Choppy Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 5)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Choppy Seas

  A Rowan Gray Mystery Book Five

  Lily Harper Hart

  HarperHart Publications

  Copyright © 2018 by Lily Harper Hart

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  1. One

  2. Two

  3. Three

  4. Four

  5. Five

  6. Six

  7. Seven

  8. Eight

  9. Nine

  10. Ten

  11. Eleven

  12. Twelve

  13. Thirteen

  14. Fourteen

  15. Fifteen

  16. Sixteen

  17. Seventeen

  18. Eighteen

  19. Nineteen

  20. Twenty

  Mail List

  Acknowledgments

  Books by Lily Harper Hart

  1

  One

  The music was pulsing … so much so Rowan Gray thought her ears might fall off thanks to the vibrations rolling through her body.

  The lights flashed blue … then purple … then green and she wondered how she didn’t have a seizure.

  Sweat drenched her body as a multitude of people gyrated in close proximity. She was so hot she briefly wondered if she would pass out and the mortification factor alone caused her to stop and fan her face.

  She did not want to be the person who fainted in a bar. The shame alone would fuel her for days.

  Next to her, Quinn Davenport smirked as he watched his girlfriend work overtime to pretend she wasn’t bothered by the crowd. They’d only been together for several weeks – were only introduced a few months before – but he was quickly coming to recognize when she was at her limit.

  He rested his hand on her elbow so as not to startle her and leaned in close. “Do you want to get some air?”

  Rowan was so relieved by the suggestion she didn’t jolt at how loud his voice was due to the pounding music and eagerly nodded. Quinn smiled as he linked their fingers and drew her toward the private balcony on the far side of the club.

  It had been his idea to visit Siren Song, one of the most popular clubs in the area. He happened to know the owner Hal Denton, which meant the man owed him a favor and it was easy to snag VIP credentials that allowed access to the owner’s private balcony. That’s where Quinn led Rowan now.

  “Oh, geez.” Rowan dropped his hand as she lifted her chin to the wind and leaned over the metal railing, gulping in huge gasps of oxygen as the warm breeze smacked her in the face. “I thought I was going to pass out.”

  Quinn cocked an eyebrow as he watched her, taking a seat in one of the comfortable chairs close to the railing. “You should’ve said something.”

  “I didn’t want to be a baby.”

  Quinn pursed his lips as he looked her up and down, taking in the soft curve of her hips and the long legs that seemed to go on for miles. He knew it was schmaltzy to think it, but he was convinced he would never grow tired of looking at her … or listening to her … or simply being with her. “I don’t think it constitutes being a baby if you’re hot and need a break. You should have told me.”

  “Yeah, well … .” Rowan’s smile was rueful as she planted herself in the chair next to Quinn and ran the back of her hand over her forehead. “I can’t remember the last time I was this sweaty.”

  Quinn shot her a charged look, one that managed to be flirty, fun, and sexy in the same split-second. “Oh, really? I seem to remember a time or two when you were sweaty.”

  Rowan playfully swatted his hand. “Don’t be gross in public. You know what I mean.”

  Quinn glanced around. “We’re not in public. We’re alone.”

  “Yeah, I’m still not sure how you managed that.” Rowan stretched her legs out and fanned herself. “This is the hottest club on the beach right now. Getting a private balcony must have been expensive.”

  “I didn’t pay anything.”

  Now it was Rowan’s turn to cock an eyebrow. “Then how do we have this lovely spot – which I happen to know costs five hundred bucks a pop thanks to Sally reading the party pages of that newspaper she likes – if you didn’t pay for it?”

  In addition to being Rowan’s best friend, Sally Jenkins was also the culinary maestro on The Bounding Storm, the cruise ship where Rowan and Quinn worked. She was the effusive sort and dragged Rowan – often kicking and screaming – into adventure.

  Quinn’s lips curved. “Maybe I’m magic.”

  “You’re definitely magic,” Rowan agreed without hesitation. “Even you aren’t magical enough to get a private balcony at the most happening bar in town without doing something to secure it, though.”

  Quinn considered leaving Rowan’s question hanging – he liked the idea of introducing a bit of mystery to their relationship – but ultimately he saw no reason to be evasive. “I know the owner.”

  “You do?”

  Quinn nodded. “Hal Denton. I did some work for him right after I left the military. I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but we’re friendly. When I knew we wanted to make a night of it I called and asked him for a balcony. He was more than happy to oblige.”

  Rowan didn’t bother to hide her surprise. “He’s a businessman. I’m surprised he would go for that.”

  “I’m the one who helped him set up the security on this place … and at a discount. I’m pretty sure he’ll give me whatever I want from here on out.”

  “Is that why we’ve been drinking for free, too?”

  “Yup.”

  Rowan pursed her lips and tucked a strand of her long auburn hair behind her ear. “I guess there are worse ways to spend a night.”

  Quinn chuckled as he reached over and snagged her hand, silently marveling at the way their fingers slid together as if they were always meant to be joined. When Rowan first arrived on The Bounding Storm and became part of her crew, he’d been unnerved upon their first meeting. She was friendly, bubbly, and beautiful. That didn’t mean he was looking for a girlfriend. She was also nervous and antsy, though, and that intrigued him because he found her compelling.

  In short order, she’d broken down his defenses and now he couldn’t imagine being without her. He remembered life before they were together, but it seemed to be a distant memory despite the fact that it was a reality not that long ago. He didn’t want to go back and was content to simply move forward at a pace that was comfortable for both of them.

  “You’ve been kind of quiet the past two days,” Quinn noted after a beat. He wasn’t keen on turning their conversation serious, but he refused to live with what was being left unsaid crowding their relationship. “Do you want to talk about what’s bothering you?”

  Rowan balked. “What makes you think anything is bothering me?”

  “Because you look contemplative whenever you think no one is watching you.” Quinn refused to back down. “It’s okay to be thrown by what happened.”

  Rowan swallowed hard. “I’m not … thrown.”

  “Oh, baby, you’re completely thrown and that’s okay.” Quinn leaned forward and grabbed her hands so he could press kisses to each palm and look her in the eyes. “Your long-lost uncle visited out of nowhere, admitted your father was alive even though you thought he was dead, and then he disappeared again. That’s something that would throw anyone.”

  What Quinn didn’t say was that he was furious enough with Nicholas
Green – the uncle in question who caused Rowan’s nerves to constantly jangle whenever she received an incoming text message or phone call – to hunt him down and sit on the man until he delivered answers. He didn’t think adding his anxiety to the mix would do anyone any good.

  “Have you heard from him?” Quinn hoped his tone sounded neutral rather than furious.

  “He just said he had to leave for a bit and would be back as soon as possible.” Rowan averted her gaze because she feared if she saw sympathy lurking in Quinn’s eyes that she would break down and cry and that was the last thing she wanted since they were supposed to be cutting loose and having fun. “He swore he would answer my questions when I got back.”

  Quinn opened his mouth, something vile on the tip of his tongue. He realized a split-second before he uttered the scathing words that it was a mistake, though, and changed course. “Then I’m sure he’ll be in touch.” Quinn slid his arms around her waist and pulled her to him so they could hug, burying his face in her long hair as he rested his chin on her shoulder. “I know this is hard for you and I don’t always make things easier … .”

  “You’re the easiest thing in my life,” Rowan argued, pulling back far enough that she could look into his eyes. “I’m not just saying that because you’re always up for sex either.”

  Quinn snorted at her lame joke attempt. “That’s good to know. You don’t have to deny it, though. I know you don’t like it when I go off on good old Uncle Nick.”

  “It’s not that. It’s just … he’s my only link to answers.”

  “He’s your only link to your father,” Quinn corrected.

  “I need the answers more than my father.” Rowan tilted her head so she didn’t have to meet Quinn’s steady gaze. “That’s the most important thing to me.”

  Quinn didn’t believe that for a second. “He’s your father. You thought he was dead.”

  “And he purposely left me to fend for myself.” Rowan was firm. “I mourned him already because I thought he died. I won’t twist myself into knots ten years after the fact because I found out he merely wanted to walk away from me.”

  “Sweetheart, I don’t think it was that simple.”

  “It might not have been that simple, but that’s how it was for me.” Rowan let loose a shaky breath and slowly shifted her head so she could smile at her boyfriend. “I don’t want my family drama to ruin our night. Can we table this discussion … at least for now?”

  Quinn immediately nodded. “Yes. I brought you here to have fun.”

  “I’m having fun.”

  Quinn waited for her to continue.

  “Other than the sweating,” Rowan ruefully admitted. “And the noise. I’m not used to things being so loud. Oh, and the young girls who keep rubbing themselves against you in the hopes you’ll dump me for them. I don’t like that either.”

  Quinn barked out a laugh, genuinely amused. “I think you’re basically saying that you don’t like this date.”

  “No.” Rowan was instantly contrite. “I like spending time with you whenever we can manage it. I don’t want you thinking otherwise.”

  “I know you like spending time with me.” Quinn gently slipped a strand of Rowan’s hair behind her ear. “I think the way you smile whenever you see me is a dead giveaway.”

  Rowan’s cheeks burned. “You’re so full of yourself.”

  Quinn chuckled. “I am. I also happen to enjoy spending time with you.”

  “I noticed.” Rowan turned flirty. “You smile whenever you see me.”

  “So I guess that means we’re smiling schmaltz twins.” Quinn leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. “I suggested we come here tonight because I was worried our quiet lifestyle allowed you to spend too much time dwelling on Nick.

  “The thing is, I never really considered the fact that you and I are simply the sort of people who prefer quiet,” he continued. “Dancing is fun and we’ve had a decent time, but you would’ve been just as happy sitting on the beach and making sandcastles as the sun set. Don’t bother denying it.”

  Rowan pressed her lips together and widened her eyes. Her expression was comical enough that all Quinn could do was snort.

  “You’re ready to go, aren’t you?”

  “No.” Rowan was vehement as she shook her head. “I want to hang out with you.”

  “What if I want to go?”

  “Then we’ll go.”

  Quinn made a face. “I don’t want you agreeing to do something simply because you think I want to do it. This is a relationship. We’re supposed to compromise.”

  “Uh-huh.” Rowan licked her lips. “And did we compromise yesterday when we spent the entire day shopping even though you didn’t need anything and happen to hate shopping?”

  “I … .” Quinn couldn’t decide if the question was a trap so he took a moment to consider it. That left Rowan with an opening.

  “This is a compromise,” she explained to him. “Yesterday we did what I wanted to do. Today we’re doing what you want to do. That’s how it works in all relationships. It’s not me simply doing what you want to do.”

  Quinn wasn’t convinced. “But I wanted to spend time with you yesterday so it wasn’t really us doing what you wanted to do.”

  “And I wanted to spend time with you today, so the same could be said for this outing.”

  Quinn furrowed his brow. “I think you’re trying to confuse me.”

  “I think you’re trying to confuse yourself.” Rowan patted his knee. “It’s fine. I’m having a good time. I enjoy dancing with you.”

  Quinn pictured the overstuffed dance floor on the other side of the balcony entrance. Then he pictured the bed the duo most often shared in Rowan’s quarters. “Do you want to go home and have piña coladas in bed?”

  Rowan giggled, the sound warming Quinn’s heart. “Do you?”

  “I asked you first.”

  “I asked you second. We should compromise and you should answer first.”

  “Fine.” Quinn blew out a sigh. “I want to go back to the ship.”

  Rowan was so relieved at the admission she threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you! I might pass out if I dance another minute.”

  Quinn chuckled as he pulled her close. “You play your cards close to the vest. I get why. Next time you want to leave, though, just tell me.”

  “I’ll consider it.” Rowan smacked a loud kiss against his lips and stood. “We should tell Demarcus and Sally we’re leaving. Last time I saw them they were holding court in the center of the dance floor. I don’t understand how they can enjoy this scene twice a week.”

  Quinn shrugged as he slipped his arm around Rowan’s waist. “Demarcus and Sally are party people. We’re thinkers. We like to sit and think … and read … .”

  “And drink piña coladas in bed,” Rowan added with a flirty grin.

  “And that,” Quinn agreed, lightly patting her rear end as he prodded her toward the door. “There’s nothing wrong with either lifestyle. There’s also nothing wrong with admitting that we’re quiet people.”

  “Quiet, not boring, right?”

  “Oh, we’re definitely not boring.” Quinn kept Rowan close as they returned to the stifling dance environment, cocking his head to the side as he scanned the faces for Demarcus and Sally’s familiar features.

  Once Sally found out Rowan and Quinn were going to the club she’d been dying to visit during shore leave stops, she invited herself to act as a third wheel on their date. Since he was never one to be left out, Demarcus Johnson, The Bounding Storm’s head bartender, decided to come, too. Quinn had no doubt that the duo would opt to remain behind. They went out as often as they could – mostly at clubs that weren’t as hard to gain entrance to – and they were the types to dance the night away. He just had to find them so they wouldn’t spend the entire night looking for Rowan and Quinn – and perhaps panicking – when it came time to leave.

  “Do you see them?” Rowan asked, craning her neck.

 
“No.” Quinn shook his dark head. “I … wait, is that them?” He pointed toward a rhythm-blessed man in a bright purple shirt dancing on the stage. “That’s Demarcus, right?”

  Rowan followed his finger and nodded. “That’s him.”

  “You stay here,” Quinn instructed, squeezing her hand. “That crowd is going to be a nightmare to fight through. I’ll tell him we’re leaving and be right back.”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t go anywhere.” Quinn gave her a soft kiss and offered up a heartfelt smile. “We’ll take a long walk on the beach on our way back. That’s romantic, right?”

  Rowan shrugged. “It’s quiet.”

  “Which is definitely better than this. I’ll be right back.”

  Rowan watched Quinn shove his way through the crowd with a half-smile on her face. The expression remained until she saw a young girl – she didn’t even look old enough to be in the club – grab Quinn’s arm and try to press herself against him to share a dance. Quinn showed her no interest as he jerked his arm away and continued pushing through the crowd, not bothering to look in any direction despite the women who kept calling out to him.

  He was good-looking, charming, and caring. Rowan knew she hit the jackpot when they fell for one another. That didn’t mean she wanted to watch every straight woman in the immediate area throw herself at Quinn so Rowan purposely shifted her eyes to the wall to her left, watching with detached interest as a blonde staggered out of the bathroom and leaned against the wall, confusion etched across her features as she obviously tried to get her bearings.

  At first Rowan thought the girl was merely drunk. She looked young and was dressed to have a good time. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, though, Rowan realized the girl seemed to be isolated and alone.