Gage, Ronna - Paradise Mine (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Ronna Gage

  Coffee in hand, he headed back to the panel. A bell rang, and he stopped. As of last evening, Landy became responsible for the ship and all business that happened on it. He made sure to keep himself available for the sake of the ship—so he told himself. Seconds later, Rae Anne appeared, leading five people into the control area. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her red, white, and blue wind suit reminded him of the younger Rae Anne who used to hang out at his house most of her adolescent life. With her hair in a ponytail, pulled back from her face, she looked like the girl he knew. No, don’t fall for it you idiot. She broke your heart once, and it almost killed you.

  “This is the ship’s captain, Landon Laurent. Please see him on any pertinent details and questions.” She turned to Landy with a smile. “This, Captain Laurent, is your crew.”

  Just as suddenly as she came in, she left the room filling it with that familiar perfume Landy remembered all too well. His cock hardened, and his quivering insides turned to mush automatically. He shifted positions on his feet, relieving the pressure in his shorts.

  I literally have a hard time in store for me.

  Landy interviewed the prospective staff from the yacht service and hired all five of them. “You three men will be on night watch. I don’t allow anchoring in the open seas at any time unless it’s an emergency.”

  “Aye, Captain.” The largest of the three acknowledged.

  He looked at the would-be chef, Gina Garret. A pretty woman in her own right, her red hair and green eyes gave off the classic features to her Scottish heritage. She moved with the yacht’s shifting with know-how. “Your duties are simple: cook for the crew and any guests Ms. Jamison entertains. Any party details will go through her, as well as expense of the pantry and kitchen needs.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  “You and the hostess will plan the meals together, and you may have to take on the duties of maid and chef, if necessary. Any questions?”

  “One. I was told the hostess/owner’s name is Carmichael?” Gina pointed out as she submitted her orders.

  “That’s right. She’s widowed now.” Landy hated the reminder of Rae Anne’s marital status. It still bothered him that she married someone else.

  “Do I call her Ms. Jamison?”

  He ground his teeth at the questions he couldn’t answer. “She will advise you on how to address her.” Landy handed the sheet back to her. “Good-looking menu.”

  “Thank you, Captain.” Gina turned toward the galley door and entered her domain.

  Landy looked at the first mate, Kip Gray. He gave Landy a knowing smile. “You know, Kip, it’s lucky you and Gina are engaged.”

  “Why is that, sir?”

  “There is no way I would allow you to be around the owner if you were single.”

  The older man laughed. “Not that you really care if I took an interest in Rae Anne or not, right, Captain?”

  “Shut up, Kip.” The warning went unnoticed.

  “But, Captain,” Kip teased, “she’s so pretty. I can see why you are still filled with piss and vinegar.” He smiled innocently.

  “Kip, I like you, but if you don’t stop that line of bullshit now, I will enjoy beating you senseless.”

  Kip calmed his laughter, stood at mock attention, and asked, “I have one question?”

  Landy squinted at Kip, daring him to ask the wrong question. “What’s that?”

  “Have you told her you own the yacht service she hired?”

  Landy wished he had gone with other staff members. It would make things smoother, but he trusted Kip’s instincts of the sea. “No. And let’s keep it that way.”

  “Aye, Aye, Captain.” Kip gave him a quick salute and headed to the outer decks.

  Landy didn’t care if Rae Anne found out his secret. Just the same, as long as Rae Anne kept to herself, in her cabin, out of his sight, this would be an easy trip—all six months of it.

  “God, I hope so.”

  * * * *

  Rae Anne walked by the bay windows and took a quick look outside to see the bright blue sea in the afternoon sun. Her breath caught in her chest at the sight of Landy Laurent’s bulging muscles. His black cargo shorts hung low on his hips, and the muscles in his arms bunched to knotted cords due to the heavy labor of hoisting ropes, folding masts, and other necessary preparations for the trip. Her insides fluttered at the tall and ruggedly handsome man with the ripped body. The royal blue cloth tied on his head epitomized the pirates of yore. I love pirates. She viewed them with a romantic flare. Landy had that look; the dangerous swashbuckler that took on the waters of the deep, faced Neptune with savvy human devotion, and claimed the booty of captured ships. She watched Landy lift a bottle of water to his lips and viewed him pulling a drink off a rum bottle. His lips caressed the top sensually. Her mouth watered, her body tingled to have those lips pull at hers. Each kiss would fill her with the nectar of life, the will to live, that his so-called passing drained from her long ago. Only Landy could replenish her thirsty soul for love, and he didn’t want anything at all to do with her.

  “Mrs. Carmichael?”

  Rae Anne jumped at the mention of her name and looked at a uniformed woman.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” the redheaded woman said.

  “That’s all right. I was just admiring the view.” Luckily, a view of the wide-open sea filled the window now. She looked around for Landy. Where did he go? “I can’t wait to be out there.” She took a step toward the steward. “But please, call me Rae Anne.”

  “I’m your chef and entertainment assistant, Gina Garrett.”

  Gina looked out the window, and Rae Anne’s gaze followed. Kip and Landy were working on the deck.

  “A nice view indeed,” the woman said with a teasing smile reflecting in her eyes.

  Rae Anne felt her cheeks burn.

  “Rae Anne, what are the social commitments of the ship?”

  “The thought of entertaining a large crowd doesn’t appeal to me right now. If I do any parties, it will be informal luncheons with personal friends.” She wanted Landy to dine with her but knew he wouldn’t alone. “I wish for the captain and crew to dine with me at mealtime.”

  Gina wrote down the explicit instructions. “Would you like me to have a second meal ready for the night crew, or should I serve leftovers? I can also prepare sandwiches or snack foods?”

  “Whichever you think is best, but more than snack foods. They need to eat well.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Gina started to go back to the galley.

  “Gina, tell me something about yourself.”

  Gina walked back to the bar. “What would you like to know?”

  “How long have you been a chef on a ship?

  She sighed. “I guess all my life. My father was a server on several cruise lines. When I was old enough to travel, he’d take me with him to some exotic ports, and then some.”

  “I would’ve loved that life. I’ve always been partial to the sea and pirates.”

  “But you married a politician.”

  Rae Anne looked at the man she most desired standing outside her window, and his relaxed pose gave her a second to pause. “The man I loved all my life was presumed dead. So, I lost him.”

  Gina bowed her head. “Sometimes, fate plays a good hand. It will even throw us for a loop, but if we ride the wave and hold onto the mast line, we get better than we expected.”

  Rae Anne grinned. It brought out another glimmer of hope. “I like you, Gina.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I like your smart, witty insight.”

  “Thank you again.” She smiled.

  “Do you have someone special?”

  Gina looked outside at the two men. “Yes, ma’am. Kip, the first mate and I are to be married upon our return. We’ve been struggling for the right time, but now we’re ready.”

  “Well, may fate play fair and give us both a shot at the dice.” The two returned to staring at the men on the deck.

  “I s
hould get back to work. If you need anything let me know.”

  “Thank you. I have a large grocery delivery scheduled for one o’clock.”

  “Excellent.” Gina took another gaze out the window. “Oh, if you see Captain Laurent, could you please tell him that lunch will be ready in an hour?”

  Rae Anne looked over her shoulder out the window where Landy stood on deck. “Yes, of course, I’ll tell him.” His tanned, deep brown Creole skin looked almost blackened by the sun. “It will be my pleasure.”

  Gina smiled, turned, and left Rae Anne to her view.

  * * * *

  The sliding glass door sounded loudly as metal on rough metal announced Rae Anne’s approach. Gingerly, she stepped out to the sitting area of the aft deck and set a tray with two glasses of ice and a pitcher of tea on the table. She sat down on the lounger next to Landy. He continued to rummage through the contents of the storage bin beside him, ignoring or not acknowledging her presence. Finding what he was looking for, he stood up and capped two bared wires with a yellow cap. He flipped a switch, and the deck lights came on instantly.

  “Yeah!” she cheered. Rae Anne watched him work. Sweat trickled down his chest and pooled at the band of his shorts. As if to further tease her aroused state of emotions, he smoothed a hand over his chest to rub in the perspiration. “Sure is hot!” he stated matter-of-factly.

  “Landy?” She sounded strained.

  He turned to her. “Yes?”

  She picked up one of the two glasses of tea on the tray, took a long drink from it, and then stated the reason for her coming outside. “Gina said lunch would be ready in an hour.”

  “Great, I’m starved.” He turned his attention back to the wiring.

  “Landy?”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Would you like a glass of tea? I brought one for you if you’d like.” She quickly extended the glass of tea she had in her hand toward him.

  Landy looked at her, took the glass of tea without saying a word, and then drank half of it down. Out of her peripheral vision, she noticed him looking at her. His sunglasses shielded his eyes, yet the undeniable look on his face indicated he liked what he saw. She looked down and noticed that her white T-shirt, moistened by the humidity, clung to her breasts. Her nipples budded, no doubt due to his observing her. She looked at his crotch, and the slight bulge gave another clue of his desire for her. Roaming her gaze up to his face, the wicked smile rocked her. He can’t fight it too much longer.

  “Would you like to eat on deck?”

  Landy almost spewed his tea at her. He took a second to regain his composure. “I can eat with the crew,” he retorted and set his glass down on the tray.

  “Good. We’re all dining at the breakfast bar.” Rae Anne turned to the glass doors. “If you want more tea, I’m leaving you the pitcher.” She slammed the door in her wake. She peeped around the corner to see his reaction. He tossed the pliers in his hand into the bin, placed his hands on his hips, and kicked at the box.

  “He’s got a fighter’s spirit. But it’s wearing down.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Landy poked his head in the galley storage. “We’ll set sail in an hour.”

  Rae Anne and Gina looked up from the organizational task and looked at the many boxes of food, staple goods, and spices. So much still needed stowing, and then recorded in the ledger. “In an hour?” Rae Anne panicked. “I’m not sure I can get this done in time. Why so early?”

  “The tide will be in early today. I suspect about three.”

  “You suspect?” His stance, legs opened wide, shoulders erect and squared back, his chest bulged out, irritated her. Maybe, irritated isn’t the word I’m looking for. “How can you be certain?”

  His cold glare changed to icy. Apparently, the man didn’t like to be questioned. One for Rae Anne.

  Gina grasped Rae Anne’s shoulder. “We’ll be ready, sir,” she assured him in a more than professional manner.

  “Thank you, Gina. Carry on.” Landy left just as silently as he came in.

  Rae Anne counted to ten before she turned back to the chore. “That man is driving me insane. Dictating orders on my ship, he’s got some nerve.” Rae Anne huffed and folded her arms over her chest in defiance.

  “He is the captain, Rae Anne,” Gina reminded her. “And if I want to continue working with him, I have to follow orders.”

  Rae Anne looked at her new friend. Gina’s employment was out of her control. It was up to Landy to decide who stayed and went in the staffing of the boat. Not if I talk to Jamie about it. “All right, Gina. You win.”

  The woman smiled.

  “For now.”

  * * * *

  The three-o’clock tide came in as Landy predicted. The Pouty Princess and her crew set off on their adventure at the precise hour.

  “Good forecasting, Captain,” Kip said at his side. They looked up. “The tide and sails saves wear and tear on the motor.”

  “I thought you’d like that one too,” Landy said with a smug smile. He turned his head to port to clear the way of the Marina, and saw Rae Anne on the deck. The blush of her cheeks stirred an unsatisfied desire in him. The glistening sea water on her face, the wind blowing in her hair, and that long awaited feeling of escape ignited a burning fire in him. He allowed a few silent moments to tick by in his observance of her.

  The tension relaxed in her shoulders, a soft smile farther creased on her lips, and excitement flowed around her in bright rays. She presented classic signs of a person in search for an adventure. And like him, she sought the sea. His heartbeat stumbled, but he regained control of his emotions. Nothing and no one could ever break the wall around Landy’s heart, not even the woman who built it a lifetime ago. The marina behind them, Rae Anne almost skipped to the galley. Landy smiled and turned his attention back to the tide.

  “Everyone,” Rae Anne called for the crew’s attention, “if you will please join Gina and me over here.” She waved her hand to invite everyone. Landy lowered his head. “What now?”

  “I don’t know, but there’s booze. Champagne, to be correct.” Kip boasted and almost jogged to stand beside Gina.

  Landy stood beside Rae Anne. “I’m going to make a speech,” she whispered to him. “If you will please form a circle.”

  Gina passed the tray of champagne around, Rae Anne grabbed two from her and handed one to Landy. He kept his post of authority, not only for his crew’s sake, but his too. She looked back at the city shoreline. “May the shores always welcome us home,” she toasted the fading harbor. “May the sea bring us safely on our journey and give us treasures that will make us rich in our golden years. May the ship, her captain”—she turned to meet his stare—“and of course, her crew, guide us safely through the passages of man and God.”

  “Here! Here!” Kip said.

  After they clanked glasses and took a swallow, the ship cleared the shallow waters. The wind took the sail and they headed south to the port of Mazatlan. Rae Anne chanced a quick look at Landy. Her expression changed from caution to something he’d never seen before and couldn’t describe. The softening of his heart almost caused him to cough in distress.

  What would become of us after this trip? Would we at least be friends, or are we destined to stay apart?

  He drank his portion of toast, set the glass on the bar, and turned to his crew. “We still have work to do before we can settle down for the night.” With that, the crew returned to their stations, and he strolled to the observation deck.

  Rae Anne’s departing ritual surprised Landy. She toasted the city, the ship and crew, and the sea. As a sailor’s wife should. He felt that gut-wrenching pain in his heart again. He didn’t want her to be like him. He liked thinking of her as a part of his past—where they had something in common, unlike now.—she was the widow of a senator, used to living in Washington among the political leaders. He’s a Marine turned sailor. The confusion in his head settled in his soul. What other surprises do you have in store for me? How mu
ch more can I take?

  Landy and Kip finalized the detailed schedule for the next two days. “Then we dock at Mazatlán early on Friday.”

  “Yes, and I will see to supplies or any other needs for the ship and her passengers when we dock.” Landy announced.

  He once dreamt of taking Rae Anne ashore in Mazatlan. It was a dream he allowed himself when he drank enough liquor to numb the pain of her betrayal.

  Kip interrupted the embittered thoughts that plagued Landy’s mind. “Captain, Gina and I are turning in for the night. The other crew members are on deck for the night shift.”

  “Aye. Thank you for the update. Good work today.” Landy always thanked his men for a job well done. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Aye, Aye Captain.”

  Kip’s departure left Landy in a state that unnerved him. He couldn’t escape his thoughts of Rae Anne, not with her onboard. To find the forgiveness in his heart for her leaving him stayed out of his grasp. She left him when he not only needed her desperately, but also while he was overseas, and then to find out the way he did was unforgivable—like a kick in the balls.

  Landy sat in the captain’s chair with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Looking out into the darkness, he hoped to find the answers he needed to deal with the problem at hand, or find a feeling of peace to live among it. The dark night on the sea settled him in a way nothing else could.

  “Rae Anne,” he whispered the name softly. She’d haunted his dreams for years. The long-running episodes of their reconciliation, completed with love and forgiveness, her vows of undying love and deepest desire for him. They would make love and heal the festering wounds in his heart. A dream or a memory, he couldn’t tell anymore, but the line between the parallel dimensions of reality and dreams was a line that Landy knew painfully well. The two were so closely knit together that even time couldn’t erase the agony. Now, years later, she was real. Once, Rae Anne had vowed her undying love, and they had consummated that relationship when they were kids. “I’ll be dammed if I let it happen twice,” he murmured.