Page 85 of Stolen Kisses
Mr. Nelson turned back to Noah. “You know, I got him started in that cab business so he could look after her and make sure no perverts were picking her up.”
Joey sat up. “What? That’s why you helped me get the cab when you retired?”
“It’s a good job. Didn’t want to see you wasting your life on a boat the way I did. That’s a hard life. But I see you’ve found your way back into a boat anyway.” Mr. Nelson’s gaze grew steely again.
Noah swallowed. Not only was he dating the Nelsons only daughter, but evidently he’d pulled their only son into a life they’d tried to veer him away from. This didn’t bode well for his likability around here.
“I’ve got fishing in my blood,” Joey remarked. “That’s your fault, Dad. Not Noah’s.”
“Well, at least I captained my own boat. I was never second to anyone,” Mr. Nelson told Joey.
Krista’s uncles and cousins were impossibly still and quiet. Geez, Noah knew that Krista’s father liked to speak his mind, but he’d never known it’d go this far. Krista had told him stories in school about her father scaring off her dates. Noah had thought she was joking to some extent, but he felt ready to bolt out the front door right about now.
“I don’t consider him second on theSummerly,” Noah said. “We’re equal when we’re out there.”
Mr. Nelson pointed a finger. “And the only reason you’re the captain is because the two above you are gone. One died and one quit.”
He was right about that. Chris Watson had died in a boating accident last year, and afterward Jack had decided he was done with the career for good.
“I didn’t think I was ready for the responsibility, but I’ve surprised even myself. Joey and I make a great crew.” Noah notched up his chin. He respected his elders, but he wasn’t going to let Mr. Nelson tear him down. “As for Krista, I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her, sir. This is a new path for us and I’m excited about exploring it.”
Mr. Nelson’s eyebrows went up as if there were sexual innuendos there—and yeah, Noah felt a little guilty right now for having explored Krista’s body so thoroughly already.
“If I break her heart, I have to answer to Krista, you, Joey, and myself. I’m not inclined to want to do that.”
Mr. Nelson nodded. “As her father, I’m obligated to talk to any and all the guys she dates.”
Noah’s shoulders relaxed. “She’s lucky to have that.”
The older man shrugged. “Do you like football?”
Honestly, Noah didn’t, but he would learn to love it if it took him off the hot seat right now. “Yes, sir.”
“Great.” Mr. Nelson held up the remote and flicked on a large, wide-screen television. Noah relaxed into his seat and watched, eventually drifting off like Joey, waiting for the moment when he could take Krista back to his place and do all the things that Mr. Nelson didn’t want him to do to his daughter. Because he’d been a little gun-shy in the sexual arena since last week. It was Thanksgiving, though, a day to give thanks and appreciate the ones you love. And he planned on fully appreciating every inch of Krista just as soon as he got out of here.
