Paradise Point

by Dana Volney

  “When will you be coming back?” The older man’s faint blue eyes settled on Adam.

  “Do you have an op?”

  “Possibly. Working on it.” His attention diverted to a woman walking straight at them. “Livvy!” The commander smiled wider than Adam had ever seen and stretched out his arms.

  Livvy? Adam’s body numbed and his lungs constricted as he followed his boss’s gaze. No!

  “Daddy.” Liv hugged him and they turned to Adam.

  Mouth open, he had no words to say—out loud. He had a bazillion choice words zinging around in his mind, though. They were all four-lettered.

  “I see you’ve met my business partner.” She motioned to him with the biggest shit-eating grin he’d ever seen on anyone in his life. Then she winked.

  “Adam is your new business partner?” The commander’s brows wrinkled in dismay.

  Oh shit. This could be bad for his career, his livelihood, and his life. He’d heard stories of people crossing the commander and didn’t doubt a single one. While he respected and loved working for the guy, the commander’s take-no-prisoners mentality surely extended to every area of his life. Adam swallowed and opened his mouth to make his case to stay alive when Liv spoke.

  “I know I haven’t told you much. Small world, huh?” Liv said to her dad.

  “It is. Did you know he works for me?” The confident tone reemerged.

  Adam felt like he was in a debriefing of a mission that didn’t quite hit the mark. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into my bar.

  “Not until recently. You see his face?” She pointed and air-circled his face, snuggling up to her dad. “He just found out.”

  Adam hated surprises and he hated professional surprises on a whole other level. He did his best to compose himself and muster a lighthearted chuckle.

  “Shocked, actually.” He put one hand through his hair.

  Liv must’ve known who he was this entire time. She’d played him for a fool. This whole time she’d held the ace.

  The commander laughed and patted Adam’s back. “I trust you two have been getting along. If memory serves, you had a rough go at first?”

  “I might’ve mentioned the first late-night encounter.” She bit into her lower lip. “But we squared things away quickly. I was just getting used to having him around. Were you two talking about a mission? Perhaps a long one?”

  Oh sure, put a notion in the old man’s head. Joke was on her. He’d love a long mission, far away from Liv and her intoxicating smell and full lips and father whom he worked for. Cripes. He needed to put miles in between him and home.

  Wait, did he consider this home? His situation slapped him in the face. He owned a houseboat now, a permanent living space. And he co-owned a business. A lucrative business—with his boss’s daughter. Adam had never owned anything. He didn’t want to be tied down. He liked being on his own and able to leave at the drop of a hat. What was he doing tying himself to something so stable? And having his two business worlds intertwined now added another path of destruction he could very well go down.

  • • •

  “What. The shit. Willamina? You could’ve told me Liv is the fucking commander’s fucking daughter.” Adam’s annoyance bubbled.

  Willamina grunted before she laughed on the other end of the receiver. “Surprise. Surprise.”

  “You know I hate surprises.”

  “I do. What did it harm? The other stuff was true and this way you didn’t suck up because of who her daddy is. Besides, she goes by her mother’s maiden name for a reason … ever think of that?”

  “Do you know her?” He let the logic of the situation, for once, roll off him. I cannot believe this.

  “No.”

  “Terrific,” he grumbled. He needed a run.

  “Don’t take your anger out on me.”

  Adam blew out a long sigh and rubbed the back of his head.

  “Next time, Willamina, give me all the information.”

  He disconnected. The women in his life were making him crazy.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Liv smiled as she remembered Adam’s tortured face. She probably should’ve told Adam who her dad was when he told her where he worked, but tonight had been way more fun. Adam had been giving her a hard time. Introducing her dad cold like she had was merely payback. Now they were even. A question had been pulling at her: Will Adam treat me differently now that he knows? After tonight she’d know. She really hoped the answer was no. She snuggled in for the night with a good romance book and drifted to sleep a half hour later.

  • • •

  Silver Lining rose and fell abruptly on the water. It rocked and hit the dock full force. Liv rushed to the patio, still in only her pajamas and bare feet, in an attempt to tie down her home. The winds picked up and she lost her footing, hitting the rail. Her legs smacked with such force that her body toppled forward before she could grab onto anything.

  Liv struck the cool water, instantly feeling her breath catch as she tried for another. She was pulled under and pushed up abruptly, each time barely catching her breath.

  Swim! Get to shore! The whipping water splashed her face and her kicking legs burned from the blow they’d just received. Take control and swim! Liv tried, but she wasn’t getting anywhere. Panic set in and her breathing became more erratic.

  “Hel—” Her body was swept under before she could complete her cry.

  • • •

  The storm had gone from a downpour to a fierce force just in the few minutes it took Adam to unload the groceries. He paused from putting away a jar of peanut butter and a few cans of soup when he heard the distinct sound of a banging shutter. Damn. Well, at least he was already wet, so now would be a good time to tie them down. He hustled outside and stopped dead in his tracks.

  What the hell? Her houseboat wasn’t there. He scanned the water farther out and saw the long boat free and moving farther away.

  There was no time for gear. Instinctively he jumped in the water and swam to Silver Linings. As Adam approached he could faintly hear short cries for help. Then they stopped. Liv. His heart rate skyrocketed as he made his way to her through the turbulent water. By the time he reached her, she was unconscious. Adam swam on his side, positioning her on her back, resting on his side. He held her below her neck with his left arm, making sure her head didn’t dip underwater as he swam to the dock.

  Adam hauled her up on the dock and checked her vitals. Heartbeat steady, but low, and she was breathing.

  “Liv!” he shouted and tapped the side of her face. She needed to wake up. “Liv!”

  The longer she was out, the more dread filled his body.

  Finally Adam heard low moans and her eyelids fluttered. She coughed and he shifted her on her side.

  “You’re okay. You’re okay.” He heard his tone, soft and reassuring. He rubbed her forehead again and then cupped her face in his hands. Liv opened her eyes and searched his. He brushed her soaked hair away from her face. Man, she’s beautiful.

  “You scared me,” he said gently as his fingers caressed her hair.

  Rain fell in sheets and Adam saw the lime-green lines from Silver Lining rock in the water out of the corner of his eye. Shit. He couldn’t leave her houseboat vulnerable in the storm.

  She tried to sit up, but he gently moved his hands down to her shoulders to stop her. He wasn’t sure how much water she’d swallowed, if she’d hit her head, or hurt anything else.

  “Hold on. Just rest for a moment. I got ya.”

  She closed her eyes and then opened them suddenly. “My house!” She sat up quickly, so much so that her forehead connected with his cheek.

  “Ah!” Liv recoiled at the hard connection.

  Adam moved his head back and internally cringed at the pain but didn’t make a sound. He didn’t want to make this situation any worse.

  “Sorry. Are you okay?” Her eyes widened with concern.

  It took him aback. Maybe she said that because sh
e’d been the one to inflict the pain. But still, she cared. A lump formed in his throat and he swallowed to squelch it.

  “I wanted to make sure you’re okay. Go inside—”

  “Where?” she interrupted.

  “Mine. Go in and dry off. I’ll get your boat.”

  “Adam, no! It’s way too rough and that thing is huge.” She grasped him by the shoulders now. “Thank you for saving me, but leave the boat.”

  “Liv. Go inside.” It was not a question, but a command.

  • • •

  She watched as Adam briefly stopped at the back of his boat, grabbed equipment she’d never seen before, and dove into the water. All in a matter of seconds. Go inside? How could she go inside when Adam had just saved her life and then threw himself back out into stormy water to save her home?

  The tears came on suddenly and strong. She didn’t want him to die. She wanted him safe with her on the dock. What was worse? She had no way of helping. Liv stood on the dock. Powerless.

  Liv anxiously searched the dark, choppy water. Nothing. She didn’t see his head or arm or anything.

  “Adam!” she screamed.

  She knew it was futile but felt a small amount of relief by calling out his name. She wrapped her arms around her waist and let the rain pelt her skin. She would go inside when Adam went with her.

  Should I call someone? 911? Dad?

  She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. Wait. Is this what Adam does? Liv stood for minutes and minutes and minutes. She couldn’t remember what his specialized military skills were, her brain scattered. Hopefully he had every skill in the book.

  She remained numb and cold. She continued to search the water and call out his name until she realized her boat nearing the dock. It’s moving. He’s alive. Her tears came back. Thank you, Jesus.

  She wiped her tears away and helped wrangle the large houseboat when it was close enough to reach, which really meant she did nothing but steady it. Futile action? Sure. But she had to try to help.

  “Adam!” she called out again. She couldn’t see him. “Adam!” He had to be there somewhere.

  “I’m here.” His voice cut through the storm.

  She turned around and saw him climbing the ladder to the dock.

  “You should be inside.” He brushed her upper arm with his cold fingers as he passed her and hurried to secure the boat.

  “I was waiting for you.”

  “Help me tie down.”

  She followed his lead and did as he instructed, looping, tightening, and holding the rope. When it seemed as though he was satisfied with their impromptu tie-up job, he turned to her and directed, “Come with me.”

  He offered her no choice as he put his hand on the small of her back and led her into his home.

  • • •

  Adam didn’t say a word as he closed the door tightly behind them and led her to the couch where she sat and he knelt in front of her. He slowed his breathing. The events of the night raced through his head. Not the part about the boat and bringing it back to the dock. Work, he could handle. No, the part about Liv, in the water, gasping for breath and then unconscious. That part. The most terrifying part.

  He cupped her head in his hands and softly brought their foreheads together. His thumbs rubbed her temples. The warmth of her otherwise chilled body soothed him. He closed his eyes and focused on her rhythmic breathing.

  He separated them, instantly regretting the loss of her body heat. She jostled a little, but he didn’t let go of her face.

  “I can’t lose you.” The words tumbled off his lips and he had no regret.

  Liv searched his eyes and he let her in. He allowed her to see him, vulnerable emotions and all. The moment their lips touched, his body charged and his chest tightened. Liv leaned in and softly moved her lips over his. The kiss deepened as their tongues converged, learning and teasing with every movement.

  Her fingertips found the sides of his chest and slowly ran up and down, adding to the spark that already overwhelmed him. His body heated everywhere, craving her touch. His hands glided to her back and held her tightly, her softness rubbing against him. She slid closer. He wanted Liv to wrap her legs around him. He moved his hands down to her thighs. He wanted to pick her up and carry her to the bedroom.

  Instead, Adam pulled away from her soft, full lips and parted their bodies. She’d just been through a traumatic event, and he’d saved her. Liv wasn’t in the right frame of mind to make sound decisions. He swore at his physical reactions and cursed his conscious.

  He glanced down, unable to meet her eyes, afraid of what he may, or may not, see. Her skin’s redness started to fade, but surely she was still cold to the core. He spotted bruising on her legs and cursed under his breath.

  “You should get in the shower. It’ll warm you up.” He had a chill, although that kiss had done wonders for raising his temperature. He sat to the side on the floor so he wasn’t blocking her path anymore. “I’ll find you some dry clothes.”

  She cocked her head to the side and furrowed her brows. “You brought my boat back. I can just stay there.” Adam heard wariness in her voice.

  “Oh no. It’s back, but I haven’t been able to assess the damage yet. Tonight you stay here. We’ll play tomorrow by ear.”

  She started to protest but stopped when she met his eyes.

  “Nothing you can say will change my mind. It’s not safe.”

  “Okay.” She stood and walked toward the bathroom.

  Adam watched her soaked blue pajamas cling to her every curve and cursed himself again for stopping their kiss.

  He scrounged up his smallest pair of shorts and a T-shirt and knocked on the door loudly, setting it just inside when she called back.

  The thought of Liv in his shower naked almost sent him over the edge. Flashes of her wet body danced in his mind and he busied himself tidying up. He had goose bumps that wouldn’t go away. He needed his own hot shower after Liv settled.

  She appeared from the bathroom in the clothes he’d given her—his clothes. Every control tactic he’d ever learned went into not sweeping her up in his arms. Dammit.

  “You can sleep in here.” He showed her the master bedroom.

  “Really, I’ll be fine on the couch.”

  She turned to go back down the hall toward the living room when he caught her arm. “I’d prefer you get sleep. You have a long day tomorrow, I suspect.”

  “Are you kidding? Every day is a long day.” She smiled, easing the tension between them. “I couldn’t impose.”

  “I insist. I can sleep anywhere. I’m just going to jump in the shower.” He walked past her and the smell of his soap had never been so intoxicating. “Help yourself. I’ll be on the couch if you need anything. Good night.”

  And now he needed a cold shower.

  He let the beads of water beat on his back as he leaned into the spray. Thank you, Vam, for popping for the big water heater. The warm water did wonders for his cold, cramped muscles. Liv would be steps away from him all night and he had residual adrenaline he needed to use. He moved the nozzle to cold.

  He moaned and decided it was time to crash. Toweling off, he wrapped the brown cloth around his waist as he left the humidity of the bathroom. He walked into the living room because that was where he stupidly left his dry boxers and stopped short when he saw her standing at the kitchen sink staring out the window.

  “I thought you were going to bed,” he said in the low light of the cabin.

  She kept her back to him. “How’d you get out there? To me?”

  “It’s what I do, remember?” He nabbed his shorts off the chair. “That’s probably a discussion for another time.”

  “How’d you pull the boat to the dock?”

  He slipped into the bathroom and quickly pulled on his shorts and white T-shirt. When he came out she still stood, arms crossed, at the sink.

  Adam walked up behind her, keeping more distance than he would’ve liked. He decided not to be “tha
t guy” and leaned on the counter with his hip.

  “Listen to me. I tracked the weather. It’s not going to get worse. We’re going to be okay in here and your boat will still be tied up in the morning. I promise.” He turned toward her, crossing his arms. “Okay? Repeat after me … we’re going to be okay.”

  She turned her head toward him, repeating his words in the same tone. “We’re going to be okay.”

  “My boat, my home, is going to be okay.”

  She started to grin. “My boat, my home, is going to be okay.”

  Her wet blond hair fell from her ear. He instinctively reached up and tucked the strand back with his right hand and let his fingertips lightly graze the line of her chin. Her dad’s my boss. Her dad’s my boss.

  I do not have this much will power.

  “I hate to be a nag,” he brought his hand back to his side, “but you really should get to bed. You’re going to crash pretty hard … adrenaline and all.”

  Liv studied his face. He watched a flicker of fervor light her eyes. Maybe he was too hasty in assuming she couldn’t make sound decisions right now.

  Just as he decided to test his theory, Liv whispered, “Goodnight.”

  • • •

  A couple of hours later Adam heard a scream and bolted upright. Liv.

  He made short time of the hall and swung the master bedroom door open. “Liv?”

  “Yeah.” She breathed heavy on the word.

  He sat on the corner of the bed and reached out his hand, finding her bare thigh by mistake. Really. Accidents happened all the time. Leaving his hand there, however, wasn’t an accident.

  “What happened?” he asked quietly, already knowing the answer.

  “Nightmare.” She shuffled in the darkness. “I was back in the water.”

  “How’d you get in the water in the first place?”

  “Slipped.”

  “That explains the bruising on your legs.” He wanted to reach out to fold her in his arms, keep her safe. His hand burned with the touch of her skin. “I should’ve checked you over better. Did you hit your head?”

  “No. I’m fine. Really.”

  “All right,” he said reluctantly. “Good night. Call if you need anything.”