Enlightened Love

by Shara Lanel

  “No, she’s seaworthy. I’ve been working on her engine and hull for a year. Just haven’t gotten to the detail work yet.”

  Evan led the way to the rear of the boat. Rick hopped lightly to the boat’s deck and turned to help Kerry, thank God. She’d worried that she’d be left to climb aboard herself, most likely falling into the slimy green water. As it was, she nearly tripped as the boat suddenly scooted further from the pier. Rick, who had been gripping her hand, grabbed her around the waist to stop her fall. The move caused the boat to rock wildly. Rick wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest as he worked to keep his balance. Kerry tried to lean back into Rick, toward the center of the boat as the swaying continued, made worse by movement in the stern as Lydia and Evan moved about. Water sloshed against the barnacles on the dock post and Kerry prayed the soles of her shoes had enough traction to hold her in place on the deck.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Finally, the boat’s wild rocking became a gentle sway, but Rick didn’t let go. Kerry felt his rapid heartbeat against her shoulder and his breath feathering on her ear. His arms seemed to slip higher until they were just under her breasts. Kerry held her breath and closed her eyes. God, he was so warm and strong. Rick’s head dipped lower, his cheek brushing her hair. The bristles of his five o’clock shadow abraded her skin where his chin touched her cheek. His lips felt like suede as they moved along the side of her neck, tickling the fine hairs until she had goose bumps. Her breath grew shallow and rapid, her heart pounded. She wondered if he could feel her pulse as his tongue trailed down to the curve of her collarbone. She didn’t think he was even aware of what he was doing or who might be watching, and she certainly didn’t want him to stop.

  A loud voice disrupted the moment. “What happened?”

  Kerry looked past Rick to see Evan poke his head up from the hold. He and Lydia had obviously gone into the cabin.

  “Kerry tried to capsize us,” Rick said. Kerry heard the smile in his throaty voice. He still hadn’t let her go and she reveled in the feel of his arms.

  “Well, come on back so I can pull up the jib.”

  Rick gave a quick squeeze and let go. Kerry almost lost her balance again. Rick’s hand steadied her. “I thought you said you’d been on a boat before.”

  “Not in a while though. I’ve lost my sea legs it seems.” She wouldn’t admit that his caresses had totally shaken her.

  Everyone couldn’t fit in the cabin at one time, so Kerry and Rick sat across from each other on the cockpit benches and looked at the somewhat rusty motor. The propeller appeared freshly oiled at least. Lydia popped her head out as Evan opened a small door at the front of the cabin to push the sail bag through. He set about attaching it to the halyard.

  Lydia smiled. “It’s fairly cozy, though it could use a woman’s touch.” As Lydia came above, Kerry decided to take a peek. Ugh. The kitchen sink, though empty, needed a scrubbing. The stovetop was spattered with some crusty substance, and the bench sported a ripped and stained cushion.

  Finished with the jib, Evan pulled the trap shut and walked, ducking, towards Kerry. When he could stand upright, he said, “There’s a cooler under your feet if anyone wants a beer.” He lifted the bench seat and pulled out a metal pole with a white hook on the end, which Kerry knew was for shoving off from the dock and on their return, for retrieving the dock rope.

  Kerry returned to the deck and sat on the bench next to Lydia, so that Evan could get out. He then unhooked the straps from the main sail. “Just about ready. Who wants to help me cast off?”

  Lydia and Rick both looked perplexed so Kerry volunteered. Despite her earlier clumsiness, she at least knew the process of wrapping the rope around the dock post then pushing away, avoiding other posts and boats in the process.

  Evan scowled. “I don’t know. Looked to me like you almost fell off the boat a minute ago.”

  “Screw you. Do you want my help or not?”

  Evan looked uncertain for several seconds, but then nodded. She took the hook from him and moved forward, holding the boom for balance. The jib sail was neatly folded on the bow waiting for the open water before it would be raised. Kerry waited for Evan to bring the motor to life, which took a few pulls and sputters.

  Finally, it roared with a steady sound. He set the engine to reverse and yelled, “Cast off.” Kerry did so, then gripped a life rail to steady herself before using the hook to loop the line around the dock post. This was trickier than it seemed, because it needed to be easily retrievable on their return. Then she shoved hard against the nearest post and the boat was in motion.

  Signs about the marina read “No Wake,” so it was slow going until they reached the open water. This marina sat on a small river, which was a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Evan gripped the helm, navigating past shrimp pots and floating channel markers. Most of the boats were ahead of them. Kerry could see several that were already under sail. A beat-up fishing trawler anchored near the riverbank and the smell of old fish was overwhelming, but this was soon replaced by fresh salt air. The cry of a seagull drew Kerry’s gaze. The sky was a crystal blue, with only a wisp of white clouds high in the sky. The water reflected the hot sun, but the air was much cooler and thinner than in Richmond.

  Deciding to enjoy herself unselfconsciously, Kerry removed her shoes and dangled her feet over the edge. At first she felt only cool spray from the gentle waves, then she adjusted herself so that her feet could reach the water. Oh, heavenly. She lay back against the jib and closed her eyes. She knew soon Evan would want to raise the sail, but until then she listened to the purr of the engine and felt the water on her feet in peace.

  * * * *

  Rick and Lydia ceased talking when the engine roared to life. They watched children running on the docks and a dog on a houseboat sleeping in the sun. Evan had brought a small weather radio from the cabin, and Rick listened as it rattled off conditions in areas from Chesapeake to Nags Head. Sunny and clear through most of the area.

  “Would you like a beer?” Lydia asked, raising her voice above the sound of the engine.

  “Sure.” Since the boat was so small, by leaning back just a bit, Rick had a clear view of Kerry, who was now laying on the bow with her feet in the water. He considered doing the same, since it looked so peaceful, but the bow was rather cramped with the jib there. Perhaps after the sails were raised.

  Instead, he continued to admire lean tan legs and a swell of buttock revealed by her bunched up shorts. Without opening her eyes, Kerry rolled her T-shirt to just under her breasts, exposing her flat stomach to the sun. Rick licked his lips. He’d wanted to kiss her when he’d caught her in his arms moments ago. More than that, he’d wanted to cup her breasts in his hands and tease her nipples with his thumbs. But what about Lydia, the woman that seemed more to his taste. Apparently taste had nothing to do with lust, since watching the sweat coalesce on Kerry’s stomach had him longing to lick her clean.

  He wanted to pull the bunched shorts against her crotch until he could grip each bare buttock with his hands and grind her against him. Then he wanted to kneel between her legs, move the shorts to the side of her pussy, and push his hard cock into her. Now that he’d read The Joy of Sex and watched a bit more of the Playboy channel, the image of what he could do to a woman was never far from his mind.

  Evan hit him on the shoulder, a bit harder than necessary, and Rick realized Lydia was handing him a beer. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” She opened a beer for Evan as well, then one for herself before sitting down. Evan drank deeply while Rick sipped. He could never get used to the bitter taste, but he doubted Evan had anything more palatable on the boat. Lydia took a long drink, watching Kerry’s prone figure. Rick wondered what each woman thought of the other. On Kerry’s end it seemed to be instant dislike, and he wondered why. Lydia had seemed perfectly friendly all along. Rick observed her profile. She wore large sunglasses and pink tinged her high cheekbones. Her skin seemed too white to be out in the su
n for long.

  As if reading his mind, Lydia asked, “Evan, I didn’t even think of sunscreen. Do you have some?”

  He shrugged. “There may be some in the hold. There’s a hat, too. Oh, I should mention that the life jackets are in these benches…” he pointed at their seats, “…in case the need arises.” He had already pulled out the life preserver and tied it to the stern.

  “My make-up is SPF 15, but I don’t think that’s going to be enough out here.”

  Rick nodded, wondering what SPF stood for. While Lydia went below to conduct her search, he stretched his arms behind his head and closed his eyes, again picturing Kerry beneath him. His cousin’s voice forced his eyes open once again.

  “Rick, hold this for me. Just keep it steady.”

  They were now at the mouth of the river. Beyond was the seemingly endless Chesapeake Bay. Squinting at the glassy water, Rick did as directed.

  “Kerry, come on back so we can make sail.” Evan pulled on a rope to unfurl the sail, as Kerry moved quickly back.

  *

  “How was the water?” Lydia asked as soon as Kerry sat down.

  “Warm, like bath water.”

  “Maybe we could swim.”

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea out here. I suppose Evan would know.” She licked her salt-sprayed lips. “I think I’ll get a beer.” She dropped through the hatchway and opened the cooler. Kerry picked up a chilled can and rolled it over her forehead before returning to her seat.

  “I found some sun screen if you’d like some.”

  “Thanks.” Kerry popped open the can. Taking a long swallow, she watched as Lydia smoothed lotion on each arm. She wore a spaghetti strap tank top, so she also slathered it across her chest. Rick watched this routine closely. Then Lydia turned to him. “Could you do my back, please?”

  Kerry rolled her eyes.

  Rick gestured to the tiller in his hand. “I’d better wait ‘til Evan’s driving.”

  “I could do it,” Kerry volunteered, knowing that the lotion was just a ploy by Lydia to get Rick closer.

  Lydia hesitated. “Okay.”

  Kerry quickly globbed the lotion across her back, imagining for just a moment how it would feel to do this to Rick. She glanced at him and noticed that his gaze was focused on her hands as they slid across Lydia’s skin. When she took the tube for herself and dabbed some of the white lotion on her palm, he licked his lips and met her eyes. She smoothed lotion over her stomach in case she got the chance to lay out again, and he watched her every move as if mesmerized. Her own attention wavered to his dark skin and she thought again about his time spent under the Indian sun. The thought conjured up pictures of him shirtless and glistening with sweat. Even better, images of him naked on the bow of the boat, with her hands running all over his tight muscles, covering him with sunscreen. Make that even worse.

  She snapped the lid of the lotion closed and shook her head. She really needed to get her mind off sex and off Rick.

  Once the sails were unfurled, Evan hopped to the deck and took over the helm. He adjusted the craft’s direction until a light wind billowed the sails, then cut the engine. The sudden quiet caught Kerry off guard, but she relaxed, listening to the water lap against the hull.

  For the next half-hour conversation started and stopped, but the silences were peaceful. Lydia decided to sun herself on the foredeck. After a while, Kerry went below for some relief from the sun. She lay down in the berth and fell asleep lulled by the gentle rocking of the boat.

  Kerry woke to shouting. As she tried to stand, the boat heeled over. She used the wall for leverage and made her way to the hatch. Large raindrops smacked her face. How long did I sleep? Evan and Rick were drenched. Wet hair slapped their faces while Evan shouted directions to Rick and handed him the helm. Evan climbed over the cabin while Kerry pulled herself out and went to sit opposite Rick.

  “Where’s Lydia?” she shouted.

  “Up there.” Rick gestured to the foredeck where Lydia sat clutching the jib.

  “What’s the matter with her?”

  “Panic, I guess. This squall came up fast from behind. Evan said not to worry about it at first, just a little rain, so Lydia stayed up front.”

  The boat listed once again. Kerry gripped the side to stay seated. Evan was wrestling with the main sail, trying to pull it down.

  “Rick, I think we should start the engine.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, it will help us steer, especially once the sails are down. Here, I’ll hold the tiller.” The smooth wood nearly yanked out of her hand, but she managed to hold it steady. Rick yanked on the motor cord. It refused to start. Four pulls. Five.

  “It’s not starting!”

  “Keep trying. We’ll need it to get back to the wharf.”

  Evan had the mainsail down and strapped and was now working on the jib. He also seemed to be talking, but Kerry couldn’t hear him over the wind. Her eyes stung from the driving rain. She blinked rapidly and tried to locate the channel markers. Whitecaps surrounded them. No other boats were in sight.

  “Where are the other boats?” Kerry asked when Rick sat and peered at the obstinate engine.

  “They went in.”

  “And Evan didn’t notice this?”

  Rick shook his head. “Too cocky and too much beer, I guess. This engine’s not starting. Do you have any suggestions?”

  Before Kerry could answer another gust tipped the craft, yanking the tiller from her hands. She and Rick both grabbed for it. Once it steadied, Kerry said, “I think we need the life jackets. Even good swimmers would have a hard time in this.” She pulled up the bench and lifted out two bright orange vests. She handed one to Rick. He moved so she could open the other bench. Two more vests, thank God. Kerry slipped her vest on. Rick did the same. “I’m going to take these up. Lydia especially needs one.”

  Rick nodded. “Hang on!”

  Evan had his arms wrapped around Lydia and the mast. The boom still swung wildly, so Kerry crawled, holding onto the life rail. Evan reached out and took the first vest. He slipped it over Lydia’s head but had to pry her from the pole so that he could buckle it down. Then he took the other vest and put it on himself.

  “Rick can’t get the engine started!”

  “Can you hold onto Lydia? I’ll look at the engine, but I don’t want to leave her alone like this.”

  Kerry reached the mast. “I got her.” She put her arms around Lydia, just as Evan had done, and hung on for dear life. Evan struggled over the slick deck to secure the boom and focus on the motor. Kerry was overjoyed to finally hear its roar. They were nearly out of the bay, close to the mouth of the river. The tree-lined banks would hopefully block some of the wind, and in theory they were close enough to shore to swim if necessary.

  They had almost reached port when the storm ended just as suddenly as it had begun. Sun streaked through clouds in the west. Kerry let out a long breath. “Thank God!” Lydia remained silent and clinging to the mast. Kerry stroked her hair. “It’s all over. It’s okay. We’re about to the dock. Dry land, I know that will make you happy.” Lydia didn’t respond. Her head was tucked to her chest, her arms stiff around the pole. “You’re okay, Lydia. We’re all okay.”

  “Here let me try.” Kerry turned at the sound of Rick’s low voice. She released her arms and moved out of Rick’s way. He stroked Lydia’s back and crooned soft words in her ear. Kerry stood, hanging onto the boom now that it was secure. She made her way back to Evan.

  “Thanks,” he said, keeping his eyes on the channel markers as they reached shallower water.

  “No problem.” Kerry looked to Rick and Lydia. Lydia leaned back against Rick’s solid chest, her eyes closed, Rick’s arms wrapped tight around her. Kerry sighed. Every time she thought Rick might have some feelings for her, like when he’d held her earlier, she discovered she was deluding herself.

  “That was stupid of me,” Evan said as he unbuckled his life vest, one hand still on the tiller. “I should�
�ve at least checked for an updated weather report.”

  “Yeah, you should have,” Kerry spoke softly and Evan met her eyes, for once without scorn.

  When they reached the pier, Kerry climbed past Lydia and Rick so that she could help tie up. As soon as they were moored, Rick guided Lydia to the car and they sat inside while Kerry and Evan secured the mainsail and the hatch. Once finished, they strode silently across the gray wooden planking. The sun had returned full force, making the whole storm seem like a dream. When they reached the car, Rick slipped out of the back and got in the driver’s seat. Kerry slid in next to Lydia who looked cognizant again.

  “Kerry, thank you,” Lydia said immediately, her brown hair dripping down her face. With her fingers, she swept it back. “Thanks for the life vest and for talking me through it. I don’t know what came over me. I just froze. I couldn’t even get to the cabin.”

  “Well, at least you didn’t slide off the boat.” Kerry bit her lip. Probably not the best thing to say under the circumstances, but Lydia smiled.

  “Yeah, at least.”

  * * * *

  Two hours later they were back in Richmond. Lydia begged Evan to take her home right away, but then as soon as they’d climbed into his Land Rover, alone at last, she’d changed her mind and asked to go to his place. His place was the closest thing to home for her in Richmond right now. Just walking through the yard had the memories pouring in.

  “So what did you think of him?” Evan asked as he unlocked the door to his house. The neighborhood hadn’t changed a bit, not since Evan’s dad had died. It was nice to know there were tiny pockets of the world that remained the same.

  Lydia considered Evan’s question. What had she thought of Rick? Actually, she hadn’t thought of him at all. She still felt the rocking boat beneath her and the icy cold water pelting her skin. She shook her head. “He seems really nice.”

  “And is nice a good thing?”

  Lydia wished nice could be a good thing, wished she could be attracted to anyone but the bad boy who stood in front of her. She followed him into the foyer, which smelled of the same cinnamon potpourri his mama had used. “Nice can be good. He’s very handsome. What about Kerry?”