Page 32 of Unmoored

Eden waves off the question. “Thank you for fixing up my engine. I’m just glad it’s good to go.” He beams at me like I just performed brain surgery.

My frown only deepens. “Goodis a strong word. So isgo.”

“Any boat that floats is a good boat,” Eden chirps.

I sigh as I close the hatch in the deck. Every time I look at this damn boat, I find something else on its last legs. I’m gathering a list of parts, but I’ll have to sneak on board to fix things up, or he’ll get all effusive and starry-eyed.

I’m worried that he’s going to be so stubborn that he’ll get into serious trouble out here. All I want is to do the right thing… and keep him safe.

“You can shower at my place anytime,” I can’t resist adding. I know he’s going to take the excuse to be dirty, but I hope he at least takes note that I’m serious.

Eden giggles. “Oh, believe me. If I come to your place, I’ll be even more in need of cold showers.” But he’s got that stubborn, prideful look on his face again, like he’s trying to prove something—to me, or himself, or the world. Maybe all three.

I’m not trying to undermine his life choices. I just wish he’d let me take care of him a little bit more. I’ll let it go for now… but I’m not done with this.

“It’s beautiful out here,” I tell him instead.

Eden emerges onto the deck to look at our view of Nanaimo harbour, lit up by the sun sinking over the mountains beyond. He drapes himself along the railing, shifting his weight to one foot and popping his hip.

Fuck me.

Eden isn’t even trying to be sexy on purpose, which makes it all the hotter. He really is entranced by the sunset—and I’m spellbound by Eden, silhouetted against the darkening sky.

I walk as softly as I can to join him at the railing, taking the chance to drink him in.

The evening isn’t yet dark enough to hide all the unnecessary rivets and fake pockets on his cute little short-shorts. His silky black shirt is unbuttoned very low—almost to his belly button—and I can’t resist peeking at the bare skin on show. There’s a glow in Eden’s eyes as he watches the spectacular sunset, and it makes me smile. He looks so at home here, on the waters I’m so proud to call home.

Thank you, atmospheric conditions. You really did me a solid today.

“Wow,” Eden murmurs, turning toward me. “You couldn’t buy this view with all the money in the world. But here it is. Ours.”

I swallow hard, staring even more openly as the light catches Eden’s soft lips. His gaze flicks down to my mouth, too, and the tip of his tongue darts out, making me shiver.

God. I just want to grab Eden by the waist and kiss him… but I’ve still got gasoline on my hands. And if I start kissing him now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.

“Yeah. I—I better wash up,” I force the words out of my mouth. “Before I ruin your shirt.”

Eden’s lips curve into one of those mischievous smiles of temptation. “Oh yeah? Is that a promise?”

An electric jolt ofyes yes yesis running through my whole body.

My gaze wanders slowly up and down his body as I make a point of looking up over, head to toe. My palms tingle with the desire to grab him around the waist, and my knee wants to push its way between his thighs, and my lips want to press kisses into the curve of his neck until his knees melt…

For once, Eden’s the first to blush and look away.

“Uh… the bathroom’s inside, obviously,” he says with a nervous giggle, nodding at the door into the cabin.

Huh. That’s interesting.

“First door on the left. When you’re ready, please join me…” he pauses as if checking that I’m paying attention. I wait patiently as he clears his throat and straightens up to finish his announcement. “On thebow.”

“The bow,” I repeat with a mystified blink. I was expecting something more dramatic.

“The bow,” he repeats himself, grinning proudly. “As opposed to where we are right now, which is the stern. And that way is port, and that’s starboard. Wait.” He holds up both hands, makes “L” shapes with his fingers, and then points at the left. “Thatway is port.”

Then he looks up at me, beaming in expectation. It’s cute as hell, I have to admit. I hold back my smile and shake my head at his dramatics. “I see you’re studying up.”

Eden nods eagerly. He doesn’t say anything yet, just bouncing up and down on his toes.

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