Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Kylie took the seat next to Zane, and those seats faced the rear of the boat.
The Whites were on Zane’s other side. She had always liked a man in a ball cap, and with Zane’s sexy stubble added into the mix, it made him all the more appealing.
He was dressed in a faded blue T-shirt and tan shorts, so she also got plenty of forearm and calf action, two of her biggest weaknesses.
She told herself that this man was off-limits, not only because they would be doing business with one another tomorrow, but because he would only be in the Bay a short time.
She saw no point in trying to start up something with him, only to see him walk away in a couple of weeks.
From what Sullivan had said, Zane visited every Wagner property before it opened, testing out the service and amenities.
It was the personal Wagner stamp of approval which occurred before any property opened.
The corporation’s hotels and resorts were placed strategically around the world and were known not only for luxury.
Personal service and attentiveness to guests was what kept Wagner Enterprises properties at the top of a very exclusive heap.
That meant Zane wandered the world, going from one new place to another.
Besides visiting places before they opened, he most likely had other duties with the company.
She knew he shared an apartment with Sullivan in New York.
Zane would be in the Bay and in the blink of an eye, he would be gone.
Kylie told herself that was the biggest reason to keep her distance.
Yet what she wouldn’t give for just one kiss from this man.
Ever since her divorce, she hadn’t even looked at another man.
At first, she was too busy nursing her broken heart, even as she tried to care for a newborn.
Then all Amy Marie’s health issues began, and her life became a blur of hospitals and treatments.
Coming back to her hometown had helped Kylie begin to heal emotionally, but no one in the Bay had attracted her attention.
Until Zane Wagner arrived.
What if she did kiss him? Or even had a quick fling?
Maybe that’s what she needed and didn’t know she did.
She tried to imagine what it would feel like, being with a man again and not her vibrator.
Actually having a living, breathing, hot as hell guy touch her.
Kiss her. Make her feel wanted again. Even needed.
Yes, her family depended upon her. She was a workhorse, putting in long hours on the charter boat or ferry, even sometimes helping Mom with the business end of things.
But that was work. And while it had been great to connect with the Three Musketeers and share a friendship with them, she was still a woman.
Only thirty-one. In prime physical condition because of the hard labor she did on a daily basis.
She wanted to be able to feel pretty. To have a man’s sole attention on her for a night.
These were things which she didn’t see happening in her future.
Kylie was torn. She loved her family. Loved the Bay.
Wanted to contribute to the family business.
At the same time, she wanted to break free from her hometown.
Stretch her wings and fly again. She had been damn good at her job in Dallas.
Had used her brain. Her creativity was allowed to soar.
As much as Driftwood Bay appealed to her, she felt confined by it.
Could she move on, as her mom had suggested?
Maybe a quick affair with Zane was what she needed.
Once he left and high season ended, nothing was holding her here.
She could do what she had originally planned and find a job in the corporate world.
She wasn’t interested in another marriage and certainly wasn’t interested in having children again, but she realized she needed more than working for Mayfield Charters.
It surprised her how quickly her mind was made up. Zane would be surprised to hear that he was the catalyst for her huge decision. She might even tell him.
After she kissed him.
That would need to occur after tomorrow, though. Today was about enjoying time on the water and getting to know him some. Tomorrow was about doing the right thing for her family and the community. The day after, however?
Kylie was all in on having sex with him. Now, she would walk a fine line, balancing everything until her high-wire act was finished.
“I’m ready,” he said. “Teach me something about fishing.” Grinning, he added, “I’ve probably forgotten most of what you told me about rods and reels, so just make sure I have the right one in my hands when the time comes.”
She laughed. “First, Dad will take us about fifteen to twenty miles off the coast. We’ll do a little trolling as a warm-up.”
“Trolling?”
“It’s the easiest way of catching fish in deep waters. Think of it as the tried and true method. It’s stupidly simple and ingenious at the same time. Basically, we’ll set up a rod spread, bait our hooks, and Dad will drive the boat slowly.”
His eyes lit with understanding. “Our bait will look like fish swimming.”
“Exactly. No need to cast, but you do need to be able to reel in the fish you hook. Since you’ve fished with Neville, I’m thinking you’ve got that skill down.”
“It’s been a while, but I’m good to go on that,” he agreed.
“Don’t be lulled into complacency,” she warned. “There are some pretty big fish out this far. Reeling in a catch can get really physical.”
“Gotcha. Don’t be asleep at the wheel. What kind of fish are we talking about?”
“This time of year, mahi-mahi is going to be your most prevalent catch. The little guys are eager biters. You just have to watch it because they’re pretty strong fighters, too.
Once they realize they are suckered in, they’ll explode, racing away as you hook them.
The good thing about mahi-mahi is that they’re like a horse bred for a short race only.
They don’t have much stamina compared to other fish.
They seem to be the fish that causes people to fall in love with deep sea fishing. ”
Zane turned to the Whites. “I hope you don’t mind we’re starting with trolling since I’m a novice.”
“Not a problem, Zane,” Ben assured him. “Trolling is usually how Dave kicks off every charter.”
“You said you’ve been coming to Driftwood Bay for years?” Zane asked.
“Yup. We love the sand and surf. Fishing. Lisa and I even do a little biking and antiquing when we come to the Coast. We save up all year so we can go out on one of the Mayfield charters three times.”
Zane turned to Kylie. “I didn’t even think about it. I need to pay you for coming out today. I also know I need a fishing license.”
“Dad took care of that this morning when I told him last night that you were coming.”
“How does he get a license at six in the morning?”
She grinned. “Dave Mayfield’s got connections, Wagner. Being a Bay native and running a business which brings tourists to town has its pluses.”
“What about the charter itself? How can I pay you?”
“You don’t need to. I invited you.”
“No, I insist.”
“We take credit cards. Cash. Square. Zelle. Most charter services use those forms of payment. You can worry about it later. I know you’re good for it.”
The boat slowed, and Dave called down to the group, “We’ll start trolling now.”
They used the method for the next half-hour. Zane actually caught two fish, which Kylie stored in a container. She brought out three identical ones and placed them beside each chair, helping unhook the fish from the hooks and placing them in the ice.
“I suppose this is included in my fare,” he said.
“Should I give you our spiel?” she teased, launching into it.
“Mayfield Charters’ rates provide all bait, ice, and tackle to guests, as well as the fuel fee.
In addition, we clean your fish upon arrival at the docks, filleting, bagging, and icing them for you.
You can ask to have your fish to be filleted on the half shell and bagged in gallon zip lock bags, or you can choose to have the whole fish gutted. ”
“Don’t forget the photos,” Lisa added helpfully. “It’s our favorite part. We’ve used Mayfield photos from everything from screensavers to Christmas cards.”
Kylie laughed. “That’s right. Upon returning to port, we take complimentary pictures of you holding various fish that you’ve caught.
Those will be texted to your phone. Every now and then, when we have a client with an especially large catch, we ask for permission to send any pictures to the local newspaper. ”
Ben smiled at Zane. “Let’s see which of us catches the largest fish. Usually, I compete with Lisa, but she wins every time.”
“He tells me I’m lucky,” his wife said. “I think the fish just like me better.”
Everyone laughed, and Zane and Ben bet ten bucks on who would snag the bigger fish. By now, her dad had kicked the boat into high gear, and they were moving at a fast clip.
“Are we heading over to Bakers or Hospital Rock?” asked Lisa.
“Neither today,” Kylie replied. “Dad has that planned for your expedition in two days.” Looking to Zane, she said, “Those are hot spots for billfish. Closer to Port Aransas.” Glancing back to Lisa, she said, “Dad has a great place we’re going now for red snapper.”
“Oh, Gran would love it if I could catch some snapper,” Zane said. “It’s her favorite.”
“Be glad you’re fishing with us now. The federal government opened red snapper season about ten days ago. We’ve had some really good catches where we’re going. Since the season’s pretty new, not as many people know about this particular spot just yet.”
Kylie closed the container and took a seat beside Zane again. “Let’s talk what you’ll be trying next. Jigging.”
“Jigging?” he asked, shaking his head. “Sounds a little … dirty.” He gave her a flirtatious smile.