Chapter 16
Riley’s face said it all. She was upset.
Gray watched her slide back into her chair and hook her purse across the back of it without a word. He tried to gauge her mood and conjure up the right words to say, but nothing came to mind. He was grateful when their food arrived as a temporary distraction, for in the few moments that it took the grouchy waitress to set the heaping plates of steaming seafood fare down in front of them, he managed to gather himself and ask, “You okay?” He was sure the answer was no, and her wan smile didn’t assure him at all.
“Yeah. It’s just that my mom has this great gift for making me feel like I’m still two years old,” she said. She gave the sandwich and sides a leery glance.
Gray almost laughed but didn’t. It was obvious that she was really upset by whatever had been said during the phone call. “I understand. Dad’s always belittling me like that. He acts like I don’t have a degree in business, like I’m some kind of clueless Martian trying to pass as an Earthling.”
“Exactly,” she said as a reluctant smile crossed her lips. “Let’s not talk about it. I’m starving.” After one more wary glance at the thick roll loaded with boiled, seasoned shrimp, mayo, lettuce, and tomato, she picked it up and took a bite.
The surprised expression on her face made Gray laugh so hard he almost shot soda out his nostrils. “It’s good, right?”
She chewed slowly, then nodded. “Yeah, I’ve gotta admit it’s pretty darn delicious.”
“You were scared, right? You can say it,” he said smugly before biting into his fish sandwich.
“I was, but so what?” She shrugged and flashed a grin, then picked up the plastic fork and sank it into the potato salad. “Gray, I think you should know I’m not really sure about all this.”
“C’mon, Riley. It’s pretty standard potato salad, and I’m sure the mayo’s not more than a couple years old,” he joked, trying to deflect her true meaning. He was afraid if she said the words out loud, he would have no choice but to take her back to the airport and let her go, and he didn’t want that at all.
She took a bite and chewed slowly, then swallowed and reached for her soda. “It is, but that’s not what I meant at all.”
“I know,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “Riley, if you think it’s a mistake, I understand.” He didn’t like it, but he understood. He wanted to fight for her, but he had no idea how. Nothing in his life had prepared him for the way he felt about her or to conquer the obstacles that stood between them. He had no clue what to say or do, and he could only hope she’d stay just a little longer so maybe they could figure it all out.
Wait. Figure what out? he silently considered. What then? She’ll eventually have to leave, and I’ll be left behind to nurse this damn heart she’s sure to break. Damn it! He hadn’t even thought about all that, as he’d been too busy trying to stop himself from hurting her. They were doomed, a modern-day Romeo and Juliet: Island Edition. The only conceivable outcome was one or two broken hearts. Sooner or later the magic of their little opposites-attract romance would wear off, and they would tire of one another. Then, the beautiful and magical thing they now shared over greasy seafood after her escape from the airport would seem foolish. The whole thing will crash and burn, and we’ll just be left with the stupid ashes. None of that sounded very appetizing. He wanted them to last. But, all things considered, how can we?
He suddenly felt guilty, worried that he’d made a drastic mistake in going after her. He wondered if that would only hurt both of them more in the end. Maybe it’s just better to take her back to the airport and put her on the next plane out. He thought that was probably true, but as he watched her take another bite of her po’boy, he knew he could never go through with it. He was going to have a hard enough time with her departure when she finally had to go, and he really hoped that would be later rather than sooner.
“So, where am I supposed to buy these genuine locals’ clothes anyway?” Riley asked, licking a dollop of mayonnaise from the corner of her mouth.
Gray’s heart nearly stopped. The look on her face made it clear that she intended to stick to her decision, but he wasn’t sure it was the right one for either of them. He knew he needed to put on his man pants and make up his mind but he just couldn’t seem to do the right thing, which he was sure was stop it before it got too big. She’s worth it, he finally decided, worth whatever happens next, even if it hurts. He then smiled at her and said, “That depends. What all do you need?”
“Everything.”
“Really? Because I prefer you in…nothing,” he teased.
“Very funny.”
He leaned back in his chair, grinning from ear to ear. “Well, in that case, I think I know just the place.”
They left the small shop an hour after they wandered into it. It was far away from the hustle and bustle of the main drag across the bridge. The adorable place catered to people who could only afford cheaper rent off the water, in the more laidback older motels and hotels scattered along the street. Riley bought half a dozen shirts, a few pairs of shorts, a few bikinis, and some slinky panties she referred to as “throwaways,” which only gave Gray naughty ideas. He also reminded her to grab a few pairs of flip-flops, which were surprisingly inexpensive at a buck a pair.
“I’ve got a good idea where we can stay,” he said as they stepped onto the scalding-hot sidewalk.
She stopped, and a glimmer of excitement shivered through her that Gray didn’t miss. “We?” she teased. “Don’t you have to work?”
“My brother comes back tomorrow, and I have today off. Once he gets home I’m basically useless.” The way he said it, even he could detect the hint of bitterness in his voice. She didn’t press it. They both had their own personal baggage to deal with. “I mean,” Gray said, trying to recover, “I’ll probably have to help out some at the resort, but… You know what? If they can blow me off, I can return the favor. Maybe it’ll teach ‘em a lesson, make them realize they actually do need me.”
“I’m sure they know that already, Gray,” she said, her gaze pinned to his face. “Your brother’s older than you?”
He nodded as resentment bubbled up inside him again. “Yeah, and he’s always been the favorite,” he confessed, though he knew it was better not to say why. In fact, there were many things that were best left unsaid about his crazy, messed-up family.
Thank goodness Riley didn’t press it.
Gray walked faster toward his truck, and she fell in step beside him. She put a hand on his arm, and he let his hand rise up and take hers. The joining of their flesh made his cock stiffen and rise, something that always gave him a little shock. He was used to women and wasn’t shy about making love to them, but none he’d met had ever had quite the effect on him that Riley did. Everything about her was magnetic and electrifying.
“I was thinking we can stay on the boat. That way, if anyone…well, you know.”
“If my parents decide to send a posse or alert the press that I’m running wild, we’ll be out of sight, right?” she asked with a wink.
“If need be, we’ll just sail off into the sunset.” As soon as the thought occurred to him, he felt a tremor of fear of how tempting it was. Watch it, buddy, he warned himself. That sounds a little possessive and crazy. It was an idea he liked, though, the two of them just sailing away from all the things that stood between them and the forever he already wanted to share with her.
“That sounds like a great idea.”
“Uh, I’m glad you like it,” he said, not sure if she was talking about sleeping on the boat or sailing off forever. Deep down, he hoped she was referring to both.
“You know, I never thought I’d ever agree to spending a night on a boat,” she teased. “You’re changing me.”
“You’re changing me, too.”
“I am?”
He opened the door for her, like a true gentleman. “Yes…and for the better, too.” Gray closed the door and walked around to his own. We’ll end someday, he pondered sadly. In the meantime, though, he planned to make love to her as much as possible, to let her give him whatever she’d give, whether it was just her body or her heart…or both.