Sail With Me: A With Me in Seattle Universe Novel

by Jen Talty

  And she didn’t come back and fight for him.

  After that, as his brain slowly came out of its fog, he’d found out that his friend and business partner had been doing his best to make sure Reid would get nothing of their company. In reality, Reid had only put it all together in the last few weeks, and Reid wasn’t even sure he’d uncovered half of it.

  Which terrified him.

  He knew Preston could be ruthless. They always joked that they were the perfect team because Reid always knew when to pull back and keep Preston from becoming his own worst enemy.

  Reid, though a sports extremist, didn’t take certain types of risks, and that’s where Preston came in. He was willing to go into the shark-infested deep end with both feet and his eyes closed while doused in blood.

  But somewhere along the way, Preston had gone all lone wolf.

  “I heard you were on that television show where inventors go and ask rich people for money. Kind of funny when you’re independently wealthy.”

  “Not rich enough to do everything I want.” Reid laughed. “I didn’t go on the show because I wanted to. It was all part of the movie contract, which is all Preston’s baby. I would have rather said no. I’m still bitter about it. And I’m not supposed to say anything, but they turned us down.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “It doesn’t really matter. Preston got his deal with the production company. He gets to move forward with my product and design when I’m not even sure it’s ready.”

  “So, Preston still manages to manipulate you to get his way, I see.”

  “It’s a balancing act. You know that. I toss him a bone, and I get what really matters.”

  “Right. You’re a crusader trying to make sure people don’t get hurt while using faulty equipment in search of some ridiculous thrill, all in the name of a dead woman.”

  “I was a safety nut before Erin died. You know that.” Reid had never really pushed back too hard when Erin came up in conversations. He let Darcie think he used her death to protect his heart. It wasn’t entirely a lie. “Her death just pushed me into taking our idea that was only in the beginning stages in a whole new direction.”

  “One that Preston didn’t like.”

  “He liked it and still does, he just doesn’t want it to be the focal point because it doesn’t bring in the highest revenue.”

  “I don’t think you came here to talk to me about this shit.”

  “Nope.” Reid took a sip, swirling the bubbles of the beer around in his mouth. He couldn’t tell her everything or even half of what he suspected. But he needed to get into some files without Preston knowing, and that required some help. “I need a huge favor.” Reid hadn’t given this a ton of thought, and he wasn’t sure it would work at all, but it was his best bet, given the time constraints and the fact that Preston might be three sheets to the wind for the next three days.

  “I told you, my brother—”

  He shook his head and held up his hand. “I don’t give a fuck about that bungee jump. I’m really not into that shit anymore.” He chuckled. “Well, I am, but not like I used to be. However, I’m really not concerned with whether or not we get to do that night free fall.”

  “Then what do you need my help with?” The wind kicked up and took a stray strand of hair, flicking it across her face.

  He reached out and tucked it behind an ear. “I need the internet to go down on the boat, but not really.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I need Preston and the rest of the team blocked from using the WiFi for at least one day. Or I need a secondary WiFi set up where I’m the only one who has access to it. I can help you set it up.”

  “Why?”

  “I need to cut off communication between Preston and the company.”

  “He will still have cell reception.”

  “That’s not going to matter for what I need to do,” Reid said. “We’ll do it during the kayak trip to the rapids. I’ll pretend to be so drunk that I can’t go. We both know I can get so shitfaced I’m utterly useless.”

  “I won’t argue that point.’

  “Can you help me with this?” Another swig. He closed one eye, peering into the can. About half full.

  That sucked. Not only did he enjoy Darcie’s company, but the idea of going back to his hotel room made him want to vomit. When he’d been with Darcie, some of their best nights had been spent sleeping under the stars on a boat somewhere in the middle of a body of water.

  Any body of water would do where she was concerned.

  “Which would you prefer? No WiFi for your buddies? Or your own login? Either way, I’m going to need some help on the boat to make that happen,” she said, twirling her hair between her fingers—something she did when she was relaxed.

  Much better than making her nervous.

  “I mean just unplugging the router and taking the cord won’t work because they will have more. It’s all on our checklist.”

  “That will also cut me off from the WiFi,” he said rubbing his temple with his free hand. “All you need to do is show me were the routers are, and I’ll take care of it.” He could handle hacking into the boat’s system. What he couldn’t handle was accessing the secondary server without Preston finding out—or so he thought. But he’d continue wracking his brain until he figured it out.

  “I’m confused on what you want me to do,” she said, tilting her head. “What are you trying to accomplish?”

  “I need Preston and my team off the internet while I do some research.”

  “About what?”

  “I can’t give you all the details.”

  “You want me to help you, but you’re going to keep me in the dark? It doesn’t work that way.”

  “It’s for your own protection,” he said.

  “What can you tell me?” she asked, bringing her water bottle to her plump, pink, kissable lips. “I can’t just do you a solid without having some intel.”

  “I think one of the men on my team is stealing from the company. And before I bring it to Preston, I want to make sure I have all the facts.”

  “You expect me to believe that?” She leaned forward, putting both elbows on her knees. “And I still don’t understand the internet thing.”

  “I need you to trust me. If I go digging into certain things, Preston will get an email and a text that I’m poking around in employee files, and he’ll wonder why. And I don’t have a very good poker face when it comes to this shit. I don’t want the vibe on the boat to be anything but the team getting drunk and having a good time, outside of the work that Preston and I will make them do. Because you know, we don’t ever stop.” Fuck. He hated lying to Darcie. Not just because she despised dishonest people but also because he loathed doing the one thing she’d begged him never to do. Ever, no matter what.

  Not that she’d ever forgive him for being the biggest dickhead on the planet. Darcie was a reasonable woman, but she didn’t tolerate old-fashioned misogynistic bullshit like her boyfriend telling her that being a yacht captain was a man’s career. To this day, he cringed every time he thought about the words he’d used when he tried to beg her to reconsider her choices so they could be together.

  Of course, looking back, he realized that he hadn’t done much in the way of offering to change his lifestyle for her, something he should have put some thought into.

  But what was done was done. And right now, he needed to focus on his company.

  When that was done, he could work on getting Darcie back in his life. Because he was still head over heels in love with her.

  There was no doubt about that. She still tickled his fancy, pushed all the right buttons, and if there were ever the perfect adrenaline rush, it would be called The Darcie.

  “I just need access to your router. That’s all.”

  “It’s not going to be easy because the router is housed in the cockpit, and Captain Jim doesn’t like guests up there unless he’s there to supervise.”

  “Please tell me
you were kidding when you said you fucked around with Captain Jim.”

  “I could tell you that but it would be a lie.”

  Cold goosebumps dotted his skin. “Jesus. Seriously? You and Jim? I’m just not picturing it. You used to warn the female deckhands and all the stews to stay away from all-hands Captain Jim. I mean, he’s not a horrible human being, but as a man, he kind of falls short.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter. I wasn’t joking when I said he’s in love with someone else and is getting engaged tonight.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Not really,” she said. “I didn’t love him. I’m just mad that, once again, I’m the last to know that my boyfriend just isn’t that into me.”

  Reid narrowed his eyes. “Was that a jab at me? Because I’ll have you know, I was all sorts of into you when we were together. The only reason we broke up was because I wanted a girlfriend who wasn’t gone more than two hundred days out of the year.”

  “That’s not exactly how you put it.”

  “If I had used those words, would we still be together?”

  She shook her head. “The moment you asked me to choose between you and my dreams and everything that I’d been working toward, that was the moment you lost me.”

  “If it makes you feel any better, I know I was wrong.”

  “It doesn’t,” she said. “But that’s all in the past. We’ve both moved forward.”

  Maybe she had, but he was still stuck in a land of fantasy where she would forgive him and welcome him back with open arms.

  And he’d focus on that. Just as soon as he got rid of fucking Preston, something he should have done years ago.

  Reid swallowed his heartburn. His life hadn’t turned out quite as he’d planned. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I really am.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  He polished off the last of his beer. “I guess I better be going.” He stood, placing the empty can in the recycling bin. “Thanks for the time and for your help. I owe you.”

  “I’m sure someday I’ll think of a way you can repay me.” She closed the gap between them and rested her hands on his shoulders. “Good night, Reid.”

  “Good night, Darcie,” he said, pressing his lips to her cheek. He let them linger on her hot skin longer than appropriate, and she didn’t stop him from taking her into his arms and heaving her body to his chest. “I don’t want to leave.”

  “Then don’t.”

  Holy. Fucking. Shit.

  Darcie shoved her tongue deep into Reid’s mouth, touching every crevice. She found every spicy hot spot, making him moan as he grabbed her ass, squeezing tightly, leaving deep impressions.

  Gripping his shoulders, she meant to push him away, only a major dose of insanity took over her brain and she tugged him into the galley.

  She’d lost her fucking mind, but she didn’t fucking care.

  The boat swayed gently as the water lapped against the fiberglass. The lines rattled the mast, and somewhere in the distance, a woman laughed, and music hummed.

  The inside of her boat consisted of a tiny kitchen that encroached into her living room, and a small bedroom with a surprisingly comfortable queen-size bed. She’d broken the bank with this purchase, but it had been her dream for so long. Sailing had always been a passion. The sea was in her blood. It calmed her and gave her a sense of freedom.

  The water gave her courage and strength.

  She was at her happiest when the ocean tickled at least one of her senses. The only other time in her life that she’d had that kind of security was when Reid had been in her bed.

  She jerked her head back.

  He blinked. His thick tongue darted out of his mouth, making a broad stroke across his tantalizing lips.

  She heaved in a deep breath. Her lungs burned as she tried to form words. “What are we doing?”

  “Probably making a big mistake.” He fiddled with a strand of her hair. “But you know me. I don’t like to leave things unfinished once I start them.”

  “I’ve had a little too much to drink.”

  “Do I need to be worried that I could be taking advantage of you?”

  She smiled. “No. I’m definitely in control of all my faculties, and I’m definitely going to regret this in the morning.” She took a step back, her butt hitting the small table. She fiddled with the buttons on her blouse, unhooking the top two.

  He pressed his hands against the counter at her hips, easing himself between her legs. “As much as I want you right now,”—he gripped her wrist—“I’m not going to stay.”

  She groaned, dropping her head to his shoulder. “I lied. I’m regretting throwing myself at you now. No need to wait till morning.”

  “It would have been worse if one of us didn’t come to our senses.” He continued running his tender, loving hands up and down her back.

  She sighed.

  “Are you okay?”

  “In one night, I get rejected by one ex and find out another is going to propose to a woman who I was planning to teach how to sail when this charter season was over. I actually made a female friend in yachting, only to find her on top of Jim’s dick.”

  “Figuratively, right?”

  “No. I literally walked in on them. It was ugly. I made a scene.”

  “Wait. Don’t tell me this was during a charter?” He kissed the center of her chest before buttoning her shirt. Resting his hands on her hips, he rubbed gently. He could be really sweet in the oddest moments.

  But when she’d needed his support the most, he’d acted like a spoiled, selfish child.

  “We had a couple of days off. She’d left the bar early, saying she didn’t feel well. I was worried, so I went back to the boat to check on her and see Jim. I never thought they were fucking. She was actually the only one who knew about me and Jim. I felt like a total idiot, and I was also a little drunk and lost my shit. I’m lucky I didn’t get fired.”

  “Jim’s lucky he’s still a captain.”

  “It was a hot mess. And truth be told, we all could have been told to take a hike. But Kim quit that morning, and whatever she said to the powers that be saved all our asses. Though there are times I wish I had tossed them under the bus.”

  Reid shook his head and pursed his lips. It was the same look he’d given her when she did something he disapproved of, and it made her want to smack the back side of his head.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Did you threaten to have her fired?”

  “No. Just him. And trust me, I’ve contemplated doing it, but I’d end up losing my rank as boson, so it’s just not worth it.” She fingered the hair hugging the back of Reid’s neck. It should feel weird to be so comfortable in his arms. It was like that perfect wetsuit that molded to your body and no one else’s.

  She waffled on the verge of a raging river filled with an angry current, wanting to continue lashing out at him so he knew just how much he’d hurt her…and a flowery meadow with a slight breeze, bringing the scents of summer to her nose.

  There certainly was a fine line between love and hate.

  “I’m sorry he cheated on you. That sucks, and you deserve better.”

  “I do.” She wiped away some of her lip gloss that had managed to make its way to his cheek. “Do you have a girlfriend? Is that why you’re refusing me?” The one thing Reid could always be called was honorable. He’d never cheat. Not in a million years.

  “No girlfriend. And trust me, I’m not rejecting you.” He cupped her face. “Maybe when the charter’s over, we can go get a bite to eat? Talk? See where we are?”

  “Are you still living in Houston?”

  He chuckled. “Actually, this city cowboy moved out to Galveston Island. And get this. I live on the water.”

  “I’m shocked. Do you take the time to sit still and enjoy it?”

  He kissed her nose. “I’ve even read a book.” He took a step back and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I better leave before I get into my fuck it and go for it attitude, which I
told myself I wouldn’t toss to the wind until I was forty. And I haven’t hit that mark yet.”

  “You’re not that far off, old man.”

  “Thanks for the reminder.” He winked. “I really appreciate your help, and please don’t say anything to Preston. You know how he gets.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back…” The last word hung in the air. A thick lump grew in her throat. There was a time when the only person who really understood her, the one that would be there for her at the snap of a finger, had been Reid.

  He used to tell her all the time that no matter where in the world she traveled, he’d always have her back.

  “I’m glad we had this time to chat,” he said. “I’ll see myself out.”

  “Good night, Reid.” She watched as he made his way onto the dock and strolled down toward the marina.

  He glanced over his shoulder five times.

  She knew that for a fact because she counted.

  The sex had always been good. Great. The best she’d ever had. And he’d told her that making love to her had been the ultimate extreme experience for him. It had been the most hysterical and yet most romantic moment of her life.

  She closed the door, locked it, and ditched her clothes for a pair of boxers and a tank top. When it came to the WiFi situation, she had two choices. Either ask Jim to help her, or Kirk or Craig.

  It had to be Jim. He wouldn’t like it, because he didn’t like Reid much, but Jim owed her. And based on Reid’s plea for help, it was the least she could do for an old friend.

  She pulled up Asher’s contact information.

  Darcie: If you’re up, give me a call. If not, call me first thing. Thanks.

  A second later, her phone vibrated. She snagged her water bottle and flopped onto her bed as she answered the call. “That was quick.”

  “Anything for my favorite fill-in babysitter. How goes the yachtie life?”

  “It’s going,” she said. “How’s Casey?”

  “She’s doing great, and so is Lilia. Now, what’s wrong, kiddo? Because you don’t go texting me late in the evening for no reason.”

  “I can’t check in with an old friend?”

  “No. You can’t. And before I forget, I’m actually in Seattle.”