on the boat plenty of times, slides up beside me, moving with ease, knowing exactly what to do.
That’s my girl.
Together, we pull in the mooring lines and fenders, clearing us from the dock. Savanna gives the dock a final push as I fire up the engine, the boat roaring to life. Drew squeals with excitement as we ease out of the marina.
“We’re finally off.” Drew smiles as her light blonde hair whips in the wind. She throws her arms up, letting the breeze slip between her fingers.
“Hang on tight, Drew,” I shout over the wind as I open up the throttle. “Don’t get too close to the edge!”
Savanna snickers beside me. “She’ll be fine, Dalton. She goes out with my parents all the time, so she knows not to get too close to the edge while we’re moving.”
A sigh of relief escapes me.
Good.
I don’t like this feeling of panic rising in my chest.
Savanna stays shoulder to shoulder with me at the console, and I reach out, brushing my fingers lightly against hers. My pinky catches on hers, causing her to look up at me from under the brim of her hat, her soft pink lips curling into a knowing smile.
I lean down and whisper, “So, tell me, Savanna, did you ever send bikini pictures to Sanders after he went off to college? You know, to get his approval?”
Savanna snorts and whacks me in the chest. “Dalton!” She laughs. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
I let out a grunt, fingertips gripping the helm tighter. “Well, did you?”
Savanna’s eyes catch mine. “Is someone jealous?”
“If you sent bikini pictures to Sanders? Yeah. Fuck yeah. I’d be jealous.” I grip the wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. “If I had it my way, no one would ever see you in a fucking bikini, but me.”
She glances away. “No. I never sent pictures to anyone. I was pregnant, remember? I didn’t have a bikini body that year.”
Tugging her hand, I bring her closer. “Are you kidding me, Savanna? I guarantee you had a damn bikini body that year. I would have given anything to see it. I would have worshipped that body.”
A rush of breath escapes her. “Dalton…” she stammers, eyes dropping to my mouth like she can’t believe what I just said.
“I mean it, Savanna,” I murmur, reaching out and threading my fingers through hers.
She looks down at our entwined hands, biting the corner of her lip, lost in thought. And suddenly, so am I. Because without warning, a dangerous, quiet want settles deep in my chest.
I want to see Savanna pregnant again one day.
And not just with any baby.
Mine.
“I got a bite!” Drew shrieks.
The rod jolts in her hand. With the help of my fishing radar, we finally found a good-looking spot off the coast, where the fish were lighting up the screen.
“I’m coming, Drew. Try to reel it in!” I say in a rush, reeling in my line with lightning speed. I set my rod down on the deck and grab the net.
Savanna rushes to Drew’s side to help steady her rod. “Good job, little bean!” Savanna says, smiling. “You’re doing great, slow and steady.”
Drew makes a grunting sound as her tiny fingers spin around the reel. “It’s too hard,” she huffs. “I think I got a shark!”
I chuckle, making my way to her side. “If we got a shark, we’re in trouble.”
Savanna throws her head back in a laugh, and I swear it’s the sweetest fucking sound I’ve ever heard. Drew continues to reel while I watch the rod tug her back. Whatever she caught is putting up a fight.
“Dalton, help!” Drew shrills with excitement.
I see her arm starting to get tired as her reeling slows down.
I hand Savanna the net as I stand behind Drew, my tall frame towering over her. Without hesitation, I place my hand over hers to steady the rod, our hands working in sync to reel in her prized fish.
“That’s it.” I beam down at Drew as we see the fish getting closer to the boat.
“I see it! I see it!” she says, wiggling with excitement beside me.
Savanna leans over the edge of the boat, ready to scoop the fish into the net. I glance down at Drew, my chest pounding with adrenaline.
“Here it comes,” Savanna says, flashing us a wide grin. She reaches the net closer to the fish. “Wow! It's a big one, Drew!”
Drew’s eyes widen as she looks up at me. “Hurry! Get it, mommy!”
Once the fish is in the net, Savanna brings it overboard and drops it onto the deck. The fish flips and flops, spraying us with water.
I chuckle and kneel, reaching into the net to take the hook out of the fish. “I’m impressed, Drew. This redfish is a keeper.” With my free hand, I give her a high-five. She smacks it forcefully, her face lighting up with a beaming smile.
“I’m so proud of you!” Savanna gushes, picking Drew up and twirling her around the deck, laughter spilling from their chests. The feeling of pride at Drew’s accomplishment pulls tight in my chest.
I’m not just proud of any six-year-old.
I’m proud of Savanna’s six-year-old—her spitting image.
Walking to the back deck, I set the fish in the livewell and close the lid.
Turning around, I freeze, watching as Savanna and Drew continue to bask in the catch of the day.
My heart beats out of my chest, electricity coursing through my body.
My gaze stays glued to the woman I’m crazy about and her daughter.
They're a team.
And I can’t help but feel like I want to be the goddam captain of it.
I’ve been trying to add a fish to the live well to keep me in the running for winning Drew’s bet, but I keep stealing glances at Savanna, who is sprawled out on the deck of the boat in her bikini, reading a book.
Unable to take it any longer, I make my way over to her and sit down.
Her cheeks turn pink when she looks up at me.
“Getting any reading done?” I nod my head at the book in her hands.
“Oh. Yup. Yeah, lots,” she says coyly, nodding her head rapidly.
I call bullshit—since I haven’t seen her turn a page in the last ten minutes.
Taking the book out of her hands, I flip it over and examine the cover. “What is it about?” The two entwined hearts on the front have suddenly piqued my interest.
Savanna snickers, biting her thumbnail. “Well, it’s a second-chance-at-love type of book.”
I quirk my eyebrow up at her, suddenly very interested in her view on this particular topic. “Oh, yeah? And what do you think about those?”
I really want to know.