by Anne Kyle
“So, sailor, is this the part where you show me how big your anchor is?” I playfully asked.
He replied in a serious voice, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but that information is on a need-to- know basis. I’d tell you, but then I’d have to thrill you.”
We were laughing really hard when he pulled the car into a spot about ten feet from a locked entrance to the dock. Once outside the car, I could hear all of the wonderful marina sounds I love—water splashing against the hulls of boats accompanied by a faint squeaking of dock lines as they pull against the cleats that keep the boats from drifting away.
The metallic ting of sailboat riggings tapping out a gentle rhythm on their masts sounded like 100 tiny bells chiming in the rich, humid air. Alex punched in the code to unlock the door and we started down the dock.
Alex reached for my hand and said, “I just bought this boat last week. You’re the first person to see it. I hope you like it.”
He stopped and swept his hand in a grand gesture at the stern of a rather large cabin cruiser. “Here she is, what do you think?”
“It’s awesome,” I stammered. “How big is this thing?”
“Forty-three feet,” he said, proudly. “Let’s go aboard.”
He opened the door and went in ahead of me to turn the power on. When the lights came on, my jaw dropped. The main sitting area was gorgeous. It was roomy and filled with dark teak wood. There had to be room for five or six people to sit comfortably, with space to spare.
Alex beamed at me and spread his arms out in a take-it-all-in gesture. “Is this great or what? Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”
He led me down a short passage and up a flight of stairs to the bridge. There were switches and buttons and screens everywhere. He flipped a switch and looked down at a gauge, nodded to himself, then plopped down into one of the two seats.
I sat in the other seat and swiveled to face him. “I have to say that I am impressed, but I have two questions. Does it run, and, more importantly, can you sail this big thing?
“Yes, it runs, but I have to replace some of the wiring and take a look at the batteries. So it’s not quite ready for its debut. And yes, I can operate this big thing. I grew up with boats, and I even have my captain’s license.” He gave me a really big smile and asked, “Do you want to see the thing that closed the deal for me?”
We rose from our seats, and he took me by the hand and led me down another set of steps into a passage that went to the front of the ship. We stopped in front of a large mahogany door, where he flipped a latch and pushed the door open. He reached his hand around the corner and must’ve hit the light switch, because the room inside was bathed in a soft light.
Again, my jaw dropped. This room had to take up most of the forward half of the ship. There was a small, comfortable sitting area and bookshelves lined the walls. But the real treasure was the king-size bed that sat at the far end of the room. “So much for roughing it on the high seas,” I said.
“I know, it’s a little lavish for just one person, but maybe I can find some gorgeous local gal to help me fill all this space,” he told me with a grin.
“Not that I’m suggesting it, mind you, but you could have a whole harem in here, with room for a camel or two.”
We chuckled, and when he came over and hugged me, I didn’t fight it one bit. I could feel the strength in his arms pulling us together while I slid my hand down and grabbed one of his buttcheeks.
He leaned his head back so our eyes could meet. “Behavior like that will definitely get you a place at the captain’s table.”
“It’s not the captain’s table that I’m interested in,” I purred.
While still holding onto each other, we kind of waddled to the end of the bed then fell onto it laughing. “Kat,” he said, almost breathlessly, “You just continue to surprise me.”
He leaned in and kissed me, softly at first, then with increased passion. Our tongues danced over each other while our lips melded together. He pressed one leg between my spread thighs, and I felt the delightful pressure against my clit. I could feel his erection on my leg, so I wiggled my thigh a little, and he moaned slightly into my mouth.
I moved my hips up and down his leg, stimulating my sensitive pussy. I’ve never had a man make so hot before. I wanted him deep inside me, filling me and satisfying this growing need before I exploded.
Alex rolled onto his back and pulled me on top of him. I spread my legs as I straddled him, mashing our groins together. It had been so long since I dry-humped someone that I had forgotten how nice it could feel. His desire for me was obvious as I could feel his cock, hard and thick on my still-covered clit.
I sat up and our eyes met. His hands found the straps of my bra and slid them down my shoulders. I pulled the short sleeves of my dress down so my breasts were fully exposed. Alex cupped them, and his fingertips brushed my already hard nipples, then he rolled the stiff peaks between his fingers in a way that made me throw back my head and gasp.
I looked down into his steamy, half-lidded eyes and panted, “I hope you brought some protection—and I don’t mean a lifejacket.”
He let out a husky laugh. “I have one in my pocket, but I don’t think I can get to it with you riding me like a mechanical bull.”
“You haven’t seen any riding yet, cowboy,” I said as I rolled off of him. I whipped off my soaking wet panties and threw them to the floor. Before he had a chance to move, I undid his pants and pulled them, along with his underwear, down to and over his feet. I dug my hand into one of the pockets and pulled out a condom. Throwing his pants to the floor, I mounted him again and delighted in the feel of his firm, bare shaft rubbing against my dripping slit.
I tore the packet open and rolled the condom down over the swollen head of his breathtaking hard-on. I lifted myself up and slipped him inside me, and we both groaned deeply in mutual pleasure.
I rose up so that the head of his cock almost slid out of me, then plunged him back inside of me, filling me to the point where it was almost painful—almost. My juices had drenched us, and every time I thrust him into me, my clit pushed against him, giving my slippery fun-button a sensation I had never felt before.
I don’t know how long we rocked together like that. We were in perfect synch. Time didn’t exist, just the erotic motion of our two bodies melting into one. Our hips met and parted like waves rolling onto the shore. I leaned down, and our mouths met in a ferocious kiss. Our tongues rolled over one another as our breath came in faster gasps.
“You’re going to make me come… I don’t know if I can last much longer,” I said, almost shaking with desire.
“I’m with you, Kat, make us come,” he practically shouted.
Our thrusts came faster and faster. The friction of grinding my clit on his pubic bone had me dizzy with anticipation. I leaned back up, and his fingers found my nipples. We were writhing in ecstasy, floating on a feeling of complete union. I was seconds away from an explosive orgasm and could feel Alex’s cock throbbing against my slick inner walls.
With one last thrust, I felt an eruption of intense pleasure and Alex held my nipples between his thumb and forefingers as we roared in release. I collapsed forward, and his arms wrapped around my back. I nestled my face into his neck and kissed it softly. After several minutes, our breathing settled down to something human and, though I didn’t want to, I drew up my hips and let him fall out of me.
For the second time that night, we lay shoulder to shoulder and our hands found each other. “I must say, that was an adventure on the high seas,” I said.
Alex murmured, “You are without a doubt the most exciting woman I’ve ever been with.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Captain. I think I could get used to this,” I told him regretting it almost immediately. I didn’t want him to think that I was expecting too much of him too soon. But I didn’t just think that I could get used to being with him, I knew I could. I had no idea that his next words would echo my thoughts so perfectly.
He looked over at me, “Not only could I get used to this, but I want to get used to this.”
We smiled warmly, staring into each other’s eyes, and shared a small kiss. We both knew that our blissful time needed to come to an end. So, reluctantly, and without words, we sat up and gathered our clothes. Alex took care of the condom and put his pants on as I put my delightfully aching tits back into my bra and wiggled into my undies.
We left the stateroom, and Alex turned off the lights and shut the door. We made our way back to the bridge, where he flipped a couple of switches, checked some gauges, and led me back to the living area. We stood in the middle of the room and hugged tightly, neither one of us wanting to release the other.
“Maybe next time we can actually put out to sea,” he said as we stepped out of our hug.
I gave a little laugh and said, “You make me feel like that, and I couldn’t care less if we ever leave the dock.”
Alex secured the boat while I waited on the dock. When he had powered everything down and locked the door, we held hands and walked back to the car in the salty night air that was filled with promise.
On our way back to Alex’s house, he said, “It kind of slipped my mind in all of this excitement—and it was exciting— but I want you to write down all of your old boss’s info for me.” I looked over at him with a confused expression. “You know, his work email, his personal email, if you have it and any other addresses you have that I can give to Robo.”
“What good will that do?” I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe nothing, maybe everything. I told you what our company does—data retrieval—and Robo is the best. He might be able to find something that can help your case. I can’t make any promises, but it’s worth taking a look at.”
“You might be on to something,” I said, finally getting the idea. “If I can come up with some kind of trail or duplicate data, I could turn that over to the authorities to make my story look better.”
“Exactly. There’s a pad in the glove compartment, so write down everything that you think is pertinent, no matter how small. It’s better to have too much info than too little.”
I wrote down everything I could think of, even Goodman’s secretary’s email. I even put down the bank that the firm does business with and a couple of the bigger clients. I also included all of the passwords I could remember. I’m sure that’s probably illegal, but as deep in shit as I already was, I didn’t think a couple more feet would kill me. I finished as we pulled into his driveway. I was relieved to see that the spare tire was still there and none of the others had been slashed while we were gone. Alex turned off the car then shifted in his seat to face me.
I’m really sorry that I have to leave just when we’re starting this wonderful thing we have. But I can promise you that I’ll be thinking about you, and us, the entire time I’m gone,” he told me, putting his hand in mine.
“Hey,” I said, trying to keep it light, “Business before pleasure. I can promise that there will be more pleasure when your business is done. I have plenty of stuff to do while you’re gone. I have to get a new tire—that should make for an exciting afternoon. Then I can figure out a way to tell my parents that I’ve been taking advantage of a rich, eligible bachelor.”
We both laughed at that, and he said, “I haven’t exactly been playing hard to get, but if you want to take advantage of me, I won’t fight it. As for the tire, please take this money to pay for it; I feel responsible for getting you involved in something I thought was old news. Not only that, but please promise me you’ll be careful until I get back and we can get the Mandy thing sorted out.”
“I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself. I’ll take the money for the tire, though, since I’m not really in a position to refuse, and I hate that. I’ll pay you back when I can. If I’m not in jail, that is,” I said putting the money in my purse.
Alex smiled and looked like he had a revelation. “I know how you can pay me back. While I’m gone, why don’t you go to the restaurant and take a look at my books. I’m not very happy with the person doing them now, and you are an accountant.
I looked at him skeptically with a half-grin, “Are you sure you trust someone who’s accused of embezzling money from her last job?”
“Call me crazy, but for some reason I feel like I can trust you. It might have something to do with seeing you naked—that’s just me, though.”
“In that case, I’d be happy to look through your books. It’s better than sitting at home while I wait for you to get back,” I replied.
“Great,” he exclaimed as we got out of the car, “I’ll call Jerry and let him know you’re coming. He knows where everything is, and he has the password for the computer.”
I opened the door to get in the car, but before I did, I turned to face Alex. Our eyes locked, and we stepped into a warm embrace. We pulled far enough apart to share a deep yet gentle kiss.
“I’m going to miss you,” I said softly.
He smiled brightly at me, “Not as much as I’m going to miss you, Ms. Matthews.”
I got into the car and closed the door. I rolled down the window and Alex leaned in for one more small kiss. When he stood up, I started the car and said, “By the way, thanks for showing me your anchor and giving new meaning to the term ‘first mate’.”
CHAPTER 6
I woke up early the next morning so I could buy a new tire before going to Westy’s to take a look at the books. I knew it was busy work, but I was thankful for the distraction it would give me.
While I was in the shower, I realized that I hadn’t called my lawyer back, and though I dreaded talking to her, I knew that it had to be done. I dressed in jeans and a sleeveless white top, grabbed my phone, took a place on the sofa, and punched in my lawyer’s number.
Her secretary put me on hold, and a minute or so later I heard, “Hello, Kat, sorry to keep you waiting. How are you doing?”
“Hi Jane, no problem. I guess I’m doing as well as can be expected. Why don’t you tell me how I’m doing?” I answered.
I could almost picture her sighing as she said, “Not a lot has changed on this end, I’m afraid. The other side has gotten another continuance, and they keep sending over tons of paperwork. I think they’re just stalling until you run out of money.”
I let out a humorless laugh, “Well, it’s working. How about the investigator you hired—has he been able find out anything with the computer files?”
Jane replied, “He’s digging through a lot of stuff, but Doug isn’t really a cyber guy. We might be able to make some more headway if we hired a computer expert. I know that moneywise that isn’t really an option, but as your lawyer I have to suggest it.”
“You’re right about the money; its going fast, and it doesn’t look like I’m going to have much coming in in the foreseeable future,” I told her.
“Look kiddo, I know it looks bad, and I’m not going to lie to you—it is bad. Doug and I are working hard for you, and as I’ve said before, I believe that you have a strong case. We just have to find some evidence to support you,” Jane said, trying to sound upbeat. “And I hate to say this, but I’m going to need another check to keep working on your case. The same amount as last time should be fine. I’m sorry to ask, I really am, but that’s the reality.”
I tried to keep the quiver out of my voice. “Don’t be sorry. You’re doing a great job, and I appreciate it. As soon as we’re off the phone, I’ll transfer the money. I can go at least another month before I have to start borrowing money from my folks. I just pray something turns up before then.”
We said our goodbyes, and she told me that she would keep in touch and for me to call if I had any questions or information that could help my case. I got out my laptop and transferred the funds from my rapidly diminishing bank account. I was about to go see my parents when my phone chimed and told me I had a new text. It was from Alex.
It read: “I had an amazing time last night. I can’t stop thinking abou
t you. Thank you for helping me ‘christen’ the boat. It was a lot better than smashing a bottle of champagne against the hull, and almost as wet. I have a conference call in a few minutes, but I’ll call you later today. Good luck at the restaurant. Anchors Away, Alex.”
Just knowing that Alex was thinking about me made my mood lighten, and I felt better about the day. I texted back that I had a wonderful time, too. I wished him luck and said that I couldn’t wait to hear back from him.
I got myself together and went to see my parents. I walked through the back door and into my parent’s kitchen. I noticed two things as soon as I entered. One was the smell of my mother’s cheesy biscuits, which I loved. The second thing I noticed were the dozen yellow roses sitting in a vase in the middle of the kitchen table.
My mother looked up from her paper with a sly grin on her face, “Good morning! I made biscuits, so help yourself.”
I grabbed a couple of biscuits and a cup of coffee and said, “The roses are beautiful, are they from dad’s bushes?”
Her smile got bigger, “Oh no, you know how he feels about cutting into his babies. And they’re actually for you. They were delivered about an hour ago.”
So much for casually bringing up the subject of Alex. “For me? I wonder who they could be from?” I hope that didn’t sound as lame I thought it did.
“There’s only one way to find out,” my mother said, matter-of-factly. “Open the card and find out.”
I took the card and sat down across the table. I tried to seem relaxed, but I’m sure my mother could see the slight tremble in my hand as I opened the card. It read “Your beauty could make these yellow roses green with envy.” It was signed, simply, Alex.
I didn’t realize I was smiling until my mother said, “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you smile like that—I thought that maybe you had forgotten how to do it. So, who are they from?”
And we’re off. “They’re from…uh, Alex Westfield. The owner of Westy’s.”