For months, she had ignored, then squelched, her attraction to him, but tonight, it spilled over into their friendship like a tsunami.
And nothing might ever be the same again. Just when she’d been on the verge of recreating her life. A steady life. No rockers or surfers.
But Sailor was different.
The song ended, and it was time to go. She slid her armaround his waist. He draped his arm effortlessly around her shoulders, and they fell in step with one another as they started for the boat.
He smiled at her. “This was unexpected, but it sure is nice.”
After helping her onto the boat under the moonlight, he paused, holding her in his arms.
With the waves lapping against the hull, mesmerizing her, she lifted her face to his and searched his eyes for a sign that his emotions were genuine. “Is this what we really want?”
“I’ve wanted this for a long time.”
“You concealed it well.”
He shook his head. “Not anymore. I’ve watched you with all those other guys, waiting for you to see me.”
“And now I have.” She feathered a kiss against his lips, tasting his essence.
But then she stepped back, still holding his hand. “Mind if I think about it?”
With a long sigh and a grin, he nodded. “You know where I live.” He bent to untie the boat and push off.
When he finished, he took her hand and led her to the helm.
Sailor cranked the engine, and she leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder as he eased the craft toward deeper waters. The racing of his heart matched hers.
When they were on the open sea with the navigation lights on, he turned to her, his eyes twinkling. “Want to have some fun?”
“Depends on what you have in mind.”
“Do you like to go fast?”
“Usually too fast.” She threw her head back and laughed into the night. “Do it.”
After scanning the area ahead, Sailor increased their speed until they were racing across the waves with saltwater spraying around them, blowing off the emotion building in them.
“Woo, woo, woo!” Maileah screamed into the night withexhilaration, hanging onto Sailor as adrenaline surged through her.
Just as quickly, he eased off. “That’s enough at night.”
When they finally arrived at the marina, she flung her arms around him. They spun around, laughing like lovers.
Maileah thought she would never tire of this.
This evening would stay with her forever. Yet, she wasn’t sure what she’d do about it when tomorrow came.
18
“Thanks for coming with me tonight,” Sailor said, hating to leave Maileah.
With his arm around her shoulders, he walked with her to the door of her cottage. Overhead, a light ocean breeze whispered through the palm trees.
The boat ride back from the other side of the island had been a white-knuckle ride, although he had kept the boat under control. He knew better than to mess around at night on the ocean.
“I hope you had as good a time as I did,” he said, enfolding her in his arms. Her heart was pounding as ferociously as his. Although he was tempted to suggest more to the evening, he refrained.
