Page 34 of Corrupted Lies

She was so glad she’d come up with this idea. Not only did it solve the problem of keeping her safe, but it was also going to give her the space and time she needed to start healing from the ordeal the last few days had been.

Definitely helped that she wasn't alone.

While she would have absolutely understood if Jake needed to be with his family right now, it wasn't something she would ever have held against him, she was glad that he’d decided to come with her instead.

And maybe there was a teeny tiny piece of her that wished it wasn't just because of a promise he’d made to her when he was five years old.

That made her feel a little bit like a responsibility he’d rather not have, and yet at the same time, she knew that was her own insecurities talking. The emotion and intensity in his voice when he’d told her that he was a failure and he hadn't protected her like he wanted to told her that he wasn't here out of obligation.

Her head knew that, but her heart wanted … more.

Which was stupid.

Jake had been clear yesterday in what he wanted, and she couldn’t even argue with him. It wasn't like she expected him to suddenly fall in love and want to marry her.

One day she’d find the kind of love she saw between his brothers and the women who had captured their hearts.

“Why don’t you go and put our things away and I’ll get us going,” Jake suggested as he carried the last of the bags of groceries down into the little galley kitchen below deck.

“Umm, you aren't much of a sailor,” she said a little hesitantly. It wasn't like she was going to be winning races any time soon, but her parents had a boat when she was growing up, and virtually the only happy memories she had of her childhood was the time spent on it.

It wasn't that they’d shown her any love and attention, it was the same as it was at home, but out there with the fresh sea air and the warmth of the sun on her skin, she’d found a peace that remained elusive at home. She’d find a little corner of the deck to make her own and watch for dolphins or whales, she’d read, she’d watch the sunlight glimmer like diamonds on the water, and just enjoy being miles away from anywhere.

“I think I can manage getting us out of the marina,” he told her in that macho way that said his boy brain had already decided it was his job to drive.

Arguing seemed pointless, and she didn't want to ruin this tranquil feeling she had, so Alannah merely shrugged and headed down. Her yacht wasn't huge, but it was cute and cozy.She’d bought it as a treat when her gym started making money, and she loved it. There were two reasonably sized bedrooms, then the galley kitchen that opened out onto the small living room space. Both bedrooms had their own tiny bathrooms, and although the entire space was small, it was cute, and it was all hers.

After about thirty minutes she had her clothes unpacked in her room, and Jake’s suitcase sitting on his bed in his room. The groceries were all packed away, and she paused in the kitchen to make them both a snack, then took it back up to the deck.

As soon as she stepped out into the fresh air, she felt another piece of the stress she’d been carrying around these last few days melt away.

They were no longer in the marina, and while she could still see land when she looked behind her, out in front of her there was nothing but sparkling blue water.

Perfect.

Exactly what she needed.

“I see you got us out of the marina without crashing into anything,” she teased Jake who had almost crashed the yacht the last time he’d gone out on the water with her. He’d decided he didn't need to listen to her instructions and could handle it himself, which turned out not to be true.

He grumbled, mumbling something under his breath, with both his eyebrows drawn down into a frown, but there was a sparkle in his eyes. He knew she was teasing, and he was playing along. There might be a little awkwardness between them after the almost-kiss the previous afternoon, but it hadn't ruined anything.

As disappointed as she’d been not to kiss Jake, she had to agree it was for the best that they’d been interrupted.

After all, she didn't want to lose this.

This easiness that had always been between them. The next however long they were going to spend at sea would eradicate the awkwardness and then things could go back to the way they’d always been.

Brushing away the little twinge in her heart, Alannah carried the bowl of chips and two glasses of soda over to the little table that sat undercover. “I brought snacks if you're hungry,” she said as she laid them out.

“Corn chips?” he asked hopefully, eyeing the bowl.

“Course. I know your favorite snack,” she reminded him with a laugh.

“And it’s Coke, not Pepsi, since I know that’s also your favorite.”

“Perfect.”

There was something in his voice that made her shiver as though there was another meaning to his words even though she knew there wasn't.

---