Page 52 of Their Reluctant Catch

He exhales, rubbing his jaw. “Guess so.”

“Then why the hell would they hire me if I couldn’t tell a carburetor from an alternator?”

Silence stretches between us before his lips quirk at the corner. “Okay, fair point.”

“Damn right it is.”

He lifts his hands again, but this time in surrender. “All right, all right. Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

I narrow my eyes, but his posture is open now, less guarded. Reluctantly, I nod. “Apology accepted. Now, what’s the problem?”

His head tilts as he studies me. “You’re resilient. No wonder the MacAllisters like you.”

I frown, not sure what to make of that.

“Our generator’s acting weird. Power’s been flickering in and out for two days.”

I consider that. “Sounds like a Finn job, but he’s at the B&B fixing their dishwasher. You want me to take a look?”

“You think you can fix it?”

My scowl returns, and his hands go up again, fast.

“Shit, I didn’t mean it like that. If you think you can help, then please, yes.”

I exhale through my nose, shaking my head. “Give me a sec to tell Grady, and I’ll go with you.”

As I wipe my hands and turn toward the office, I can still feel his eyes on me.

Yeah, buddy. Keep doubting me.

You’ll see soon enough.

* * *

Todd

Several days have passed since Bangor, and it has been like a dream, because I’m positive now—we’re in an actual relationship.

And it’s not only the sex, though that’s off the charts. It’s everything.

Savannah is less guarded, and Colton is more open. Somehow, we’ve found a rhythm that works for us.

Our starling has settled in like there was a Savannah-sized slot vacant between us. She is also settling into small-town living, like she’s always lived here.

Three days a week, she works at the garage. On the other days, she’s with us—on theSea Spirit, helping with the catch and handling merchants. The way she navigates every part of our lives, like she’s always been meant to be here, still blows my mind.

I never expected a woman like Savannah.

She’s sharp, capable, and stubborn as hell. She keeps up with us without hesitation. She challenges us, pushes back when she needs to, and balances us in ways I didn’t even know we needed. And she’s gorgeous in her submission.

I grow hard at the thought of that.

I believe that Colton is still holding back, a little. But every day, he lets more of himself show. The true Colton, the one with a quiet, commanding dominance that Savannah responds to like it’s woven into her DNA, comes more and more to the forefront. And I love watching them.

I also love participating.

They are right for each other, but I don’t feel like a third wheel. Not at all.

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