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I had to prise my hand from his death grip before he actually broke some bones. “I realise now that I shouldn’t have said that.”
He really wasn’t having a good time.
The thing was, this was a purpose-built fishing boat. It wasn’t built for comfort, per se. I mean, it was very comfortable, but it was no luxury yacht with full-length beds. It was built for fishing. And given we were both wearing life vests, we wouldn’t fit together if we lay on the bench seat. Our cuddle room was limited.
“Okay, stand up,” I said, getting to my feet.
He did so, reluctantly. “Why?”
I pulled the thin seat cushions off the seats and laid them on the floor, then unrolled a sleeping bag, unzipping it so it was more like a blanket. “Lie down,” I said, sitting on the floor. I waited for him to join me and then I spread the blanket out over us.
I pulled him into my arms, his head on my biceps, and despite the life-vest situation, I held him the best I could.
Rain pelted the windows and we rocked as thunder rumbled overhead. But he breathed deeper and the tension in his body began to melt away.
“Feel better?”
“Yes. Much.”
I patted his head, rubbed his arm, and hooked my leg over his as the boat rocked and the storm raged.
“Enjoying the storm now?”
“Not particularly. I mean, this is nice. And I appreciate you accommodating me.”
I wanted to laugh but thought better of it. “I’m not accommodating you.” I kissed the side of his head. “You say it like it’s a chore or an obligation. I want you to feel safe. I don’t like it when you’re scared, baby. I’ll do anything to make you feel better.”
Thunder boomed and the sky lit up with a crack of lightning, but he buried his face in my armpit. “We’re missing a really good storm, babe.”
He pulled his head back and risked a look upward until he made a dry heaving sound. “Ugh, why is the sky moving like that?”
I chuckled and tucked him back into my side. “It’s the boat that’s moving. Not the sky.”
“Please don’t talk about it,” he mumbled.
“Sorry.”
We were quiet again while the rain lashed at the windows and the waves rocked us. It was probably louder inside the cabin, truth be told, but we were warm, dry, and we had each other.
“We should have brought a tent,” Jeremiah said. “We could have set it up inside the fenced area.”
“We’ll do that next time.”
He laughed, and maybe, just maybe, he sounded a little crazy. “There will be no next time. I’m never getting on another boat, sorry.”
“Not ever?”
“I like terra firma, thanks all the same. And if head office ever suggests I come back here, I’ll be explaining myhell noin great detail.”
I laughed. “Will there be expletives?”
“Most likely.”
I patted his hair down on the back of his head and kissed his forehead. This distraction ploy was working a treat. I had to keep it going. “Okay, super-serious question time.”
“Is it about sex?”
“No.”
