Sinful Ever After (Romance Collection)

by Vivian Wood

  “God, that smells great,” Malkia says, echoing my thoughts.

  A young man looks up from where he is pouring drinks behind the bar and nods. Luna looks around at the choice of tables, zeroing in on the only empty table.

  “How about there?” she says, nodding.

  “I’m going to go to the bar. What’ll you guys have?”

  “A French 75,” Luna answers immediately.

  Malkia and I both look at her oddly.

  “That was a quick answer,” I say.

  Her cheeks color. “My brother owns a bar and he doesn’t have time for anyone to fool around. With Luca, you either know what you want or you get a glass full of tequila.” She sticks her tongue out in disgust. “I learned what to ask for really quickly.”

  “I’m pretty sure they just have beer and whiskey here,” Malkia says. “And don’t even bother with specifying which kind of whiskey. They have one kind with no label.”

  I stretch. “I’m pretty sure someone distills it on site.”

  Luna looks thoughtful. “Then I’ll have a beer, please.”

  “Same,” Malkia says.

  As they make their way to the remaining empty table, I head to the bar. It takes a minute for the silent man behind the bar to finish pouring and serving the drinks he already has, but I don’t mind.

  I notice a chalkboard to the far right, indicating that they have two kinds of beer and whiskey. At the bottom of the board, it reads, Trivia Today, 5 pm.

  I look at my watch. That’s less than two hours from now. After I get a round of beers, I head back to the table and sit between Malkia and Luna.

  Luna takes an experimental sip of her beer, wiping foam from her mouth. “Mmm!” she says, looking up. “That’s really good.”

  Mal looks at me. “Please tell me that you ordered us some of whatever smells so good.”

  “I did.” I take a sip of my beer, nodding to Luna. “I hope you like venison, because I have a feeling that’s what the scent is.”

  She makes a face and shrugs. “I’ll try anything, I guess.”

  I take another swig of my beer and shrug right back at her. “Okay. It’s the only thing you’re going to get on land today.”

  “I hope that they have that really good hot sauce here. What is it called? Humble?” Malkia asks.

  I tilt my head, trying to remember. “Something like that.”

  Malkia looks to Luna. “When we were children, our parents owned this company and ran charters just like this. One of the ways that we bonded was over hot sauce.”

  “Mal didn’t like anything spicy until she turned twelve,” I say with a slow smile. “Then it was like a switch flipped. She couldn’t get enough.”

  Mal shakes her head. “It may have seemed that way, but I assure you that I had to force myself to like the taste of peppers.”

  “Anyway, we still like to keep the tradition going,” I finish.

  Luna looks between us, smiling. “It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood.”

  I shrug. “We were always poor growing up, but we didn’t mind. Right, Mal?”

  She nods, sipping her beer. “Quite right. Our parents were always around, always teaching us about the natural world.”

  Luna sighs. “That is really sweet. My parents took off for Europe when I was a kid.” A corner of her mouth turns down. “You know what they say. More money, more problems.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “I don’t think I would be the same person if I didn’t spend all that time by my dad’s knee, watching him pilot boats.”

  Luna looks down, flushing. But in the next second the silent bartender arrives with the steaming bowls of food.

  I look down at the amazing-smelling stuff. There is a hunk of French bread on the side and some kind of brown stew. I can see bits of carrot and potato and what I assume to be venison.

  Malkia asks for hot sauce and the bartender brings her a new bottle of something spicy. She tastes a little, declares it to be very, very hot, and then douses her food with it.

  I taste the stew first. My eyes close for a second. This kind of homemade food is by far my favorite.

  I add a little hot sauce on one side of the bowl and then start eating. Luna is less enthusiastic about digging into her bowl.

  “What’s wrong?” Mal asks her.

  Luna gives me a placating smile. “Nothing. Just… you know. I was thinking that before I left Seattle, the last meal I had was a super fancy salad with kale and fresh salmon. Basically the opposite of here, you know?”

  I scowl at Luna. “No one is forcing you to eat the stew, Luna.”

  Luna gives her head a tiny shake. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant… I don’t know. Your lives are very, very different from my usual routine.”

  Malkia cuts in. “And what’s that, Doctor?”

  Luna flushes. “Well, first off, I’m not technically a doctor yet. I have to pass a set of exams this fall first.”

  That gives me pause. Mal just rolls right past it, though. “And what is your life like? A lot galas and stuff? That’s what rich people do, right?”

  Luna rolls her eyes. “Maybe the older generation. I actually just work a lot and study most of the time that I’m not on the job.”

  I frown. “And when you say work…”

  “I mean working shifts at the ER, mainly.” She smiles. “I actually just gave my notice there, because in the fall I am going to be doing my internship. I won’t have time for another job.”

  Mal tears off a piece of her bread. “It sounds like you don’t mind working a lot as long as you are doing what you love. Gabe is like that too. He would work nonstop and never leave the boat if we let him.”

  I give Luna a hard smile. “On the surface, it sounds like we are similar. But I think it just reinforces how different the worlds we come from really are.”

  Luna shrugs. “I guess if you want to see it that way, sure.”

  I push to my feet, eyeing Malkia. “Speaking of that… I’m going to get another beer and then take my food back to the ship.”

  “Oh, come on Gabe…” Mal says, scrunching up her face.

  But I’m done. “I’ll see you both later.”

  After dropping a wad of cash on the bartender, I head out, my brain awash in the differences between Luna and me.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Luna

  Late the next morning, I wake up in my little bunk. My phone is switched on but it’s on silent; if I’m honest about it, I have basically had the ringer put in silent mode since 2008.

  I realize that I woke up because my phone keeps buzzing. I also realize that everyone else has already gotten up, leaving me to sleep in. Checking my phone, I see five texts from Cate.

  How is the cruise going?

  Are you actually getting these messages?

  I really need to talk to you about what is going on with Harper and Smith.

  Your brother is a real jerk. I love him, but also, I kind of want to punch him in the mouth sometimes.

  It’s been a week! Call me already!!

  I can’t help but grin. As my best friend, I knew that Cate would have a hard time adjusting to me being gone. But her texts serve as a reminder that there is a whole other world waiting for me at home.

  It’s not just Gabe and Malkia and this boat, even if they are all I see day to day.

  Getting up, I dress in casual clothes and head to the kitchen for coffee. The guests are spending the day on a nature hike, so I’ve got time to kill. I pop up onto the main deck and look around.

  Alex nods at me from her post above me on the upper deck. I smile and wave, pulling my fleece tighter against my body.

  Then I walk to the very back of the boat, checking to make sure that I still have signal. When I video call Cate, she answers almost immediately.

  “Whhhhaaaaaattttt?” she cries. “You’re alive!”

  She is dressed for work at the bar in a short black dress and an apron. She grins. “Just a second, let me go somewhere pr
ivate.”

  “Take your time,” I say, looking out over the bay. The water is a distinctly gray color just now, but it’s relatively smooth inside the bay. It’s windy today, the air chilly. Glancing further out to the horizon, I see that the ocean is pretty choppy.

  “Okay!” Cate says, calling my attention back to the screen. “It’s so bright where you are.”

  I push a couple strands of hair back that are blowing across my face. “Yeah, it’s bright but cold up here in British Columbia.”

  “Ugh, I’m jealous. There is nothing happening over here for me.” She wrinkles her nose. “Tell me everything that you’ve been up to. I wanna live vicariously through you.”

  That makes me chuckle. “I am living pretty glamorously. You should see my sleeping quarters. They are seriously so small, it’s a little ridiculous.”

  “Whatever, you’re on an adventure.” Cate sighs. “I wish I was on an adventure.”

  I give her a look. “You know that my brother would take you anywhere you want to go in a heartbeat, right?”

  Her cheeks grow pink. “Yes. I want to hear about you, though. How is it working for Gabe?”

  I consider that for a second, puffing out my cheeks. “Frustrating, mostly. He’s very grumpy. Secretive too.”

  “That really sucks,” she says, frowning.

  “Yeah. Did you know that Gabe had a fiancée? Apparently, her name was Michelle and she died.”

  Her eyes widen. “What?”

  “I know! When did she die? Was it before or after I met him in Vegas? But of course, he asked me not to tell people about that night… so I’m walking on eggshells, trying to tiptoe around Gabe’s feelings…”

  Cate shakes her head. “I had no idea that you were going through all that.”

  It takes a second for me to find what I want to say. “It’s not so bad, really. At least Gabe’s sister is really cool. She’s the first mate and she keeps everything running smoothly.” I pause, a thought occurring to me. “We should totally charter a yacht for a few days. Not this one obviously, because Gabe apparently hates all the ‘clients’, as he calls them.”

  I make air quotes, which causes Cate to giggle. “Why does he hate them?”

  “He hates rich people, I guess. Some kind of classist nonsense. I mean, you grew up with less money than Luca and I did. Are we really that bad?”

  I cock my head, expecting Cate to laugh. But there is a strange hesitation on her face.

  “Well, no…” she says carefully. “But you do have to imagine that to anyone who grew up struggling to make ends meet, your lifestyle can be a bit… flashy and in your face…”

  That gives me pause. “Really?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Yes, really. The fact that we are even having this conversation is really sort of absurd. You were extremely privileged growing up. I would just… I don’t know, bear that in mind.” Her gaze narrows. “Especially when you’re talking to Gabe and his sister, who you already find to be sort of sensitive on this subject.”

  “Huh.” I chew on that bit of advice, mulling it over. “Thanks for putting me in check.”

  She smiles. “Anytime. What else are best friends for? Besides, I want you to have the best chances of falling in love with this guy as possible— “

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who said anything about love? Because that is just not in my five year plan, Cate.”

  She wiggles her eyebrows. “Exactly. When you aren’t looking for love, love sneaks up on you and explodes all over your life.”

  “Luna!” Malkia yells.

  I look toward the sound of her voice, down on the dock. She looks serious, so I whisper goodbye to Cate and stride to the side of the boat.

  “What’s up?” I ask.

  “Get your medical supply kit and come up to the village. There is a villager who got trampled by a horse and the doctor is an hour away.”

  “On it!” I call, rushing downstairs. I grab my medical bag and race back upstairs, hurrying down to the dock.

  Malkia is there, waiting to hustle me up the gentle curve of the dock and toward one of the stubby little buildings. “Gabe is keeping him company inside here.”

  She opens the door and I duck inside. Gabe and three other people are standing by an overstuffed chair, concern written all over their faces.

  I hear a groan and can make out a young man clutching his ribs, sitting on the chair and making noises.

  When Gabe sees me, the intensity on his face only increases. “There is Luna, our boat’s doctor.”

  I move toward the patient. The circle clears enough for me to see the young man, his face contorted with pain.

  “Doctor, please help my nephew!” one of the women gathered around him says.

  But my eyes are laser focused on the young man. I kneel beside him, my fingers finding the pulse point at his wrist. I look him in the eyes, trying to ascertain whether he has neurological damage or not.

  His pulse is thready, his heart rate high but not outside the realm of what I expected. He’s warm to the touch, but I just came in from the cold weather.

  “I’m Luna,” I say, releasing his wrist. Wrangling my stethoscope from my bag. “I’m going to need you to be really still, okay?”

  “Okay,” he says, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

  “What’s your name?” I ask. I notice that he’s sweating just a little bit.

  He stares down at me, his brown eyes filled with pain. “Hank.”

  “And Hank, what day is it?”

  He licks his lips. “Uhh… Tuesday?”

  “And who is the president?”

  “Justin Trudeau.”

  “Great.” I listen to his breathing and his heart for a minute. Then I pull the stethoscope around my neck. “Everything sounds good. Where do you feel pain? Can you show me?”

  He makes a quiet sound of distress. His hands go to his ribs again, hovering there. “Right here hurts the worst.”

  “Okay. No problem.” I look up, finding Gabe’s eyes. “Do you mind giving us some privacy?”

  Hank’s aunt starts to wail as Gabe opens his arms, starting to shoo everyone out. “We’ll be right outside.”

  Once the door closes behind him, I look at Hank. “Do you mind if we take off your shirt? I’d like to get a look at your injuries…”

  Hank flushes but peels off his t-shirt. I wince at the large red marks all over his torso.

  “I’m going to have to touch your torso, I’m afraid.” I palpate the red marks, being as gentle as I can. Hank still cries out a couple of times but overall is a trooper.

  I finish, standing up. “Okay. I have good news. Even though it’s painful, I think you’ve just cracked a couple ribs.”

  Hank looks surprised. “Yeah?”

  “Mmhm. Do you want to put your shirt back on? That way I can let your family back inside.”

  He nods, reaching for his t-shirt. After he gets it on, I open the door and urge everyone to come back in.

  “Alright. So despite it being very painful for Hank to cough or laugh or even breathe deeply, it is my best guess that he isn’t in any immediate medical danger. It seems like two or more of his ribs are fractured, which… ouch! But they should resolve themselves, given time.”

  Hank’s aunt bursts into tears. I smile, trying to keep things professional.

  “It would be best if someone were to drive Hank to an emergency room, where they can X-ray his ribs and check more thoroughly for a punctured lung. But aside from doing that, he just needs rest and some ibuprofen.” I blow out a breath. “And make sure that you take lots of deep breaths the entire time your ribs are healing, Hank. We wouldn’t want you to catch pneumonia, okay?”

  Hank nods, wincing. “Okay.”

  “All right.” I pack up my medical bag.

  “Do we owe you anything?” a solemn-looking older man asks me.

  “Oh, no. I’ve barely done anything. You should take him to the ER though… Get those ribs x-rayed.” I give him my practiced, professional smile
. “Goodbye, Hank.”

  Stepping back out of the building and into the cold, I shiver a little. Malkia is nowhere to be seen but Gabe does follow me outside.

  I glance up at him. His expression is neutral, his gaze roving over my face.

  What is he thinking just now? I wish I knew.

  And why do I find his terseness to be an invitation?

  “I guess I should go back to the boat,” I say, looking briefly into the brightness of the midday sun.

  He shoves his hands in his pockets, looking down at the ground as he kicks a rock away from his foot. “If you want.”

  “Oo-kay…” I say awkwardly. “I’ll see you around, then…”

  I start toward the docks again, but Gabe’s voice stops me in my tracks. “Thank you for coming.”

  I turn around, a little frown on my lips. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m a healer. If anyone calls, I come running.”

  One corner of his mouth bends downward. “I wasn’t sure you would. You aren’t responsible for anyone who isn’t a passenger of the yacht.”

  I lift my brows. “By whose definition?”

  He just shrugs but he pins me with that eerie green-blue gaze of his. “I don’t know. I just figured that you only care about people who can pay you for your services.”

  I pull back, fully scowling at his words. “That’s horrible, Gabe. We may not be from the same set of circumstances, but I can’t believe you thought so little of me.”

  He dips his head. “If it helps, I feel like a fool now.”

  I look at him, tall and dark, his short hair blowing in the wind. His expression is dark, his lips set in a firm line.

  “You should work on that,” I say. “People aren’t only out for money, Gabe. You should really try to see that people are mostly good.”

  He just nods noncommittally, looking off into the distance. After a second more of staring at his face, I turn and continue down toward the docks.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gabe

  The next couple of days go by extremely slowly. I spend it mostly alone in the pilothouse, chewing over what Luna said to me the other night.