Permission to Come Aboard (The Great Outdoors Book 2)

by Shayne McClendon

  Bubba snorted as he jumped to the deck and tucked the bag in his board shorts. “You guys can call me Erick. If you’ll commit to food first, I’ll show you the best place to rent.”

  The boy pointed at the closest shop. “You don’t want to rent anything from that place. You want to go a little further and rent from Mickey. He has better stuff and his rates are better.”

  With that, he led them away, talking animatedly.

  Once they were out of sight, Dakota said, “In all seriousness, I’m starving. Anyone else ready for breakfast?”

  She took the sarong from Chaz he’d grabbed when he went below and tied it in place. He shrugged on a t-shirt and cargo shorts.

  Shawn and Gunner pulled similar clothes from their bags and dressed over their bathing suits.

  Dakota locked up the boat and they all jumped to the dock. “We need to be back in two hours. You guys don’t have to boat all day. We’ve done a ton of charters with just the two of us. Also, we rarely have asshole clients like that.”

  Chaz sighed. “When we do, they’re usually fucking with you.”

  Shawn’s voice was firm. “No, we’ll stay with you guys. I haven’t seen enough of the reef and the caves. I’m going to book the rest of the day if you have room.”

  “We’d love to have you and there’s no need to book. We’re friends. I’ll still take your money for long-term charters because you guys are no joke.”

  Gunner tugged a lock of her hair. “Truth.”

  She contained her pleasure but couldn’t hide her blush. As they walked toward the marina, she bumped Chaz’s hip with hers. He gave her a distracted smile.

  “You take Krav Maga?” Shawn asked from where he walked behind them. Chaz looked over his shoulder and nodded carefully. “So do I. Who’s your instructor down here?”

  Seeing an opportunity, Gunner sped up and slipped his arm around Dakota’s waist. He urged her into a slightly faster walk to leave the two men walking together.

  “You’re an excellent wingman,” she murmured.

  “Thanks. I don’t get many chances.” He winked and moved to take her hand. “My stomach is about to eat my face.”

  “Oh god, same. Let’s hurry and get a table.”

  They jogged to the small diner with a great view of the inlet and settled at a table to wait. When the others entered, Chaz’s brows lifted when he saw they’d chosen a booth and sat on one side.

  Without a word, he slid in and Shawn sat on the outside. They made small talk and ordered mounds of food. The longer they sat together, the more relaxed Chaz seemed to be.

  The rest of the afternoon was uneventful as the four of them worked two dive charters and secured the boat for the night.

  Watching a gorgeous sunset, Dakota said, “I’m glad to have a couple of days off.”

  “I’m glad you have time off, too. What would you like to do?” Gunner had no intentions of wasting a moment with her. “Anything you want.”

  “Do you want to come out to our place? We have plenty of space and I’d love to decompress away from the marina.”

  “I’d like that.”

  She looked at Shawn. “Why don’t you and Chaz pick up Bubba and I’ll make steaks at the house?”

  “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You’re not intruding,” Chaz told him. “We usually spend our days off vegetating and in the water.”

  “I’d like that. Thanks.”

  “Grab your luggage. We have a guest room with its own bath.” Dakota pointedly ignored Chaz’s questioning stare. To Gunner, she asked, “How long are you here?”

  “We leave Monday morning but I’d like to drive down next weekend if you don’t have plans.”

  Her smile was slow. “I’d like that. You’re welcome anytime.”

  “Good to know.”

  * * *

  Despite giving Chaz ample exposure to Shawn, he didn’t let down his guard that weekend or the several that followed.

  Dakota didn’t want to interfere but it was clear that the more time the former SEAL spent in her brother’s company, the more attracted he was to him.

  She admired his patience.

  It became a habit for the two friends to drive down Friday night and stay at their beach house until Monday morning.

  They ran charters with them, helped with errands or repairs for their house and boat, and never failed to include the youngest Harding in their plans.

  Gunner started leaving clothes at her house in the Keys and she was secretly pleased when she realized.

  After the fourth such weekend spent laughing and hanging out together, the twins stood with Bubba on the deck of the house and waved as the best friends left.

  “This is getting harder. I didn’t expect that,” she confessed to her brothers.

  Chaz asked quietly, “Are you falling in love with him, Kota?”

  “I think…that may already be past tense.” Shaking off her melancholy, she said cheerfully, “Let’s straighten up and troll some shops.”

  It was more than the mind-blowing sex and serious attractiveness of Gunner Cain.

  He treated her as an equal in every way and it wasn’t something she’d ever had in previous relationships. Lots of men professed to consider women their equals but it didn’t follow through in daily interactions.

  Gunner was the most powerful man she’d ever known, much less dated, but he didn’t feel the need to prove his masculinity. He didn’t mind looking silly and laughed at himself when he made mistakes.

  She needed to rein in her thinking and calm the fuck down. Questioning her feelings and actively concealing them wasn’t likely to save her in the end.

  Chapter Eleven

  July 2004

  A situation with their security company kept the guys from returning to the Keys for three weeks.

  When they reappeared on a Saturday night, Gunner sported a bandage across his forearm. Dakota put her hand over her mouth and whispered, “What happened?”

  “I was a little too slow.” He winked. “It isn’t deep and there’s no nerve damage. I need to get back in the gym. I’m getting old.”

  “You’re not the only one,” Shawn offered. He lifted the side of his t-shirt to show the vicious purple-green bruise along his ribs. “Not as bad as we’ve had but worse than expected.”

  “Neither of you are old. Stop that. Everyone else okay?”

  “Some cuts and bruises among our team but you should see the other guys.” Gunner attempted to keep things light but Dakota knew it must have been extremely dangerous for men trained like them to come out with wounds. “We’re okay.”

  She wanted to ask why he hadn’t called her but she knew theirs wasn’t that kind of relationship. “I’m glad you made it down. We got a great deal on crab legs and I didn’t know how we were going to eat them all. Problem solved.”

  The next morning, she walked into the kitchen to make coffee and smiled at Chaz sprawled on one end of the sectional and Shawn at the other.

  Strangely, her twin hadn’t said anything in regard to the SEAL and that was telling. She was grateful he hadn’t asked her any direct questions that made her lie.

  A sin of omission she could live with.

  He was relaxed around the older man, clearly enjoyed his company, and Shawn was establishing a foundation of friendship for them to build on.

  Such a brilliant strategy.

  They spent the day loafing. She refused to expend any energy but the guys spent time on the water with her little brother.

  Bubba was attached to Gunner and his friends. They were a great influence on him. When Shawn realized Chaz and Dakota regularly sparred with him, he asked to be included.

  After fifteen minutes, covered in sweat, he high-fived the ten-year-old. “You’re fast and controlled. You’ve had excellent teachers.”

  “You should spar with Chaz. He’s ridiculously good.”

  Glancing across their home gym, he smiled. Chaz leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He’d
watched the interaction intently.

  “What do you say, Chaz?”

  Stripping off his t-shirt, her twin stepped on the mat and Bubba walked over to sit between Dakota’s legs.

  They circled each other, well-matched in height but Shawn had a distinct weight advantage over her leaner brother.

  “Rules?” The tone of her twin’s voice was robotic.

  Shawn stopped moving. “I’ve seen you in action. I’m curious about the scope of your skills.” He walked closer and held out his hand. “It’s not a pissing contest.”

  Inhaling deeply, Chaz shook his hand. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. I imagine you’ve dealt with a lot of assholes.” He smiled. “Looking like a model doesn’t instill most with confidence of physical skill. I know better.”

  “I…” Dakota could tell her brother didn’t know what to say in regards to the compliment about his looks. “Okay.”

  They went through several moves in different styles of martial arts. The longer they traded glancing hits and kicks, the clearer it was how similar they were in skill.

  Shawn was stronger but Chaz was faster. They played to their strengths for half an hour before the bigger man feinted left and tackled Chaz to the mat.

  Pinning him carefully on his stomach, the SEAL told him, “I was getting exhausted. It was the only thing I could think to do to make the punishment stop.”

  Laughing, Chaz said, “That’s bullshit. I yield.”

  Gaining a standing position, Shawn lifted him to his feet. “You’re outstanding.”

  “So are you. Good match.” Chaz offered his hand and the big man took it. “Quit staring, Dakota.”

  “I wish I’d thought to make popcorn first,” she quipped.

  Bubba added, “It’s gotta be a tie. I’ve seen Chaz shake worse pins than that. He went easy on you, Shawn.”

  “My thought as well. Why?”

  “You’re hurt.”

  The silence drew out and Shawn let go of the hand he seemed to remember he was holding. He gave a small bow. “A rematch at another time?”

  “Not sure I could handle a rematch with you at peak.”

  “You underestimate yourself. I don’t.” Turning to the others, Gunner’s best friend said, “I believe you said something about food?”

  “I buy it by the ton to keep these two from whining. Follow me to the kitchen and let’s make it happen.” Leaving a smacking kiss on Bubba’s cheek, she got up.

  It was a great night. Progress.

  * * *

  A couple of days later, three of his men arrived for the charter he’d booked. They walked down the dock in various stages of healing. Tyler stayed on the mainland with his family.

  She looked them over in shock before they got on the boat. Reaching up, she turned Joey’s face and saw he’d come close to having his jaw broken.

  “Guys…this won’t do. You can’t fish in your condition.” Joey and Alan nodded. “Let me lock up and you can vegetate at our place. Margaritas, a movie marathon, and the view will do wonders. We’ll get a couple more air beds. You need rest.”

  Brooking no argument, she whistled for Bubba who was stocking the cabin. “We’re not taking the boat out. Look at these guys.”

  His eyes went wide as he examined men who appeared to have survived a serious car wreck.

  “Dakota will take care of you. She’s really good at mending men in shape like yours. I’ll help. Come on. You don’t need to fish today.”

  The sore and exhausted men followed them to the vehicles and when they got to the house, she made them sleep. “It’s still early. Get what you need.”

  At her insistence, Joey and Alan sprawled out on her California King and were out in moments. Lance didn’t make it past the living room and collapsed on the sofa.

  Bubba covered him with a light blanket, tucked a pillow under his head, and turned up the ceiling fan.

  Dakota motioned angrily at Gunner to join her on the deck. Shawn and Chaz joined them.

  “What were you thinking? They’re injured!” She revved up for a full-on shrew episode.

  “I hoped they’d listen to you.”

  The wind went out of her sails. “What?”

  “These guys are different with women. They’re protective and gentle in ways soldiers don’t always know how to be with other men. Tyler’s wife put her foot down but these three were on their own and wouldn’t be reasonable.”

  “You wanted me to…mom them?” she asked quietly.

  He took her shoulders. “You’re the toughest woman I’ve ever met but you’re also loving and kind. I didn’t know what else to do. I hoped they’d respond to the vagina thing.”

  She cupped his face. “Men are so weird.”

  “I know.” Then he kissed her.

  Chaz clapped once sharply and they broke apart. “Hey! Not in the mood for that shit right now. We need to make a plan. Food, coverage at the marina, and so on. Mack later.”

  Dakota tilted her head. “You okay?”

  “I’m awesome. Let’s make a grocery list.” He walked back in the house and closed the slider behind him.

  After a long pause, she met Shawn’s eyes. “You know what’s wrong, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you tell me?”

  “There’s nothing you can do to help him. Let me handle it.” He gave her a gentle smile. “I think I’ve earned his trust at this point. I’m done being subtle.”

  She blinked. Then understanding washed over her. “Ah.”

  “Yes.”

  For three days, the men were pampered and forced to relax. Dakota even called in a couple of sports massage therapists to work everyone over, herself included, at the house.

  On Saturday, she prepped to leave for the marina. Gunner turned over groggily. “Wait for me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just a dive charter. I’ll be back tonight. I have three back to back.” She crawled over the bed and kissed him warmly. “Sleep. You need it.”

  Then she grabbed her gear bag and jumped in her Jeep. It would be another hour before the sun came up and it didn’t make sense to wake the house. Chaz would join her before the first tour.

  She did her usual walk-through of the boat, waving at the marina staff that drifted in.

  Then she went to the edge of the dock furthest from the slips and put herself through a rigorous stretching regimen.

  The sound of the water, the purple sky just before sunrise, and solitude combined to settle her mind.

  Alone with the ocean and her thoughts for the first time in days, she worked on balance and control. In her mind and in her body, she’d always prized them most.

  An old tension she knew well was building.

  When it bubbled to the surface, she needed to be sure none of the SEALs were around to witness it or interfere.

  She doubted they’d agree with her form of release.

  Every move was designed to isolate her muscles, to strengthen her core, and improve flexibility. Chaz didn’t have her range of motion but Bubba was learning.

  The concrete pillar that supported the dock in the deepest water was eighteen inches’ square. To invert her body slowly into a perfect vertical line before lowering to balance her legs in a suspended V, she only needed ten inches.

  Raising herself again to a handstand, she held herself there for a count of ten. Then she did a round-off to the deck, bowed to the sun beginning to peek over the horizon, and turned to head back to the boat.

  Gunner and Shawn stood with their mouths hanging open. Chaz had his gear bag over his shoulder.

  “I tried to tell them. I tried to explain you’re the better fighter. I think that display sent the message far better than I could. Strength, stamina, flexibility, and knowledge. Dakota has always been the perfect storm.”

  He walked between the friends and approached, kissing her cheek. “Good morning.”

  “Hey. There was no reason for everyone to lose sleep.”

  “S
illy girl. You think he’s going to waste the time he has with you? Only a fool would do such a thing and he’s no fool.” Chaz tossed his bag to the deck and winked. “I’ll check tanks.”

  “How long have you been training?” Shawn asked quietly.

  “I started with gymnastics. It was a girl sport I was allowed to pursue. Chaz was enrolled in every male-dominated activity and he showed me what he learned.” She tilted her head. “Then I showed him how I did it.”

  Gunner stroked a stray curl behind her ear. “You’re subtle, subdued. I knew you could fight, that you were agile. I never expected such a level of control and strength.”

  “First I trained for myself. Then I trained for the military. Now I train because life taught me you never know what might happen. I like to be prepared.”

  “You protected him,” Shawn guessed.

  She met his gaze unflinchingly. “My brother was beaten until he couldn’t walk. I wasn’t. Our punishments were different but equally extreme. I could physically defend him without consequence so I did. He’s done the same for me.”

  Staring into her eyes, Gunner seemed to consider. “You tell me things but there’s so much more to you.”

  “To everyone. Every human is a mystery and some mysteries are better left unsolved.”

  “Not in this case. If you didn’t want me to delve deeper, you wouldn’t have allowed me in at all. I accepted your invitation and I’m happier about that every day.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Their last group of the day was a small family on vacation, two older parents and their high school age children.

  She smiled when the rest of Gunner’s team and Bubba walked down the dock. “I think these guys need some fresh air.” He looked at them sternly. “No diving though!”

  The little family wanted to dive the reef and the caves and get shots of their outing. They started taking pictures the moment they boarded and were clearly thrilled with the entire experience.

  Bubba told them, “You’ll love the underwater ones. It’s sunny today and the water is clear. Should be perfect conditions.”

  Gunner and Shawn helped them with gear and Chaz walked through the basic safety information.