Ronan stretched his legs on the couch likehis brother, reclining against the arm of the couch and facing thecoastline behind them. Chase put the boat in gear and pulled out ofthe slip as Maddy dashed out to pull in the bumpers, then settledright back in at his side. The view wasn’t great through the clearplastic that made up the rear door, but at least they were warm.The snowy landscape grew a bit smaller in the distance as Chasedrove them northeast toward the island of New Sussex.
Hands firmly gripping the back of Frank andLaura’s seat as the boat bounced across the ocean waves, Payson’sgaze crossed back and forth between the brothers hogging the lastof the seats on deck. “Ahem,” she cleared her throat.
Ronan didn’t lift his head but turned towardher. Eyes relaxed, his mouth turned up in a half smile, he spreadhis legs on the couch and patted the space between his thighs,“Have a seat; I’m happy to share.” Rolling her eyes, Paysonaccepted the invitation and sat rigidly in the nest he’d made withhis legs.
“Really?” she glared at him, eyebrow raised,arms folded.
Full grin now, Ronan apologized, “Oh, I’m sosorry.” He spread his legs a bit and pulled her toward him.Catching the hint, she angled her body and pulled her legs up soshe was leaning back against his chest, legs stretched out on thesoft couch between his. She sat stiffly for a moment, resisting,but finally gave in and relaxed against him.
For a few moments, they cuddled in silence,neither verbally acknowledging what was happening. What had startedfor Ronan as an ornery challenge was now a rather painful reminderthat he was human. Very much alive, and very much a man.
He inhaled the clean, subtly floral scent ofher hair as he buried his face against her. How many differentscented shampoos did she own? Her arms now wrapped around his bentlegs. She finally settled in and wasn’t going anywhere. He wrappedhis arms around her middle and held her securely against him.
The first drunken kiss had been startling.The second the stoking of embers. The third had been an awakening.But, this… this intimacy, this was gut-wrenchingly, terrifyingly…miraculous.
…
Snuggling up against Ronan, Payson couldn’tfigure out how it had happened. One minute she was calling hisbluff when he invited her to nestle up with him on the couch, thenext she was in pure heaven. Heat emanating off his chest, the feelof his breath in her hair, the feel of his muscled thighs under herhands. The sensual feeling of his hands gently grazing her abdomen,initially frozen just to hold her in place, now tenderly caressing.Something shifted deep within her, something surprising andremarkable.
Who was Ronan anyway? He didn’t seem to be acomputer programmer sort; he didn’t even look at his cellphoneunless to text or call someone, and he’d had yet to even glance ather work computer. Actually, he didn’t say anything about himselfat all, save for a few comments about his family or his youth.Nothing about himself outside of Seaview. How could she trust himso thoroughly if she didn’t even know who or what he was?
She couldn’t deny she’d been inexplicablydrawn to him before, even when he’d been disheveled and cranky anddidn’t seem to be at all the type she’d go for. Now that he lookedand acted like a damn superhero, all confidence and strength andcompassion, with a body of a warrior and a face that belonged on amagazine cover… now she was completely at a loss. As if herhormones were applauding,See, I told you so.
As she drowned in blissful sensation, sheforgot to be afraid in the boat. The hum of the engine, the rockingas they crashed through the ocean waves; all soothing rather thanfrightening. She found she rather liked boating. Before she knewwhat had happened, her eyes were drifting closed as the snowycoastline disappeared on the horizon. Having tossed and turned allnight, confused about Ronan, she needed some rest.
…
Quiet voices and shuffling bodies nearbydisturbed her peaceful nap. Who would dare interrupt such a perfectmoment? Payson had never felt so safe and cozy. Where had theblanket come from?
Eyes fluttering open, Payson saw the activitythat had awakened her. Aiden was sitting a few feet away, digginginto a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips. Maddy popped thetop off a beer. Tummy rumbling, Payson accepted it was time to situp and have a snack too. She hadn’t eaten much this morning,fearing seasickness.
Shifting in her seat, she started to sit up.A strong hand pulled her back down and she thudded against therock-hard chest beneath her. Turning in place against the brickwall that was Ronan’s chest, she discovered he was smiling at her.Whispering, she demanded, “Ronan, I’m hungry.”
Whispering back, he teased, “Me too,” andwaggled his eyebrows at her. Her sharp elbow went straight for thegut. His face scrunched in pain and he held his hand over his lowabdomen where her elbow had dug in. Oops, must have found one ofhis train-wreck injuries.
Quickly recovering, he whispered, “Don’t movethe blanket just yet. I, uh…” he gestured downward. Oh, of course.He had clearly enjoyed their nap as much as she had, his rigiderection digging into her.
Funny, she normally would have been disturbedby a surprise erection on her behalf, but this time she ratherenjoyed it. Wiggling as she sat up just to egg him on, shesympathetically shifted the blanket to save his dignity a bit.Turning to face him, she grinned mischievously.
“Wench,” he muttered with his devious smileshe was already quite fond of.
Laura turned in her seat to look behind,“Well good morning sleepy heads. We’re about another hour or twoout. Thought we’d have lunch; it’s almost two. I broughtsandwiches, chips, and beer. Chocolate chip cookies for dessert.Hungry?”
Payson nearly drooled at the thought. “Yes,I’d love a little of everything. I was so afraid of getting seasickthat I haven’t eaten much today.” She tried to stand but Laurawaved her hand.
“I’ll get it for you. On your second outing,I might let you help. This time, I want you to feel spoiled, soyou’ll want to come out with us more often. Sourdough, right?”Laura grinned down at her as she stood to head for the galley.Payson nodded and put in her order.
Ronan rubbed at his hip as he sat up,eventually swinging his leg around so they could eat. He nudged herwith his good shoulder, “Did you order some for me too?”
“I’m sure your mother won’t mind if you getup to help make lunch,” Payson raised her eyebrow with a smile.
Laura appeared with two paper plates full offood and two unopened beers. “You both get a pass on helping today.Ronan’s first time out in over a decade.” She winked and headedback into the cabin to join her husband.
Ridiculously content, more than she couldhave anticipated, Payson tore into her sandwich ravenously. Ronanfinished his by the time she was even halfway done, but he hadstill maintained those impeccable manners. She tried, but the chipswere so salty and delicious. Something about the salty sea air.
Licking the seasoning off her fingers, Paysonheard a groan from beside her. Glancing over at Ronan, she saw himwatching every flick of her tongue. Laughing, she teased quietly,“Dang, Ronan, how long has it been?”
Eyes unblinking, still staring at her mouth,he managed to ask, confused, “What?”
