She didn’t answer him. Sarcasm at five in the morning should be against the law. She swept past him and down the stairs toward the parking lot. His truck was parked at the edge of the lot with the boat on a trailer behind it. The boat was bigger than she’d expected. No wonder he drove such a huge pickup truck.
She turned to him with wide eyes as he clicked the door open.
“This is a huge boat. I thought we’d be in something closer to the water.”
“Sorry to disappoint.” He didn’t seem sorry, but she couldn’t be sure of anything without at least one cup of coffee.
“It’s just…I hoped we could swim.” She climbed into the truck and closed the door.
“We can swim. I usually do. There’s this great spot I know.” She didn’t respond, so he fell silent. The depth of darkness at five in the morning surprised Sophie, as did the quiet streets of her hometown as Zeke drove toward the boat ramp on the Trinity River.
“Where’s the coffee?” Sophie checked in the backseat and saw nothing that promised caffeine.
“On the boat. I’ve got you covered, don’t worry.”
She yawned loudly and stared out at the road in his headlights. The town had a completely different feel than what she was used to. No cars, lights off in the houses, businesses closed, nothing moving. She felt like she’d stepped into a dystopian universe.
“This is weird,” she said.
“What’s weird? The fact that you haven’t even tried to kiss me yet? Usually, women are all over me by now.”
Was he kidding? She searched his face, but he might as well have been playing poker in Las Vegas. She decided to believe he was joking.
“Too early for jokes.” She yawned again.
“This is the best time of the day,” he said. “We have the world to ourselves, and the fish are sure to be biting. Weather is perfect, and just so you don’t worry, I got a fishing license for you yesterday.”
“This is not any time of day, Zeke. This is the middle of the night.” He laughed, but she hadn’t been kidding. “I didn’t know you had to have a license to fish,” she said. “If I don’t get coffee soon, you’re going to have to keep quiet. Otherwise, I might have to kill you.” She laid her head against the headrest and shut her eyes. She dozed off in the comfortable silence. Zeke shook her shoulder gently when they got to the boat ramp.
“I’ll get you that coffee now. Sorry. I should have had it in the truck.” He hopped out, full of energy, and climbed up the ladder at the back of the boat. When he came back, he had a steaming cup of coffee with just the right amount of milk and sugar. She breathed in the aroma and smiled for the first time since he’d picked her up.
She blew across the steaming cup and took a sip.
“Perfect. Thanks.”
“I’ve got to back this up. You want to sit inside while I do it?”
She looked out and wondered where else she’d go. She wasn’t quite awake and didn’t want to ask for fear he’d think her stupid.
“I’ll stay in here and drink this.”
He went behind the truck and came back carrying a life jacket, which he laid beside her as he climbed back in.
“Put this on.”
She frowned.
“This doesn’t match my outfit.”
“Regulations.”
“Thanks,” she said sarcastically. “Can’t I wait until I’m in the boat?”
“No time like the present.” He waited until she put an arm through the jacket before turning away. He put the truck in reverse and began expertly maneuvering the trailer. She was impressed since he had no backup camera. She had trouble backing up in her Mini-Cooper and couldn’t imagine handling a large pickup and a trailer. He had no problem. She figured he’d done it hundreds of times. When the boat was in the water, he jumped out again and began unhooking it. He helped her onto the boat before pulling the trailer out and parking the truck. When he was back, she held her empty cup out.
“Coming right up,” he said.
She was beginning to feel the effects of the caffeine in her system. The sky was brightening with the coming sunrise. Gray clouds turned bright lavender and pink, the colors changing quickly. The same colors shimmered on the water like a live watercolor painting. She’d never seen anything quite so beautiful and peaceful. She heard a bird calling amidst the sounds of the crickets and cicadas. Zeke put his hand on her back and led her into the boat’s cabin. A large thermos sat on the counter, and Zeke unscrewed the cap to pour more into her cup. A spoon was in a plastic container of sugar.
“Milk’s in there,” he pointed to a little refrigerator. When she’d added the milk and sugar to her coffee, he took the cup from her hands and put it on the counter. Taking her into his arms, he kissed her soundly. She loved the taste of toothpaste in his mouth and wondered what he thought of her coffee breath. As he deepened the kiss, she forgot to worry. He trailed kisses along her cheek and down to her neck. When she groaned and leaned closer, she could feel his heart rate quicken.
“Nice way to wake up, Mr. Hart,” she said. He left his hands around her waist and simply stared at her.
“I can’t believe you.”
“I’m not sure what that means,” she said. She stepped away from him and picked up the coffee cup to give herself some distance. Her lips were swollen from their kiss, and she was tempted to rub them with her fingers.
“I mean, I’ve wasted so much time thinking you were someone else. I can’t believe my luck.” His intense stare was unnerving. She began fidgeting with her necklace.
“I’m not sure what to say.” She took the coffee with her and began exploring the boat to hide her discomfort. Her legs were shaky from the kiss, and she did not want him to know he had that much effect on her. “Tell me about your boat.”
“Let’s get her out in the river. Then we’ll talk more.” He raised his eyebrows as if his statement was more of a question. She nodded and followed him out of the cabin to the deck.
“Why don’t you sit here,” he indicated a seat beside the helm. She sat and watched him. His profile was striking. Everything about the man was beautiful, if you could describe a man that way. His shoulders were broad, his torso tapered down to a trim waistline. He had muscular arms and legs with enough hair to be manly, but not too much. He wore cut-off jeans, an old snap front cowboy shirt, deck shoes, and a straw cowboy hat. He had fishing lures stuck into the wide hatband. He revved the motor, and the boat sped up. She turned and watched the wake forming behind them in the middle of the river.
They went around a bend, and the sun was coming up on the horizon. He powered off and let the boat glide to a stop. They watched the sunrise with their arms around each other’s waists. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed. The boat rocked gently, and the breeze stirred. She put her hand on her hat to keep it in place.
“This is nice, although it’s way too early for human beings to be outside,” she said.
“You get used to it.”
“You can. I prefer to sleep in on weekends.” She would never tell him how much fun she was having at his side.
“Next time, we’ll sleep on the boat. That way, you can sleep in, and I can fish as early as I want.”
She lifted her head and her eyebrows.
“So, you’re assuming there will be a next time?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m assuming a lot.” He pulled her close and kissed her again. His hands roamed up and down her back. She stepped closer and ran her fingers through his wavy hair. They forgot the sunrise as they discovered each other. She was breathless when they pulled apart.
“Ready?” Zeke asked.
Her body certainly was. Every inch of her hummed. The heat she felt at his question shot to her face, and she turned crimson red.
“I mean, are you ready to fish?” The expression on his face was priceless. It let her know that he hadn’t expected her to interpret his question differently than he’d meant it. She could tell he liked what he saw. So, she wondered, why are we
fishing now? Feeling a hint of frustration, she put that emotion away and nodded.
“Show me what to do.”
“I’d love to.” Neither misunderstood the double entendres.
Sophie shivered despite the warm, humid air on the river. Anticipation was one of her favorite things. She couldn’t wait to learn more about Zeke.
Chapter Fourteen
Zeke had the best time he'd ever had while fishing, and that said something. He loved fishing and had done a lot of it in his lifetime. Sophie in white shorts with a pink bikini bottom showing through was beyond what his imagination could conjure. The pink and white, broad-brimmed hat she had scrunched on her head was adorable. It accentuated her green eyes and made them shine, now that she had some coffee and was awake. He'd never seen her sleepy, bedroom eyes before. His plan was to see a lot more of her that way as soon as possible. The woman had burrowed under his skin like the seven-year itch, only he liked having her there. He didn't mind that the fish weren't biting. They'd been fishing for a few hours, and all he had to show for it was a couple of carp that he'd thrown back. Sophie wanted to swim, and the river was inviting.
"Want to take a dip?" He reeled his line in and laid his pole down. She handed hers to him with a nod and a big smile. She immediately unzipped her shorts and started wiggling out of them. Zeke's reaction was instantaneous. Good thing that she had her back to him. He was proud that he was able to keep the saliva from dripping. When she started to take her shirt off, he thought he might lose it. He cleared his throat and told her he was going to put the poles away and would join her in the water. He hoped she wouldn't notice his reaction to her. When she looked over her shoulder, he saw her smoldering eyes taking in his yearning body. He knew he was beyond help.
"Hurry," was all she said before executing a perfect dive off the side of the boat. She barely made a splash and was up and pushing the hair out of her eyes before he could move. She raised her eyebrows, which he interpreted to mean she meant business when she'd said to hurry.
"I'll just…" he looked at her pole in his hand then at her, "…oh, hell." He dropped the pole next to his, pulled his shirt over his head, stepped out of his shoes, and jumped in after her. She was laughing when he surfaced. She swam over and draped her arms around his neck.
"Kiss me again," she said. Her eyes were sparkling with mischief. She didn't have to tell him twice.
They alternated swimming and kissing. Zeke watched her glide gracefully through the water and wondered how he'd managed to miss this for so long. When he'd asked Darlene to go fishing with him, she'd turned her nose up and said she hated the smell of fish, plus, she wouldn't go near a worm. Other women had come along, only to complain about too much sun, not enough beer, not enough attention from him when the fish were clearly biting like crazy. Sophie was nothing like the women he'd dated before. She was nothing like anyone he'd ever met.
"I'm ready to lay in the sun for a while," she said as she angled for the boat. She dog-paddled and asked, "How do I get in?"
"Go to the back and use the ladder."
"Oh, right." She swam that way, and he followed. He watched her climb out of the water, dripping sexuality. He gulped and followed her up. When he got on the boat, she was bent over toweling her hair dry. He could no more resist her than a white-tailed buck could resist a doe in heat. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him. Her gasp of air was the most erotic sound he'd ever heard. Her response told him all he needed to know. He carried her into the cabin. Zeke's day got appreciably better.
Afterward, they spread beach towels on the deck and laid down side by side. He thought about making a joke about needing a cigarette, but the moment felt too intimate for silliness. Sophie's contented expression was like an aphrodisiac. He was ready for more of her. When she turned her head and noticed, she giggled.
"Really?" she asked, but he silenced her with a kiss.
They enjoyed one another, the sun, the water, and the gentle rocking of the boat for hours. Zeke thought this must be what it was like in heaven. He'd brought sandwiches, beer, wine, sodas, potato chips, and grapes. She sat cross-legged in front of him and fed him grapes. They sipped wine from the same glass, feeling too lazy to get more than one out. He rubbed suntan lotion on her back, listening to her moan in pleasure. The sounds she made turned him into jelly. He was smitten.
"What's your favorite color?" he asked out of the blue.
"Pink."
"I would never have guessed that until I saw you today. You never wear pink at work."
"No. I wear power colors on purpose. Men don't take women seriously enough as it is. I don't want to give them the impression that I'm anything but professional."
"Makes sense."
"Where would you go fishing if you could go anywhere in the world?" She propped herself up on one elbow so she could see him better.
"Oh, that's easy. I'd go to Cairns."
Where's that?"
"Eastern Australia. Great Barrier Reef, the world's best marlin fishing. It's on my list."
"What do you like to do, you know, when you're not giving in to your workaholic tendencies?" He laughed when she swatted at his arm in response.
"I'm not."
"Sure, you are. I've watched."
She rolled her eyes and considered her answer.
"I'm a homebody, I suppose. I like to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine after a satisfying day at work. Sometimes I watch movies. I bought a big screen tv for that."
"What kind of movies? Chick-flicks?"
"Of course. I am a chick, you know."
"I noticed." He ran his eyes over her body suggestively, and she batted her eyelashes at him playfully.
The sun was dipping toward the horizon by the time they decided to go back to reality. Zeke didn't want the day to end.
"Want to go to dinner later?"
"Why don't we get take out and eat at my house?" She was pulling her shorts up, which made him frown. "Don't frown. I have a pillow top mattress," she said in a sultry voice.
"God, you're going to kill me, woman." Zeke stood and took her in his arms again. Her skin was warm from the sun and soft, so soft. He held her, loving the smell of the river in her hair. He was content, and he'd never experienced anything like that with another woman. The thought frightened him, but not enough to let go. She turned around so that her back was to him, and they watched the sun sink.
"We better go before it's too dark to see what I'm doing."
She stepped out of his arms in response and picked up the fishing poles he'd dropped earlier. "Where do I put these?" He pointed, and she stowed them away as he pulled up the anchor. He started the motor and turned the boat toward the boat dock.
She patiently waited while he pulled the boat onto the trailer. She didn't complain when he suggested she go with him to put the boat in his storage unit. She seemed interested in all he had to do to clean and prepare the boat for storage. She pitched in where she could. He loved to watch her level of concentration as she performed specific tasks. The wet pink swimsuit under the flimsy shirt and white shorts didn't hurt. He couldn't keep his eyes off her.
They got Chinese take out for dinner and ate out of the boxes. Zeke was happy to use a fork and leave the chopsticks in their wrappers. They sat on the floor at her coffee table instead of the table. He sunk his feet into her plush rug. The room smelled of cinnamon mixed with soy sauce. He liked the few watercolor pictures she had on her walls. The pastel colors, the scents, the luxurious feel all said female to him. Sophie fed him a dumpling and kissed his chin when sauce dripped.
"I'm liking this. We should get messy hamburgers next time. I might spill it anywhere!" he said.
Her tinkling laughter delighted him. He thought he could spend his life listening to that sound. Sudden fear made his heart pound as the thought slipped into his mind. Whoa, now, he told himself. This is just a bit of fun. Don't get ahead of yourself. She distracted him by offering a fork full of noodles, which he
eagerly ate.
"Want to watch a movie?" Sophie asked as she cleared away the boxes.
"No way. I don't do chick-flicks."
"Too bad. Chick-flicks make me horny."
"Did I say I don't do chick-flicks? I meant to say; I love chick-flicks."
She laughed at his joke. He liked that. Most of the women he'd dated thought he was corny. Sophie seemed to get his humor. That was refreshing.
"So? Sleepless in Seattle or When Harry Met Sally?" She stood before him with two DVD boxes in her hands.
"Never saw either."
"You're kidding? These are classics. Meg Ryan at her best." She held one box up. "This one has Billy Crystal." She held up the other box. "This one has Tom Hanks."
"Which one makes you the horniest?"
She rolled her eyes. "Chose one."
"The one with Billy Crystal. At least he'll make me laugh."
"Well, if that's all you want, I have City Slickers." Her eyes were doing that mischievous thing again.
"The hairy one." He pointed to her left hand where she held When Harry Met Sally.
"Done deal," she said. She loaded the movie, and they sat together on the couch to watch. Zeke slung his arm over her shoulder, and she sighed with pleasure.
They made it to the scene where Meg Ryan fakes an orgasm.
"Damn," Zeke said. "That's scary." She paused the movie.
"Yep. You never know," she said, dead seriously.
"Now, you're scaring me." He pulled her in for a hug, and she giggled again. They never saw the end of the movie.
Zeke left around two in the morning. He grinned all the way home.
Chapter Fifteen
Zeke was on the river early the next morning despite the lack of sleep the night before. He watched the sun coming up and felt a chill without Sophie in his arms. It was alarming how often his thoughts strayed to her, but he couldn’t stop his mind from going there. He trolled over to California Crossing near Rochelle Boulevard without catching anything. Humming, he dropped anchor, thinking how much he loved his walkaround boat. He’d considered getting a combination fishing and skiing boat, but he hadn’t gone skiing in a couple of years. When the used Boston Whaler came on the market, he’d jumped on it. She was rigged for saltwater fishing, but he spent most of his time on the nearby Trinity River. She was his pride and joy. He’d enjoyed many a happy day on it, but none could compare to the day with Soph.
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