Page 50 of Stone Deep
Every nerve in my body pulsed with worry as we waited for what felt like an interminable amount of time for the rescue boat to reach the marina. A group of bystanders helped tie off the boat as it puttered alongside the pier. I couldn’tget close enough to see well, but there were a number of people on the deck of the boat. I walked up behind the group gathered to watch. Amy smiled back at me. She was gripping Hunter’s arm. It was big and strong like his brother’s, and all I could think was how much I’d missed Slade’s embrace. I couldn’t remember ever feeling that secure in a man’s arms, not even in Ryan’s arms. Especially not in his.
Two women were helped off the deck. First aid blankets were draped around their shoulders. They looked shaken and cold and relieved to be on solid ground.
One of the rescue crew stepped onto the pier with two other men, and they were carrying four life jackets. I stretched my neck to see over the crowd, but I was at such a height disadvantage it was impossible. I walked over to Amy.
Colt’s girlfriend, Jade, flashed me a warm smile but didn’t say anything.
“Can you see him?” I asked Amy.
“Not yet,” Hunter said as he easily peered over the heads. He looked at Colt, and I didn’t like the expression on his face. “Everyone else is off the boat. Where the hell is he?” Hunter asked. The two brothers forged through the crowd. Amy, Jade and I followed in their path.
The coast guard crew member was talking to the two men, and one seemed to be getting a stern lecture.
“Hey,” Hunter called to the guy, “where’s my brother?”
The rescue crew member turned to us. “He was in the water the longest, so they’re just rechecking his vitals before they release him.” He looked pointedly at the four life jackets in the hands of the two wet men. “This irresponsibleboat owner didn’t have enough life jackets for five people. Among other things,” he added sharply.
Hunter stepped quickly toward the boat owner and the guy’s eyes nearly popped from his face as he stumbled back two steps. “Come on, Stone, I didn’t know the engine was going to catch fire.”
“That’s a lame fucking excuse,” Colt said. “Everyone on this dock knows that boat was a wreck waiting to happen. You were captain. You should have been the one without the life jacket.”
The second guy, a big, friendly looking man who looked vaguely familiar, stepped between the boat captain and the Stone brothers. “Slade was the one who insisted on going in without the jacket,” he said calmly. “Yes, Stewie is an idiot, but we all made it safely back. Mostly thanks to Slade, of course. He really watched over the women. They were pretty freaked out, but he kept them calm. You know Slade. That’s just how he is.”
Amy grabbed Hunter’s arm. “There he is.”
An involuntary cry of relief burst from my lips, and too late, I covered my mouth with my hand. Amy smiled and gave me a brief hug. They headed toward Slade. He looked wet and bone weary as he tromped toward his family. His green gaze flickered through the forest of people and landed on me. He stared at me as if he wasn’t completely sure what he was looking at. Before I could lift a hand to wave, Amy and Jade threw their arms around him and pulled his attention away.
I had to make a conscious effort to slow my breathing and my pulse. He was safe. As much as I wanted to stay and talk to him, I didn’t have that privilege anymore. I’ddisappointed him. I realized as I was standing there, that no matter how badly I wanted to keep him in my life, it was his move to make. He hadn’t called me since he discovered that I was married. I didn’t hold out much hope that he wanted me around. That reality made my heart feel as if it was filled with lead. Slade had been the first great thing to happen to me in a long time, and I screwed it up.
I turned and headed to the car without looking back. It was easier not to see him. Everything about him was so darn heartbreaking. I just had to push him from my thoughts or go nuts kicking myself about it.
I pulled my key out of my sweatshirt pocket and stuck it in the door lock.
“Nice car. I’ll bet it’s fun on a road trip,” a deep voice said from behind.
I turned around. A long soak in the cold ocean hadn’t washed away one ounce of his appeal. He looked just as breathtaking as always.
He stepped closer, just an arm’s distance away. Tiny crystals of sea salt had dried on the tips of his hair. “Were you just going to leave without saying anything?”
“I figured you probably didn’t want to see me. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.” I glanced out toward the dock. People were beginning to disperse. “Tell me, is there ever a time when you’re not putting yourself in harm’s way to help others?”
He pointed to his chest. “Trouble magnet.” He twisted his mouth in thought. “Hey, that might be better than Bolt.”
“It’s a lot of syllables for a nickname.”
“True, but it makes a statement. Although, Master wasgood too.” We were talking as if nothing had come between us. I’d never felt as in tune or comfortable talking to anyone.
“I’m sorry, Slade. I was thinking about why I hadn’t ever told you, and I realized it was because the marriage had already become that unimportant to me. As far as I was concerned, Ryan was no longer my husband. I married him when I was only twenty . . . and you know how much stupidity comes with twenty. Ryan was unfaithful right from the start, but I didn’t have the money or options to leave him. My lawyer is working on the divorce right now.”
He stepped even closer and gazed at me. “I was playing the coward. I was uneasy about how much I wanted to be with you. I saw it as my excuse to walk away.”
I nodded. “I was the one being the coward. I guess I didn’t want to scare awaythis.” I waved my hand in front of him and laughed. “Althoughthisis kind of wet and salty looking right now.”
He looked down at his shirt and pants. Like his hair, they were coated with a light layer of salt. “I guess so. And that’s too bad because now I can’t do what I wanted to do.”
“What’s that?”
“This.” He reached for my arm and pulled me hard against him. His clothes were cold and damp, but the body beneath was plenty warm. So was his mouth as it covered mine.
