She leaned back against the cushions, her body bearing the evidence of a two-week tan. Dash had dropped anchor for the night in a secluded fingerling cove that was thick with mangroves. There was very little to worry about when surrounded by all that beauty. Silently she wondered how he’d pulled it all off when he had been so busy with the band, but she wasn't complaining. With minimal effort, she could get used to this kind of life. Coffee on the water while watching the sunrise. Fishing from late morning into the early evening. A delicious supper made from the fresh catch. Add in a bottle of wine and night filled with stars, and it was absolute heaven.
Their ride back from today’s fishing spot had been nothing less than exhilarating. Dash revved the engine, the bottom of the boat skipping over the surface of the water. It reminded her of skimming stones on a pond when she was a child. The speed they traveled was just enough of a thrill to make her tummy flip. Once Dash spied a place to moor the craft, he steered into a comfortable position and dropped anchor to spend the night and then disappeared below deck.
Skylar closed her eyes, sinking into the near silence. The only sounds out on the water were that of nature. Dash's Sea Ray Sundancer was a luxury cruiser. It had everything they needed to disconnect from the world and decompress completely. She’d turned on some music, keeping the volume low, though there wasn't another boat anywhere in sight. With a glass of wine in hand, her body swayed to the tunes of Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and B.B. King.
Weekends found Key West peppered with many kinds of watercraft and all sorts of people. The combination of water and high temperatures coated her skin in a thin sheen of moist heat. Though technically part of Florida, there was something distinctly different about Key West. Inhibitions fell away, alcohol freely flowed, and even the staunchest personality unshackled. There was nowhere else in the United States like the Conch Republic, as the locals called it, and she and Dash were soaking in every minute of freedom it offered.
"Hey, baby?"
The sound of Dash's voice brought a smile to her lips. "Yes?"
"Do you have something to drink up there?"
"Yes."
"I'll be right up."
Happiness welled up inside of her. The timing of this getaway was exactly what they’d needed. Since Dash had a break and she’d finished the second draft of her current novel, this small amount of downtime afforded them the perfect opportunity to get away. Winters in Maryland were fickle, the weather as moody and unpredictable as the love life of a teenage girl. In the time they'd been there, they’d not only gone out on the boat, but they’d partied together nearly every night, just the two of them. They’d hopped from bar to bar, and, though there’d been many other patrons, they only had eyes for each other. It was as if no one else existed. Sky liked living in the little, invisible bubble they’d created, just the two of them. Free of tour dates and book deadlines, not to mention Ian's antics, they were using this time to take their relationship to a whole new level. It was heaven. Pure heaven.
As Dash came topside, a rush of pleasure coursed through her veins, interrupting her peaceful thoughts. He looked over at her as she reclined. The warm breeze caressed her skin while the look in his eye warmed her heart. Giving her a devilish grin, he stripped off his shorts. Modesty wasn't his strong suit. With a mischievous look in his eye, he placed his foot on the cushion near her knee in a blatant copy of the Captain Morgan pose, only naked.
She skated an index finger up the back of his calf, scraping ever so gently with her fingernail. Desire bubbled her blood. Inching her sunglasses down her nose, she peered over the top, and fixed her eyes on his semi-erect appendage. Slowly she dragged her eyes upward, noting that the sun-kissed glow on his skin was a shade or two darker than hers. Dash's bare body was a thing of beauty. It was no wonder he was desired by women all over the world. Sky took mental inventory, appreciating the view as her eyes traveled to the pronounced V-shape formed by muscles running down the inside of his hips. What was it about that area that made women salivate?
Sky was no exception. A well-developed man was a work of art, and Dash’s body was certainly that. Her blue eyes crept up as she took in his perfect physique to meet his sparkling brown ones.
She gave him a sultry look. The temperature was still in the high 80s. Dash's tight abs formed an impressive six-pack, and droplets of heat-driven sweat glistened in the crevices of his tanned skin. Her playful mind kicked in, urging her to forget everything else, lick the salty perspiration from him, and chase it down with a shot of Tequila.
"See something you like?" His tone was playful and suggestive.
Her brow quirked. "Maybe."
A hearty chuckle was all she received before he shocked her. A quick step up, and then he launched himself over the side of the boat. She yelped. Graceful, he wasn't. His cannonball exploded when his ass hit the surface, the water splashing high enough to give her a good dousing.
"Dash!"
She sprang upright from the jolt of cold water. Running one hand and then the other down her arms, she wiped away the unexpected droplets. Though they cooled her skin, she blotted away the remaining beads with a nearby towel while Dash took a short swim around the boat. Before long, he hopped up on the swim platform and made his way back to her. He shook his head like a dog, flicking more water as he stood above her.
"Stop! You're getting me all wet!"
Her protest met deaf ears. He grabbed a towel and dried his hair, leaving the rest of his body to the elements. “As sweet as I think you are, you're not sugar, baby. You won't melt." He laughed, straddling her. Caged between his legs, the remaining drops on his skin trailed down to hers.
"Didn't you hear me the first time I said it? You’re getting me wet.” She reached out to his muscular thighs, floating her palms on his skin.
"That's the goal." His tone was suggestive, and a rush of desire moistened her bikini bottom.
Dash stretched out, laying his body on top of hers to prevent her from escaping. "Besides, what kind of husband would I be if I didn't make you wet?"
Husband? She gave him a wayward look. "We aren't married."
"We will be." His measured tone gave way to a low growl. The sound incited all sorts of images, but the statement earned him a playful eye roll. Dash tucked his lips beneath her chin, heating her skin with kisses. She shivered as his cool body pressed against her heated one.
"You're so cold." Sky giggled, squirming beneath him.
Dash imprisoned her with his full body. He gave her pelvis a gentle thrust. "Mm-hmm, and you're so hot."
His rich baritone dropped to a sultry bass, the sound traveling deep inside her. Skylar shivered again, but this time it wasn't from a chill. "You're bad, you know it?” she asked.
"Yes, I am, but I'll make it good for you."
He kissed her long and forcefully, the way she'd grown to love. His passion stoked hers, the enthusiasm ratcheting both his desire and hers. He ground his erection against her pelvis. The only thing separating them was a garment—her thin, white bathing suit bottom. Blood rushed to his cock, and within seconds he'd grown rock hard. With the stiff member digging into them both, Dash hooked his thumbs inside the elastic waistband and slid the garment over her hips, down her legs, and off until it lay on the deck. He parted Skylar's thighs with his knee, forcing her legs to open to him.
Sky's eyes flew open as she gasped. She snapped her head both left and right. "Dash, we're out in the open. Someone might see us." Her plea fell on deaf ears.
"There's no one around, baby." He kissed her again to silence further protests.
Though she weakly balked, the idea that someone could come upon them and witness their lovemaking sent a jolt of excitement through her. Still, she wanted it on record that she’d made an attempt at modesty. "Really, Dash. A boat could come near us at any minute."
"Shh." Dash, undeterred by her concerns, continued to tease and tantalize.
Skylar sucked in a breath as he moved off her and leaned on his side, his fing
ers trailing along the inside of her thigh until they disappeared between her folds.
She moaned as his fingertips grazed the sensitive area. The sound sent a fresh supply of blood to his already turgid member. Dash nudged her thighs wider as he dipped inside. A rush of wetness mixed with her heat, her body begging him to continue.
Skylar's hips swayed as she writhed with pleasure. Dash removed his hand just long enough to position himself between her legs. As his tip breached her entrance, she moaned. She thrust her hips upward to take him in, but Dash moved back, letting her know he controlled their pace. With a free hand, he untied the strings securing her top, tossing it aside once it was free.
Dash teased her, running his tongue along her mouth. Her lips parted, allowing him entrance. Naked and out in the open, Sky's modesty had ruled her initial thoughts, but when Dash kissed her like this, she let go. It was as if he read her body. At the exact moment she submitted totally, he invaded her with both tongue and cock. Her back arched, the coordinated move causing her to gasp. A wave of pleasure washed over her with the initial thrust, but as he pulled back, the retreating drag of his velvety smooth member hitting every nerve doubled the pleasure. Her body responded, gripping him with each move of his hips.
"Oh, God." Skylar's moans were a prayer as her body begged for release. She lost herself in the feelings. A touch of danger lingered, caused by their exhibitionism, but it added to her excitement. The fear of being discovered created just enough trepidation to turn her on.
She craved Dash, her body begged him to possess her completely. Lust had settled into her marrow, turning Dash into both conqueror and slave.
Over and over, he pushed her body beyond any pleasure she'd ever experienced. Driving. Claiming. They were blind to anything other than satisfaction. Skylar cried out as she approached her climax. Dash responded to the sound, pushing harder, driving deeper. With one final thrust, her cries ignited an explosion. Dash took them both over the edge, Skylar shattering as he emptied himself inside her.
Dash rested his head on Skylar as the sun set into darkness. She played with his hair, inching the pads of her fingers over his scalp as she massaged his head. "Tell me about your family."
He lifted his eyes to hers. "What do you want to know?"
“Whatever you want to tell me, I guess.” She shrugged. "I don't really know anything. You've mentioned them in passing, but not much."
His expression shadowed with longing. "My mom and dad were great people. I couldn't have asked for better parents. They were working class. Dad was a postal worker. Mom was a teacher. I'm an only child, so I'm sure you can guess that their world revolved around me. They came to every baseball game." He sat up and stretched his neck muscles. A tender spark lit his eyes. "They had two folding chairs, the woven kind. They packed them and a little umbrella that clipped onto the arm of one of the chairs. Dad always positioned his chair as close to Mom as he could get.” He smiled at the memory. “They always packed a little cooler with a couple of sweet teas for Mom, ginger ale for my dad, and four bottles of water for me. My parents were the biggest cheerleaders in the world. They'd yell at the umpire if there was a bad call and screamed when anyone on my team made a home run." Sad laughter slipped from his lips. "They were great people. Embarrassing at times, but great. I was a really lucky kid, you know?”
A gentle nod of her head affirmed her answer to his question, but she wanted to know more. “How did you come to play guitar?"
"I don't remember not having a guitar, really. I think I was five when my mom got one for me. My grandparents were gone before I was born, but my mom said that my grandfather played the fiddle and my grandmother played piano. My parents said I was a natural. I just picked it up one day and began to strum the strings. I've been playing for as long as I can remember."
"Sounds like your parents were awesome.” She paused. “How did they pass away?”
His lifted his head until his eyes met hers, and she saw the sad memories cut through them. "My dad died of a heart attack just after my first gig. Mom outlived him by ten years. Cancer took her. She did take treatments, and went into remission twice, but it came back with a vengeance the third time. Treatment was a relentless and grueling regimen. She got to a point where she felt like they were doing more harm than good.” His brows pinched with pain. "She was so sick. She told me she didn't want to do it anymore and asked me if I’d be mad at her if she stopped. I told her hell no. After that, I took her to Florida. Mom always felt peaceful when she was by the water. It was winter in Maryland so taking her to the Eastern shore wasn’t an option. I found a house down South, right there on the beach. I'd wrap a blanket around her if she was chilly, but she loved it there. She passed sitting in her chair, looking out at the calm Gulf waters.”
"I didn't mean to make you sad." She reached for his hand.
"You didn’t.” His expression was tender and his eyes welled with tears. “Honestly, I should thank you. They were awesome people. It's been a while since I've thought about them. If anything, you did me a favor." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I think they would have loved you.”
Chapter 27
There was something magical about a dark sky with a million stars. They were far from the light pollution of the city. Sky lost herself as she stared into space. Her thoughts floated, drifting her in and out of dreamy views.
"Happy?" Dash pressed his hand to the curve of her hip and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Unbelievably." She ran her fingers through his hair. "I am getting chilled. I think I got a little sunburned."
“Tomorrow I’ll put you on top. You'd look cute with a smart, red ass."
She swatted his shoulder. "I'll just bet you'd like that. Unlike you who stands for his job, I have to sit. The last thing I want to do is try to concentrate on a storyline with a stinging, itchy bottom."
Dash laughed as he rose to his feet. He extended a hand to Sky. They sat talking into the night, even catching a few shooting stars. "You want another glass of wine?"
"Sure." Sky wrapped her arms around herself. Goosebumps pebbled her skin. The combination of night air and sunburn were responsible for the chill. Though the night was still warm, her slightly toasted skin was sensitive.
As Dash poured the wine, Sky went down below to grab something to wrap around her shoulders. It was such a beautiful night. She ran a brush through her hair, flipped it through a ponytail holder, and returned to where she’d left him. There she found Dash sitting in the captain's chair. She came up behind him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and placed a kiss on his head. This had been such a nice break from the everyday grind. Her heart was light, her spirit playful. "Whatcha doin', hot stuff?"
Dash didn't respond. Sky pressed her mouth closer to his ear. "Dash?" He didn't move. A chill ran through her as, suddenly, she sensed something was wrong. She dropped her arms, walking around the side of him until she could see his face. "Dash. What's wrong?"
He didn't turn to look at her. In fact, he didn't do anything. She snapped her fingers in front of his eyes, but Dash's face was devoid of expression. Instantly, fear gripped her insides. She placed her fingers beneath his chin, pinching ever so slightly to raise his head. His eyes met hers, but there was no expression within them except a befuddled cloud. He was lost.
This was no time to panic and she fought the spike of adrenaline that stiffened her spine with everything she had. After several attempts to bring him back from whatever black hole he'd slipped into, Skylar took his hands. Dash appeared to be locked inside his own thoughts, unable to make a connection. She pulled and he stood up. Walking backward she led him down two steps to the cabin below. He followed her direction but wasn't engaged. He sat down when the back of his legs hit the bed, and Skylar gently pushed him until he laid down. He closed his eyes, and she covered him with a light blanket.
She took a cleansing breath. Though her fight was valiant, terror was an animal that fought her attempted containment. Despite the effort, it wasn't somethi
ng that could be controlled. The moment that fear took root it flooded Sky’s body with adrenaline. Though outwardly she appeared composed, it hitched a ride through her bloodstream and set every system on high alert.
Skylar sat on the other side of the bed, watching Dash as he rested. Peaceful sleep smoothed the lines of his face, in direct contrast to what she was experiencing. She was in the midst of the worst panic attack imaginable. She didn't know what to do.
She swiped away helpless tears. Why hadn't she learned how to operate the boat? She should have insisted Dash show her what all the gears and gadgets were for, but she’d been having too much fun. Her mind was filled with guilty thoughts. Her ignorance could be their undoing.
Skylar wrestled with her fear, slowly inhaling some deep, calming breaths. It took everything she had to slow her mind and rationally examine their situation. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to Dash's cheek. The best thing she could do was to leave him to sleep through whatever it was that had snatched him from her.
She went above and took a seat nearest the cabin door. That way, she could hear Dash if he woke up. Her stomach churned, the sick feeling rising in her throat. She replayed the last half-hour. What had happened in the few minutes she’d gone down below? And what was she going to do now? They were stuck in the middle of the sea, at night, with no one around them. She couldn't get a cell signal and didn't know how to use the radio to call for help. She also couldn't get them back to the marina. She didn't know the first thing about driving a boat. Drive a boat? Was drive even the proper term when talking about the movements of boats?
Looking over, she saw Dash had poured the wine. She picked up the glass and downed it. There was nothing she could do then except calm her racing thoughts and come up with a plan.
She leaned her head back and rested her neck on the soft, beige leather. The sky was so dark and the stars so bright. This evening could have been another magical one but had turned grave. She couldn’t let her guard down. Two things required her attention, getting the boat to shore and hoping that whatever had happened to Dash could wait until she could get him medical care. The blank stare. The non-responsiveness. Had he had a ministroke?
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