Brenda stepped around her, bumping Mariss with her shoulder as she did. Mariss blinked, but shook her head rather than say anything. Brenda sauntered over to Sebastian and spread her hands over his bare stomach. Mariss watch with growing distaste until she had to look away. She bit down on her lip to contain the words that seemed intent on spilling from her lips. It irritated her that it disgusted her to see another woman put her hands on him, yet this was what it would be if they were together.
Why did she keep thinking that? There was no “together” for Sebastian. Any woman he was with had to understand that she wasn't going to be the only woman in his life. Brenda clearly didn't understand that, but Mariss did. That was why she needed to keep her distance, the last two makeout sessions not withstanding.
“What's going on?” Brenda asked the question Mariss was thinking.
“There's a storm coming in,” Sebastian answered. “Might be a rough night.” His eyes flicked up to her where they smoldered for a moment before sliding reluctantly back down to Brenda. “We're moving the party below.”
“Oh,” Brenda said suggestively.
Sebastian chuckled. “Not now.” He pressed a kissed to her hairline and Mariss had to swallow her laughter when Brenda glared at her before slipping back into the cockpit.
“You keep deflecting her like that and you're going to have a cat fight on your hands.”
Sebastian grinned as he pressed closer to her. “I'd like to see you fight her. Sane,” he added quickly. “Not when you slip away from me.”
“Bash!” Brenda called from the cockpit. “Come look at this.” Her tone was proprietary, the look in her eyes cold.
Mariss smiled. “There's nothing going on here to send me off the deep end.” As a matter of fact, she felt the opposite of threatened here. She felt like she was in charge.
“God, I hope not. I wouldn't know how to handle that.”
Mariss shrugged. “You did fine the last time. You can go to counseling with me if you think you need to, though.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she knew she'd screwed up. She couldn't believe she'd just suggested that. Counseling was one of the most embarrassing things for her and she'd asked him to go with her? As it was, the way he stared at her proved what an imbicilic idea that was.
“You go to counseling?” He couldn't seem to find an emotion to express so he expressed them all; confusion, humor, interest, disbelief.
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “You thought I had it all together? Boy were you wrong.”
Sebastian continued to stare at her as if he thought she was crazy. “Yeah, okay.”
Her eyebrows shot up. Shit. Now she was committed. “What if I said I didn't really mean that?”
Sebastian shrugged like he didn't care, but the way he looked over her head at nothing like he couldn't look her in the eyes said otherwise. “It's up to you. I'll go if you want me to. You asked. I answered.”
“Bash,” Brenda called again.
He brushed past her to join Brenda in whatever she was doing. Mariss wandered in behind him, staying on the fringes of the conversation. He was mad at her now. That bothered her to no end and not because she thought he was being silly.
“Can't see well over there, Mrs. Red.”
Mariss looked up at the captain. He was beaming at her, his cheeks dimpled and charmingly so. She raised an eyebrow. “I wasn't really paying attention.”
“Well, then come have a seat here and I'll show you.”
She couldn't help but smile, even though she knew the attention would rise now that her husband was gone and she was well aware that he was only looking for one thing. It made her giddy to know that Sebastian was grinding his teeth in jealousy and Brenda was pissed because Mariss had taken the attention off her once again.
Mariss slid onto the seat next to the captain.
“I'm Jose, by the way.”
“Mariss Red,” she said unnecessarily. “You don't have to call me Mrs. Red.”
“Yes, he does,” Sebastian chimed in. He was closer to her than she realized, his chest practically pressed to her ear.
“No, actually, he doesn't.”
“He works for me and I said he does.”
Well, he did have a point there. Mariss laughed. “Fine. When he walks away you can call me whatever you like,” she said in a stage whisper.
Jose chuckled.
“So what is it you're showing me?”
He pointed to the navigation systems and started explaining things in terms she could actually understand. Mariss gave him her undivided attention, intruiged, not by his knowledge but his ability to make everything sound so simple. She asked questions where she needed to, but left the talking to him for the most part. She wasn't even aware that Sebastian and Brenda had walked away until she heard laughter coming from below deck.
“Do you want to join them?” Jose asked.
Mariss shook her head. “Not really. Being around people right now isn't my idea of fun. Though, pissing them off has proved to be something of a spirit lifter,” she mused.
“I offer my condolences, of course. Anything I can do to help lift your spirits, just let me know.”
She thought he sounded genuine and not trying to get into her pants. “I appreciate that, but I don't want you to lose your job because of me.”
Jose scoffed. “Sebastian doesn't make it out on the boat enough for this to be my only job.” He shrugged and his arm came around her shoulders. “I'm a chef back on the mainland. You should come eat at the restaurant some time. I'll cook you something special.”
“I'll be sure to do that. Just for clarity's sake, nothing is going to happen between us. Nothing at all.”
“I wouldn't take advantage of a woman who had just lost her husband.”
Mariss didn't believe him, but she let it go. Dark, angry storm clouds billowed in the distance.
“This is the best place to watch the storm,” Jose said.
“Mariss, do you want steak or a burger?”
She twisted in her seat at the sound of Sebatian's low, calm voice. He stood at the top of the stairs, his arms loose at his sides and his weight balanced. He looked like he was ready to fight, but the spark in his eyes was of a sexual nature. She couldn't be sure if it was because of her or Brenda.
“It doesn't matter to me. What are you having?”
Sebastian shrugged. “Steak.”
“I'll have a burger.” She winked. He turned, but not fast enough to hide his smirk.
“Why aren't you fixing lunch?” she asked.
“I'm driving the boat,” Jose answered. “Hold on. Mr. Boa!” he called. Sebastian was back up a moment later.
“Is the other boat here?” Sebastian's accent was strangely thicker when he spoke and it made Mariss shudder involuntarily. Jose noticed and grinned, but didn't say anything.
“Yeah. Pulling up now.”
Sebastian nodded and left to gather the few who would be leaving. She and Brenda were staying the night.
“I gather you and the cook are staying?”
“Yes. The cook's name is Al.”
“Got it. The storm is coming in quick. Will they be alright?” she asked of the men leaving.
“They should be fine. They'll make it to the mainland before the storm. In the meantime, we get to wait it out.”
Mariss smiled. “Will we be okay?”
Jose winked. “Oh, yeah. Do you get seasick?”
“I don't think so. I don't really know.” She'd never been on a boat that she could remember. “What if I am?”
“I think Sebastian has some seasick patches.”
She nodded. “I might need some.”
“Are you ready to eat?” Sebastian asked as he came back into the cockpit. “Should be ready by now.”
“Yeah, I'm coming.” Mariss gave Jose a pat on the knee. “Sorry your boss hates you now.”
“I'll survive. Enjoy your lunch.”
Mariss followed Sebastian down into the lavish si
tting area. Al was in the kitchen serving plates. Brenda sat watching something on the TV. Mariss didn't pay it any attention. She sat at the opposite end with her feet curled up underneath her.
Sebastian handed her a plate. “What do you want to drink?” His tone was flat, almost empty. “There's pop, wine-”
“Whiskey,” Mariss didn't hesitate to say quickly.
“I'd rather you didn't.”
“I don't give a fuck what you'd rather I didn't.” The words came out before she could stop them and they were much more harsh than she'd intended.
“Yeah,” Sebastian mused. “Whiskey.” He handed Brenda a plate - she'd chosen a salad as opposed to some real food - and set about fixing two tumblers with ice and pouring them with whiskey. The first he took a large drink from, the second he handed her.
“Thank you.” Mariss sipped, let the liquid burn it's way down, and fought the urge to sneeze when it tickled her nose. Liquid strength. She had a bad feeling she was going to need a good bit of it to get through the rest of this day.
“Bash,” Brenda whined like a spoiled child, “I thought she was leaving too.”
Mariss sank her teeth into her bottom lip again in order to bite back the snarky comment that hovered on the end of her tongue. She shot a look to Sebastian and his reaction said he knew he'd better answer right or there would be trouble.
“No, Bren, I told you she was staying the night on the yacht. Remember?”
“No.”
“Convenient.” Mariss put her glass to her lips, hoping it would muffle the comment.
“What was that?” Brenda asked, turning narrowed eyes in her direction.
Mariss shook her head. “I didn't say anything.”
“Really?” Brenda's voice dropped from her high pitched whine to a more motherly tone. Mariss laughed. “I could have sworn you said something just now.” The sarcastic bite to her words boosted Mariss' opion of her just a fraction.
“You would be mistaken.”
Sebastian sat between them, closer to Brenda, but not touching. “No bloodshed on this trip.” He cut his eyes at her.
“You don't have to worry about me. I'm not going to kill anyone. This cow was already murdered for me. Thanks, Al.”
“My pleasure, Mrs. Red.”
Mariss smiled, but cringed inwardly. She was going to be Mrs. Red for the rest of her life and she no longer had Holden by her side to share the name with. Her stomach twisted as tears pricked the backs of her eyes. She should change her name to The Red Widow.
“I don't want them calling me Mrs. Red,” she said quietly.
She felt Sebastian's eyes on her for a long moment. Finally, he seemed to understand and said, “Fine. Al, you and Jose may call Mariss by her first name for now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
NINETEENTH CENTURY BARBIE
Mariss stood on the cockpit deck and watched the black ocean extinguish the last bits of sunlight from the sky. It was cooler than she'd expected and she hadn't thought to grab a wrap. She rubbed her arms to try and warm them. At least she had clothes on now.
Something soft and warm slipped around her shoulders. Mariss pulled the shawl around her and expected to see Sebastian. She found Jose instead.
“Sebastian is locked in the Master Cabin with the old woman. I know you were expecting him.”
Mariss snorted. “Not in the way you're thinking.”
“Maybe not, but I have a plan to get you to like me more.”
“Oh?” She tried not to laugh at the smug expression on his face. “What's that?”
Jose held up a bottle of acid green drink mix. “Margarita's!” he said with a thick Latino accent. “Come down to the kitchen and I'll mix some drinks.”
She smiled and followed.
“Where were you born?” Mariss leaned against the counter while he pulled out liquor, a shaker, and glasses.
“Guatemala,” he answered. “Where were you born?”
“Germany.”
Jose stopped pouring to look at her. “Really?”
“Yes. Surprisingly, that has stayed out of the tabloids. It's not something I advertise. I got into trouble.” She shrugged. “We try to keep it under wraps.”
“Got it. I won't breathe a word. What kind of trouble did you get into?”
Mariss watched him shake the liquor and the mix, watched his expression as he did. His curiosity was overwhelmingly written on his face.
“I got into some gang trouble,” she said in a tone that suggested that was all he needed to know.
The corners of Jose's mouth turned down in acceptance. “I can understand that.” He turned his head and showed her a tattoo on the side of his neck that disappeared under the collar of his shirt. “I like your back piece. It's elegant. Almost what one would expect of you.”
“You expect me to have a tattoo that spans my entire back?” She laughed. “Most people don't expect me to have any tattoos at all.”
“Well.” He shrugged and smiled. “It seems to be the only one you have, unless you have some hidden somewhere else?” Jose wagged his eyebrows. “It must mean something to you.”
“It does. Survival. I've survived a lot. The pieces of myself that I kept with me vastly outweigh the piece I didn't escape with intact. It's a reminder that I'm still whole, no matter what I lost.”
Jose nodded, thoughtful. “I like that. I'm proud of you. Whatever it is that you survived, congratulations.” He slid a drink across the counter to her. “Salud!”
Mariss smiled. “Prost!” she returned in German.
They drank. Jose set his glass down on the counter.
“I know you don't believe that I'm not trying to get in your pants. I just know a pretty woman when I see one. If I may be so bold, you'll survive this too.”
Mariss' eyes widened as unexpected tears threatened to fall. She nodded and tried to smile, but her lips wobbled. She looked down at her hands, hoping to hide the betraying emotions.
“Don't cry. Or, you know what? Cry if you need to. I know the pain death causes, so cry all the tears you want.” Jose smiled gently. He had such an easy going manner. Not at all like Sebastian's overbearing personna.
“I think I want to lay down.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
Mariss spread her hands on the granite counter top, looking at the space between each finger. “I'll probably just watch TV since I don't sleep much.”
“Oh.” He sounded unsure of what she was getting at.
“You can bring the drinks if you want to hang out.”
Jose chuckled. “Right. I bring the drinks and I'm allowed to hang out.”
“Just don't let Sebastian catch you. He'll fire you for sure.”
“I'll manage.” His shoulders lifted in a dismissive shrug. Sebastian held no fear or threat over him. She couldn't remember ever meeting anyone, besides Holden, who was so unaffected by him.
Mariss didn't wait for Jose to grab the drink stuff. She headed back to her designated room, past the cabin with the bunk beds where Jose and Al slept. She was on the opposite side of the yacht than Sebastian and Brenda. Mariss hoped she wouldn't have to hear anything that came from their room.
“So, what's it like sleeping in bunk beds as an adult?”
Jose laughed. He stepped into her cabin and she closed the door.
“I feel like a kid again.”
Mariss sipped from her drink. Jose set the shaker and the bottles on the ledge behind the bed as she climbed on top of the covers.
“You don't want to get comfortable? You can get under the covers. I'll stay on top.”
Mariss shook her head. “I'll be fine. I'm a little warm in here anyway.”
“Do you want me to adjust the temperature?”
“No, it's fine.” She sucked back the rest of her drink and set the empty glass on the ledge so she could search for something on the TV.
“You're in love with Sebastian, aren't you?”
Mariss flipped through the channels, not seeing anything t
hat looked good. “That's an interesting way to word the question. It seems you've already decided on the answer.”
“Don't get me wrong. I'm a very confident man.” She looked at him and he winked. “But I know when the competition has me beat and there's no point in putting myself in a situation I have no business being in. You only sat with me this afternoon because you knew it would piss him off.”
She wanted to deny it, but couldn't find it in her to lie. “You're right. But you're here now because I want your company.”
“No, you want company. If Sebastian wasn't occupied-”
“But he is and that's fine. Sebastian can't offer me what I'm accustomed to.” Even as she said it, Mariss knew she'd be okay with whatever Sebastian wanted.
“I've worked for Sebastian a long time. I've flirted with his women, I've even shared his women, but you're the first that I truly believe he'd fire me over. You don't see the way he looks at you compared to the way he tollerates everyone else.”
“Shared? Like shared? Or shared?” she blinked.
“Either,” Jose grinned. “Both.”
“Well, that explains why he was so eager to join Holden and me.”
Jose snorted in derision. “No te engañes. Don't fool yourself, mami. He may never admit it, but he loves you too.”
Mariss shook her head. “I think you're cracked, Jose.” But the way Sebastian had kissed her today and then the apology…
She shook her head again to dispell the thoughts. “This is Sebastian we're talking about. Even if any of that was true, he'd never admit it. And if he did admit it, he'd run.”
“You think he'd run?”
“He's done it before.”
“From you? Sebastian doesn't run from anything, Mariss. If he ran from you, but came back… I'd say you have him in the palm of your dainty little hand at this point.”
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