Damaged

by Gina Watson

  Shit! She needed to get word to her sister, who would freak all out. She sat up and attempted to get her bearings. Sadly, she unhooked the garters and delicately rolled her hose down and off. If she wasn’t wearing the hose, she didn’t need the garters either so those went next. Finally she removed her bra. She pulled on the thin T-shirt he’d given her. It hit mid-thigh and she thought it would do quite nicely.

  The boat drifted ever so slightly from side to side so she progressed slowly through the cabin toward the table where her purse lay.

  With Parker on 2day fish trip. Back Fri 4 d.

  She sent the text and then she put her phone on airplane mode before her sister could blow it up with calls and texts. Then her gaze landed on Parker’s phone, standing tall and proud in a docking station. Her sister could potentially reach him through Julian to get to her. Feeling crafty, she quickly placed Parker’s phone on airport mode also and then grabbed the paperback and climbed the steps to the top deck.

  Immediately she realized the thong underwear she wore made her backside a bit breezy under the light T-shirt. She gathered the shirt in her hand to keep it from blowing up. Although, as she looked around she realized there was not a soul on the water but the two of them. It was almost unnatural—like they were the only two people left on earth.

  Parker stood at the front of the boat in an area enclosed by clear plastic. It was dark outside, but the boat was lit up like a Christmas tree and she easily found her way. As she got closer she realized he was no longer wearing his shirt. She popped through the plastic and took a seat in the chair next to what appeared to be the captain’s throne set high and proud. When he saw her he smiled. She attempted to be modest since under the shirt she only wore her tiny panties, but it wasn’t working out too well. She’d definitely be flashing anyone behind her, but then she realized for a second time that no one was there.

  Holy cow! She’d forgotten how ripped the man was. He had well defined trapezius neck muscles that led to shoulder muscles that reached to biceps and chest and nipples and a six-pack. Plus, he had that deep abdominal V that would be the death of her. Oh God, she couldn’t not stare at all his bronzed, tatted beauty. Tatted! How could she forget? He had a dagger on his right arm along with the Chinese symbols sprawled across his gorgeous abs.

  Suddenly the boat stopped and the engine could no longer be heard. He bent and opened a refrigerator, pulling out a beer.

  “Beer?”

  “No thanks.”

  He twisted the top and took a long swig. A bead of sweat or water rolled from his neck down to his chest. Man, oh man. Maybe she also had asthma as well as the kidney thing because she felt her lungs seize.

  “You’re not one of those chicks who doesn’t drink beer are you?”

  “I love beer.” She just couldn’t drink it anymore. “I’m just not in the mood for one.”

  “I’ve got water in here too.”

  “A water would be good.” She needed to drink water. They’d told her to drink lots of water. Only water. Ultra purified water, not bottled. There had been so many rules she’d decided to abide by none of them, to the utter disgruntlement of her sister.

  “I’m going to tee up the line if you want to watch or you can sit in here and read your book.”

  “I’d love to fish.”

  He led her out to the back of the boat where there was bench seating and several rods, reels, and miscellaneous fishing equipment. The boat actually had a built in fishing caddy that held various baits and hooks. He baited a line and cast it across the water. She had a front row seat to the Parker After Dark show. She rested her foot over her knee and leaned back deep into the bench seat. His shoulder muscles worked with his efforts. In that moment she was in utter bliss. She knew she had a ridiculous smile on her face and when he turned to educate her about something fisherman, he chuckled.

  “I’m going to leave two lines cast. If one of them starts to click you’re up, kid.”

  “Me?”

  “Yep.”

  “What do I do?”

  “Really all you have to do is call for me, unless you want to reel it in.”

  “I’ll whistle for you to come over.” His bronzed muscular body walked away from her and she wanted him to come back. “Where are you going anyway?”

  “I’m going to go light the grill.” He hitched a thumb over his shoulder indicating his intentions.

  “But we don’t have anything to grill.”

  “We will.”

  “What if you don’t catch anything?”

  “Not possible.” His head shook. “I’m a fourth generation David. All we’ve ever done is fish. It’s in my blood. It’s my heritage. I’ll never walk away empty handed.”

  She rubbed her tired eyes as she processed his words. He seemed entitled to a catch. “If fish are doled out to the cockiest lad, you’ll definitely be in the running.”

  “Cockiness has nothing to do with it. It’s all based on science and math. Keep an eye on those lines. If they roll, whistle.”

  “Will do.” She saluted him.

  “A salute?”

  She shrugged. “It felt right.” He chuckled as he walked away. She sighed and settled into the seat. “Let’s see what shenanigans the Duke of Northumberland is up to.”

  A few pages in and she was thoroughly engrossed in the paperback. It seemed Mister Ackerly, a commoner, had been placing bets at gambling houses that he could not fulfill. When his debt crossed the duke, he was forced to pay up or be locked in debtor’s prison. Mister Ackerly was desperate to do anything to avoid years in conditions that were uncivilized and could possibly end in his eventual death. He knew of many a man who had died in the Marsh Gate Prison. In exchange for his debt to the duke, he’d offered his virgin daughter, Belle. “Shame on that nasty duke for agreeing to such barbaric terms.” Bailey clicked her tongue.

  Parker’s deep chuckle was soft when it hit her ears. She peered over the top of her book to see him watching her with a gleam in his eyes. “Do you talk to the characters?”

  “Sometimes, if they need it I do.”

  “This duke is in need of a dressing down then.”

  “I should think so, he’s agreed to trade debt for the virgin daughter of a commoner.”

  “Maybe he intends to marry her.”

  “Well, the way it works is this: a duke can’t marry a commoner so she can never be more than his mistress. But this is romance genre so it’s going to end with them together because there must be an HEA ending.”

  “HEA?”

  “Happily ever after.”

  “Why do you read them if you already know what’s going to happen?”

  “Oh, it’s all about the journey of them getting to that point. I have to say right now I just can’t see how she will ever forgive him.”

  One of the reels spun so fast it appeared to be still, but the sound was unmistakable. Parker jumped up and gingerly grabbed the pole. She watched him fight with the rod and the line as he slowly reeled in the catch.

  “Come take a look.”

  She did as she was told and stood beside him, but out of the way, waiting for more direction.

  “It’s big. I think it’s a snapper.”

  “How could he tell? Even with the high powered lights the water appeared black.”

  “Here it comes, I’ll just flip him into the boat. Stand back.”

  And he did just that. A pink-red fish came sailing through the air and landed on the deck, frantically flailing and flopping about as it gasped for water that it would never receive. It was all very gruesome yet highly impressive.”

  “That’s a gulf snapper. We shall eat well tonight, milady.” He cupped a hand over his heart.

  Bailey clapped her hands together. “My hero. You bring fire and meat.”

  He picked it up by the tailfin and suddenly she became worried. “Shouldn’t we wait until it stops flapping before you throw it on the fire?”

  “No worries, Bails. I’m going to skin and gut him
. Only the fillet will be placed on the fire.”

  “Oh.” She swallowed. It was the first time he’d used her nickname and her insides were doing funny things. She watched him skillfully slice into the fish. He had the meaty part separated from the waste in a matter of a few minutes. He seasoned it and took it to the grill. It didn’t take long to cook and when it was done she followed him below deck where he covered the fillets with foil, and then set about preparing the rest of the meal.

  “How about a baked potato? Hushpuppies?”

  “I like both of those things.”

  “We’ve also got the hot wings so it will be a surf and turf meal.”

  She heated the wings in the microwave while he fried hushpuppies. They’d decided against potatoes since they had so much food to eat already. Watching him mix and fry the puppies was kind of erotic—here was this hot, bronzed god frying up corn balls. He broke one in half and blew on it, placing one half in his mouth and the other half in hers. The gesture wasn’t meant to be sexual, at least she didn’t think it was, but when he pushed the morsel of food into her mouth, she sucked on the pad of his thumb and he let it linger.

  She’d never thought of hushpuppies as tasty, but she’d been wrong. “Mmm, these are really good.” She popped another hot ball into her mouth.

  “David family recipe. Been the same for over a hundred years.”

  “What’s in it?”

  “Cornmeal, flour, eggs, buttermilk, green onion, Tabasco.”

  “The hot sauce.”

  “The hot sauce.”

  He handed her real plates and placemats, along with paper towels and silverware so that she could set the table. It wasn’t super fancy, but considering they were on a boat she thought it quite marvelous. He was quite marvelous. He’d placed the chicken, fish, potatoes, and puppies on a serving platter and brought it to the table.

  “Bon appetit.”

  She loaded up her plate in a most undainty fashion. Watching her with his hawk-like gaze he smiled. “You eat like a man.”

  “So do you.”

  “I’m glad you eat. I like to cook.”

  He said it as if she would benefit from his efforts in the future. But there could be no future. Their alone time together on his boat was rapidly pushing them toward a place she didn’t want to be. She would need to focus on separating emotion from pleasure. This was a pleasure trip. It had to be. It was also important that they both maintain the same outlook.

  “The fish is terrific. There’s no bones?”

  “I took them out.”

  “Wow. You’re kind of amazing with all of this fishing stuff.”

  “That’s not all I amaze at.” He smirked.

  “Yes, I’m aware of that as well.” To cool down their much too heady talk she gestured toward the platter of food. “Try the hot wings. Keep in mind if we were eating them at Duff’s they would have been served piping hot and the skin would have been crispy beneath the sauce.”

  “Mmm, the sauce is out of this world.”

  “I wish you could taste them when they’re crispy.” She closed her eyes and moaned recalling the satisfying crunch. “So good.”

  He stared at her, frozen where he sat, unblinking. After a few moments he swallowed. “We should go.” His voice was deep and raspy.

  “Go where?”

  “New York. You can show me where you grew up and we can eat at all of your favorite places. I can take a look at that statue.” He shrugged.

  She’d love nothing more than to take him to Augusta and show him the ice cream parlor where she worked her first job. Then she could show him the NYU campus. They could go to Serendipity’s and get a frozen hot chocolate. She could take him to Brooklyn for the best pizza around and she bet he’d love a great steak. She could watch him experience a snap dog and they could ride the Cyclone. She could remember riding for twenty-five cents as a child during the coaster’s seventy-fifth anniversary celebration. She and Maura had ridden the coaster twelve times that day.

  She guessed she’d probably never see any of those things again. A burning sensation in her throat had her jumping from the table and making her way to her water bottle.

  Parker was right next to her, clutching her elbow. “Hey, are you okay?”

  “Of course.” She scoffed. “Everything’s just so spicy. Delicious, but spicy.”

  He shot her a skeptical look. “You miss home?”

  “Everybody misses their home.”

  “That’s true. When do you think you’ll make it back for a visit?”

  “I don’t guess there’s any reason to go back. Our extended family is mostly in the Midwest. Besides, Maura and I don’t have any immediate family.”

  “What about your parents?”

  Bailey shook her head. “Our dad wasn’t really around. He was a dancer in a show that traveled the globe. He’d hook up with my mother when he was in New York, but they were never together, or even married for that matter.”

  “And your mom?”

  “My mom has passed.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” His deep gaze left her longing to reach for him.

  Bailey shrugged. “How big is your family?”

  “Pretty big.” He tugged her by the hand back to the table. “I’ve got two brothers and two sisters. Tons of aunts, uncles, cousins. Most of them work for or are affiliated with the family business. Lots of people always around.” He smiled at her.

  “That must be nice. No matter what happens, you’ve always got a support system.”

  He rested his hands on the tabletop and regarded her quizzically. “It is nice.”

  Suddenly, he pulled her into him and placed his lips softly on hers, lingering there as if they had all the time in the world. When he broke away his gray eyes pinned her with intensity. “How about we clean this up and then go get tangled in the sheets until noon tomorrow?”

  “Sounds wonderful.” Her staccato breath made it hard to breathe and speak at the same time.

  In the bedroom, the soft duvet cover beneath her palm heightened her already short-circuiting senses. She watched him unbuckle his belt and slide out of his jeans. His boxer shorts were next to go and the sight of all that naked skin and muscle displayed before her had her throat running dry. Damn, she wished she’d brought that water with her, but she’d left it on the table.

  She sat on the edge of the bed and waited for his first move. He wasted no time. Strong masculine hands skimmed down her sides, lifting the hem of her shirt and pulling it off. He threw it across the room without taking his eyes from her.

  Her inability to breathe was a little alarming as he stood before her completely naked, and hard as granite. His thighs bowed with thick muscle and her eyes followed the lines of his body as his hand fisted his erection. His free hand feathered through his hair causing his arm and shoulder muscles to bunch. She hadn’t realized just how huge he was. All of him, including the most masculine part of him. He was thickly hung and his length went to mid-thigh. God, no wonder she’d felt evidence of his possession the next day and even the day after that.

  Instinct wanted her to press her fist to her chest to get her lungs moving, but she would do nothing that might prevent what was about to happen. If he thought she couldn’t breathe, he’d surely turn the boat around, load her in the truck, and drive her to the nearest hospital.

  She stood on her knees on the bed. “Come over here. I wanna taste you.” He stepped up to the bed and she sat back on her heels. His cock was right at her lips and she reached out, gripping him by the root. Tentatively, she licked his tip, eliciting a hiss from him. Gripping the root tight she took his crown into her mouth and swirled her tongue around repeatedly as she maintained eye contact with him. His eyes turned dark—gray eaten by black rings—but he kept his gaze on hers.

  Desperate to taste more of him she took in another inch. He was silky warm, hard and soft at the same time. She moaned. When she took his balls into her other hand he gasped. Her eyes closed as she fisted his length, up an
d down, and massaged his balls. She continued to manipulate his swelling tip with the swirl and suction of her tongue and mouth.

  As he grew in her mouth his hands went to her hair and fisted there. As she took him with more force, he thrust into her mouth, matching her rhythms.

  “Bails … Ah … fuck … Bails, I’m going to come.”

  Suddenly his grip became aggressive. His hands in her hair pulled her until his tip tickled the back of her mouth. He held her like that and she felt thick ropes of come shoot down her throat. Looking up at him as he came, she watched as thick veins popped out on his neck and his eyes rolled under thin lids with each moan he made. She loved that she made him lose control and the way he became rough with her when he was lost in passion aroused her like nothing ever had.

  When he opened his eyes their color was back to smoky gray. His hands loosened in her hair. “I’m sorry Bails. Got a little carried away. Your mouth is amazing.”

  “I like it when you get carried away.”

  He cocked his head. “Do you now?”

  “Yeah, it’s fascinating.”

  “You’re a strange girl.”

  “Hmm, thanks I guess.”

  He crawled over her. Using his large warm hands on her hips he pushed her back on the bed, settling between her legs. She felt a tightening and then heard the snap.

  “Hey! That’s the second pair of my underwear you’ve ruined.”

  He slid them out from under her and he inhaled behind her ear and moaned. Whispering he said, “I’ll buy you lots of tiny underthings. Anything you want, as many as you want.”

  “You’d go broke. Are you even aware how much high-end lingerie goes for these days?”

  “Can’t say I am.”

  “Over one hundred per pair.”

  “Did you pay for these?” He swung the ruined pair around his index finger.

  “No, I got them from modeling, but that’s not the point. If you ruin all of them, I won’t be able to purchase more because they’re so expensive.”