Page 9 of Escape to the Sun

“Is there room for me in there?”

Ash turned to the boy, who was tucking the box into place. “Miguel? Are we done?”

“Last one, Señor.” The boy looked up at his captain with a smile.

Ash shrugged and turned back to her. “I’m sure we can squeeze you in…”

“Heather.” She offered her hand. Instead of shaking it, Ash took it and with a quick jerk, pulled her down to the boat. She only stumbled slightly before his arms were around her, bracing her and righting her body against his.

He still held her hand, and as soon as she took a half step backward to put space between them, he brought it to his lips and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. “It’s nice to meet you, Heather.”

She should be offended, or outraged that he’d manhandle her in such a way. But it wasn’t anger that flowed through her veins. She didn’t pull back, but let him hold her hand to his mouth and she felt every breath of air as he said, “I’m Ash. And I’ll make sure you get out to Sherri’s place, even if you have to be on top.”

Oh, sweet baby Jesus.If it was possible to spontaneously combust from desire, Heather would be lit up like a Christmas tree. It was all kinds of wrong, and went against everything she’d ever done or stood for as far as a moral code, but as far as she could tell, her morals weren’t going to have much of a say in anything when it came to Ash. Because if it came down to it, her body and every single feel-good hormone racing through her at top speed were definitely going to win out.

She slipped her hand from his. “I know who you are.”

“You do?” He raised an eyebrow. “My reputation precedes me, I see.”

“Maybe it does.” She smiled, enjoying the easy flirting. “But Mick told me.”

“Don’t believe anything.” He laughed. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m almost ready to shove off.”

Heather looked around and finally decided the only place for her backpack would be on her lap. The little boat was packed well, but her first assessment had been spot on. There wasn’t anywhere for her to ride. But she couldn’t stand. She picked her way through the packages and found a wooden crate toward the bow that looked as if it might be stable enough to support her. She perched delicately and watched while Ash dug in the pocket of his cargos and handed Miguel something. Judging by the smile on the boy’s face, it was likely cash.

“You ready?” Ash hopped into the boat, nimbly making his way to the stern, where he pulled the starter. The engine roared to life.

“Yes.” Her voice floated away on the air. There was no way he heard it over the rev of the engine. “Yes,” she yelled at the exact moment the engine settled into a low purr. “Yes. I’m ready to go,” she said again at a much more reasonable level.

He winked at her and gestured to Miguel to untie them. The moment the boat moved, she shifted on her perch. The fingers of her free hand gripped the crate beneath her while the other struggled to keep hold of her backpack.

“Are you okay up there?”

She nodded. It’s not as if she’d never been on a boat before. She had. Once or twice.

After all, she’d spent the last five years living at a marina, surrounded by boats. She’d been on her fair share of yachts of all kinds. Sailboats, and power boats big and small. But small was relative. And she’d never been on a boat quite as small as the one she was on at the moment. Especially one that was as loaded as Ash’s. For all intents and purposes, she’d lived a fairly sheltered life at the marina. The life of a dockmaster’s wife wasn’t all that demanding, and for the most part, Heather sat in the restaurant, visiting with guests from around the world, dreaming about going to those places. She didn’t actually participate much as far as the business was concerned.

Ash maneuvered the boat slowly through the docks. Even at the low speed, Heather knew her placement was precarious. Mick had said it was about a twenty-minute boat ride. She scanned the boat again, searching for an alternative.

There wasn’t one.

* * *

“You’resure you’re okay up there?”

There was no way she was okay up there. He slowed the boat and let it idle. He admired her stubbornness. Hell, he found it sexy. But it wasn’t going to be very sexy fishing her out of the ocean. An image of her T-shirt, wet and stuck to her breasts, filled his head.

Okay, maybe it would be sexy.

Ash resisted the urge to turn the boat sharply so she’d fall out. No doubt it wouldn’t go over as well as he’d like it to. Although seeing her with her shirt skintight, wet, showing every line and curve on what was no doubt a ten out of ten body, would be worth it. It would be very worth it.

With a sigh of regret, he left the throttle, and took two steps toward the bow, holding out his hand for her. “Come on.”

“Honestly, I’m fine up—whoa.”

A boat passing by sent out a wave that threatened to make the decision for both of them. Ash stretched out and grabbed her arm moments before it happened. “Gotcha.” He took her backpack with one hand and without releasing her arm, helped her to the back of the boat. Heather’s eyes were wide, but she didn’t look scared. Instead, she looked as if she was fighting back laughter. Sure enough, the moment she plopped down across from him on a bag of rice, she burst into laughter.

He waited a moment, scratched at the scruff on his chin and finally tucked her backpack in beside her before her laughter died down.

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