The first mate came down the steps and held out his hand to Reagan.
“Welcome aboard the Harmony, folks. Going to be a beautiful day on the water,” he said. “I’m First Mate Joseph Gordon, but you can call me Joe.”
Reagan shook his hand and introduced herself. Ethan followed suit.
Joseph lead them up the stairs to the flybridge. Reagan looked around, amazed by what she saw. The deck was laid out perfectly for entertaining. It had a full bar, a large table for at least ten to dine, a Jacuzzi tub, and plenty of comfy places to sit, with both full sun and shade. She was grateful to see the shade. As an import to California from the East Coast, and a red head, Reagan was prone to burning.
“I believe you spoke to Captain Hewitt yesterday, Mister McLaughlin?”
Ethan nodded.
“Yes, I did. Thank you,” he replied.
Joe nodded in return.
“Good, good. We’ve set a course for Catalina Island. We have docking privileges if you want to explore the Island. It will take about an hour and fifteen minutes to get there. We can also anchor out at sea if you want to take the personal water craft out for a spin,” Joe explained.
Ethan looked at Reagan and she shrugged. She was happy letting Ethan decide.
“Can we let you know?” Ethan asked.
Joe nodded.
“Of course. Let me give you a quick tour and introduce you to the Captain. Then we’ll go over some safety procedures and be on our way.”
After the boat set sail, Reagan was shown to the master suite where she could freshen up and change into her swimsuit. Ethan excused himself at the door so she could have some privacy.
She looked around the room. Everything about it screamed luxury. She sat on the bed and took a moment to take it all in. Although it all seemed overwhelming to her, she planned to appreciate every moment of the experience.
After a few minutes, she changed into a modest green bikini and threw on a pair of cutoff shorts. She tied her hair back into a pony tail and then, made her way back up to the flybridge, cookies and wine in hand. Ethan was sitting at the bar waiting for her.
He looked delicious!
His white t-shirt and shorts made his skin look golden and tanned. He stood up when he saw her and took the wine she held out to him.
“Honestly, you didn’t need to bring wine,” he said kindly, setting it on the bar. “As you can see, there’s plenty to drink.”
He laughed, pointing to the bottles behind him. Reagan shrugged.
“It’s fine. If we don’t drink it we can just add it to the bar and it can be enjoyed by someone else,” she said.
He reached out for the cookies.
“These, on the other hand, we will definitely dive into,” he said, taking the bowl from her.
He opened the lid and inhaled deeply, a smile spreading across his face.
“Man, these smell good. What is it about the smell of chocolate chip cookies? They turn grown men into kids again,” he said chuckling. “I’m going to eat one right now. Do you want one?” he asked, offering her the bowl.
Reagan laughed.
“Sure, why not!” she said, taking one.
“Cheers!” he said, tapping her cookie with his own and taking a bite.
He opened his eyes wide, exaggerating his pleasure.
“These are spectacular!” he said.
Reagan playfully punched him in the arm. He grinned at her and popped the rest of his cookie into his mouth.
“Okay, okay,” she said, “settle down. They’re only cookies.”
“I’m just blown away by your many talents, Milady,” he teased. “What other skills have you yet to reveal?”
Reagan smirked, enjoying his flirting.
“Oh, I think there are a few more.”
He leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss. His aftershave mingling with the scent of the cookie made him irresistible.
Reagan offered her lips up to him again and he didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in close. She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him again, this time accepting his tongue. His kiss made her body respond instantly, her arousal warming in her center.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all morning,” he said softly as their kiss ended.
She inhaled deeply and sighed.
“I’ve been wanting you to do that all morning,” she said.
He pulled himself away and slipped behind the bar.
“I know it’s a little early, but I see they have an open bottle of champagne chilling and some orange juice. How about a mimosa?”
Reagan sat down on a bar stool.
“Do you think they might have coffee? I’ll definitely enjoy something to drink later, but I’d love a strong coffee.”
He looked around the bar quickly and then made eye contact with her.
“I don’t see any here, but I’m guessing they could rustle something up. Wait here!”
He rushed off, leaving her to enjoy the view of the California coastline as it disappeared behind them.
The day couldn’t have been more perfect. The sky was clear, the water calm, and the breeze comfortable. It was as if the weather had been picked just for their romantic getaway.
Reagan got up and stretched out on the lounger under the awning and closed her eyes, enjoying the cool ocean breeze on her skin. A few minutes later, she felt Ethan sit down beside her. She opened her eyes to see him smiling down at her.
“They do have coffee for us. They also prepared a continental breakfast which they’ve offered to set up on the main deck. Would you like to join me?” he asked, holding his hand out to her.
She nodded and took his hand as he led her to breakfast.
During their meal, Joe came down to discuss their itinerary. They decided to enjoy the day on the water and to avoid Catalina altogether. This made Reagan very happy. She was quite content to spend a relaxing day with Ethan getting to know him better. If things did end up moving forward for them, they would have to deal with the public soon enough.
Joe told them they’d skirt around the Channel Islands and then stop on their way back, near Catalina. Ethan told her he’d planned a nice dinner for later that evening, once they dropped anchor.
“So, I’ll leave you two alone,” Joe said, shaking Ethan’s hand. “We’ll have lunch ready for you at one, if that’s okay?”
“Sounds great, Joe. Thanks for everything,” Ethan said.
He stood up as Joe left.
“Well, Milady, what would you like to do? Jacuzzi? Sip mojitos? Swim? Talk? Make out?” he said with a sly smile.
Reagan laughed.
“All of the above,” she said.
Ethan came over and offered his hand to help her up.
“Let’s go then!”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Reagan
The rest of the morning was so enjoyable for Reagan. Ethan kept her laughing while the two of them played together. The Captain dropped anchor and they took out the watercraft. She had a blast riding behind Ethan on the Sea-doo and then swimming with him in the ocean. She had never swam off a boat before and found the deep water a little intimidating, even with the flotation belts, but Ethan never left her side.
After their swim, they enjoyed a light lunch of fruit, expensive cheeses, crackers and caviar. Ethan said he wasn’t a fan of the delicacy, but Reagan loved it.
They sat side by side, quietly talking and eating, Ethan occasionally reaching up and touching Reagan’s hair, or placing his hand on her knee. She enjoyed the affection and felt her guard coming down more and more.
“Do you want to go and relax on the bow?” he asked her. “There’s a comfy lounger for two we can lie on.”
She nodded slowly.
“Yes, as long as you don’t mind rubbing some sun screen on me,” she said, smirking.
Ethan raised his brows and grinned.
“I thought you’d never ask. Let’s go,” he said, taking her hand.
She followed him caref
ully around to the bow of the boat and they settled onto the lounger.
“Hand me your sunscreen, Reagan. Let me get my hands on you,” Ethan said holding out his hand.
She grinned and handed him the bottle.
“SPF 60? How close to the sun do you think we are, woman?” he teased.
She turned over on her stomach and moved her hair off her shoulders.
“Shush, you. I’m a delicate flower.”
Ethan laughed.
“You’re forgetting I’ve seen you in combat boots,” he said, “and you weren’t so delicate with that paddle either.”
She closed her eyes and smiled softly.
“You can take it,” she said.
Ethan sighed, enjoying the memory.
“That’s true. I was pretty manly,” he quipped.
Reagan opened her eyes and rolled them at him.
“I was going so easy on you, my Pet,” she said, giggling.
He raised his eyebrows.
“Oh really?” he said, squirting the sun screen in his hands.
She sat up on her elbows and looked at him flirtatiously.
“Mmm-hmmm. Training always starts off gently.”
He rubbed the sunscreen on her back expertly, his warm hands gently massaging her skin.
“Well, I look forward to more training, Milady. I do enjoy your kinky side.”
Reagan nodded.
“I do too, Ethan. You are so much fun to play with.”
He continued to cover her skin with lotion, taking great care not to miss any spots. Reagan felt her arousal growing with his gentle touch. As he gradually got lower down her back, she raised her butt slightly, as if trying to tease him to take things further. How good it would feel to have him slide that long, delicious cock into her from behind. She felt her pussy moisten at the thought.
He pushed her hair aside and whispered in her ear.
“Time to turn over. I’ll do your front.”
She moaned softly and turned herself over for him. She giggled when she caught him looking her up and down, his eyes resting momentarily on her breasts. When he saw her looking at him, he grinned boyishly at her.
“I’m not even sorry,” he teased.
She laughed softly, closing her eyes again, and he continued his task in silence, running his large, strong hands over her belly, her neck, the top of her breasts, and the top of her bikini bottoms.
She squirmed a little as she imagined him sliding his fingers inside her bikini.
Finally he broke the silence, causing her to open her eyes.
“I’ve been doing some research about BDSM. It’s fascinating.”
Reagan nodded, encouraging him to continue.
“There’s quite a spectrum in the kink world, isn’t there.”
She sat up on her elbows.
“Yes, there is,” she agreed. “Did you find it overwhelming?”
He shook his head.
“No. Sure, there are quite a lot of things that I would probably not be into. But then, there are other things that made me really curious,” he admitted.
“Like what?”
He shrugged. She could tell he wanted to tell her but was nervous.
“You can tell me anything, Ethan. Trust me. I’m in this with you,” she assured him.
He nodded slowly and smiled.
“I know I’m open to experimenting with bondage, and pain, and even some role playing. The thing is, I like the idea of exploring within the confines of a trusting relationship, with a partner who is also turned on by it. You know? But for me it has to be equal. Does that make sense?”
Reagan nodded in agreement. She did know. Ethan continued.
“I’ve been reading about Tops and Bottoms, Slave and Master, Dominant and Submissive. Seems like there are so many titles. I used to think BDSM was pretty dark stuff, and some of it is, but there is so much more to it, isn’t there?”
She nodded again.
“Yes, BDSM covers a lot of ground. I think that everyone has taboo desires and even fetishes that turn them on, you know? Things they fantasize about when the lights go out or when they’re stretching for that hard to reach orgasm. Some people are open to exploring their desires and some people aren’t. It can be intimidating to talk about our fantasies, let alone act on them. Society can be pretty judgmental and uptight,” she said. “I think that’s why trust is so important.”
Ethan grabbed the towel and wiped off his hands, finished with the sunscreen. He stretched back beside her and made himself comfortable.
“Can we talk about you?” he asked, propping up on one elbow.
She knew it was just a matter of time before they did. She sighed softly and smiled.
“Of course,” she replied.
He entwined his hand in hers, maybe to reassure her.
“How did you end up here, where you are today?” he asked tactfully.
She looked at him solemnly for a minute, trying to process where to start and how much to share. She knew he was allowing himself to trust her and he deserved the same, but she hadn’t talked about her past in a long time and it triggered a lot of emotions for her.
“My mother died when I was fourteen, of cancer,” she began.
Ethan nodded reassuringly, encouraging her to continue. She felt vulnerable, and it was not a comfortable feeling for her, but Ethan made her feel safe.
“I was lost without her. I was just starting high school and trying to figure out all that teenager stuff, so it was a pretty scary time. My dad pretty much disappeared emotionally after her death. He was just going through the motions, you know, just trying to deal with his own grief.”
Ethan reached out to stroke her hair, making her smile thoughtfully back at him. She continued.
“We certainly didn’t talk to each other about any of that though. He provided for me, made sure there was good food in the house, gave me everything I needed, but he just wasn’t capable of the connection I craved. He was lost. I understand that now.”
She sighed as she strolled back through her memories. Thinking about her parents brought up a lot of sadness for her. She missed them both so much.
“Are you okay?” Ethan asked kindly.
She nodded.
“Yes, I’m okay,” she assured him.
She was quiet for a few moments.
“Dad died when I was eighteen. I was in my first year at Berkley. Pre-law, if you can believe that.”
Ethan looked surprised.
“Your dad died too?” he said sadly.
She nodded her head.
“Yes,” she said, “I was heavy into the second semester when he died. It was pretty sudden. He had a heart attack while he was at work. I was told that he was gone before the ambulance even arrived. They said he didn’t suffer, but I knew that wasn’t true. He had suffered for years. My parents had a beautiful love story. I like to think they’re together again.”
She smiled at Ethan, her eyes brimming with tears. He reached for her hand and she gladly let him take it.
“Financially, I was okay. Both of my parents had insurance policies, and of course, the house as well. I finished up my semester and flew back east for the summer so I could take care of all the legalities. Thankfully, my mother’s brother helped me. He was the executor of the will and also named my guardian, but because I was already eighteen, he just helped me organize my finances and investments and such. He still takes care of that for me. He is the closest family I have. Anyway, we decided not to sell the house. My uncle was convinced I would return home one day. By the end of August, I was back at Berkeley ready to start my second year.”
She paused and looked at Ethan, who was deeply engaged in her story. He smiled at her.
“Go on,” he said.
She nodded.
“I was pretty good at taking care of myself. I did well in school, grades were decent. I was making friends and having fun, but I didn’t date much. I guess I was a bit shy around men.”
Ethan chuckled and
Reagan gave his hand a playful squeeze.
“Yeah, I know, hard to believe. But it was true. I didn’t feel very attractive and I certainly didn’t know how to talk to men. But then, I met someone.”
She paused and took a deep breath. She wouldn’t say his name for fear of conjuring up his ghost.
“He was my teacher’s assistant at the university. Smart, good looking, very charismatic and confident. He asked me out and to be honest, I was only nineteen and pretty inexperienced with men. I didn’t know that it was probably inappropriate for my TA to ask me out in the first place. He was not the kind of man that really cared for rules or boundaries. You know the type. He had a sense of entitlement and didn’t bother himself with little things like propriety,” she said stiffly.
“We dated for a few months and it got intense pretty fast. Looking back, I realize that he filled a need in me that had been missing in my life. He was attentive and strong and he took charge. I honestly felt like he was taking care of me when he was telling me what to do, how to act, what to think, or even who I could talk to. In the beginning it just felt good to let him make all the decisions.”
Ethan nodded.
“As you can imagine, it didn’t take long for my friends to disappear. He didn’t go out of his way to support those relationships, so they kind of fell apart,” she explained, her voice filled with melancholy.
“We were together for about six months when he asked me to marry him.”
Ethan raised his eyebrows.
Reagan nodded.
“I know, crazy right? I remember at the time my instincts were screaming at me not to do it. He was very convincing though. The truth is, we did have fun together and I was completely infatuated with him. He had this way of turning me inside out. It got to the point that I was so in tune with his moods and feelings that I began to second guess my own feelings. I knew that I was too young to be married, but I was also terrified of losing him and being alone again. I suggested that we move in together instead of getting married, you know, to see how it would go? He did not like that at all. He was very insistent and for a few weeks made me feel quite badly. He shut me out. I now know how manipulative that was, and I also know now why I responded to it. When he took that connection away from me, it triggered my insecurities and how I felt as a teenager when my dad closed down. It was unnerving, to say the least.”
Grace and Mercy Page 15
