by Croix, J. H.
Celine turned when the waitress returned and accepted her own cup of coffee. Taking a swallow, she returned her sharp eyes to Tess. “Oh, let’s see. Your first date in what…over a year since you broke it off with Chad after two years with him. Technically, that makes this your first date with someone new in over three years. I could find out how good the brewery is by eating there myself,” she said, a hint of sarcasm in her soft drawl.
Tess sighed audibly. “Mom, dinner was great. Nathan seems like a nice guy. I’m sure you have all kinds of ideas about what this date might mean, but the reality is…we’ll be back in North Carolina soon, and Nathan will still be here in Diamond Creek. Not much chance that this will turn into more than a few dates.” What Tess didn’t add was that the very reality she was using as an excuse to hold her mother’s questions at bay made her long for the circumstances to be different. That scared the hell out of her. For the first time in a while, the self-doubt she’d worn like a cloak of protection and avoidance felt like a hindrance, something holding her back.
Celine still didn’t look convinced, but just as she started to ask another question, Simon and Jordan entered the restaurant, Jordan skipping his way over to their table. The hour passed quickly, her father joining them minutes after Simon and Jordan. On the way to the harbor, they stopped at Red Truck Coffee. Tess held a warm cup of coffee in her hands while she waited for everyone to get served. The morning air was brisk, a swift breeze coming off the bay. She jumped at the sound of Nathan’s voice.
“Morning Tess,” Nathan said.
Tess turned to find Nathan standing a few feet away. A jolt of heat sparked in her center. A blush crept up her neck, her cheeks becoming warm.
“Good morning,” she replied, aiming to sound nonchalant.
A slow smile came across Nathan’s face as he stood before her. His eyes were sharp blue in the crisp morning, darker than the sky. Tess couldn’t help but recall the heated look in his eyes last night, which only deepened her flush.
“How are you?” Nathan asked.
Her manners did their job as she managed an answer. “Pretty good. Looking forward to getting out on the water. How are you?”
Nathan gave her an assessing look. “Pretty damn good. Looking forward to a day on the water with…you,” he responded with a teasing glint in his eyes.
Just as Tess was contemplating how to keep their conversation in safe territory, her father joined them.
“Mornin’ Nathan. Good to see ya,” Michael said, giving Nathan a casual pat on the shoulder. “Lookin’ forward to catching another king salmon today.”
Tess allowed her father to take over the conversation as the rest of her family joined them. Celine paid a little too much attention to Nathan, going so far as to ask him about his opinion on Diamond Creek Brewery, which earned her a questioning glance from him. Before long, they were aboard the boat. Tess was pleased that Hannah was joining them again for the day. The rest of the day passed in a blur. Tess was grateful for the distraction offered by her family and Nathan’s brothers. Much as she wanted to tamp it down, the attraction between her and Nathan was even more potent after last night. She caught herself staring at him time and again, appreciating the flex of his muscles when he moved. He was rangy and compelling, a bundle of unapologetic masculinity at home in the outdoors, his sensual features made more so with the knowledge of how his lips felt against hers and the touch of his strong and sure hands on her body.
It was late afternoon when they walked into the harbor parking lot. A cluster of people stood near the entrance to the parking lot, all appeared familiar with Nathan and his brothers. Jared made introductions for them. Talk turned to fish, as was to be expected. Tess was tired, her lack of sleep finally catching up to her. She stifled a yawn. One of the men in the group, Alan, gestured to Nathan.
“Dude, what’s up? Haven’t seen you out in months,” Alan said.
Tess glanced at Nathan, her interest piqued. Last night, Nathan’s friend, Maggie, had also commented in this vein, implying that rumor had it Nathan must be exclusive with someone and wondered if it was Tess. Nathan and his friend, Travis, had breezed the comment away. Tess had tucked it in the back of her mind.
Nathan shrugged. “Not much, just haven’t been out as much lately.” He smoothly redirected the conversation onto fishing.
Tess sensed a hint of discomfort from him, yet he was adept at keeping conversations where he wanted them. A quick look around and Tess caught Hannah’s expression, her eyes sharp and speculative. Tess watched Hannah exchange a quick look with Luke who gave a small shake of his head. Hannah bit her lip, appearing to hold back a laugh.
Tess was acutely aware of every move Nathan made, even when all he did was kick a pebble. Although she had consciously avoided opportunities alone with Nathan—to keep a lid on her rampant desire and to keep her mother from speculating more than she already was—she felt adrift watching him walk away with his brothers as she climbed into the rental car with the rest of her family.
***
Tess sat propped in a pile of pillows on her hotel, idly flipping through the channels. Slightly tipsy from a tad too much wine at dinner with her family, she giggled when she came across Deadliest Catch, realizing that Nathan would make a good addition to the show with his rugged sensuality and handsome looks. Her smartphone vibrated on the night table. Reaching for the phone, Tess almost tumbled off the bed. Righting herself, she glanced at the screen seeing the banner announcing a text from Nathan.
When can I see you again?
Tess stared at the message, ecstatic that he wanted to see her again and annoyed that she cared this much. She counted how many days they had left in Alaska. Though it may have been the wine, she decided to ignore her unofficial policy of avoiding all things risky with men because in a mere two weeks, she would be flying back to North Carolina. She had enough sense to know this could be nothing more than a fling, so she’d enjoy it.
Now? Tess typed in reply.
Ten minutes. Meet me out front.
Eight minutes later, to be exact, Tess stood in the lobby of the hotel by the door. She hadn’t bothered to change so when she caught sight of herself in the mirror in the lobby, she giggled and hoped Nathan didn’t plan to take her anywhere important. She was attired in flared cotton pants and a tank top with a lightweight fleece jacket. Her hair was mussed, the curls a disorderly frame for her face.
Headlights reflected in the mirror. Seeing the outline of Nathan’s truck, she stepped outside. Nathan opened the door from the inside of the truck. As soon as she’d closed the door, he leaned across the armrest and kissed her, cupping her cheek with his palm. Tess fell into his kiss, heat building in her core instantly. Nathan stroked deeply with his tongue, his thumb running along the edge of her jaw and down the side of her neck. When he pulled back, she felt bereft, not ready for the moment to end. Her breath was shallow, her heart hammering against her ribs. Nathan’s thumb brushed softly against the pulse in her neck. Opening her eyes, Tess looked into the rich blue of his, which were just inches away.
“Damn,” Nathan said, his voice just a whisper. “Been wanting to do that all day. You have no idea what you do to me.”
His eyes glittered in the soft glow from the parking lot lights. With the wine having softened her defenses, Tess didn’t stop to consider her reply.
“You and me both.”
Nathan didn’t move away, his thumb idly stroking the side of her neck. Tess subtly arched into him like a cat, her body on fire and desire thrumming through her.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
Nathan shrugged and pulled away, shifting the truck into gear and starting to drive. “Didn’t think that far ahead. Wasn’t sure you’d even answer my text,” he replied, glancing her direction with an eyebrow lifted.
Tess bit her lip, wondering what to tell him—that last night he’d given her the best sex of her life, that she didn’t know what to do about how she felt about
him, that all she wanted to do was listen to her body, ignore her mind and dive into whatever lay between them. She swatted her thoughts away, reminding herself that thinking would just interfere.
“I wanted to see you again,” she said with a shrug. “I’m only here two more weeks, you know.” As those words left her lips, she wondered why she felt the need to point that out for Nathan.
“I know. That’s why I want to see you every chance I get.” Nathan turned the truck into the harbor parking lot.
Tess took his words in and for a few moments, decided to just let herself believe that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Before she knew it, they were walking through the wispy dusk onto the docks and onto Iris, the commercial fishing boat. Nathan’s hand held hers in a warm, strong clasp. Just as he unlocked the boat cabin door, she experienced a wave of uncertainty. She wasn’t the kind of woman that a man like Nathan would fall for. She was too curvy, too reserved and carried too much baggage. When she didn’t follow him immediately through the door, Nathan turned back to face her. Holding her gaze with deliberation, his eyes simmering, he softly tugged on her hand. Never breaking her gaze, he closed the door and pulled her tight against him into the shelter of his embrace.
Tess inhaled deeply, absorbing the sharp scent of him, a mix of fresh air with a hint of salt and spruce. The warmth of his body seeped into hers. Nathan nuzzled her neck, speaking quietly. “Stop thinking so much, just let this happen.”
Chills chased by heat coursed through her. Nathan tangled his hand in her curls and kissed her. Her mind went blank, obedient not to his words, but to his body and the incandescent flame of feeling between them—passion laced with a depth of longing that Tess could hardly bear. She pressed against him and opened her mouth on a deep sigh. Their tongues stroking and hands tearing clothes off, they somehow made it into a small room inside the cabin. It was tucked into the bow of the boat, a v-shaped mattress fitted perfectly into the bow. Nathan walked back until her knees hit the edge of the mattress and she tumbled back. Nathan knelt in front of her. All that was left of her clothes were her panties, a scrap of navy lace. His eyes traveled across her body and up to her face. When he looked at her, she flushed through. His eyes were dark with passion, a hint of a smile at his mouth. She caught her breath when he leaned forward and licked one nipple and then the other.
“I don’t think you have any idea what you do to me,” he said huskily. His hands cupped her breasts, thumbs teasing the peaked nipples as he brought his gaze back to hers.
Wordlessly, Tess shook her head. Nathan dipped his head again and lavished one breast with attention, dragging his tongue in a searing circle before his lips closed over the nipple with a soft suction. She looked down at his dark head bent over her breasts, one of her hands tangled in his curls. He turned his attention to her other breast as she arched against him, awash in sensation. Slick heat built in her core.
“Nathan,” she gasped, her voice breaking.
He slowly pushed her back and tugged her panties off. Spreading her legs, he slipped one finger and then another into her dripping channel. She sighed with relief only to protest when his fingers slid out and he commenced to toy with the damp flesh, dragging his thumb back and forth across her clit. Heat continued to build, a mist of passion sweat covering her. Tess gasped again and again, pleading again and again as Nathan teased and toyed with her. Only occasionally would he dip a finger inside. His mouth joined his fingers, nibbling and licking at her, suckling on the tiny bud and licking deep inside. Tension built until Tess was begging. She pushed herself up and tugged him to her, tearing his jeans and boxers off, wrapping her hands around his velvety cock, her mouth following.
Nathan only tolerated a moment before pushing her back. “Too much,” he choked out. “I need to be inside you.”
He fumbled in the pocket of his jeans on the floor. Tess swatted his hands away and pulled him to her. “Doesn’t matter, I’m on the pill.” She kissed him hard, leaning back with him.
Nathan’s body covered hers. As her back hit the mattress, he clasped both hands and curled them into his, stretching her arms back above her head, just as he slid home inside of her. Tess gasped into his mouth, the relief of having him stretch and fill her acute. Nathan slowly began to drive into her, pulling back again and again until just the tip of his cock teased the entrance of her drenched channel. She pressed her hips into his, helpless and desperate against the flood of feeling. The tension built inside her until she climaxed in noisy rush, Nathan following her with a final deep thrust before collapsing against her.
He shifted his weight to one side and rolled them over so she lay across him. They were still joined, his cock pulsing inside her. She rested her head on his shoulder and absently ran her hand across his chest through the dark curls scattered across. She thought perhaps if she could just have these moments with Nathan, she might forget to worry.
Chapter 9
“Hey, hand me that wrench,” Nathan said, shaking his hair out of his eyes.
He felt the cool metal of the wrench land in his outstretched palm. He was tucked under the side deck at Luke and Hannah’s house, helping Luke install new decking.
“Thanks.” He quickly worked to wrench the bolts loose where the decking joined one of the pilings. “Remind me how come I’m the one under the deck here,” he said, his knees cramping from being bent over under the deck for the last half hour.
“No good reason other than you’re a good sport,” Luke replied with a chuckle. “Soon as I get these last few boards in place, you can come on out.”
They worked quickly and in a few more minutes, Nathan stood on the deck with Luke, inspecting their work. “Looks good. You shouldn’t have to replace this again. It’s that synthetic stuff, right?”
Luke wiped his face on his sleeve. “Yup. Don’t want to have to worry about doing it again.”
Nathan nodded and took a look around the yard. Hannah loved flowers with the yard scattered with flower beds, stone walkways meandering among them. At the moment, many of her flowers were in bloom, the yard a mix of color amidst the dark green of the spruce trees. The sky was clear today and the wind up, the bay choppy with waves.
“Let’s get some lunch,” Luke said, turning to open the door.
Following him inside, Nathan kicked off his shoes and walked into the kitchen. Hannah and Luke lived in her childhood home, which was passed on to her when her parents died in a plane crash. The home was a timber frame style home, as many were in Alaska. Most of the first floor was wide open space—the kitchen and living room flowing into each other. Exposed beams angled across the ceiling. A soapstone woodstove anchored the living room, which was toward the front of the home and offered a view of the bay and mountains.
Nathan headed straight for the kitchen table where Luke was already sliding a chair out. Hannah was puttering in the kitchen and had made them lunch—sandwiches along with salmon spread and crackers. He sat down with a sigh and immediately shoveled a few crackers with dip in his mouth.
“Hungry, Nathan?” Hannah asked with a teasing grin.
He nodded and took a sip of the water she set beside him. “Your hubby made me do all the shitty work under the deck. Now I’m starving.”
Hannah giggled, looking toward Luke. “So you had him on his knees huh?
Luke nodded, swallowing a bite of his sandwich before speaking. “Hey, he offered. Wasn’t gonna say no,” he said with a shrug.
Hannah asked a few questions about the decking, and they chatted generally about the remaining summer projects to handle before fall set in. Winter came quickly once summer ended, so every year it felt like a race to cram in outdoor projects. Nathan concentrated on eating, not paying much attention to what they were saying. When Hannah got up to get Luke something else to drink, her hand slid across Luke’s shoulders in an absentminded caress. That simple gesture brought Tess to mind, although just about anything seemed to bring her to mind these days. Last night had felt soooo dam
n good—Nathan was left adrift with what to do about it.
Being with Hannah and Luke reminded him of how easy he’d thought it should have been for Luke when Hannah came along. He’d found Luke’s confusion over what to do a silly distraction. For his own set of reasons, Nathan contemplated that relationships weren’t so simple. He wanted Tess like he’d never wanted any women in his life and yet…it was complicated. One major factor being that she lived clear across the country. While he’d been busy trying to persuade her to have dinner with him, he’d thought she was cute, it would be fun and light and not much more than that. Sure, he’d pulled back from the frequency of his flirting and hoped to eventually settle down like Luke, but that hadn’t been on his mind when he’d first noticed Tess. If he were honest with himself, he likely wouldn’t have been so persistent with her if she hadn’t been so guarded. The challenge served to bolster her allure, rather than dissuade him.
“Yoo hoo,” Hannah said, her tone teasing as she waved a hand in front of Nathan’s face.
He dragged his mind off of Tess. “What?” he asked, mildly irritated.
“Just wondering why you’re so out of it,” Hannah replied.
Luke didn’t say a word, just lifted an eyebrow and took another bite of his sandwich.
“I’m not out of it, just enjoying my lunch,” Nathan said.
Hannah tilted her head. “Um, you ignored Luke when he asked you twice if you were going dipnetting with Travis tomorrow. That’s out of it. My guess is you’ve got Tess on the brain,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
Nathan took another bite of his sandwich before replying. Chewing slowly, he looked askance at Luke who was grinning. A giggle burst from Hannah.
Nathan shrugged. “So what if Tess is on my mind? She’s cute.”
“You didn’t bother mentioning that you took her out the other night. Travis told us he ran into you with her at the brewery. Seeing as you haven’t been out much lately, and you can’t keep your eyes off of her when they’ve been fishing with us…” Luke trailed off with a small chuckle.
