Page 61 of Paradise West
Jack grinned. “Permission to come aboard, sir.”
The captain’s mouth curled at the corner. “Cut the crap, Jack and get your ass over here. You have lines to manage.”
Charli blinked at the exchange, wondering what in the world Jack had gotten them into. But he only chuckled and helped her on board.
“Here...you can sit over here.” He pointed to a bench behind the large navigation wheel. “I need to help David get us ready to sail.”
The captain dropped down from the top of the cabin next to Jack and looked expectantly back and forth between the two of them. “Well, dumbass? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Jack made an annoyed sound from the back of his throat. “David, this is my new partner, Charli.” He waved his hand toward the captain. “Charli, this is my rude and much older brother, David.”
Jack’s brother scoffed. “It’s Captain David to you, dipshit, and you should be honest to the lovely lady and introduce me as your much handsomer brother.” He glanced at Charli and grinned—she immediately saw the resemblance in their square jaws and brown eyes. “And you can call me Dave, angel eyes,” he crooned with a wink.
Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you ‘angel eyes’ my girl, you jackass. And knock it off with the winking. She isn’t some random tourist you’re trying to bag,” he growled.
Charli blinked at Jack’s spicy response.
My girl?
Her heart warmed at the words and her core clenched at his possessive tone.
David released an evil snicker. “So Janie was right. She is your girlfriend.”
Jack released a rough breath and frowned at his brother, his voice returning to a normal timbre. “Yes, she’s my girlfriend. So hands off and just sail the damned boat.”
Charli froze, her eyes growing even wider. Her heart pounded a little at the word, and rather than the usual feeling of panic and suffocation when a man pushed too close, a bloom of excitement shot through her.
David smacked Jack on the back. “Okay, little brother, calm down. I’ll behave myself...for now.” He gestured toward the bow of the boat. “But you may want to take her up there. You know women find my masculine charms irresistible.”
He winked at Charli again. “Wouldn’t want to steal your girl out from under you while you’re trying to romance her.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed and his lip curled. “God, you’re a dick. Are you sure you weren’t adopted?” He held his hand out to Charli. “Come on. Let’s get you set up front.”
He held her hand as he walked her along the deck. “The view up here is better anyway,” he mumbled ashe showed her where to sit. Once she was settled, he leaned down to kiss her.
“Sorry about that,” he whispered into her lips. “David can be difficult sometimes, but he’s a good guy and a great captain.”
Charli chuckled. “There’s nothing to apologize for.” Her hand slipped to the back of his neck and holding him place as their lips met again.
“Get a room, you two,” David snarked. “Jack, get your ass over here. You have work to do.”
He groaned as he drew away. “I need to help him with the lines so we can get out of here. We’ll leave in just a minute, so you just relax up here, okay? I’ll be back soon.” He swooped in for another quick kiss and then turned to help his brother.
Several minutes later they were motoring out of the marina and into the channel, heading due west. David and Jack worked the lines and the mainsail began to rise up the mast. When the sail was up, David turned the boat to capture the breeze and the sail filled with a taut snap of cloth under strain. Suddenly the sound of the motor died and the only sound was the rhythmic crashing of the hull into the waves. Charli leaned her head back and closed her eyes, enjoying the salty breeze, the occasional splash of water, and the boat’s rocking motion as it carved through the waves. It was all intoxicating.
She jumped when Jack dropped down beside her—she’d been so focused on all the sensations of the wind and the boat that she hadn’t heard him approach. He grinned at her response and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her tight to his body and leaning in for a soft kiss.
“It’s great, isn’t it?” he asked when he eased back, his eyes dazzling with excitement.
Charli smiled. “I love it.” She took a deep breath and released it with a sigh. “I can’t ever remember feeling so relaxed and peaceful.”
Jack hummed and she could tell he was satisfied with her answer. “I don’t get to do this nearly as much as I’d like, but it’s probably my favorite thing to do around here. There’s nothing like being out on the water and the view of the sunset is stellar.”
Charli glanced over her shoulder and found David standing at the wheel. He winked at her again and smiled when he met her eyes. She snickered and turned back to Jack.
“How many brothers and sisters do you have?” she asked.
Jack huffed. “Too many, if you ask me,” he grumbled. “You’ve met Janie and David. I have one other bossy older sister, Marie. She and her family live further up the keys in Islamorada.”
