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Looking down on her from the top of the cabin, he said, “Hey, sleepyhead, you’d better sit down. I’m come down to bring the boom around. I wouldn’t want you to go swimming without me.”
Captivated, China could do nothing but stare at him. With the sun at his back, his hair tousled by the wind and his white smile for her only, she had to remind herself to breathe. It was beyond her wildest dreams that she could be off sailing with such a gorgeous man.
He lithely made his way along the narrow companionway between the side of the boat and the cabin to join her. “China, you okay?”
She blinked and sucked in a breath. “Yeah, why?”
“I’ve been talking to you, and you’ve been ignoring me.”
The problem was she hadn’t been ignoring him, she’d been fixated. “What did you say?”
He took her elbow and led her to the bench. “I’m going to let you handle the rudder while I take care of the boom. We need to tack soon so I can show you my favorite new spot.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know anything about the rudder.” China was afraid her apprehension was showing again.
“You don’t have to. It’s easy and I’m going to show you how.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the seat again. “Sit down.”
She took the same spot she been in earlier.
“This...” Payton put his hand on the shiny, well cared-for wooden handle that was just behind the seat “...moves the rudder.” He demonstrated by pushing it back and forth. The boat shifted to the right and then to the left as he moved the handle. “Now you put your hand right here.”
China put her hand where he indicated and Payton placed his palm over it. “Now, all I want you to do it hold it steady.”
“I don’t think—”
“No thinking required. You’ll be fine. Relax and enjoy. I’m letting go now.”
Her heart hung in her throat as his fingers left hers.
“See that point of land straight ahead?”
She nodded.
“Keep us headed in that direction. We aren’t going to leave the bay so there shouldn’t be much more wind than this. I’m going to get the line to the boom.” Payton moved to leave her.
“Don’t go.”
“I’ll be right back. You just adjust the rudder back and forth and keep us headed for that point.”
Payton disappeared from sight. She looked at her hand to find that the knuckles were turning white. She eased her grip on the wood and took a slow deep breath. Payton wouldn’t have left her with his pride and joy if he didn’t trust that she could handle it. Finding the point of land again, she moved the rudder and brought the boat in line again. A sense of pride washed through her. She was controlling this huge sailboat. She’d felt out of control so much of her life that it was invigorating to feel some power.
She smiled up at Payton when he returned.
“You’re starting to enjoy yourself, aren’t you?”
She lifted her chin and let the wind blow in her face. “I have to admit, I’m having fun.”
Holding a rope in his hand, Payton came to sit down beside her. “I was hoping you would.”
The earnest look he gave her said that it had really mattered to him that she enjoyed sailing. Why?
“Okay, here’s the important part and the dangerous one if you don’t pay attention and listen. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Suddenly the confidence she’d felt ebbed away.
“When I bring the jib around you have to duck. If you don’t, the boom with hit you in the head. So when I yell ‘Duck’, you’d better do it.”
Her poise returned. Surely she could do that without any problem.
“You ready?”
“I’m ready.”
“Okay, here we go.”
* * *
Payton couldn’t help but grin at the determination in China’s voice. She approached sailing just as she did her nursing and gardening: head on. He found it refreshing. Found her extremely desirable. Would that passion be just as intense in her lovemaking? With every fiber of his being he wanted to find out. To see her come alive beneath him. Why had he ever agreed to make this a friendly trip?
He pulled the rope and the boom began to swing toward them. It gained momentum during the movement. When it was almost parallel with the boat, Payton yelled, “Duck.”
They both leaned over, bringing their heads close together. After the boom passed by them, he positioned it and the jib sail caught the wind. The boat jerked and moved swiftly across the water.
He looked at China. She wore a smile from ear to ear. A surge of delight filled him, like none he’d felt since being told he was in remission. China was bewitching him. We’re just friends, he had to keep reminding himself. “You’re having fun?”
She glanced at him. “This is amazing. I’m so glad you insisted I come.”
“I’m glad I did, too. You’re beautiful.”
She stared at him with questioning eyes and parted lips. The desire to kiss her made his chest ache, but he’d promised it would be a sociable day, no pressure. Instead, he laid his hand over hers and adjusted the rudder. “Don’t forget we have to head toward that point.”
China pulled her hand out from under his and pushed his off the rudder handle. “I’ve got this.”
“Aye, aye, Captain Bligh.”
* * *
China’s laughed intertwined with Payton’s. The sound made her chest constrict. She liked sharing something simple as a laugh with him. What would it be like to have that in her life all the time? She was still smiling half an hour later as she ducked on Payton’s command as they tacked their way across the bay. She couldn’t remember when she’d had more fun.
“Okay, we’re going to anchor here. I need a swim.” Payton handed her the rope.
“What am going to do with this?”
“Just hold it for a minute. I’m going to unfurl the sails and drop anchor.” He climbed around the cabin. Soon the jib sail was coming down and next the mainsail collapsed. The boat began to drift. A few minutes later Payton returned.
“You can let go of the rudder and the rope now,” he said in a voice full of mischief.
She placed her hands in her lap. “Are you making fun of me?”
“I would never do that.”
“I should hope not.” She used her most indignant voice.
Payton reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it up. “You can change in the cabin if you wish.”
“I don’t think I’m going to swim.”
He stopped midway through removing his shirt and gave her a pointed look. “You do swim, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Then why not?”
China could think of any number of answers to that question. I’ve not swum in years. I don’t want you to see me in a bathing suit. I might jump your bones if I see you in yours. “I’ll just wait for you here,” she finally murmured.
He let his shirt drop back into place. “If you don’t swim I’m going to throw you in clothes and all.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” She glared at him.
“Do you really want to try me?”
Payton stood above her with his feet braced against the gentle roll of the boat and a determined look on his face. “Well, I guess I’ll change.”
“Good choice.”
