Even though she was determined to torture him over the SportsCenter comment she couldn’t hold out in the face of his earnestness. Instead, she went gooey all over. “I love you, too.” She inhaled through her nose and took a moment to enjoy the pure emotion of the morning, etch it into her memory ... and then she grew serious. “This is the first day of the rest of our lives.”
It took everything Quinn had not to groan. “I don’t know what that means, Ro.”
“It means that yesterday we said goodbye to our old lives and today we’re greeting our new lives.”
“We just changed rooms.”
“It’s symbolic.”
“It’s a good step for us,” he corrected. “We have a space we can call our own. We have enough room for both of our wardrobes. Even though we believed in our hearts we were living together before, we technically weren’t because it was impossible
“We’re going to have a great time here for the next year and change,” he continued. “It’s still just a room. I’m looking forward to decorating our house. You remember that thing your uncle is selling us for a song, right?”
Rowan smirked. “He says he’s giving it to us as a wedding gift.”
Quinn stilled. “We can’t accept that,” he said finally. “You know that, right?”
Instead of immediately responding, she ran her hand over his bare chest. “I know you don’t want to accept it, but it would actually be a gift from him and my father. They want to go in together on it.”
“Rowan, he was already making us a great deal on the sale. I talked about this with him weeks ago and he said he was fine with the arrangement. I think giving us the best deal in the known universe is more than enough.”
“Under normal circumstances, I would agree.”
“But ... ?”
“But my father feels guilty for leaving me,” Rowan replied. “He’s working on getting over it, but now that he realizes how easily things could’ve been avoided, he’s dealing with a lot of guilt.”
“I don’t think the solution to that is to buy you off.”
“Not buy me off,” she countered, her eyes flashing with annoyance. Quinn realized he was walking a fine line. That didn’t mean he could wrap his mind around getting a beach house for free. “He wants to give us something. He feels he owes you as much as me. You kept me safe ... and stood by me through everything.”
“Even though he wanted to take you and flee,” Quinn muttered under his breath.
Rowan heaved out a sigh. They rarely fought. Everything with them was comfortable. The fire between them was of a different sort, and that’s exactly how she liked it. “Forget I brought it up,” she said after a beat. “I don’t know what I was thinking. You can go back to whatever agreement you had with Nick.”
Quinn watched her through heavy eyelids, hating the way her previously playful expression had darkened. “Ro ... .”
“It’s fine.” She made a dismissive motion with her hand. “I should probably get up. The day beckons.”
“Wait.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her close. He’d never loved anyone to the point of pain before. He wasn’t always sure he could handle it. He recognized without a shadow of a doubt that he couldn’t let it go, though. There was no way he could even consider that. “This is important to you, isn’t it?” His voice was low.
“Not as important as you are.”
“I think that goes without saying.” He used his index finger to tip up her chin so he could stare into her eyes. “Baby, I love you more than anything. I don’t want you to be unhappy. This is difficult for me, though.”
“I know it is. They want it to be a wedding gift.”
“I was kind of planning on buying it as a wedding gift for you.”
“Yeah. You were planning on buying it. I don’t have the money to buy it, so it would’ve been your house.”
“No. The deed would have both our names on it. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Yes, but you would’ve bought it. I wouldn’t have been able to help.”
“Why does that matter?”
“Why does it matter if my father and uncle buy it and give it to us as an equal gift?”
His eyebrows drew together as he considered the question. He felt caught. “I don’t know,” he said after a beat. “I’m not going to lie, though. I think you’ve somehow trapped me.”
Her lips curved. “It will make my father feel better. It will put us on even footing. I just want you to consider it.”
He worked his jaw. “I didn’t realize we weren’t on even footing,” he said finally. “I never really thought about it.”
“You didn’t think about the fact that I was essentially homeless before I took this job? How about the fact that you had to buy my replacement camera? That you’re the one who always pays for dinner? That you’re the one who actually gave me spending money when we were at port last week because I was broke?”
He balked. “I ... you ... we ... .”
She waited for him to find a suitable argument and wasn’t surprised when he couldn’t. Finally, he shook his head. “I never thought about that stuff.”
“That’s because you have money. This job pays okay — especially since they cover room and board — but I’m hardly getting rich at it. I’m also at a point where I need to start giving serious thought to what I want to do once we leave the ship. You’ve got a job lined up where you’ll make good money. I’m only trained to do one thing.”
He ran his thumb lightly over her bottom lip as he stared into her eyes. “You’re gifted in ways that defy the imagination. You’re amazing ... and special ... and nobody can do the things you do. Money doesn’t matter to me.”
It was difficult for her to contain her laughter despite his serious response. “That’s a very sweet thing to say,” she noted. “I want to contribute, though. I don’t know what I want to do yet. I’ll figure it out, though, and I’m going to want input from you. That’s not what this is about, though. This is about the house ... and while I know it makes you uncomfortable, I would at least like you to think about the idea of them gifting it to us — well, actually we would buy it for a dollar for tax reasons, but you know what I mean — and give it a little time to percolate before completely shutting me down.”
He narrowed his eyes as he regarded her. “That was sneaky.”
“What?”
“You know I can’t deny you after what you said. You know I’m going to give in.”
Rowan grinned as she patted his arm. “I want you to think about it.” She was firm. “If you’re not comfortable after some serious thinking, I’m not going to force you. We’ll do things your way.”
Quinn was doubtful that was how things would go down. “I’ll think about it.”
“Great.” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “So ... we were late getting back to our room last night and didn’t christen it properly. I think we’ve got just enough time before breakfast, though. What do you say? I mean ... unless you’re busy thinking about something else.”
He flashed her a flirty grin and rolled on top of her. “See, you should’ve opened with that. You could’ve talked me into anything if you’d played that card first.”
“I would rather be upfront with you.”
And that right there was why she would ultimately get her way, Quinn realized. They were well matched, even if his ego was going to have to do some adjusting. He would simply have to suck it up.
“Let’s christen the room,” he whispered, sending a chill up her spine. “I have a few ideas on exactly how we should do it, too.”
“I’m all ears ... and lips ... and hands.”
“Awesome. Let’s start our celebration right about … here.”
MADDIE STOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF the honeymoon suite and debated between outfits while she waited for Nick to emerge from the bathroom. “Do you think I can get away with wearing knit shorts and a tank top over my swimsuit for breakfast?”
She didn’t expe
ct Nick to open the door at that moment, or come striding out with a cocky grin on his face as the towel dipped low on his waist. “What did you say, love? I can’t even focus on the words because all I can see is you in that bikini. Where have you been hiding that?”
Maddie glanced down at the string bikini and frowned, her cheeks burning. “Oh, well ... Christy bought it for me. I was going to go with a one-piece, but she thought this was more appropriate for a honeymoon. Now that I look at it, though, maybe I should change into something else.”
“No way.” Nick was adamant as he shook his head. “That is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.” His eyes flashed hot, causing Maddie to instinctively cross her arms over her chest. “What are you doing? I’ve seen what’s under that bathing suit. There’s nothing you have under there that’s a surprise.”
Maddie’s gaze was withering. “I know that.” It took a concerted effort, but she managed to lower her arms. “I just feel on display.”
“Did you feel on display before I ogled you like a teenage boy touching his first breast in a funhouse?”
Maddie scowled. “I hate that story.”
Nick grinned. “Why do you think I tell it so often? Seriously, though, are you reacting this way simply because of the way I looked at you?”
“Maybe a little,” she hedged, shifting from one foot to the other. “I saw a lot of other people wearing bathing suits even smaller than this one yesterday. I thought it would be okay.”
“And why don’t you think it will be okay now?”
“Because your eyes bugged out of your head like the coyote in a Warner Brothers cartoon and it was freaky.”
He snickered. He couldn’t help himself. She was obviously upset, but she was prone to bouts of self-doubt. She was much better about it than she used to be — and, in truth, she simply wasn’t the sort of woman who would flaunt her body even though she looked like a swimsuit model — but she still had moments where she was plagued by insecurity.
“Mad, you look phenomenal in that bathing suit,” he insisted. “In fact, you look like every naughty dream I’ve ever had about you. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing that bathing suit, though, that’s fine. It’s up to you. We can just save it for private time in the lake behind the house.”
“We’re usually naked for that because it’s after dark,” she reminded him.
“Good point. The bathing suit is super hot, though.”
She pursed her lips and glanced back at her reflection. “I guess I can wear it under the shorts and tank top and decide after breakfast. I might not even want to swim.”
He doubted that. They both enjoyed the water. “You know we have a private cottage on the beach for a full five days after this,” he reminded her. “You can also wear it then.”
“That’s true. Right now I’m going to think about it.” She tugged the tank top over her head. “I’m actually starving. Do you care if we head out for breakfast early?”
“I do not. I think food sounds good.” He gave her a light swat on her bottom as she tugged on her knit shorts. “You wore me out last night. I think it was all those piña coladas.”
She frowned. “I only had two.”
“I’m teasing you, Maddie.” He poked her stomach. “You need to calm down a little bit. You’re antsy.”
“I am antsy,” she admitted after three seconds of consideration. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be. We’re on our honeymoon.” She chewed on her bottom lip as she adjusted the drawstring on her shorts. “I wonder why I’m acting like a loon.”
His eyebrows hopped. “I wouldn’t call you a loon, Mad. You’re just wound a little tight.”
“I know. I recognize that. I’m just wondering why.”
He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Do you think it has something to do with your abilities?”
“I don’t know.” She opted for honesty. “It makes sense, though, huh? My magic has been growing a little bit. Maybe I’m feeling anxious because someone else is feeling anxious.”
“Who? Lindsey?”
Maddie held out her hands and shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t even know of a way to test it, though.”
That made two of them. “Well, give it some thought.” He slung his arm around her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love you no matter what, even if you are a loon.”
She elbowed him in the stomach. Hard. “Keep it up, smart guy. You’re going to be sleeping on the couch of this fancy suite if you’re not careful.”
It was an empty threat and they both knew it. Still, he enjoyed playing the game. “You don’t have to be cruel, Mad. I mean ... do you want to make me cry?”
“Ha, ha, ha.” She threw open the door and almost fell backwards when she realized Quinn and Rowan were standing on the other side. The security guard had his hand raised, signifying he was about to knock, and he looked just as surprised as she felt.
“Good morning,” Quinn offered, recovering quickly.
“Good morning,” Maddie replied. “I ... um ... do you need something? Did you find Lindsey?”
“Not yet, but I asked for a list of people who turned down maid service yesterday,” Quinn replied. “One of the names on the list is Dylan Benton.”
Nick’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Well, that’s ... something.”
“It is,” Quinn confirmed. “I’m sending men to search the other rooms, but I thought maybe you might want to come with me while I tackle that particular one myself.”
“I would love to go with you.”
Maddie furrowed her brow, confused. She was still behind. “Why is the maid service important?”
“Because if one of the guests was keeping a woman against her will, he or she would deny maid service to keep it a secret,” Nick offered.
“Also, if Lindsey is hiding voluntarily in one of these rooms because she’s embarrassed or something else is going on, that would also be a reason to turn maid service away,” Quinn added. “It’s unlikely that Lindsey is being kept in one of the rooms that was cleaned, so by focusing on the rooms that weren’t cleaned first, we’re drastically cutting down on our list.”
“Oh, well, that makes sense.” Maddie brightened considerably. “Can we go with you?” She gestured toward Rowan and herself. “Is this just a boys’ thing or something?”
Quinn grinned at her. “Actually, I think it should just be Nick and me this go-around. I thought you guys might like to get some breakfast and wait for us in the dining room.”
“In other words, you want us to stay out of trouble,” Maddie surmised. “How ... charming.”
Nick snickered. “You’ll survive. Besides, you were just talking about how hungry you are.”
“Rowan was saying the same thing,” Quinn said. “I think it’s a match made in omelet heaven.”
Rowan rolled her eyes in unison with Maddie. “Ignore them,” she instructed. “They’re feeling manly. We can get coffee and breakfast and they’ll fill us in when they’re done. It’s the best we’re going to get.”
Ironically, Maddie found she was fine with that. She liked the idea of being able to talk to Rowan without an audience. “That sounds like a plan.”
Thirteen
Rowan and Maddie went to the dining room together. Being a twosome was vastly different from being a foursome and yet both women felt oddly at peace with one another.
“What’s it like to live on a ship?” Maddie asked once they were both settled with their food.
Rowan shrugged and sipped from her juice before answering. “It’s not as cool as everyone believes. I mean ... there are definitely cool things about it. There’re also difficulties.
“Like, for example, up until yesterday Quinn and I had separate rooms that weren’t very close to one another,” she continued. “There wasn’t enough space in my room for all of his stuff, but he spent almost every night with me. He had to either remember to grab clothes the previous night or head back to his own room to get dressed every morning.”
<
br /> Maddie pursed her lips. “I hadn’t thought about that,” she admitted after a beat. “Huh. That couldn’t have been easy. Still, you get fresh seafood every night if you want it.”
Rowan’s lips curved. “That is one of the benefits. Quinn makes fun of me because I’m a crab fiend. I’ll eat crab legs every night if they’re an option. I only have access to the main dining room because I’m expected to take photos during meals, though. Otherwise I would be relegated to the employee cafeteria ... or expected to pay for the crab legs myself, which aren’t really in my budget.”
“That’s kind of a bummer.” Maddie spread jam on her toast, thoughtful. “What about Quinn?”
“Oh, he gets special treatment because his services are in demand. They don’t want to lose him ... although they are.”
“He’s leaving the ship?” Maddie was taken aback. “What about you?”
“We’re leaving together. I still have more than a year on my contract. Quinn managed to secure us a room upgrade by extending his contract to match mine. I’m sure they believe they’ll be able to convince him to extend after that by throwing big buckets of money at him, but he’s made up his mind. He wants us to have a regular life on the mainland.”
“What do you want?”
“I honestly don’t know.” Rowan held her hands palms-up and shrugged. “It’s difficult for me to make a decision. I love taking photos, but it’s not exactly easy making a living from it.”
“What about being a wedding photographer?”
“I’ve considered that. It’s kind of tedious. I can definitely plump my income that way. My father thinks I should take nature photos. He thinks I’m good at it. Going back to journalism isn’t really an option because that field is dying. To save money, most newspapers make the reporters snap photographs on their cell phones these days so ... I just don’t know.”
“What does Quinn say?”
“He says I should do what I want. He’s going to be making good money and suggested I be a woman of leisure. He was half joking ... but I think he was half serious, too.”
Grave Seas: A Maddie Graves and Rowan Gray Mystery Page 12
