Chapter 8

MIKE SPENT much of the day with the crew, especially Philippe, who was extremely capable. They went over the yacht’s procedures, as well as all controls.

“You really think you can handle this?’ Philippe asked once they were done, with no heat in his voice.

“Yes, I do. I handled a destroyer. They’re different, of course, but I’m used to putting a large ship in a small space. Tomorrow morning we’ll ease this lady out of here nice and slow.”

Philippe nodded. “I bet you can.”

They left the bridge, and Mike went down into the engine room. The diesel motors gleamed as he checked them over, looking for any sort of issue. Everything was spanking clean, with no drips or leaks of any kind. That was a good sign. Back on the bridge, he started her up and let the engines idle as he returned and listened. Purred like a kitten. Any problems, if there were to be any, would come when they were at sea. He shut them down and closed the bridge.

“Everything looking good?” William asked when Mike joined him in the salon, where he and Carrie had been playing Uno, by the look of the pile of cards. Carrie ran over for a hug and then hurried back to the table.

“Yes. We’ll be ready to go in the morning. The harbormaster has been informed.”

“Mr. William says we’re having chicken for dinner,” Carrie said.

“Yes, dear. It seems we are, but it isn’t your gramma’s fried chicken.” He ruffled her hair.

“No. Apparently Rodrigo has decided to try to impress us. I told him to make something family-style and that we’d all eat out here. There’s plenty of room, and I’ve had about all the pretentiousness I can stand.”

“I see.” Mike pulled out a chair.

“There are plenty of drinks at the bar. Help yourself since you aren’t driving.”

“Daddy, can I go in the hot tub? Mr. William said I had to wait until you were done.” She put on that face that was usually guaranteed to get her what she wanted.

“Go put your bathing suit on and you can go in. I’ll go up with you.” He loved his daughter to death, and watched as the card game was forgotten and she hurried toward the stairs and down to her cabin.

“She’s something else.” It took Mike a minute to realize William was talking about Carrie but hadn’t taken his gaze off him. “Did I tell you that I missed you?” He took Mike’s hand and didn’t pull it away when Antoinette cleared her throat.

“I brought up a bottle of champagne and placed it in the refrigerator.” She turned a lovely shade of pink.

Mike didn’t pull his hand away either. He figured in such close quarters, there weren’t going to be many secrets. But he wasn’t prepared for Carrie to find out about him. He wasn’t sure how she’d take it, and he really wasn’t ready to deal with that particular bit of drama at the moment.

“That sounds great.” William released him and stood, leaving the table and going to the bar for a drink of his own. “Thank you for all your help earlier.”

“You’re very welcome.” She turned to leave and then hesitated. “It’s like Las Vegas on this ship. What happens here, stays here.” She nodded and left.

“What did you have planned for this trip besides checking out the engines?”

“Antoinette is a dive instructor, so if you and Carrie would like, she can give us all instruction. Antigua has some great places to dive, so I’ve heard, and Winston has all the equipment we could want. There are also two WaveRunners in the rear compartment, along with the speedboat for shore excursions, and I was told to make use of all of it.”

Mike knitted his brows. “Why?”

“The owner of this yacht is an old friend of my father’s. They went to prep school together back in the Stone Age, and when Winston decided to upgrade the engines, Dad gave him the old-friend price. And I suspect that once the two of them got to talking, they realized Winston needed someone to check out the engines for him and I needed a vacation. A marriage made in heaven for my father, because I’ve been grouchy as hell for weeks.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. It’s winter and cold, there’s no sun, and you don’t live in Providence.”

That admission surprised Mike a little. “I thought… well, after you left, I thought you’d forget what happened.”

“Daddy,” Carrie called as she hurried in, wearing her pink, one-piece bathing suit. “I need you to straighten this for me.” She turned around, and Mike made sure her straps weren’t twisted.

“Let’s go bubble,” William said, picking up his drink. He led them to the bow deck, with its hot tub and surrounding chairs. William started the jets, and Carrie slowly got in while the two of them sat down.

“You could come in too,” Carrie hinted, not very effectively.

“We’re fine,” Mike said. The sun was amazing, as were the warm breezes. “It’s been cold at home.”

“I bet I can top that. When I left, there was almost three feet of snow on the ground.”

Mike shivered just thinking about it. “The coldest I’ve ever been was crossing the Cape of Africa in the summer here. God, that was cold and rough. Half the sailors, many experienced seamen, got sick on that run.” He didn’t want to relive those days. It always brought back memories of Benny and how they’d huddled in their cabin, waiting for the heat to return. He certainly didn’t want to relive that.

“When I was a kid, my father decided that he wanted to take me hunting. I have no idea why, but he was determined. Maybe he wanted to make a man out of me, or he got it into his head that we needed to spend some quality time together.”

Mike noticed that the pump for the whirlpool had stopped running, and Carrie hung on to the side, listening as well.

“My dad and I had this tent that he’d ordered, along with sleeping bags and a battery light. Well, we got the tent up and Dad led us into the woods, where we spent hours sitting up in a tree waiting for deer that never appeared. By the end of the day, we were cold and wet. Dad decided we’d had enough, and we went back to the tent where he built a fire. The thing was, I think Dad figured we’d shoot something—maybe steaks from the market, I don’t know.” He chuckled, but it sounded humorless. “He hadn’t brought enough food and we’d eaten most of it for lunch. So we ate what we had and went to bed.

“It was cold, and overnight it snowed and the wind came up, blowing all around. We had a hard time keeping the flap closed because Dad had faced the tent the wrong way and the wind kept blowing in the door. Finally we gave up and went back to the car with the sleeping bags and the lantern. The tent blew away—the wind picked it up, and it sailed up into a tree once we weren’t inside to hold it down. My dad was horrified. He unlocked the car and practically pushed me into the backseat, where I lay down in the sleeping bag, shivering like crazy. Dad started the engine and turned the heat on full, and once the car was warm, he turned it off and leaned his chair back. I remember falling asleep, but I doubt my dad did.”

“Did you freeze?”

“No. But the car was half buried by morning, and Dad and I had to dig it out before we could make it to the nearest town, where we limped into a diner and ate like crazy. Dad never tried to take me hunting again after that. Heck, I think the next time he decided we needed to do something together, we ended up in the South of France and it was ninety degrees. I think that was safer. To this day, I hate winter and I’m always glad when it’s over.”

“Is that why you come to Florida?” Carrie asked.

“Yes. I want my vacations somewhere warm.” William turned the jets back on, and Carrie settled once again in the tub, while they relaxed until it was time for dinner.

When they got to the table, the meal was on the table and the entire room smelled heavenly, with Caribbean spices, chicken, fresh fruit, and vegetables heaped into bowls. William got the bottle of champagne, popped it open, and served it. Carrie got apple juice in a champagne glass, and everyone settled around the table.

Mike had worked on a couple yachts before, and none of them were like this. The staff and owners only interacted in the course of the staff duties. The staff didn’t eat at the main table, and they rarely, if ever, got to use the nicer yacht amenities. Mike found himself looking at William again, this time for the kind, sharing person he’d already known he was, but seeing how that extended to people he’d barely met.

“Thank you all for this amazing meal,” William said, raising his glass.

“No. Thank you,” Antoinette countered as they all sipped and returned to their dinner.

Mike watched everyone and especially William throughout the meal as he felt his heart opening once more. After William left, Mike wasn’t sure he could deal with all that again. He’d let William into his heart and then he was gone. Mike knew William had to go—it was the logical choice—but logic had little to do with the nights he’d lain awake wondering if he’d see William again or if that was the end. Mike had gotten on with his life and things had gone back to normal. Yes, he still missed William, but going on was for the best. Then there’d been the phone call and all of this. Now he was in the Caribbean sitting across the table from William, wondering if things were going to be different this time.

The chicken being passed to him pulled Mike out of his wonderings, and he took a portion and passed the dish on, then helped himself to the vegetables and settled in to eat. Conversation continued around him, but Mike was too full of his own thoughts to pay much attention. He didn’t want to be rude, but his focus was elsewhere.

“We’ll be leaving port at nine,” Mike said as the meal was winding down, and everyone echoed that wouldn’t be a problem. The crew thanked William for his hospitality and cleared the table, returning to duty. “I’m going to do a final check for the night.”

“Carrie can stay with me,” William volunteered, reaching for the deck of cards. He handed it to her, and by the time Mike had left the salon, she was dealing them out for a game of War.

He went up to the bridge and stood, gazing out over the harbor and then out of the bay toward the sea. The rest of the crew went about their tasks, and Mike stood, looking… thinking… grateful for the chance to be alone.

“What’s got you so pensive?” William asked from behind him.

Mike checked his watch, realizing how late it was getting. He’d completely lost track of time. “Where’s Carrie?”

“Reading in her cabin. I don’t think I’m a very good opponent. She beat me three games in a row.” William slid his arms around Mike’s waist. “I’m sorry I didn’t call more often.”

“Well, I think that applies to both of us. I just wasn’t sure what to say and where we left things, and it was easier to leave them alone, and… I suppose it was the same with you. Stupid, isn’t it? We’re both adults and yet we can’t seem to talk about stuff.”

“Yeah. I guess talking isn’t what we do best.” William slid his hand under Mike’s shirt. “Sometimes things happen. But I missed you and thought about you all the time. I think that’s part of why I was getting so uptight.”

“Lack of sex?” Mike asked. He’d often wondered if that was all there had been between them. It hadn’t been the case for him. Hell, if it had, things would be so much easier.

“I missed you.” William sucked lightly at the base of his neck. “Come on. If you’re done, you should get Carrie ready for bed. We have a big day tomorrow.” He held Mike’s hand, and they left the bridge, making their way down to the cabins. William said good night to Carrie after Mike opened her door, and then he continued on.

Mike made sure Carrie was settled and comfortable before going to his cabin and getting ready for bed. He had a decision to make. William was on the other side of the door that he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off. Part of him wanted to go on through and join him.

William had made his wishes clear when they arrived and up on the bridge. But Mike wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to do. Saying good-bye to William the last time had been difficult as hell, and he wasn’t sure he could go through that again.

Mike got undressed and slipped between the soft sheets, staring at the door, wondering if William was going to join him and make his decision that much easier. But the door stayed closed and Mike continued staring as his body ached and his mind clouded with desire.

Here he was, on a yacht as William’s guest/captain, and they had two weeks, and he lay in his cabin, wondering if he should join him. Mike felt like a fool. They were adults, and for almost six months, Mike had wondered when and if he’d feel William’s hands on his chest or smell his warm, musky heat and enjoy the taste of his demanding lips. Now what he wanted was so close and still he hesitated.

Mike pushed back the covers and got out of bed as the door between the cabins opened and William stood in the doorway. He said nothing, just looked his incredible, delicious self. Mike went to him, having decided that this time with William to hold and love was worth the months of loneliness that were sure to follow. He had to take his happiness where he could get it, and right now, he had two weeks ahead of him.

William met him, taking his hand, and led him toward the huge bed. “This feels like the first time.”

Mike’s legs bumped the mattress as William’s lips touched his, and strong arms possessively wrapped around him. William had pulled the curtains, so with the door to his cabin closed, the world had been shut out. There was just the two of them, and under William’s attention, Mike felt he was the center of the universe. He always did with William, especially when they were alone… and even when they were out in public. William watched him, seemed to adore him. The attention, sometimes from a distance, was heady, and being close with William’s heat next to him, radiating off him and surrounding Mike—it was exhilarating.

“I’m not sure what you want from me.” Mike swallowed hard, trying not to put a damper on things but needing to understand what William expected.

“Everything, but only what you’re willing to give. I know we only have a few weeks and then things will likely go back to the way they were.” William held him by the shoulders, his fingers driving heat deep down inside him. “As much as I might want something different, I don’t see a way out of it. My father is getting older and keeps saying that he wants me to take over.”

“But is that what you want?” Mike asked, staying still, basking in William’s warmth like a cat soaking up sunshine.

“No.” William inched closer, the heat radiating off his body drawing Mike like a magnet. “I want my own life and to make my own decisions. I always went along with what Dad wanted—I know that. I made my bed because I didn’t stand up to him when I was younger.”

“Why not?” Mike sat on the edge of the bed.

“It was easier to go along, and I figured I needed the job and money, so I’d work for the family. It was what I was raised to do. But I don’t like it. I make engines for boats and yachts, yet I spend my days in an office that I hate.”

“What would you do if you could?” Mike asked, gazing upward, and William closed the distance between them.

“I’d spend my time doing what you do. I’d get a boat and take people out fishing, or snorkeling if I was on one of the islands. I love the water, always have.” William sighed. “But now it’s too late. As angry and upset as I get sometimes, I have hundreds of families counting on me. My sister and her husband, my parents, and the family of every single worker in the company depend on me to grow the business and make it productive and to keep it healthy so they can go on living their lives.” William’s voice became softer. “But what about my life?” The last part was added almost like a prayer. “I know what I have to do, and I will do it because it’s the only choice I have.”

Mike shook his head slowly. “You have all the choices in the world. Look around you.” He leaned closer. “You have everything anyone could want and you don’t realize it. You say you’ll do what you have to because it’s what’s expected and many people are relying on you. That sounds like a cop-out to me. You’re still just going along because it’s the path of least resistance.” Mike kissed him because he couldn’t hold off any longer.

“Then what do I do?” William asked when they broke apart for air.

Mike chuckled. “You do what you say you want to. You make the decision that’s right for you. There’s a place in Apalachicola if you want one. Hell, we could get a second boat that you could take out for charters. I don’t know. The thing is, you need to make up your own mind.” Mike had gone through this exact same thing. “I don’t have much, but every day I get to do what I love, and for the most part, I’m happy.” He smiled. “Maybe a little lonely sometimes, especially when a certain Yankee isn’t around.”

William joined him in his chuckle, leaning forward, and Mike fell back on the mattress. “So what’s your solution? Come work with you?”

“My solution is that you need to decide what you want for the rest of your life. You can work in your office. You can come work and live with me. You can do something else—anything you want.” Mike tugged at William’s shirt, pulling it over his head. “In the Navy, an admiral told me once that you take the information you have and make the best decision you know how. Sometimes it’s only guts and grit that you have to go on, but you do. And I asked him, what if I make the wrong decision? You know what the admiral told me? He said that the one way to guarantee a wrong decision is not to make one at all.”

William stilled above him. “So you’re saying I’ve—”

“You need to decide what you want and own it. Good or bad, you need to make a decision.” Mike hoped that decision somehow involved him. “I can’t tell you what it needs to be. That has to come from inside you.” Mike pulled William down to him. There had been enough talk, and William wasn’t going to have some epiphany right there in this bed. It was enough that William was going to be thinking about what he wanted his future to look like—and ultimately their future, if there was to be one for them.

Mike wasn’t sure what happened or quite what he’d said, but something had struck a chord. William came alive in his arms. Within seconds William had him flat on his back on the mattress, clothes flying in every direction until nothing stood between them. Mike was under no illusions that William had made some sort of radical change in his life, but maybe he was on the path, and now Mike was going to have to make some decisions of his own.