Plan Overboard (Toronto Series #14)

by Wardell, Heather

  Before I can wonder what he means by that, he murmurs, "Corinne, can I kiss you?"

  I wouldn't have thought he'd ask instead of just making a move, and I love it. "Yes," I whisper, slipping my arms around his waist. "Please."

  He tips my face up, his fingers warm against my skin, then his mouth is on mine.

  His kiss is sweet and slow, and he holds me like he's holding the world's most endangered coral. I thought he'd be a great kisser, and he definitely is, but the gentle tenderness surprises and moves me.

  We kiss for a long time, until my whole body is pounding with my heartbeat, but he never intensifies it. He seems happy just kissing me with this delicate beauty.

  And I'm more than happy with it too.

  When we eventually break apart he cuddles me close. I snuggle into his strong chest and close my eyes, basking in the feel of his hold on me. I can also feel something against me, something that proves he enjoyed our kiss too, but I'm so overwhelmed by how different Austin is from what Melissa had led me to believe that I barely notice. If I didn't know better, the way that kiss felt would make me swear we were in love, and I did not expect anywhere close to that kind of emotion from him.

  Eventually, he clears his throat and murmurs, "Tomorrow, when we're on the sailboat with the others?"

  "Yes?"

  "I might have to kiss you a few times. Not as long as this time, necessarily, but I think I'll have to."

  "Have to?"

  He chuckles, the sound vibrating through me. "Want to and have to. Are you okay with that?"

  I look up at him and see his eyes dancing with mischief. There's no hint in them of the depth of feeling I experienced during our kiss, and a flash of disappointment hits me. Melissa told me he'd make me feel like the only woman on the planet. Maybe he is like this with everyone. I have to remember he's, as she said, a good-time guy. Not a guy for forever.

  And I can't be thinking about him that way anyhow, because he's not part of my plan. Having the baby on my own is impulsive enough, but falling for a guy like Austin on top of that? No way.

  But for now, he's amazing, so I smile and say, "Oh, I think so."

  Chapter Six

  As I stand on the pier the next morning waiting for Austin and the others to arrive, I promise myself that I won't make what's happening between Austin and me into more than it is. We're having fun. That's all. Yes, his kiss felt like it meant something, but I've heard from a variety of sources including Austin himself that we are only going to be together while we're on the cruise. So I have to relax and enjoy it, think of him as an upgrade to my holiday that I'll leave behind afterwards.

  This resolution wobbles when I see him walking down the gangway toward us and the way his eyes warm when he spots me makes my heart skip a beat, but I refuse to let it crumble entirely. I can't.

  When he and Melissa and Nicholas reach us, Melissa holds up both hands like she's in a stick-up. "Look, Corinne, we're twins."

  I hold up my hands too and we press our seasickness bracelets against each other and laugh.

  "Bought mine in the gift shop yesterday. I just hope I don't get sick," Melissa says as she calms. "The big ship is no problem but this little sailing one might be."

  I hadn't thought of that. I've worn my bracelet all the time and I've felt fine, and I mentally cross my fingers that I'll be okay here too then actually cross them and say, "Good luck. To all of us."

  Austin's arm slips around my waist. "It's a pretty smooth ride, this boat. Should be fine."

  I can't resist snuggling in a little closer to him because his touch feels so good.

  Galen clears his throat. "I think we board over there."

  He's right, and we all walk up a small but sturdy gangway onto the sailboat. It is tiny compared to the cruise ship, of course, but still more than big enough to hold all of us plus another group of cruisers plus three crew members, and our group settles into a set of lounge chairs near the back to watch the shoreline recede as we sail away.

  Austin, stretched out on the chair beside me, closes his eyes. "Someday when I'm a millionaire, I'm buying a boat just like this."

  "Can we come visit you?"

  "Sure, Shari, why not?"

  She giggles, and Austin murmurs, "As long as Corinne says it's okay," in a tone I can barely hear which will certainly not have carried to her.

  I stifle a laugh, and he grins at me then reaches over and takes my hand. In the same quiet voice, he says, "Were you okay last night? Felt weird leaving you."

  We had stayed together on the deck for a while longer, cuddled up watching the water, then I'd admitted I was wiped out and he'd walked me to my cabin where he'd left me after one more sweet kiss in the hallway. I squeeze his hand. "I was fine. More than fine. Best sleep I've had in ages. Thank you for an amazing evening."

  He tightens his grip on my hand. "I'm glad. And same to you."

  We smile at each other, and I wish I could kiss him and shiver when I see the same wish in his eyes, then we lie in silence holding hands until the crew announces it's time for fresh fruit and piña coladas, at which point we all scramble to our feet. Nicholas offers to get Melissa's snack so she can stay put but she says, "I'm feeling fine, actually. Let's see if walking around bothers me."

  Austin and I are the furthest from the snack area, and while the others' focus is directed over there I catch his arm and turn him toward me then reach up and kiss him lightly on the lips.

  He grins. "What brought that on?"

  I simply couldn't resist the urge to feel his mouth against mine again. I shrug, blinking innocently for good measure. "You said you'd be stealing them. Figured I'd steal one first."

  He kisses me back, also lightly. "There. We're even."

  "For now," I say in my best threatening tone, and he laughs.

  After we've had our fill of fruit and piña coladas, which Melissa and I and two older ladies from the other group have without rum when the bartender offers that, we return to our chairs as the boat takes a slow tour around to the other side of the island and the two places where we'll anchor for snorkeling.

  "I wonder," Arabella says lazily, "whether you could snorkel every day of this cruise."

  Nicholas shakes his head and Melissa says, "Tough to do when we're at sea. But on days when we dock or anchor? I bet you could."

  "That's a good goal," Glenn says. "I'm going for it." He turns to me since I'm in the chair next to his. "Corinne, you in?"

  I shrug, feeling as mellow and lazy in the sun as Arabella sounded. "No goals. I'm drifting like this boat."

  "Boat's not actually drifting," he points out, but Austin says, "Good girl," and leans over to press a quick kiss to my shoulder beside my swimsuit strap. "I admire your lack of initiative."

  "Me too," I say, closing my eyes and letting the sunshine and the feel of his kiss warm me right down to my toes. I don't know if anyone saw him, and I don't care. My skin's tingling where his lips were and right now that's all I care about.

  We give up talking and relax in the warm breeze until a crew member appears and says, "Anyone up for snorkeling?"

  As it turns out, we all are, and we're soon off the boat and paddling around in the water.

  We start in a pack but spread out quickly once Melissa accidentally kicks Galen in the leg. Austin guides me around to the other side of the boat away from the others, and I'm glad I'm okay at treading water because he kisses me harder and deeper than he did last night and the hunger and sweetness it sends through me could easily drown me otherwise. It wouldn't be the worst way to die, by a long shot. Nobody else's kisses have ever felt so good.

  When we break apart he grins at me. "I'm ahead now. By two, in fact, if your shoulder counts. And I believe it does. Your move, Miss Corinne."

  I lean in like I'm going to kiss him, then stuff my snorkel into my mouth at the last second so he gets a lipful of black rubber.

  He laughs. "Very mature."

  I flip a wave of water at him and swim off, in no doubt that
he'll follow me.

  He does, and after about an hour when the crew calls for us to get back on the boat and head off to our second snorkeling destination we are tied at eight kisses, including one from me to his shoulder and one he planted on me underwater after signaling me to take out my snorkel, none of which I think the others have seen. This unplanned game clearly amuses both of us, and I love how it arose without any discussion. He's playful and adorable and I like it. A lot.

  Back on board, I brace myself for a 'saw what you were up to' comment, but luckily we're served lunch right away and the smell of the jerk chicken and amazing BBQ food stirs up our appetites so much that nobody seems to be thinking of anything but eating even if they did see us.

  When we reach the new snorkeling site after finishing our dessert of fresh pineapple, we all get in again but after only a few minutes and one kiss from me Austin says, "Corinne, I think I've about had enough water for today. Want to come out with me?"

  I'm torn, because I'm loving the snorkeling but I'd also love to spend more time with him when I'm not trying to keep my head above water. "Will we come back in?"

  "If there's time, sure. Otherwise we can go on Thursday if you want."

  "What about tomorrow?" I say, my stomach twisting at the realization of how quickly time's passing.

  He shakes his head. "I'm going to the rum distillery. Neat place, and lots of free samples. Some of those flavored rums are amazing. Come with me and I'll show you around."

  "Rum's not my favorite, honestly." I don't like lying to him but I can't tell him why I can't drink it. "But Galen and those guys are going to the distillery so you'll have company." Galen had suggested I come along, of course, but I'd said I'd prefer to spend a little time alone and he'd given way after a little worrying about me although Arabella had teased me about wanting to be with Austin. I did, but I hadn't known whether I'd get to. Now it looks like I won't. "I might just stay on the ship and relax. Or no, maybe I'll go do another snorkeling excursion on my own."

  Austin gives me a thoughtful look. "Hold on a second? Actually, come with me instead."

  I follow him over to where Melissa and Nicholas are face-down observing some fish, then giggle as he waves a hand under their heads to get their attention.

  They pop up and spit out their snorkels, and Nicholas says, "Did they call us to go in?"

  Austin shakes his head. "I just wondered, are you still going to the distillery tomorrow?"

  He nods. "Promised some people at home I'd bring them back some rum." Giving Melissa a nudge, he says, "Before someone got herself pregnant, that is."

  She laughs. "I feel like it wasn't all my doing, but whatever. Yeah, he's going and I'm spending the day working on my new book at the quiet pool."

  Nicholas looks from Austin to me. "You guys want to come with me?"

  "Actually," Austin says, "I was hoping you'd buy me some rum. Corinne and I are going to spend the day snorkeling together."

  "You are?" Melissa says, at the same moment as I say, "We are?" We have the same note of surprise in our voice, but I can't imagine she feels as shocked as I do.

  Everyone chuckles, but the part of Austin's neck I can see above the water flushes red. "There I go, overstepping again." To me, he adds, "Would you be willing to hang out with just me?"

  I try to sound calm instead of ecstatic at the idea of that much time alone with him. "Sure, why not?"

  "Then it's settled," Melissa says. "Nicholas will buy Austin some rum, I will make progress on my book, and you guys will snorkel your little lungs out."

  Austin smiles at her. "Sounds like a plan."

  They go back to snorkeling and Austin says, "Sorry. If you'd rather be on your own, then—"

  "No," I say, too fast and too loud. "I..." I clear my throat. "I like the plan."

  He smiles, but it's again tinged with that hint of confusion. Then he blinks and smiles again, more brightly. "Me too. So. Out of the water now? I just thought it might be nice to have the boat to ourselves."

  We don't, quite, since most of the other group has left the water and is camped out in its lounge chairs, but our set of chairs are around the other side so it feels like we do. Once we've taken our seats, Austin turns in his so he's on his side facing me. "Need anything? Pineapple juice, piña colada, fruit?"

  "I'm sensing a theme here," I say, smiling at him as I turn to face him, "but no. I feel great."

  I do. My body is warm from the sun and relaxed from yesterday's massage and today's swimming, and when he takes my hand I feel even better.

  "I've fallen behind," he says softly, leaning toward me. "Can I catch up?"

  "I don't know, can you?" I say, trying to lighten the suddenly intense mood. Something in his eyes is making my heart race, and I don't think we're playing any more.

  His free hand cradles my cheek and he moves in without another word to kiss me.

  It's exactly like our first kiss, except I think it lasts even longer. I can't tell, because like everything else around us time has ceased to matter. His mouth is so gentle on mine, and tastes of pineapple, and we stay close together kissing with that same 'we have all the time in the world' delicacy of last night. I feel like he'd be happy to do nothing but kiss me like this forever, and I'm loving every second of it. His kiss is perfection.

  "Gotcha!"

  Startled back to the real world, we break apart to see Arabella treading water in front of us. She laughs and holds up her waterproof digital camera. "Gotcha," she calls again. "I don't blame you, Corinne, I'd kiss Austin too."

  "Me too," shouts Shari from a little ways away. "I will, in fact, if I get a chance." I don't doubt she means it, and how badly I never want her to have that chance scares me.

  Melissa and Nicholas are watching us too, their snorkel masks covering their eyes so I can't see what they think, and to complete the group Galen and Glenn swim into view from the other side of the boat. "What's going on up there? Do I need to get all big-brother?" Galen's smiling but his eyes are cold.

  "No," I call, letting my exasperation at the interrupted kiss and Galen's ridiculousness into my voice. "You just need to go away, that's all. Go away and stop gawking at us."

  "But you're more interesting than the fish." Arabella again holds up her camera. "Kiss him again. Ignore Galen being an idiot and kiss him again. I've got a few more shots on this card."

  I glance at Austin, who winks at me. "We're tied. Your move."

  I lean over and lay one on him. Knowing we're being watched makes it nothing like the sweet kiss we just shared, but even so it's incredible.

  "Got it," Arabella calls, but as I begin to pull back Austin slides his hand behind my head to hold me in place and deepens the kiss.

  My hunger's rising fast, and I pull him closer and lose myself in his mouth and the heat between us. Before I didn't want anything but his kiss, but this one is making me imagine other possibilities. Like being naked in his arms in his cabin.

  "I said, I got the picture," Arabella yells, giggling.

  Austin murmurs against my lips, "Like we care."

  I burst out laughing, which ends the kiss completely, and we smile at each other though I can't hold back a shiver at the passion and warmth in his eyes. Again, if I didn't know better I'd think he was falling for me.

  I hear the camera click then Arabella calls, "We are coming on board now," speaking slowly as if instructing someone who might not understand. "Hands where I can see 'em."

  Austin and I do grab the chance for one last quick but hungry kiss once they've all swum around to the ladder side of the boat, but when the group returns to us we are sitting decorously side by side.

  Arabella gives a loud "Wooo!" when she nears us. "Nearly melted my camera. I'm glad to see your hands."

  "I need to point out," Austin says, "that there are plenty of inappropriate places I could put my hands where you could still see them."

  Galen takes what looks like an involuntary step forward.

  "I haven't," Austin adds, lo
oking directly at my brother. "But in theory I could."

  They hold each other's gaze for a moment, while I think of two moose with their antlers locked together in combat, then Galen grins. It looks forced. "I suppose that's true. Just don't make me watch."

  "Nobody made anybody watch anything," I say. "We were just fine without an audience."

  "And fine ignoring one too," Austin whispers, making me giggle.

  The others take their lounge chairs and we all talk about what we saw in the water. Arabella, of course, has to reference our kisses a few more times, but since Austin and I don't take her bait she drops the subject. Instead, she says, "So, what's up tonight? I know you guys are all having dinner with your mom, but will we hang out after? And where are the rest of us eating?"

  While the others talk Austin leans in, beckoning me closer. I go, of course, and he whispers into my ear, "Would you have dinner with me? At the grill where we had lunch yesterday? I hear they do great dinners."

  Surprised, I whisper back, "I'd love to, but you can't. What about your mom?"

  He shrugs. "Mel and Nicky missed dinner last year, and I never have. She'll get over it."

  "Then sure," I say, thrilled he wants to hang out with me and trying to make myself realize it means nothing. He'd rather spend time with me, and maybe kiss me a bit, than have yet another dinner with his mom. Hardly a marriage proposal.

  He kisses my cheek, then leans back into his chair and waits until Galen and Arabella have convinced the others that we'll eat at the seafood restaurant tonight before saying, "Actually, you won't have Corinne with you. She's lowering herself to have dinner with me."

  My people nod, although Galen doesn't look thrilled, but Melissa and Nicholas turn to Austin so fast I worry about whiplash.

  "With Mom?" Nicholas sounds like he can't quite believe that but also can't think of another option.