Smooth Sailing

She stared at him, stunned, her jaw unhinged. He did not want to have sex with her? “Excuse me?”

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s not because you’re not desirable, because you most certainly are in a tough-girl, nothing-touches-me-emotionally kind of way.”

“Then what the hell is this full-court press about? Begging me to come to your party, getting me food and wine, touching me like you mean business.”

He held up a palm. “Wait a minute. Let me get this straight—you want me to want you, but you’re not about to sleep with me?”

Haley pursed her lips guiltily. Yeah, well, sorta. “I want to be the one woman who won’t fall at your feet.”

His grin turned wolfish. “You almost did.”

“But I didn’t.”

“Only because I called it off.”

“I would have called it off. You just beat me to it.”

“We’ll never know, will we?”

She put her plate aside. She really wanted more of those crab-stuffed mushrooms, but she did not want to sit here with Jeb Whitcomb any longer. “You are driving me bonkers.”

“Right back atcha, baby.”

“Don’t call me baby!” How was it that this man could ruffle her so easily? She hated that.

“Why not? You’re acting like one. I was trying to pay you a compliment and you got all twisted off for no reason. You have a tendency to do that.”

“Yeah? Well, you have a tendency to believe you’re God’s gift to women. News flash, you’re nothing but a rich frat boy swooping in with your money to make yourself feel good.”

“What’s wrong with that? I feel good, people get the help they need.”

“Because you sail away to your fancy life, leaving people longing for you.”

His smile turned knowing and he lowered his voice. “Are you longing for me, Haley?”

“Yes, longing for you to be gone.” Wine in hand, she flounced away.

3

Safety harness—Personal gear that attaches to a tether to keep the person on board

JEB TOOK A LONG PULL off his Scotch and water; the synapses in his brain were alight with lusty and inappropriate impulses. He’d pissed her off.

Oh, she was gorgeous when she was mad and she had the world’s cutest scowl, hands down. He followed her up the steps, back to the bridge. She circled the boat.

He licked his lips.

She ended up talking to one of her coworkers starboard, but every now and then, she’d dart a glance in his direction. When their eyes met, she’d quickly glance away. Can’t handle the heat, huh, angel?

Corner her. Kiss her, hissed one of those lusty, inappropriate impulses.

Nope. No way. He’d lasted this long without giving in. He could certainly last one more night. Haley deserved much better than a quick one-night stand, but even a pious man had his share of sexual fantasies, right? And when it came to the pious spectrum, Jeb slid to the not-so-much side of the scale.

She was unlike the sophisticated society women that he usually dated, women who could shrug in and out of an affair like their designer clothes. Haley was honest and down-to-earth and direct, and he was a jerk for even entertaining the fantasies dancing around in his head.

He made the rounds, talking to his party guests, but no matter where he was on the boat, his gaze was drawn back to her again and again. A full moon climbed the sky, setting the mood and tugging at the tides. Haley stood in shadows with her head tilted up, bathing that side of her face in moonlight, and she let out a light laugh that stirred his desire.

Do something. Move. Drink. Eat. Talk to your other guests. Just stop staring at her!

He went toward her. She stood with her back against the mainsail mast, her spine as straight as the post. She had great posture, shoulders squared and alert.

People stood around her, drinks in hand, but he saw none of them. Moonlight glinted off her eyes; her lips were painted deep pink. He realized it was the first time he ever remembered seeing her wear lipstick. The wind ruffled her hair, which for once was not pulled into a stern ponytail or tight bun. The breeze molded the dress to her slender figure, hugging her hips and stopping several inches above her knees.

His mammalian brain whispered, Claim her.

Resist. You are not going to succumb. One more night and you’ll be out to sea. Within a week, you’ll be holding Jackie in your arms and the wait will be worth it.

Love the one you’re with, prodded the most primal part of him.

He snuffed that out.

Or at least tried to.

Haley was watching him warily.

He moved closer.

She slunk away.

Seeing her in this environment—his environment—was novel and exciting, and he simply reacted, moving forward as she slipped away from him behind other guests.

The chase was on.

The part of his DNA that was thousands of years old stirred, eager for the hunt. His body quivered and his heart hammered against his rib cage. All his senses were aroused.

His civilized veneer vanished. Raw, aching need took over. Need so strong it scared him.

Back off! Wake up. Snap out of it.

Treacherous body.

He shook his head but could not seem to stave off the sense of urgency shoving his blood through his veins. He was a lion and she was the most beautiful lioness on the plains. She mesmerized him and he was aware of everything about her. It was disorienting, this acute sense of awareness.

His muscles were tensed, the hairs on his arms raised, a thrill shivered through his nerve endings. He felt well and truly alive, but the jolt was nerve-frazzling and worrisome.

Around and around the boat they went, Jeb pursuing, Haley fleeing. It was fun and he was quite enjoying himself, even though he knew nothing would come of this strange cat-and-mouse game. Didn’t want anything to come of it.

Until a group of people cornered him for a toast and Haley gave him the slip.