Rough Waters

by Maggie Toussaint

  Jeanie automatically reached out to touch the fading image, but it was gone. Seemed like months since she’d seen her kids. She needed to touch them, to hear their laughter, to smell their sweet scent.

  She rose from the bed with the intention of giving the computer to Rock. To her surprise, he darkened the doorway.

  The hall light haloed his blond head, casting shadows across his scarred face. Even so, longing radiated from him in palpable waves. She understood. Much more than she wanted to. He wanted to be with her. She wanted a family. Were their needs in sync?

  “Thanks for the loan of the computer.” His ocean fresh scent invaded the room, tantalizing her.

  “You’re welcome.” He studied her. “Everything all right with the kids?”

  She moistened her lips. “The kids?”

  Concern flickered in his eyes. “Your kids.”

  She couldn’t say anything more. Need consumed her. It thundered through her veins. Desire. Heat. Him.

  Rock glided into the gap. He caressed her cheek. “Jeanie…”

  She leaned into his touch. Trembled at the pleasure. “Hold me.”

  In a fluid gesture, he enfolded her in his arms. So decisive, so solid, so rock-steady. She inhaled his blended sea breeze and summer sunshine scent as she clung to him. His heart beat reassuringly against her ear.

  His fingertips stroked from the crown of her head, down the nape of her neck and shoulders. She shivered with anticipation as he slow-danced them to the bed.

  No more lying to herself.

  She wanted him.

  Now.

  Chapter 39

  She moved like quicksilver in his arms. Flashing, sparkling, alluring. Her timeless siren call numbed Rock to anything except touching her silky skin. He meant to go slow and savor every moment of their lovemaking, but she was a fire in his blood.

  The flames consumed him as he paid homage to her full lips. The sweet curve of her neck. The saucy swell of her breasts. The taut belly and womanly hips. The nectar between her thighs.

  Her hazel gaze in the shadowed bedroom burned bright gold against his white sheets, searing into his soul. He soared with Jeanie to amazing heights. Gliding through rarefied atmospheres joined at the hip. Euphoria surged even as the brilliance faded, and oh, he didn’t want this moment to end.

  Gradually, awareness dawned. He still had half of his clothes on. Hers were open at strategic points. Where their skin touched was damp.

  He eased to the side, keeping her close.

  “Mmm,” she said.

  Mmm, indeed. Damn if he couldn’t get used to this. He sank into a deep sleep, her breath feathering across his chest.

  He came out of a wonderful dream to find his erotic fantasy was reality. Jeanie was in his arms, kissing him, riding him. “Foreplay,” he managed, reaching for her breasts.

  “Skip to the main event,” she said, shucking off the rest of their clothes. “I had a long dry spell, and I really like having sex. You okay with that?”

  He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  They went slow the third time, and the power of her release seared his soul. He’d never known what his ideal bedmate would look like, but it appeared she had spiky pink hair, a body fit as a gymnast, and the stamina of a marathoner.

  After another catnap, he slipped on a pair of boxers, fixed peanut butter sandwiches in the kitchen, and carried them to the master bedroom, along with a half gallon of milk.

  Jeanie wrapped the sheet around her torso to eat.

  “Shy?” he asked.

  “Nope. Trying to focus on one thing at a time.”

  “Food is a priority. Got it.”

  She licked the peanut butter off her lips. “You’re pretty quick for an old guy.”

  “Not old. I’m just right.” He rolled his shoulders, moved his left arm the wrong way, and winced. “Or I will be as soon as this arm mends completely.”

  Her sheet slipped to reveal a dusky nipple. “Should I give you the rest of the night off?”

  Unbelievably, he stirred again. “Not so fast. I’m thinking about some overtime.”

  She eyed the bulge in his boxers with rapt attention. “Good.”

  ****

  The next morning, Rock settled on a stool in The Muddy Rose with his computer. The dogs slumbered beside him. Jeanie hummed as she snipped and created. The spring basket brought to mind Easters of long ago, of egg hunts and chocolate bunnies.

  Jeanie was in the business of selling sunshine, or at least that’s what she brought to him. The dark, empty place inside him brimmed with light and hope.

  He pulled up a dive story on his laptop due in a week to Diving Today, but his mind was awhirl with Jeanie and he couldn’t focus.

  Jeanie’s phone rang. She picked up and reached for a pad of paper. “A wire order? Sure.”

  While she took the order, he clicked over to check his insurance claim on the Time Out. Still pending.

  He checked his inbox at Mackenzie Charters. Three emails. Two from repeat clients wanting to rebook. One spam message from anonymous.

  Both parties wanted tours next week. He didn’t want to lose his customers, even if he needed to rent a charter boat for the day. Were rentals available at his old digs? He wouldn’t know unless he asked. With Jeanie busy on her phone, he stepped outside to make his call.

  Larry answered, “Bayside Marina.”

  After shooting the breeze for a few minutes, Rock got down to business. “Any chance of a rental at Bayside? Some of my customers want to book charters with me.”

  “We’ve got three captains based out of here now, and—”

  “Three? Who left?”

  “You’ll never guess in a million years.”

  He made a stab in the dark. “Palamiri?”

  “How’d you know? Surprised the heck out of me.”

  “What happened?”

  Larry chuckled. “The bank took his boat.”

  Rock stared at the huge oak tree across the street until he gathered his scattered thoughts. “Foreclosure? He always boasted he hustled the most customers.”

  “He hustled me. Left here owing a grand in fuel and dockage fees.”

  “You file a police report?”

  “I did, but the creep skipped town.”

  “He’s down here in Georgia. Got an address for you. Write this down.” Rock reeled off the address of the Queen’s Plantation, his thoughts racing. Palamiri was bankrupt. How could he afford a pricey hotel?

  “Thanks, buddy,” the dockmaster said. “I’ll forward this to my case officer. At least I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing he’s rotting in jail.”

  Palamiri’s pending arrest didn’t address Rock’s lack of a boat. On the other hand, Palamiri’s vessel was the same make and vintage as Rock’s Time Out. “Is the Reel Fun available for lease?”

  “The boat’s here, sitting in the boatyard. Ask the bank. If they agree to a lease, you’ll owe me the lift fee, dockage, and whatever fuel you use.”

  “I’m in the market for a boat soon as my insurance check clears.”

  “Then this is a match made in heaven. Call Dale Krantz at the bank and see if you can work out a deal.”

  A few calls later, Rock had a boat leased and two fishing charters booked. Life was looking up. With a light step he entered the shop.

  Jeanie hummed a catchy tune. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

  “Got a wire order,” she said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Your secret admirer again.”

  Rock pushed back from the counter, grinning. “Jealous?”

  “A smidge, but mostly I’m happy to have the business. The wire request came in from Maine this time. The customer paid cash and requested a large spring bouquet.”

  “I’m still enjoying your last bouquet, so send these to a shut-in, if you would.” Rock shook his head, working hard to look puzzled. “Why is someone sending me flowers?”

  Jeanie laughed and reached for a daisy. “Because you’re a stud muffin, th
at’s why.”

  “You think?”

  She sent him an arch look. “I know.”

  He grinned. More than anything, he wanted to give her a break from work. “I’ve got two deep sea fishing charters lined up for next week. How about joining me for a quick road trip to the Outer Banks?”

  “What about The Muddy Rose?”

  “If you can’t get away and don’t want to stay with your cop friend, I’ll cancel the charters. It’s more important for us to stay together. We still don’t know who is behind your break-ins.”

  Jeanie chewed her lip. “I’d like to go. I could be your first mate. Back before kids, I won a Top Lady Angler prize in a fishing tournament.”

  Her willingness pleased him, but the issue of her business remained. “Is there anyone you hire on a part-time basis during your busy season? Someone who might pitch in?”

  “Alicia? I suppose I could have her here for a few shortened days, and it wouldn’t cost me too much. Maybe have her open the shop from ten to two. She’s good with flowers and with customers.”

  “Thatʼll work.”

  The door opened.

  The dogs growled.

  Rock reached for his weapon, but he wasn’t fast enough.

  Palamiri brandished a Sig Sauer handgun. “Hold it right there, Mackenzie.”

  Chapter 40

  Jeanie discreetly dialed 911, set her cell phone down behind the arrangement of daisies, then palmed the cutting shears before she edged closer to Rock. To the casual onlooker, Vince Palamiri appeared to be Joe Average. He wore khaki slacks, a University of Georgia red polo shirt, a blue ball cap, and a big dive watch like Rock’s. But the menace in his eyes telegraphed his lethal intent.

  As did the sleek gun in his hand.

  Jeanie jammed her teeth together so they wouldn’t chatter.

  Rock quieted the dogs and rose from his stool. His calm, steady gaze and relaxed body language confused the hell out of her. Why wasn’t he wary or apprehensive? Or was he that good at hiding his emotions?

  “Palamiri,” Rock growled. “Don’t you have hotels to fleece?”

  “Come out from behind the counter.” The gun waggled in Palamiri’s hand. “Where are the damned coins?”

  “I thought you had them.” Rock said as he took his time complying with the order, Jeanie behind him, the dogs flanking Jeanie. “They were stolen months ago.”

  “You didn’t file a police report.”

  “Not something I wanted to advertise.”

  “I gotta have those coins.”

  “Can’t help you there. I’m moving on. So should you.”

  “Liar. This is Avery’s ex. I know what you’re about.” Palamiri aimed the pistol at Jeanie’s heart. “Don’t believe a word he says.”

  Jeanie tried not to look at the gun, but the barrel seemed as wide as the Mossy River. She dug deep for courage and worked her teeth apart. “Like I’m going to believe an armed intruder?” she said loud enough for anyone listening on the phone to hear. “Get real.”

  Palamiri looked Jeanie up and down in a way that made her want to squirm. “I always did like a gal with spunk. Good to know.”

  The air thickened with tension. The two men had a history, jostling for charter customers. Was the antagonism personal? Had Palamiri competed with Rock for women as well?

  “What would be good to know is how Shandy Herndon fits into all of this.”

  A startled look came into Palamiri’s eyes. “What’s it to you?”

  “Are you together?” Jeanie persisted. “She was at your hotel yesterday.”

  “I haven’t seen her.” He jutted his chin at Rock. “Not since your accident.”

  “That was no accident,” Rock snarled. “Someone planted a bomb on my boat. Someone tried to kill me. Someone like you.”

  “Why would I do that? You were my meal ticket. You totally screwed me by leaving for nowheresville.”

  Jeanie noticed the dogs inching closer to Palamiri as they spoke.

  “Mossy Bog and Tidewater County have been around as long as the Outer Banks,” she said loudly and loyally, hoping to distract Palamiri some more.

  “Shut her up, Mackenzie, or I swear I’ll shoot her.”

  Rock made a guttural sound. Both dogs latched onto Palamiri’s shoes. At the same time, Rock kicked Palamiri’s gun hand, knocking the weapon out of his grip. He followed up with a well-placed chop to the neck, dropping Palamiri to the floor.

  Jeanie dropped her shears and lunged for the pistol.

  “Get ʼem off me!” Palamiri yelled, horror etched on his face, blood dripping from his nose.

  The dogs growled but didn’t let go.

  Jeanie grabbed the barrel of the gun with a shop towel and set it behind the sales counter, far from Palamiri’s reach. Rock circled around to stand between the fallen man and the gun.

  Jeanie edged behind Rock, her heart pounding like a kettle drum. One hand went to her chest to make sure her heart didn’t escape. With her other hand, she grabbed the belt loop on Rock’s pants and held on for dear life. The lights in the shop seemed too bright, the temperature too warm. She blinked rapidly as her vision blurred.

  She couldn’t fall apart now. She wanted to punch Palamiri for scaring her half to death. She wouldn’t mind kicking him, but first she wanted answers. A siren warbled in the distance. At last. She hoped Laurie Ann responded to her 911 call.

  “Hear that?” Rock signaled the dogs to his side. “They’re coming for you.”

  Palamiri huddled on the floor. “I didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t keep me here.”

  “I can,” Rock said. “You threatened us with a loaded gun. That’s a felony.”

  “Your dogs attacked me. It’ll be your word against mine.”

  Jeanie drew herself together, plucked her cell phone off the counter, and stepped out from behind Rock. “You worm. I called the cops as soon as you walked in the door. They heard everything.”

  Palamiri groaned and hung his head. “I can’t catch a break.”

  “What happened to you?” Disgust infused Rock’s tone.

  Palamiri’s head popped up. Murder flared in his eyes. “You happened. I got Reel Fun right after you got Time Out. Somehow you hustled up more charter clients. I couldn’t make my payments. So your good buddy Tarp helped me out by messing up your boat sometimes.”

  “I don’t believe you. I think you sabotaged my boat, and you’re responsible for the break-ins at Jeanie’s shop and home. You’re going down, Palamiri. Assault with a firearm. Property damage. Breaking and entering. Terroristic threats. You’ll be gone a long, long time.”

  “You can’t prove any of it. Sure, I took advantage of things at the marina. But that wasn’t personal. It was just business.”

  Jeanie couldn’t stop her sharp inhalation of air. She prayed Rock didn’t grab the gun and shoot the man for simply breathing.

  “Not to me.” Rock’s voice cracked like a bullwhip. “You messed with the wrong guy.”

  Chapter 41

  While Rock silently applauded Jeanie’s foresight in calling the cops, he longed to take matters into his own hands. And he’d thought being a civilian would be boring. But Palamiri had conspired to ruin him, deliberately tried to destroy his dreams. Maybe even destroy him. It wasn’t much of a stretch to assume Palamiri had planted the bomb.

  And all for the coins.

  Jeanie’s cop friend, Laurie Ann, and a deputy he didn’t know swaggered into The Muddy Rose, guns drawn, eyes sharp. “What happened here?” Laurie Ann demanded.

  “This man is Vince Palamiri,” Jeanie said with a full blown case of outraged indignation, and Rock had to stifle a smile. His little spitfire was madder than hell. “He held us at gunpoint until Rock disarmed him,” she continued with a breathlessness Rock found intriguing. He’d have to follow up on that later. “He threatened to kill us. Plus, he admitted to stealing Rock’s charter customers in the Outer Banks.”

  “His dogs attacked me,” Palamiri squeaked. “I’m
the victim here.”

  Castor and Pollox lay docilely on the floor, the picture of innocence.

  “You’ll get your chance to talk in a minute, sir,” Laurie Ann said. “Mr. Mackenzie?”

  “It happened like Jeanie said, Officer. Palamiri burst in here waving the gun and issuing threats. He pointed a loaded weapon at both of us.” Rock gestured to the counter. “Jeanie stashed the gun behind the counter. You’ll find his fingerprints all over it. Larry from Bayside Marina told me Palamiri has outstanding warrants from North Carolina.” He cast Palamiri an arch look. “Seems he skipped town owing a lot of money.”

  “Damn you, Mackenzie,” Palamiri muttered.

  Laurie Ann made no move toward his unwelcome visitor. “Spin your story, pal. Make it good.”

  “They’re lying,” Palamiri blustered. “I’m vacationing on St. Simons. Came to Mossy Bog to sightsee and eat at the seafood buffet place. Thought I’d stop in here to buy flowers for a sick friend. Mackenzie surprised me by being here. We crossed paths in North Carolina.” He puffed himself up self-importantly. “I drew my weapon for protection.”

  “You always carry a gun when you go sightseeing?”

  “No! I—”

  “How about when you hit the buffet or flower shop?”

  “What the—?”

  “Were you looking for trouble?”

  “Of course not. I—”

  “Did Mr. Mackenzie draw on you?” Laurie Ann asked sharply, and Rock had to stifle yet another smile.

  “Those dogs are lethal weapons!” Palamiri protested.

  Laurie Ann shot Rock an impenetrable look before focusing on Palamiri again. “Which came first, gun or dogs?”

  “The dogs. I pulled my gun in self-defense.”

  “Forget it, Palamiri. You burst in here with the weapon drawn. You threatened us.”

  “Those dogs are vicious. They should be destroyed.” Palamiri lifted a foot and tapped his shoe. “They bit me.”

  “Show us,” Laurie Ann said. She motioned for the deputy to inspect Palamiri’s feet.

  Rock held his breath as Palamiri peeled off his shoes and socks. The tanned skin wasn’t marred or punctured. Good.

  “No bite marks,” the deputy said, rising and brushing off his hands.