by Lexie Davis
“I’m not holding you hostage.” He walked toward the seats on the side of the boat. “The shore is that way.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What are we supposed to do out here all day?”
He smiled. “Fish.”
Chapter Two
Kiley hated water. It wasn’t a secret, and her husband, of all people, knew it. She hated the rocking waves. She hated the unknown depths. She hated the sharks.
“I’m sorry.” Bo sat beside her, looking straight ahead with a fishing pole in hand. “For…everything.”
“I’m done talking about it.”
Bo reached for her hand, and she moved it away. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I don’t get it. Why do men act like problems within a marriage ‘all of a sudden’ happen? It never happens overnight. It’s months of me trying to get you to notice me, and when I finally decide I deserve better, you don’t want to lose me. Why didn’t you think of that when all of this was going on?”
He reached for her again, and she pulled away from his grip. “Don’t touch me again. I’m getting tired of you grabbing my arm anytime you damn well please, as if you have some right.”
She stared out at the miles of water. He always thought things were so simple. He’d wave a magic wand and she’d go back to him. Then he’d go back to his old ways, which would only make her feel stupid for thinking something could change. She needed change.
“Why did you agree to come to Hawaii, Kiley?”
She focused on a buoy miles ahead of them. “The idea of putting a lot of distance between us appealed to me greatly.”
“Yet here you are with me on a boat in the Pacific Ocean.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice.” She glanced up. “You conned me into coming with you, then hijacked the boat by throwing the damn keys in the ocean. Do you have any idea how stupid that was? You know how much I hate water. You know, yet you don’t care. It’s the story of our marriage.”
“Talk to me about it, and I’ll take you back to shore.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. We’re past talking.” She shook her head and, standing, looked for something else to do. She needed space away from him. She needed to clear her head.
“Why are you trying so hard to fight your feelings for me?”
She stopped on the other side of the boat and calculated the distance to shore. “What feelings? Rage? Anger? Bitterness? I’m not fighting those, though I am trying really hard to control them.”
“You love me, Kiley.”
“Love between us dwindled a long time ago.”
“No, it didn’t.” Bo’s voice came from directly behind her. “You want to believe it did so it’ll be easier to make the biggest mistake of your life and proceed with the divorce. But it didn’t. You love me, and I still love you. Why can’t we try to work it out?”
Kiley pursed her lips. Bo would not make her look weak in front of him. She glanced down at her skimpy bikini. And being half naked in front of him couldn’t help matters any.
“I want a second chance,” Bo pleaded.
“For what? To change?” She turned toward him and propped her hands on her hips. “Yeah, you might change for a week, a month even, but then we’re back at square one. You didn’t care until you were about to lose me, and I honestly don’t know what made you care then.”
“How can you say I don’t care about you?”
“How can you say you do?”
She turned away, somehow feeling defeated. She wanted him to care, but his actions proved he didn’t, and it pissed her off. She had caught him with the housekeeper, and he didn’t even give her an explanation. She had told him she wanted a divorce, and he had said okay. Now, he all of a sudden wanted her back—after she told him she planned to leave for Connecticut.
Bo sighed. “You are my life, Kiley. I never cheated on you. I never even thought about it.”
She closed her eyes. He didn’t understand why she felt neglected in her marriage. Bo did provide for her. She never wanted for anything because he made sure she had whatever she needed. If she even mentioned a new pair of Louboutins she liked, he’d hand over his credit card and tell her to buy them. It never mattered how much it cost. Money was never an issue. But he was only there for her occasionally. He travelled a lot, and he loved his damn houseboat—a place he couldn’t pay her to visit. Many nights, they slept in separate beds because he wanted to spend the night on the water.
And he doesn’t see anything wrong?
“You have to believe me. I didn’t do anything with her or anyone else on the face of this earth after saying ‘I do’ to you. You are the one I want.” He came up behind her, pulled her into his arms, and pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
“Don’t.” She jerked away from him. “We can be enemies or friends. We’re not lovers. Don’t say things like that. Don’t kiss me. Don’t hold me like you mean it because I know you don’t.”
“But I do mean it! I love you, Kiley.” He stopped, clenching his jaw. “I don’t know what’s going on in your mind, but I don’t want this damn divorce. You’re my wife. You belong with me.”
“Like some possession.” She snorted. “I’m not your toy, Bo. I’m not yours to command and do with what you wish.”
“Why are you saying that like I’m some kind of dictator?” he yelled. “I haven’t forced you do anything. You live the life of a fucking princess, and I’m the villain for providing it for you. I’m sick of you blaming me for everything! Yeah, the situation with the housekeeper looks bad, but you’re supposed to trust me. I didn’t do it!”
She stared at him. “Don’t yell at me.”
He barely acknowledged her comment. “You tell me I didn’t value you while I had you, but what the hell about you? I didn’t see you trying to keep things together. I didn’t see you working your damn ass off to keep things happy between us.”
Kiley folded her arms over her chest. “I tried many times to get you to notice me.”
“Yeah, and your little tantrum sporting the ‘D’ word is the queen of them all.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You were too fucking busy spending my money to even confront me on any of these damn issues you suddenly pulled out of your ass to throw in my face.”
“I’m tired of arguing with you. I’m tired of repeating myself because you obviously aren’t smart enough to get it.”
He turned, with a dangerous look in his eyes. “I’m not smart enough?”
She grabbed her bag and sorted through her tanning supplies. “I’m lying out on the deck. The best thing for you to do is leave me alone.”
* * * *
Bo wanted to punch something. Nothing went according to his plans. She didn’t want to talk to him, and it put him at a loss. Maybe she really did want the divorce. Even thinking about it broke his heart.
He sat on the edge of the boat and stared into the water. The night with the housekeeper was a big mistake. One big fucking misunderstanding. Louisa did want him. Half drunk, she had groped at him at his parents’ party, and he continually pushed her away. When he’d sneaked off to the study to get some sleep, she had decided to strip and fondle herself. Bo awoke to her face inches from his cock with Kiley walking in seconds later.
She wouldn’t listen to him then, much like she wouldn’t now.
“What did you plan for us to eat on this brilliant idea for a getaway?” Kiley came over to him and sat at his side, her sunglasses hiding her eyes.
He swallowed and took in the tiny bikini she wore. “There’s a cooler on deck filled with sandwiches and stuff.”
“When are you planning on radioing coast guard to come get us?”
Bo sighed and sat the fishing pole aside. “I have a spare key.”
She pushed her glasses on top of her head and met his eyes. “So you did this to piss me off?”
“I did this hoping you’d talk to me. Damn it, you’ve been complaining I’m never around. Well, here I am.”
“It’s a
little too late. I’m done talking to you.” She pulled her legs to her chest. “I’m tired of repeating everything I’ve been screaming at you for the past three months. I’m done. I want a divorce.”
Bo busied himself with the food. He didn’t want to think about Kiley leaving. He didn’t want to think about coming home to an empty house, an empty bed. He stared at the candles he’d packed in the cooler. He had weighed his options and stuck them in there for a bit of romance while on the sea. It didn’t look like he’d need them now.
He sighed and shut the top of the cooler, then turned to hand her a sandwich he prepared earlier that morning. Maybe there wasn’t anything left to say. She thought he had cheated on her. She thought he neglected her. He worked his damned ass off to give her the life she wanted, and what did he have to show for it? A pending divorce.
He handed her a drink next and grabbed himself a beer. The signs weren’t there before the housekeeper incident. Yes, he’d been working overtime, but he had a really big client that needed some of his extra time.
Thunder sounded in the distance, and he noted the cloud patterns. The forecast hadn’t called for rain or any type of storms, but that didn’t mean Mother Nature couldn’t spring one on them. Planning to head back to shore, he dug in his pocket for the extra key and withdrew it.
“I don’t like the sound of that.” Kiley peered over her shoulder, toward the sound. “Please tell me we’re going back to shore.”
“Why? Are you going to turn into a pumpkin?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why can’t you care for one minute?”
“Because I’ll get yelled at the next.”
Bo held the key out. Thunder rumbled, and Kiley jumped up from her spot. Reaching for Bo’s arm, she looked up at the skies. He stared at her fingers while wishing they were wrapped around a certain other part of his anatomy. He groaned, feeling like a pervert. She hated storms. No matter how angry they were with each other, he knew that they both still cared. He extracted her hand from his arm and pulled her into his arms. She tensed. He held her a moment before speaking.
“I don’t think we’ll make it back to our island before the storm, so we need to get off the water. There’s a small island nearby. Maybe we can get a room to stay in for the night.” He rubbed her back. “You okay?”
“I’d be a lot better on land.”
Bo reluctantly moved away from her and turned to start the boat’s engine. Rain poured on them. Waves crashed against the side of the boat. He watched as Kiley tried to gather their things in one area.
“Watch it.” Bo reached out just as a rough wave hit the side of the boat and knocked Kiley onto her ass. He glanced down as she scooted to the side, brushing her wet hair from her face. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “How much longer?”
“Five minutes.”
Bo steered the boat toward the shore, thankfully with no more problems. He drove the boat toward the beach and killed the engine. After tying it to the nearby dock, he reached for Kiley’s hand and helped her off.
“Where are we?” she asked, running toward the beach.
“I think Lanai Island.” He brushed water from his face as they ran for shelter in the nearby trees. He glanced around. “Or maybe Kahoolawe.”
“You don’t know where the fuck we are?” Kiley stared at him. In her hands, she had the bag and the cooler.
“We’re in Hawaii. There are only eight main islands. I’m sure we can find our way back to the hotel eventually.”
“Eventually,” she repeated.
He shrugged. What else could he do? The storm prevented them from sailing, and he wasn’t entirely sure what island they docked on. Kiley dropped the items in her hands and slugged him.
“How could you do this?” She hit him once, then twice, as she vented her frustration.
Bo took the first few before grabbing her flailing arms and forcing them behind her back. “Calm down.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
Her breasts pressed against his chest as she continued her meltdown. In all the years he’d known her, Kiley didn’t cry too often. For some reason, she didn’t allow herself to. Bo watched her fight it before he leaned in and kissed her.
A whole month’s need came over him like a tidal wave as his wife parted her lips. Hot and wanton, she pressed against him. It damn near blew the top off his head. Around them rain fell, though he was certain neither one cared at the moment. Then he tasted her tears.
Bo stepped back, reluctant to end his heaven on earth. He brought his hands up to her cheeks and tenderly swiped at the wetness. He wanted to make everything better. To make her fears disappear.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
She swallowed and glanced down. “What do you suppose we do?”
He reached for the bags with one hand and held out the other for her. “There’s a shack over there. We can stay until the storm passes. Then we’ll head back to the main island to the hotel.”
To his surprise, she took his hand and linked their fingers. Together, they headed toward the small shack.
Bo opened the door and glanced around before dragging Kiley out of the rain. Enough light filled the room to allow him to see a small bed on one side and a little kitchen on the other. Fishing gear took up the rest of the room.
Kiley cringed. “It stinks in here.”
“It’s fish.” He brushed a hand along her wet hair. “Breathe through your mouth.”
She tugged him closer, laid her cheek against his shoulder, and pressed her nose against his arm. “That storm isn’t a hurricane, is it?”
Bo rubbed her back. “Hurricanes haven’t bothered you this much before.”
“I was at home then. Home makes everything much better.”
Bo closed his eyes. “You’re right. It does.”
He wanted to hold her. He wanted to convince her that their impending divorce was a huge mistake, that he loved her and would do anything she damn well wanted if she’d take him back. God, he’d never been this way toward any woman but her. He had lived a carefree bachelor lifestyle before he met her, and his best friends said he was damn lucky to be getting that back. He didn’t feel so lucky. He felt sick.
“It’s not a hurricane, I don’t think.”
“I don’t want to be here, Bo. I shouldn’t have come on this vacation with Lilah. I should have gone home when I found out about you.” She jerked away from him and reached for her bag. After searching for a while, she retrieved out a half-dry overshirt and tugged it on over her bikini.
“Am I really that bad to be around?”
“It’s the memories, Bo. Both the good and the bad.” She fastened her bag and sat it on the small bed.
He gave her his back and went to the fridge. Thankfully, juice and other drinks filled the inside. He went through the cabinets. Canned foods were also available. Sniffles came from across the room and he turned.
“What’s wrong?”
She wiped her cheeks. “How did we get here?”
Bo glanced toward the door. “We took a boat, then got stuck at sea in the middle of a fucking storm.”
She met his eyes. “Don’t be smart.”
Bo closed the cabinet door and came to her. “I don’t know, Kiley.”
“I’m scared, Bo.” She wiped her cheeks again and regained her composure.
“What are you scared of?” She sat on the small bed, legs extended to the side. He lifted her legs and pulled them onto his lap.
“What if we can’t fix it?”
She shivered, and he moved closer.
“I really thought you cheated on me. I really thought you didn’t care about me. It made sense that it was time to call it quits. Then you kissed me.”
She snuggled against him. “I thought this trip with Lilah would be an adventure. A chance for me to experience what it’s like for me to be on my own again. I wanted it to be, anyway. Then you show up, and my world falls apart again.”
B
o sighed. “What have I done to you, Kiley? I thought I cleared up the whole Louisa thing. I understand completely I haven’t spent enough time with you. I get it. Those things can change.”
She linked her fingers with his. “I remember what the good times are like. I want those all the time, and if I keep caving, nothing will change. If I keep ignoring our problems, nothing will get solved.”
“So divorce is the answer?”
“You didn’t start fighting for me until I brought it up and kicked you out of the house.” She brushed her thumb along the back of his hand while avoiding his eyes. “I do love you, Bo. I want us to work. I want us to get back on track and be like when we first started dating.”
He shifted enough to lift her onto his lap. “We can. I promise we can.”
“How?”
The sadness on her face made his chest ache.
“When we leave here, we’ll go back to reality. You work all the time, and when you actually have time off, you spend it away from me. I don’t mean to be whiney. I really don’t. We need time away from each other sometimes, but it seems you always choose something else to the point it’s affecting our relationship. We’re not close anymore. I don’t want to have to fight for your attention. I want you to be with me because you want to be.”
He cupped her cheeks. “Baby…”
Bo leaned in to kiss her. Her lips parted, and he accepted the invitation. Kiley loved him. Somehow, that’s all that mattered. He slipped his hands up her thighs and cupped her ass through her bikini. Just a few tugs and he’d have her bottoms off, her pussy bare.
“Bo,” she broke the kiss, “this isn’t going to solve anything.”
He watched as she brushed her wet hair back. She was beautiful, he realized, though it wasn’t really a revelation on his part. She’d always been beautiful, even when she had no makeup on, was dressed in a pair of his raggedy sweats. Bo hauled her against his cock, squeezing her ass. “You’re right. It won’t. But it sure as hell should prove I want to be with you because I simply want to be with you. Damn it, Kiley. You drive me crazy.”
He leaned in and touched his lips to her neck. Her skin felt so damn soft that he didn’t want to stop touching her. He couldn’t stop kissing her, tasting her. He lifted her and laid her in the center of the small bed, then crawled on top of her. He loved how their bodies fit together. Her softness against his hardness. Her cold against his warmth. She caressed along his sides and slipped her hands beneath the waistband of his swim trunks.