by Lucy Smoke
“Sunshine.” Marv’s hand pressed to my cheek, his thumb rubbing up and down under my eye. I shifted in the seat of his BMW, groaning and reached up to wipe away the sleep. “We’re here.”
I yawned and got out of the car slowly. He grabbed our bags and shut the door for me. I offered to take one of the bags, but he caught my hand with his and tugged me after him. I looked around at the marina.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
It was late in the evening. I had been up since early that morning and I was tired. That didn’t halt my curiosity though, or my observations. The sun was almost set, light orange, yellow, and pink rays spanning across the horizon.
“Everyone is already there. We missed the ferry that left this afternoon,” Marv said. The wood of the docks swayed under our feet, buoyed by the water.
“Then, how exactly are we getting there?”
He threw a grin over his shoulder, lighting the tornados in his eyes. “We’re taking my boat.”
We stopped in front of small, blue and white motorboat with the inscription Adventurer over the back of it, the stern Marv told me. He tossed our bags in before jumping over the side and held his arms out to me. I reached for his hands, but he shook his head and slid his palms around my waist, lifting me into the boat. His biceps bunched and released and when he set me down, we were less than a breath away from each other. I looked up into his swirling, gray eyes.
His fingertips drifted up to touch my face again, and he pressed his lips to my temple before holding me close. “We don’t have to do this,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Just say the word and I’ll take you back. We’ll go to the hospital and stay with your mother. The others would understand.”
Before he was even finished, I was shaking my head. “I don’t want to do that,” I said. “We’ve already agreed to this. We need to help.” I needed the distraction.
He gazed down at me. “Your family is important.”
“So is this,” I argued. “I don’t want to think about my mom right now. I need to do this. I need to feel useful. Staying at the hospital watching her slip away isn’t helpful. It’s just going to make me feel worse. The doctor said that she has months left, not hours. Two days away will be okay. It’ll give us a break.”
He brushed aside a lock of hair hanging in my face. “Is that what you need? A break?”
I looked away. “I don’t know, maybe.” His fingers urged my face back and he lowered his head. His lips touched mine, soft, gentle, yet firm. He lifted his other hand to cup my head and hold me to him as his mouth opened and mine did too. Our lips met again and our tongues snuck out in search of each other. Marv moaned against my mouth, his hips nudging forward, something hard pushing against my stomach. I had to tilt my head back, and stand on tiptoe. Marv had to bend forward to meet me. His mouth was warm, comforting. He dragged his lips away from mine, trailing them up my face, over my cheek and temple into my hair. His breath fluttered over my scalp making me shiver.
“It’s going to be okay, Harlow. I promise.” He leaned back, his eyes boring into mine, holding me hostage. “You will never be alone again. You’re with us now, with me.”
He turned, releasing me, and began uncoiling the rope tied to the dock. I sat in the passenger seat as he readied us to go into open waters, feeling guiltier than I had ever felt before, and hating myself for watching him and craving him because the truth was, he wasn’t the only one I felt safe around. He wasn’t the only one I craved.
Chapter 17
The Adventurer rocked against the waves, cutting through the water quickly. Once the sun had set, the sky darkened and the air over the water was much cooler. I shivered against the wind whipping at our faces as Marv drove the boat. The roar of the motor was so loud, we didn’t speak for the duration of the ride. Nearly a half-hour later, lights from Sweratt Island came into view. Marv steered us toward a dock set up on the far side of the island. A light hung from the end, swaying back and forth. Two men dressed in white pants and blue dress shirts hurried forward as we docked. They secured the boat while Marv took my hand and helped me onto the docks.
“Ma’am, may I take your bags?” I looked up as a familiar voice spoke nearby. Texas’ dark brown eyes met mine and he gently reached for the bags.
“Thank you,” I said. He winked before he turned and strode away. I had no doubt that wherever Marv and I would end up tonight, we would have a way to contact Texas and the rest of the guys later.
Marv took my hand and we walked towards a narrow road behind the dock house where a six-person golf cart awaited us. We climbed into the backseat, his arm around my waist while the two men who had assisted us got into the front and set the cart in motion. I leaned my head against Marv’s chest, and yawned. Marv toyed with the ends of my hair. I inhaled and he chuckled, rubbing a hand over my head.
“Are you smelling me?” he teased.
“Mmm hmm,” I mumbled, inhaling again.
“What do I smell like?” he asked.
“Coffee,” I said. “You always smell like coffee.”
He laughed. “We all have our addictions. Just so happens that mine is caffeine and a smartass, little brunette.” I blushed, but couldn’t help the small smile that stretched across my mouth.
I looked in awe at the immense resort as the golf cart stopped in front of a lavish entrance. Marv stepped off the cart and held his hand out for me. I smirked, and took the offered hand, allowing him to help me step down. He kissed my knuckles, sending sparks jumping up my arms, before tucking my hand to his side.
“Welcome Mr. Carter.” An older gentleman, with graying sideburns extending from dark brown hair, greeted us the moment we were through the doors. “My name is Jonathan. I will be your personal steward, and I will be on call for you for the entirety of your stay.”
“This is my girlfriend, Harley,” Marv introduced.
I blinked at the name, confused, but quickly recalled the pseudonym we had used at the hotel meet and greet. It would be odd to give my real name after I had already been introduced as ‘Harley’.
“Pleased to meet you.” I held out a hand for Jonathan to shake. He nodded firmly after dropping my hand and gestured towards a grand staircase just to the front of the lobby desk.
“Shall I take you to your quarters to dress and prepare for the meal this evening?”
“I thought we missed that,” Marv said, his eyebrows rising.
“No sir,” Jonathan replied. “Dinner will be served in another half-hour.”
“I would like to change before then. Yes of course, please lead the way.”
We followed Jonathan up the grand staircase and through a complex maze of hallways to a door with a gold plaque on the front. I memorized the number, knowing I would likely need it later when I would inevitably get lost.
“Thank you, Jonathan,” Marv said.
I wandered into the room as Marv tipped the man. We had been given a suite of rooms instead of just one. There was a sitting area, larger than the living room in my duplex. There was a basket of apples on the counter. Plain shapes piled onto canvas masquerading as artwork on the walls. Otherwise, ocean themes layered every other inch of the space. I explored further. There was one bedroom with a light-blue and white duvet and an oak trunk at the foot of the four-poster bed. A grand bathroom was attached, larger than my bedroom at home, with a frosted-glass shower and a tub set into the side of a wall with small whirlpool holes along the sides, a Jacuzzi. It smelled like sand and water throughout every inch of the room. Marv followed me into the bathroom, his arms banding around me. My hands came up to hold onto him. Though it was cold in the room, I wondered if I trembled for other reasons.
“Our bags were just delivered. We have to get ready,” he said.
“What’s it going to be like?”
He rested his chin on the top of my head and looked at us in the mirror. “It’ll be loud. There will be lots of drinking. Not everyone here is as kind as the people you met at the meet and greet. Some are
more pompous.”
“Snooty,” I guessed. He nodded, his chin bumping against me. I laughed and turned, poking him in the ribs. “Get out, I’ll change in here.”
“No,” he said, tugging me into the room. He grabbed a few things from his bag. “I’ll change in there, you change here. I’ll knock when I’m done so you know I’m coming out.”
“Wait!” I called out as he headed back into the bathroom. He paused, glancing back. “What should I wear?”
He shrugged. “Whatever you want.” The bathroom door closed behind him, locking him away from my sight. I sighed and looked towards my bag.
Ten minutes and three coats of mascara later, Marv knocked against the bathroom door before opening it slowly and peeking out. I stood at the white-wood vanity fixing my makeup in a black and white floral-patterned cocktail dress. My red heels were chafing at the skin of my ankles, but Texas and Bellamy had assured me that a few well-placed band aids would help with that. How they knew, I hadn’t asked, but it made sense. I might not have worn heels in years, but that didn’t mean I had forgotten the curse that they brought with them, especially new ones. Marv straightened his white dress shirt, rolling up the sleeves to his elbows. His checkered bow tie lay against his collar, undone.
“Do you need some help with that?” I nodded to the strip of fabric. He didn’t seem to hear me. His eyes roved over the dress as he put a hand in his pocket and jangled the loose change there. “Marv?”
His head shot up. “What?”
I laughed, putting the eyeliner down next to the mascara and walked over to him. My fingers trailed around his collar, popping the white fabric as I quickly knotted and tied his bowtie. He watched me as I fixed it appropriately.
“You’d make a good wife,” he mumbled.
“Hmm.” I pretended to be absorbed in my task, not letting on just how that statement, coming from him, rattled me.
Any girl who could tie a tie or a bowtie correctly probably seemed like a good candidate for a wife, I assured myself. It was helpful that I managed to hold things together under certain situations such as spying on his peers. I folded his collar back down and smoothed it out. He looked dashing, his light-gray eyes a contrast with his dark hair. Stubble spread over his jaw line, giving him a little rougher edge than usual. It heated my blood all the same.
Marv took my hand as we exited our room. I was getting used to that. The hallways were empty and it wasn’t until we descended the staircase again that we heard laughter and music down a long, navy-blue carpeted hallway.
The dining room was grand with globe chandeliers lighting the arched ceiling. Three candles, ranging from tall to nearly burnt out, sat in the middle of each table. The concierge gestured Marv and I to our table as I observed the room, the women in their dresses, the men ignoring the women in their dresses for other, prettier, younger women. My mouth grew dry. I clutched Marv’s hand like a lifeline. If he noticed, he didn’t show it.
A shadow fell over us and a waiter in black and white dropped off glasses of water and white wine. He paused behind Marv and me before setting our glasses down, knocking my napkin off the table with the flick of his hand. If I wasn’t so high strung, I wouldn’t have noticed that it was purposefully done. I looked at the waiter as he bent over and retrieved the scrap of fabric.
“I apologize, Miss,” he mumbled setting the napkin on the table next to me. I memorized his face, the arc of his brows, the dull, doe-brown eyes and the sharp, slightly-too-large-for-his-face nose. He flicked a glance at the napkin once more before scurrying off. I reached for it as Marv leaned over and placed his lips in my hair, a hand on the back of my chair.
“Hand it to me,” he whispered. It was then I realized that this was preplanned. The guys must have either paid the waiter or he was part of their team, part of Iris. I slipped the napkin into my lap and twisted my body towards him, scooting it to his knee. He opened the flap and retrieved something before passing it back. “Put it in your ear.”
I waited a few moments as Marv stretched, groaned, and rubbed at his ear as he put in his own device before striking up a conversation with an older brunette across the table. She seemed flattered by his adoration of her jewelry. She fluttered her eyelashes and blushed, causing her husband to fawn over her and agree. Eyes turned to assess her necklace and earrings.
I slipped in the hearing device and Texas’ voice came through, muted and hard to hear. It was as if he were far away maybe yelling across a long, crowded room. Thankfully, I could still make out the words without much concentration. I agreed with Marv about the other woman’s jewelry as she told everyone where she purchased it and who the designer was.
“Space Man to Earth Princess, come in Earth Princess.” I was reaching for a glass of water and snorted at Texas’ teasing. Before I could draw every eye back to me, I jerked the water in front of my face to hide my reaction.
“Oh my god, Texas!” I hissed quietly. “Stop it.”
“Just making sure I got you. I requested you, but Knix said I would get who I would get. I’m glad I got you.”
“Tex–” I interrupted myself as the brunette’s husband glanced my way and I put the glass to my lips and sipped.
“Alright, listen up, Princess. I’ve got some information for you. Marv is getting the run down from Knix now,” Texas said. “Bellamy’s been pulled.” I bit my lip as I tried whispering through unmoving lips.
“Pulled?” I whispered. “Why?”
“Whoever’s in charge of staffing wanted to change a lot, and a whole bunch of employees in non-essential positions were dropped last minute. Luckily, I’m way more than essential. I’m their king guru of tech. Guess that makes both of us royalty. The King of tech and the Earth Princess. Wanna get married?” I could picture Texas waggling his eyebrows. I smirked, coughed into my hand delicately interrupting him as he attempted to list the ways of kings and princesses.
“Right, right,” he replied. “So, you’ve got me and whoever Knix and I manage to bribe to drop equipment with you and Marv. He should have a cell phone now, but you won’t need it until later. Marv will explain the plan. For now, just sit tight, eat some good food and listen to everything.” I hummed in agreement as our first course arrived and Texas grew quiet, only asking me embarrassing questions every now and then to make me blush. I hoped the others at our table just assumed I was shy and naturally pink.
“Planting drinks tonight?” I inquired lowly.
“Nope. Oh! And no drinking on the job, Knix’s orders.”
“I’m not old enough, yet,” I argued. I could picture him shrugging at me, but he just repeated that it was under Knix’s orders and went silent.
“So, Marvin dear,” the brunette said. “Who is your lovely acquaintance?” My eyes widened as the attention at the table suddenly turned to me.
“Mrs. Foster, this young lady is more than just an acquaintance. This is Harley, my girlfriend.” The older woman flapped a bony hand at him.
“Maya, darling. Call me Maya, and is she now?” Her eyes danced over me, analyzing me. “Harley, it’s so very nice to see our boy Marvin with someone. He hasn’t come out in ages!” She reached for the stem of her wine glass and brought it to her dark painted lips.
“I’m happy to be wherever he is.” I smiled, reaching to grasp his hand in front of our audience. Marv’s fingers intertwined with mine.
“So, what do you do?” she inquired.
“I’m sorry?” Panic edged along my nerve endings. Had the guys already put out a background on ‘Harley’? Was this just a test from her? I looked at Marv, who merely raised an eyebrow at me expectantly. I took that to mean that he either didn’t have any idea what she was talking about or he was more than willing to let me make it up as I went along.
“I mean what do you do with your time?” the woman asked. “I know that Marv here works with his parents when they request his assistance, but he’s such a smart boy he was snapped up so quickly by another corporation. What was it called again? Islands? No,
it was some flowery name…”
“Iris, Mrs. Foster,” Marv supplied. “I work for Iris.”
“Yes! That one.” She didn’t bother to correct him about her name again, and turned her focus back to me. “So, what do you do?”
“I’m going to school right now,” I supplied. “Working towards a degree.”
“Oh, how wonderful. What are you going for? Biology? Chemistry? There’s so much available in those industries right now, especially in the research field. Isn’t that right, Darling?” she asked her husband. Mr. Foster’s face was lethargic, but he managed a nod at her insistence.
“Well,” I began. “I’m interested in a few different subjects. So, I’m undecided at the moment.”
“What subjects are you considering?” Her wine glass was half empty and she set it to the side as more waiters approached the table to set out the first course of clam chowder.
“I think architecture and technology are both interesting,” I said. One reminded me of Knix and the other reminded me of Texas.
“Oh, those industries already have too many people. So many are pouring into the technology industry, they have an oversupply. You’ll never get a job with that.” She waved her hands as she leaned over and sipped from a small spoon resting in her chowder. I did the same, my muscles tightening. Mrs. Foster seemed a well-meaning person, but her interrogation was more stressful than easy going. “What else were you considering?”
I held my spoon above the bowl and looked at her. “All I want to do is help people,” I admitted. “It honestly doesn’t matter what industry I end up in or what company or job I end up with.” I sat up straighter, feeling Marv’s gaze on me. “I just want to make a difference in people’s lives. If I can do that, then I’ll be fine.”
The old woman’s eyes twinkled. “Good choice, Dear. Good choice.”
I came awake slower than usual, my eyes refusing to open. I was encased in warmth and the wonderful smell of ocean and coffee. I flipped over and snuggled into a heated side before I realized what I was doing and my eyes popped open.
