The Marine (Seductive Sands Book 3)

by Sammi Franks

  I chuckled. “So, you know nothing.” I walked around the car and clapped him on the shoulder. “Nice talk.” I wandered down the dock toward my slip.

  “You can talk to me!” Bodhi called out after me.

  I waved over my shoulder, but didn’t turn back. Instead, I stalked the rest of the way to the sailboat. Climbing aboard, I unlocked the hatch and ducked below to undress. I needed a swim to clear my head. Dropping my clothes in a heap on my bed, I grabbed my trunks from the top of the door to the head. I didn’t use the bathroom unless absolutely necessary because then I’d have to have the tank drained. No one wanted that kind of mess or inconvenience when the marina had bathrooms and showers. In preparation for my return, I hauled my shower caddy and towel topside so I could grab it and go. Showering off all the salt would feel great once I’d worn myself out in the ocean.

  I set everything down on the bench and dove off the back of the boat. My strokes were clean and strong as I swam out of the marina, through the bay, and down the length of the rocky beach. By the time I returned, my lungs burned, my legs ached, and my shoulders nearly screamed. I was blissfully exhausted, as I intended. Climbing back onto the boat’s swimming platform, I shook off as much water as I could before I climbed into the aft of the vessel. As I brushed my hair back from my eyes, I felt around for my towel.

  Someone passed it to me and when the wind shifted directions, I had a pretty good idea of who had boarded my boat while I was gone. Who else did I know that smelled like vanilla and flowers? “Dammit, Isla,” I grumbled as patted my face dry.

  “I thought you wanted dinner,” she whispered quietly.

  I groaned. “And I thought you wanted to keep me at arm’s length.”

  “Well, a girl needs to eat.” She sighed. “Hope you like steak…and the works.”

  I threw the towel over my shoulders and opened my eyes. She stood before me wearing a flowing magenta sundress. Her hair was thrown over one shoulder, her neck exposed and ready to be kissed. I swallowed hard. Looking past her, I saw a glow coming from below deck and imagined the worst. “Fuck. Fire!” I started toward the hatch and realized the fire was from container candles and my highly polished triangular wood table in the v-berth was covered in a white table cloth and food. “You did this?” I asked quietly.

  Isla laid a hand on my back and pressed her head to my bicep. “Yeah. I thought…since it seemed to mean so much to you…we could talk.”

  I nodded numbly. After all, I had suggested it. Only now, seeing her here, I had no idea what I should say.

  16

  Isla

  * * *

  It was awkward. At first. I made it my mission to try and ease into conversation with easy subjects such as favorite television shows and his favorite color. I had picked up sushi. He wasn’t a fan, but I insisted and told him if he didn’t like it, I would have no problem sailing down the line to that greasy burger place on the water. He perked up at that idea. He cleaned up below deck as best as he could and when he came out, he wore a muscle shirt, jeans, and a blazer. I snickered.

  “That blazer looks like it has seen better days,” I pointed out.

  Hawk glanced down at it, his lips curved up into a crooked grin. “I only take this bad boy out for funerals nowadays.”

  That got dark really fast.

  “I’m sorry,” I mumbled. I never knew how to respond to things like that. I never had an experience like his, but more than that, I had never experienced death. Both sets of grandparents were still alive and kicking, all of my friends were alive. People from my high school died of course…accidental overdoses, car crashes, crazy accidents, but no one that I was close to. No one that warranted an invitation.

  “No, don’t apologize.” He reached out and placed his hand on my shoulder. I startled at the touch, surprised he initiated physical contact with me. The only contact he seemed to want from me was sexual and if we weren’t engaged in that, he wanted nothing to do with me. “I didn’t mean to say it to be rude or sarcastic. It just came out. I’ll stop now.”

  “No,” I began, surprising myself. “Please don’t. I want to hear your stories.”

  Hawk seemed surprised. He had yet to drop his hand from my shoulders. I wanted to get even closer to him, but even I couldn’t help but find myself interested in his life. If he was willing to share. And he was.

  We talked over sushi and dim lighting. Hawk enjoyed the sushi more than he was willing to admit. In fact, he even tried eating my crunchy rolls, which definitely wasn’t going to happen. The fish was fresh. I couldn’t stop moaning.

  “Would you stop?” he asked. “I get it. You’re comfortable with your sexuality. You don’t have to continue to remind me of that.”

  I grinned. “Why?” I asked. “Am I making you think about things that we’ll be doing this weekend?”

  He cracked a smile, but said nothing. Instead, he turned his eyes to his food. “You know,” he said. “This is actually pretty good. I’ve never been much of a fish person.”

  “I told you,” I admonished, my eyes locked onto him. “You should trust me a little more.” My eyes dropped to his jacket. “You look good in that blazer, by the way. You should wear it more often. Not just for funerals.”

  He glanced down to look at it again, as though this time he might see something different.

  “When was the last time you wore that?” I asked. It was a serious question, but I wanted to know the answer. I was curious.

  He thought about it for a moment. “Three years ago,” he said. “January twenty-second. Sam Brady’s funeral.”

  I pressed my lips together and crossed my legs. I hadn’t meant for things to get heavy between us but they had. Surprisingly enough, I felt comfortable with the notion of getting intimate with him…and not just sexually.

  I watched him as he spoke about his friend. I felt honored he would share this information with me. I didn’t press, didn’t think it was my place. If he wanted to share something with me, he would. If he didn’t, that was okay too. I was here to receive whatever he wanted to offer.

  His eyes were filled with sadness, bluer than they typically were…and that was saying something. When he started his story, his eyes were on the surface of the table, the wooden chopsticks, and the white Styrofoam box. By the time he finished, he looked into my eyes with his, big and beautiful and open. I shifted in discomfort. Those eyes were vulnerable. Those eyes scared me. They meant something. This was deep. This was getting too deep.

  And yet, despite the discomfort I currently felt, I could not remove myself from this room. I didn’t want to be anywhere else but with him, in this moment. Not even the hotel room. As much as I wanted to wrap my legs around him and feel him inside of me, I wanted to listen to his gravelly voice as he spoke about someone who truly meant something to him. I could hear the raw sadness in his tone, watched as he flexed and curled his fingers. I didn’t think he even realized what he was doing.

  When he finished his story, he looked back up at me, waiting. I didn’t know what to say. I felt even trying to say something after everything he shared would be disrespectful. I wouldn’t pretend I knew what he was feeling. I also wouldn’t pretend to understand what he had gone through, which left little for me to say.

  Instead, I reached across the small table between us and placed my hand over his. I pulled his hand towards me until it was just before my lips. I made sure to lock eyes with him as I placed a gentle kiss on his knuckles. His eyes flickered, as though he was surprised that I offered him something that seemed so simple to me. “Thank you,” I murmured, my lips still against his skin.

  “For what?” His voice was perplexed, but he didn’t pull away from me.

  “For sharing,” I told him. “This is nice. Just being with you. Thank you for this night.”

  He grinned. “Any time,” he said.

  I gently released his hand and leaned back against my seat. “But you still owe me seven orgasms.”

  17

  Hawk
r />   * * *

  After I double-checked to ensure no one was aboard her brother’s yacht, Isla gave me a quick peck on the cheek and disappeared into the night despite my objections. “I ordered an Uber,” she argued. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Text me to let me know you’re safe,” I called after her. Naturally, I stayed topside and watched her walk down the dock and wave as she slipped into the back seat of the vehicle. I was below deck when her text came through.

  * * *

  Isla: Home safe. Happy now?

  * * *

  I laughed and shook my head while responding.

  * * *

  Me: Actually, I’m more relieved than anything. I save happy for things like…eating sushi with you, sailing with you…

  * * *

  I was prepared to compile a long list. Our night together had been just what I needed to get out of my funk. Sure, she made me feel things I was unprepared for, but she also made me forget things I needed to let go. I blew out a breath and her text appeared.

  * * *

  Isla: Having sex with me?

  * * *

  I could actually hear her voice. She sounded insecure, which made zero sense to me. How could she not see her own beauty? How could she not know she was ridiculously desirable? Had no one told her? I shook my head. I wasn’t the man for this job. Still, I didn’t want to hurt her, and Isla wasn’t one to be ignored.

  * * *

  Me: Right.

  * * *

  I stripped down to my boxers and then dropped onto my bed. I stared at the low ceiling for a moment with my hands folded behind my head, and apparently drifted off to sleep.

  In the morning, I found comfort in knowing I still had a job. Already, I’d received my first paycheck, which covered a month of expenses. Such was the beauty of downsizing. I needed very little money to maintain my lifestyle. Of course, if Isla became part of my life, I’d never have enough money to suit her. Unfortunately, this sad thought took hold and I carried it with me all day.

  Though I’d expected to see Isla around the bar at some point, she never appeared. Maybe she had second thoughts. I frowned.

  “Isla’s with Victoria. Wedding stuff. Then she’s going out of town for the weekend,” Bodhi announced.

  My brow furrowed. “Cool. I didn’t ask.”

  He leaned over the bar where we were arranging the liquor bottles. “Dude, you didn’t have to. It was written all over your face.” He winked at me before adding to the top shelf.

  I ignored him, focusing on the task at hand until six in the evening. “Well, gotta go. I’m trying to get in a sunset sail.”

  “Nice. So, maybe we can hang out tomorrow during the day.” Bodhi grinned and I shrank back some.

  “Yeah. Maybe. I’m just playing it by ear.” I shrugged, eager to get away.

  “Hey, don’t you want this?” he asked as he slid an envelope across the bar at me. “It’s payday.”

  “Oh, right,” I mumbled as I picked it up and stuffed it in my pocket. I nodded. “Thanks, man.”

  I couldn’t leave the bar fast enough. Today, I had to catch a ride back to the marina. Luckily, it wasn’t much since it was a reasonably short drive. I quickly changed into my trunks and threw on a t-shirt before preparing for the trip up the coast.

  Soon, I realized I was actually looking forward to this, which kinda messed with my mind. I was supposed to hate this. She was forcing me to meet her. I was risking my livelihood. Only now, with two paydays under my belt, it wasn’t nearly as scary as before. Yes, I’d feel better once I had several months of income stacked back, but I was no longer destitute at least.

  When I reached the agreed upon marina and tied off at the day dock, I found Isla waiting for me. She was standing there in a skirt, completely backlit to emphasize her long, thin legs. Her arm was raised to block the sun and also served to expose her midriff. My worries over what I was doing ended right there.

  “Regrets?” she asked with a smirk as we met up near her car.

  I shook my head and tossed my duffel bag in the backseat. “Not yet. Of course, there’s plenty of time for that.” I reached down and took her hand. “Shall we go get food? I haven’t had dinner yet.”

  Isla grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that. I have dinner all planned in the room.” She must’ve seen my look because she added, “You’ll love it.”

  We drove a short distance to the hotel and I’ll admit I couldn’t tell you where we were because I could barely take my eyes off of her. “Damn, you’re beautiful,” I murmured.

  She tilted her head. “Thank you. You’re pretty hot yourself.”

  I chuckled. The ease between us the night before had disappeared. We were like two kids on a first date.

  Isla parked and I dutifully followed her to the elevator and then our room. She opened the door and passed me the key. “That’s yours. You know. In case you want to leave or something stupid like that.” She shrugged like it was no big deal, but this felt huge to me. Isla would be the first woman I’d ever spent the night with, let alone an entire weekend.

  How does that happen to a guy my age? Simple. Join the Corps right out of high school. Pick up the occasional drunk girl while wearing beer goggles. Get deployed halfway around the world. Come back so damaged you never want to be close to anyone again.

  Only Isla, stubborn, frustrating, exhausting, addictive Isla was breaking down my walls. I surveyed the room with its king-size bed and incredible ocean view. I passed by the bistro table, which was made up, but lacking food, so I could stand on the balcony. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply. This kind of life would be easy to accept for some people. There was a knock on the door and I leapt into action, rushing into the room and gently pushing Isla aside so I could peek out the peephole. My shoulders sagged. “It’s the food.”

  She frowned. “What did you think it was?”

  I shook my head. How could I possibly explain what life had been like in Afghanistan, where I learned to trust no one and never let my guard down?

  I let the guy pushing the cart in, realized he was delivering a four-course meal plus wine and inhaled deeply. After he left, I turned to her and frowned. “I can’t let you pay for all this, Isla. I may not have a lot, but I still have my pride.”

  Throwing an arm around my neck, she purred. “Tomorrow. You can buy breakfast or lunch or whatever you want. Will that make you feel better?”

  I stared down at her, my resolve melting. “What’s going on here?”

  “I’m holding you captive for the weekend. We discussed this. You owe me many orgasms, remember?” Isla smiled playfully.

  I licked my lips and leaned closer. “Then that would make this Stockholm Syndrome. I seem to be falling for my captor.”

  18

  Isla

  * * *

  The orgasms were amazing. I was surprised each time I had one. They made me feel a way I’d never felt before. Sex had always been good, satisfying, but never had it made me feel worthy, or special.

  Hawk’s hands were my favorite part of him, surprisingly enough. He had this talent of making me feel whole and fragile at the same time. When I showered, I noticed little bruises on my hips due to how hard he gripped my waist. When I pointed them out, he dropped to his knees in the shower and slowly kissed each mark.

  My entire body froze.

  There was something about seeing a man as strong and as masculine as Hawk on his knees before me, kissing my body like he might kiss the floor of a holy place. He locked eyes with me, his blue irises hazy and dark. I could tell he was ready for another go, but he was drawing me out, waiting to see what I would do.

  I swallowed. I was used to being in charge but Hawk made me weak and unsure. I would never admit it, especially not to him, but I was tongue-tied around him. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore.

  His hands caressed my hips as he stood and stepped behind me. I could feel his cock against the curve of my ass, ready for another go. His hands found my hip bones and tightened.
I winced because of the recent bruising, but the pleasure I knew would come from that territorial grip overwhelmed my senses.

  Hawk only released my hips to push me forward. I grabbed the tiled wall in front of me, maintaining my balance. He gave me no warning when he slammed his cock inside of me.

  I let out a grunt of pleasure. My pelvis was sore from how many times he’d been inside me within the last twelve hours, but I yearned for more. I didn’t want to give him up. Even when this whole wedding debacle was over and there was no reason for me to be down here, I would crave Hawk. I would crave his mouth, his cock, and those hands.

  * * *

  He came inside of me after I climaxed again. It was almost painful now, as though my body was punishing me for too much pleasure in such a short amount of time.

  By the time he finished, I was spent. I clung to the wall like a lifeline, knowing if I let it go, I would sink to the floor. I didn’t know how he knew, but Hawk could sense my weakness as well. His grip on me tightened only so I could get some form of stability. Turning my hips, he moved me until I faced him before sweeping me off of my feet and carrying me bridal-style out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and placed it over my body, which I was grateful for. I needed to dry off.

  “You look exhausted,” he murmured. “I think it’s time we finally call it a night, wouldn’t you?”

  I wanted to argue with him. I wanted to put up a fight, but my eyelids descended and slumber tugged me into its arms.

  I didn’t know how long I slept, but by the time my body naturally began to stir, the sun was already trying to steam through the curtains and the strong scent of bacon filled my nostrils. My mouth watered and I had yet to even open my eyes.