Page 5 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

“Technically, since last night.” He leans against the side of the boat. “I sailed down from Boston. When theTwisted Riggingpulled into the slip, this town officially became my home.”

He lives on this boat?

“You sailed from Boston yesterday? Why are you even out today?” I ask, not yet ready to process that I’ve invaded his home.

He takes his hat off and runs a hand through his hair, exactly like I imagined. “It took more than a day. But yes, theTwisted Riggingis my personal boat. No one else captains her.”

“I could have gone out on another boat.”

“Nothing but the best for Carina Webb.” He says it evenly. It’s the way it is.

I’ve heard it before. But it’s not how I feel. I would never ask to put Orion out. “You really didn’t have to do this.”

He shrugs. I wonder if anything fazes him. “So far it’s been worth it.” His gaze turns from the vast sea until he’s focused on me.

My breath hitches, which it never does. Years of yoga and pranayama breathwork have me always in control. I want it to mean more than simple flirtation as part of his job.

I hold back my smile, suddenly afraid it doesn’t mean anything to him, when it means something to me.

three

ORION

I don’t knowwhy Carina is hesitant to go paddleboarding. I can tell from Haley’s comments they both go often. But Carina looked at me like I would prevent her.

I personally prefer kayaking, but paddleboarding has always looked fun. The water is warm so falling isn’t a big deal. It’s possible to swim in the Charles River back in Boston, but you couldn’t convince me to risk it, so I’d never tried it there. And I love a good risk.

After about an hour, Nathan brings them back from the tour, and one of the women, Jeannette, attempts a few yoga poses on her board and quickly falls in the water. I laugh along with them as soon as I realize she’s able to climb up easily and doesn’t need a rescue. It makes me more curious about Carina. I want to see her attempt one of the poses Jeannette tried.

I shouldn’t be thinking about how flexible she probably is.

I’m a professional and she’s a professional. I’ve done thousands of day and overnight charters. I’ve never reacted to a guest the way I’m reacting to Carina.

“You joining at all?” I ask her.

She sits up straighter. “Maybe in a bit. Like I said, this is for them, not me.”

She told me she was tired from her workout earlier. She avoids eye contact, suggesting something else.

Jeannette paddles up to the boat. “You can do better than I did,” she playfully taunts.

Carina shrugs.

“Oh, come on,” Haley calls from her board. “That would make a great video, and you need content from today.”

Carina looks at me.

That’s when I see it. The smallest hint of fear in her eyes. I don’t know what it means, but I hate it. I’d love to see her try something brave even if it doesn’t work.

“A few nautical poses. Like boat. Or mermaid!” Stacy suggests.

“Fine.” Carina grabs the paddle and helps Jeannette onto the swim platform, handing over her phone and sunglasses. She eases herself onto the board, and while kneeling paddles a few yards away. Jeannette holds up Carina’s phone as she moves into position.

I’ve done a few yoga classes, but I don’t know anything beyond the basics. It’s enough to be impressed with the way Carina bends her body into position. She looks off into the distance in exactly the way a mermaid would if a sailor spotted her sunning herself on a rock.

I would absolutely run my ship aground if it meant getting close to her.

She looks to Jeannette and smiles while the other women cheer her on. Carina’s gaze turns to me. Suddenly, all the fear I saw before is gone. I’m sure my jaw drops. I school my features back to neutral, but she saw me. She knows what she’s doing to me.

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