Page 56 of Rules of Engagement
Carter slowed the power motor and steered the boat out of the traffic into one of the many channels leading toward a marina.
"You ready to try it?"
Try it? "You mean pilot this?"
"Why not?"
She'd been on plenty of boats over the years, but she'd never driven one. James had always insisted he be behind the wheel and would go full-speed down the waterway, uncaring of the chaos caused to smaller boats or others. She knew she shouldn't compare the two men but… "Really?"
Carter grinned at her excitement.
"Yeah, really. I wouldn't have asked otherwise. Get over here."
She took position in front of the controls and listened while he showed her what to do and helped get them moving again. And even though he could've moved away at that point, Carter stayed behind her, his hands resting lightly at her waist.
"Just keep it steady. You're doing great."
"Someone's coming up behind us fast," she said. "What do I do?"
He chuckled and the sound warmed her ear.
"Keep tight on the wheel and ride it out."
The wake created by the James-like boat rocked them back and forth several times before the water settled. Carter's grip at her waist tightened, holding her in place and supporting her.
"Great job. You're a natural."
She tilted her head back to glance up at Carter, smiling at the excitement and praise and the beautiful day, but the moment she saw him looking at her, the expression he wore, she felt her heart sputter. Her pulse picked up speed as adrenaline flooded her system, and it had nothing to do with being a novice boater and everything to do with him kissing her. Again.
She waited. Barely daring to breathe while he lowered his head but stopped just shy of her mouth.
"What's it going to be, Eliza? Tell me no if you don't want me to—"
She wasn't sure how she did it but she rose up on her toes and turned and pressed her mouth to his and ended his words, all at the same time. Carter's hand at her back steadied her even as he pulled her tight against him, and she was vaguely aware of the powerful engine slowing once more.
She wound her arms around his neck, felt his growl of pleasure as he took her mouth in a kiss that held nothing back. He tasted good, smelled better, and she lost herself in the sensation of kissing the man who intrigued her so.
A loud horn blasted, startling Eliza so badly she ended the kiss with a yelp of surprise.
The young men aboard the other boat whistled and catcalled and blew kisses to Eliza as they rolled by and yelled for Carter to take her to the bunks below.
Carter's boat rocked side to side in the waves that buffeted them, and she fisted her hands against Carter's chest as her face filled with heat at what the teenagers meant.
Carter didn't comment, but after a moment, he nudged her face up with a hand under her chin.
She shook her head and couldn't look at him. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
His tone drew her gaze to his and she noted his expression. That made her feel even more uncomfortable, especially in light of her thoughts. "I shouldn't have— Especially when I'm not going to— I'm not going downstairs with you, Carter." She inhaled a shaky breath. "Ifwe find ourselves together in the future, it has to happen slowly,naturally, and if you can't accept—"
"I do."
His big, tender hands framed her face and demanded eye contact before he gave her a look that melted her insides.
"I accept. You set the pace, Eliza. We'll go as slow or as fast as you want. And no always means no. Okay?"
She palmed his forearms and used him for balance as she leaned into him and pressed a short kiss to his lips, this one lighter, softer. "Okay," she whispered. "Now show me what all this boat can do."
