Chapter Six
Reena broke the surface and spat out a mouthful dirty, salty water. “Oh my god!” Grabbing the bottom of the upturned paddleboat, she glanced around searching for Rush. “Rush!”
“Over here.” His wet head popped up on the other side of the plastic hull. “You all right?”
Wiping hair out of her eyes, she glared at him. “Seriously? I’m in Baltimore Harbor, which has god knows what floating in it, and you’re asking if I’m all right?”
As if to prove her point, a clump of indeterminate trash bobbed passed. Shuddering with revulsion, Reena used one hand to scoop water away from her, making sure her fingers didn’t touch the soggy mess.
“Help me tip this thing back over.”
A squeal burst from her throat as she spun around, spraying water everywhere. She wiped her face to discover Rush had come around the boat behind her. “Don’t do that!”
“Stop panicking. We’ll be fine. As soon as we get this right side up, I’ll hoist you in.”
A thought struck her. Something else could be in the water. Something far more terrifying than unidentified floating objects. “Oh my god. Do you think there are sharks in here?”
He laughed.
Totally not the thing to do when her nerves were jangled and her mind was conjuring up all manner of horrible scenarios with her and a great white shark in the lead roles. “Rush!”
“Sorry. Sorry.” He got his mirth under control and said, “No. I doubt there are sharks in here.”
“Doubt? Doubt?” She glanced around, frantically searching the water’s surface for a big gray fin—and spotted a big gray runabout heading right for them at breakneck speed instead. “Oh my god, they’re going to hit us!”
Rush pulled her back against his chest. “It’s the guy from the hire place. He’ll stop before he hits us. He’s probably had to do this numerous times.”
Rush’s reassurances didn’t ease her mind. The only thing that would was getting her out of this water.
“You folks all right? Nobody got any injuries I should know about?” the crusty old man who’d rented them the paddleboat called over the outboard motor noise.
“I thought you said these things were unsinkable,” Reena yelled.
The motor cut out and the old guy leaned over the side of his boat with a wide grin on his face. “Well now, you aren’t exactly sunk there, are you? And they’re fine as long as you don’t crash them into a pylon.”
She spun around and glared at Rush. “I told you we shouldn’t get that close.”
Rush was trying to hold in more laughter and in spite of the fear tangling her nerve endings, Reena suddenly saw the funny side of their impromptu swim.
Lowering her head, she hid her smile and muttered, “Idiot.”
“Come on.” Rush nudged her with his knee beneath the water, causing her to start and squeal. Chuckling, he bumped her again. “Just me. Let go of the boat and take the guy’s hand, Reena. He’ll haul you up out of the water.”
Turning, she found the old guy looking at her with mild concern. “Are you sure you’re all right, miss?”
“I’m fine,” she grumbled. “A little wet but fine.”
Grabbing the man’s hand, she kicked her legs to try to assist him. Except all that did was nail Rush in the chest with her heel, because in spite of the old guy’s frail appearance, he was as strong as an ox—and she flew up out of the water and into the runabout in less than a second.
“Whoa.” She grabbed the side of the boat for balance.
“There’s a blanket there you can wrap around you.” He indicated a pile of folded blankets and Reena wondered how many rescues he expected to do today.
By the time she’d wrapped a surprisingly warm and soft blanket around her, Rush and the paddleboat guy had tied their upturned vessel to the rear of the runabout.
Stepping back out of the way, she caught her foot in the blanket and wobbled before going down on her ass in the bottom of the boat.
Sighing, she closed her eyes. Today wasn’t going to plan at all.
She was soaking wet, would probably have a bruise from one side of her ass to the other, and Rush hadn’t given her more than a peck on the cheek all day.
“Hey.” Opening her eyes, she found Rush crouched in front of her. “Let’s get you on the seat.”
He helped her stand and guided her to the bench seat that run across the back of the boat near the motor. The old guy went back to the controls, the motor fired up and they were off. Rush’s arm around her back was the only thing that stopped her from tipping over and plunging headfirst into the rear compartment of the boat, where the fuel tank, battery and motor were housed.
“Careful,” Rush murmured in her ear. “Wouldn’t want you to fall overboard again.”
She could hear the laughter in his voice, knew if she turned he’d be grinning at her. Tempted to shove him with her shoulder, she bit the inside of her cheek to distract herself. As much as she’d enjoy watching him fall over, possibly into the water, she wanted to get back on land more.
“I see that mind whirring away there.” His arm tightened around her. “I’m not letting go, so anything you’re planning will take two.”
Rolling her eyes, she elbowed him. “I’m not planning to do anything.”
“Ha. Don’t believe you.”
“I’m not going to do anything. Didn’t say I wasn’t thinking about it.” She grinned up at him.
He smiled and lowered his head until their lips were only a breath apart. “I’m thinking and doing,” he said, before he closed the distance between them and kissed her.
***
Reena’s lips held a hint of the harbor water she’d swallowed when they both went under. But beneath that, when he swept his tongue deeper into her mouth, he found the taste he remembered. The flavor he hadn’t been able to get out of his head since the first time he’d kissed her.
It was fresh and sweet and laced with a hint of the coffee she’d had before they’d decided to take a ride on a paddleboat. Her tongue stroked his. Tentative then bold, her innocent brushes becoming more aggressive as their kiss deepened.
She always started out a little reluctant, unsure, and then arousal kicked in and she forgot about being nervous and went after what she wanted. And she wanted him. It was in the meeting of their mouths, the clawing of her fingers in his wet hair, and the way she climbed onto his lap and straddled him.
Losing himself in the pleasure, he gripped her head and held her still while he plundered her mouth.
Hot licks of lust shot through his belly, settled low in his groin and filled his cock with molten want. He gripped her tighter. Plundered deeper.
“Hey. I’d let you two keep going but this here is a public place and I’ve got a business to run.”
They tore apart. Breathing hard, their gazes locked, they stared at each other as the rest of the world came into focus once more. Smiling, Rush eased her off his lap and waited until she was steady on her feet before he stood.
“Thanks for bailing us out.” He held out a hand to their rescuer.
“All part of the job.” The old guy saluted them and went about untying their overturned paddleboat.
“You need help with that?” Rush asked.
“Nah. I’ve got it.”
“Thank you,” Reena said. “I had fun before…”
The old guy laughed. “Yeah, going in the drink ain’t all that much fun. Not exactly the weather for it either.”
As if Mother Nature were listening, a cool breeze blew across their wet bodies and they both shuddered with the chill.
“We should get out of these clothes before we catch our death.” Rush held out his hand to Reena. “Let me help you onto the dock.”
Grabbing his hand, she said, “If I go in again…”
“Promise you won’t. We’re done swimming for today.”
With Reena safely on the dock, he piled their wet blankets in the bottom of the boat and stepped over the side to join her. She was shivering so hard her teeth were chattering. They’d never make it home without getting sick. He needed an alternative plan.
Turning back to the old guy, he asked, “Is there a souvenir shop somewhere around here?”
“Sure. The aquarium has one.”
“Thanks. Hope we didn’t cause you too much trouble.” Rush frowned as he watched the man flip the paddleboat over with little effort. “Okay. Not too much trouble then,” he muttered.
“All good. Gets me out of the office.” He grinned at them. “Go on. Get out of this wind. It’s picking up. Expect we’ll get some rain before long.”
Rush glanced up at the sky. The light dusting of clouds from earlier had turned into a dark, churning cover that definitely promised rain. “Right. Thanks again.”
He bundled Reena up against his side in an attempt to protect her from the wind and marched them off the dock. Heading straight for the aquarium, he hoped they’d find more than the usual t-shirt and postcard in the shop.
People gave them a wide berth as they walked along the waterfront. They got some funny looks too but most didn’t make eye contact, which meant the walk was quick.
Bustling them inside the aquarium’s air-conditioned foyer, Rush scanned the area for the entrance to the obligatory money-trap these places usually had. Spotting it in the far corner, he urged Reena in that direction. She’d cuddled in against him on the walk over, her shivering increasing with each step, and now the cold air of the foyer slapped at them, making it worse.
There wasn’t much of her, so it wouldn’t take long for the cold to set in all the way to her bones. He knew all about the cold. Living in the mountains where it wasn’t uncommon to get snowed in during winter, he’d build up a resistance, however he wasn’t stupid, he knew it didn’t take freezing temperatures for a person to get hypothermia.
He needed to get her warm.
“Can I help you?” A woman wearing a shirt with the aquarium logo on the breast pocket made a beeline for them as they entered the shop.
“Yes. We took an unexpected dip in the harbor and I was hoping you had some pants and shirts we could purchase so we could get out of these wet clothes.” He smiled while tucking Reena tighter against his chest.
“Oh, yes, we do. In fact, we have the last of our winter stock on sale right now. This way.” The woman—Jenny, according to her name tag—led them to the back of the store.
Before Rush could even look, she was pulling things off the display counter and piling them on a chair.
“You’re in luck. We’ve got one pair of men’s sweatpants left.” Picking up the pile she’d made, she was on the move again. “You can change in the fitting room. I’ll get a bag for you to put your wet things into.”
“Thank you.” He ushered Reena into the first curtained alcove. “Can you manage on your own?”
“Yes-s.” She smiled but he could tell it was forced. “I’m f-feeling warmer already.”
“We’ll get something hot to drink when we’re dry,” he promised.
Rush made quick work of stripping and redressing. When he came out of the changing room, Jenny was back with a plastic bag and he handed over his credit card. “Put it on this, please.”
“Certainly. Debit or credit.”
“Credit.” He shoved his wet clothes in the bag. “Oh, is there a coffee shop in here?”
“Yes. Right across the foyer.”
Rush hadn’t taken notice of anything else when they’d entered the building. He’d been focused on his goal. “Thanks.”
“That feels so much better.” A smiling Reena appeared from behind the curtain.
He looked down, taking in the way the t-shirt, while not tight, hugged her naked breasts and the indent of her waist before flaring out to sit snug across her hips. The sweatpants weren’t much better for his control. A little tighter than the top, they skimmed down her long, sleek legs, molding to every curve and ending with her bare feet.
“Where are your shoes?”
“I lost them in the harbor.”
“What?” His gaze bounced back up to hers. “Why didn’t you say something?” And how hadn’t he noticed she was barefoot before now?
She shrugged. “Not much you could do about it. They were only a cheap pair of flip-flops. I’m sure they’ve got some here I can buy.”
He was grateful he’d talked her into leaving her handbag and their phones at home. None of those would have survived their dip. “Right. Flip-flops.”
Rush grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him.
“Wait. My clothes.”
“Oh.” Spinning around, he ducked into her changing room and scooped the soggy bundle into the bag with his. “There. Now shoes.”
By the time they left the souvenir shop, his credit card had taken a hundred-dollar hit and he was looking forward to a hot, strong coffee. The line in the café was out the door, and if it weren’t for their need to warm up, he’d have suggested they forget it and head home instead.
The line might have been long but it moved quickly, and the wait had the bonus of Reena snuggling into his side for warmth.
When they got to the counter, Reena ordered a hot chocolate and he ordered the blackest, strongest coffee they had. The girl behind the register gave him a funny look as she punched in their orders. Who knew what he’d end up with. As long as it was hot and coffee, he didn’t care.
It actually turned out okay. Reena sighed in relief as she took her first mouthful and he had to admit what was in his cup was indeed the blackest, strongest coffee he’d ever had.
They didn’t talk. Were happy to sit quietly at a table in the far corner watching the customers around them until they’d taken the last sips.
“I think we’re done sightseeing for the day.”
Rush had to agree with Reena. His hair had gone hard as it dried. He didn’t want to think about what was in that water. “Let’s go home and take a warm shower.”
She smiled at him. A smile that made his insides tighten and all sorts of naughty ideas about that mouth and a hot shower flood his brain.