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“I can’t believe how much better this is,” she finally said. “A wheel is easier but not as…connected, if you get what I mean.”
“I know what you’re talking about. With a tiller, you can feel the movement of the rudder in the water. I’d never have a sailboat without one, even if it does take more space.”
Nicole nodded. Sailing this way could be addictive. Or was part of the attraction doing it with Jordan? On the water, separated from reality, they’d seemed in almost perfect sync, which should have scared her, but for the moment it was simply wonderful.
* * *
IT WAS PAST five when Jordan tied up the boat.
Nicole stood. “I’d better collect my things.”
“Not yet.” Jordan pointed at someone walking toward them carrying a bag. “You said you didn’t have anything planned for tonight, so I phoned and ordered dinner for us.”
She’d seen him on his cell, but hadn’t listened to the conversation. If he had asked if she wanted to eat together, she would have said no, which was probably why he’d ordered and told her after the fact.
“Nice timing for them to get here as we arrived.”
“I know the place and how long it takes them to deliver to the marina.” Jordan gave money to the delivery man and took the bag. “Keep the change.”
“Thanks. Enjoy your meal.”
Jordan pulled a container from the bag and handed it to her along with a plastic fork and a napkin.
“Hope you like surprises, though I should have asked whether you had any allergies.”
“None, and I enjoy most foods.” It was the kind of thing she might have thought was romantic if this had been a date.
She opened the lid and found eggplant parmesan with grilled vegetables on the side. It smelled wonderful, reminding her that the lunch she’d barely touched had been hours earlier. The only problem was that the silence was no longer comfortable.
Jordan went down to the cabin and returned with bottles of seltzer. “This is all I have and it isn’t chilled,” he said. “I should have ordered something to go with the food.”
“It’s fine,” she said, accepting the bottle. Their fingers brushed and energy traveled up her arm, reminding her of all the reasons she hadn’t invited him home for dinner the night before.
No restaurant had a view better than the one from the boat. The sun was dropping below the horizon, and across the water, city lights began barely glimmering.
“It’s beautiful,” Nicole said, pausing between bites to soak in the scene.
“Absolutely. Because I travel often, I have arrangements for a guy to check on The Spirit occasionally. But there is a downside to not being required to visit the boat regularly. Sometimes I let weeks or months pass without going for a sail.”
“That’s too bad.”
The conversation was prosaic, but he kept looking at her instead of the vista.
“The temperature has dropped,” he said, “you must be getting chilly in those shorts.”
“I’m all right.” She swallowed. There was nothing odd in his comment, except that she suddenly remembered how her bare legs had brushed against his during their time at the tiller.
Finishing her meal, she placed the plastic fork inside and closed the container.
“I think I’ll go change into my own clothing, though.”
There was a long moment as his gaze locked with hers. He stood and offered her a hand, and as she came to her feet, she swayed closer, knowing what she was inviting.
Nicole held her breath as he bent low to lay a trail of kisses alone her jaw line until reaching her lips.
“Mmmm,” he murmured. “Better than dessert.”
But the words had the opposite effect than he’d probably intended, reminding her of another man who’d said the same thing. It wasn’t a positive memory.
She broke the contact and moved aside.
He frowned. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Not your fault. It’s just that someone else used to say the same thing to me. It was my last attempt to form a relationship, the one that finally convinced me wedding bells and happily-ever-after weren’t in the cards. I’ve found I can count on friendship and a useful career, not love and romance.”
