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“You’re perfect,” I said as I snapped several more pictures of Annie with her catch.
As the afternoon of fishing went on, I forgot all about the gala and auction. I allowed myself to enjoy a beautiful day with a gorgeous woman. The sun sagged in the evening sky behind a plume of thick clouds as Captain Jimmy informed us we were heading in to beat the evening storms.
On the ride back, a stiff breeze picked up, and I was glad Annie had her pants and jacket to keep her warm. The boat rocked and pitched, and we bounced off the waves. Stevie held on to the boat as Captain Jimmy attempted to get us off the water. The sky was darkening, and the earlier camaraderie faded into worried glances. John Mercer pressed a hand to his belly, the rocking of the boat seeming to upset his stomach. He groaned moments before leaning over the side of the boat and losing his lunch.
In a horrible wave of slow motion, I watched as everyone around me groaned. Annie paled before me as her eyes went wide.
I gripped her hand. “Are you okay?”
She only nodded and leaned into me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders to try to protect her from bouncing around the boat. It was useless as we were all tossed around the angry waves. Under my arm, Annie’s breath came out in pants. She pushed me away and slid across the bench.
“Oh my god, Lee.” She held up one hand. “Don’t look at me!”
Before the words were even out, she was throwing up off the side of the boat. Unfazed, I placed my hand at the center of her back and patted gently.
Captain Jimmy, Stevie, and I were the only ones who didn’t succumb to seasickness. As we finally pulled into his spot in the marina, all the initial playfulness of our group had died and only soft groans could be heard over the slapping of water against the hull.
Annie groaned and gripped the side of the boat with quivering hands. My fingertips rubbed a small circle between her shoulder blades.
Without waiting for her to argue, I scooped her up. “Come on, champ. Let’s get you home.”
SIXTEEN
ANNIE
For the entireride from the marina to Lee’s apartment, I had to focus on breathing through my nose. Every bump on the road sent a fresh wave of nausea coursing through me. I tried to focus on something,anything—how hot Lee looked on the water, the way Emma looked at us with little hearts in her eyes, howenormousLee’s erection was and the fact I’d offered to help him hide it. Literally anything to keep myself from barfing in his truck.
Come on, champ. Let’s take you home.
Hishome.
My head throbbed, and when he threw the truck in park, I fumbled for the handle.
“Don’t even think about it,” he warned. I watched as Lee rounded the hood of his truck and ripped open the passenger-side door. Once again Lee scooped me up in his arms. Too drained to resist, I closed my eyes and leaned into him. My stomach was at war with my heart.
In his apartment I was hit with the smell of fresh laundry along with the masculine smell ofhim. Scrambling to get my legs beneath me, I wiggled out of his arms. Hurrying down the hallway, I burst into his bathroom and threw myself on the floor. The hard tile bit at my knees as I flipped the seat up and emptied my already hollow stomach.
Sweaty, embarrassed, and tired, I flushed and rested my head against the cool wall. I sensed him before I had the will to even open my eyes. I wished the floor could open up and swallow me whole.
“Sounded like an exorcism in here. Jesus.” Lee’s chuckle dragged out my own weak laugh.
I turned my head to find him leaned against the doorjamb, his muscled arms crossed. His biceps tested the strength of the cotton, as they always did.
My head still throbbing, I lowered it into my hands. “Can you please let me die in peace?”
His soft footsteps got closer, and he crouched next to me. Across my body, Lee reached for a small strip of toilet paper. He dabbed at my mouth as I stared up at him.
Lee and I shared everything—well,almosteverything—but allowing him to see me with vomit on my face was too much. Heat flooded my cheeks.
“I feel like we’re still moving.” A fresh wave of nausea had me gripping the porcelain bowl.
Lee gathered my hair from the nape of my neck and lifted, softly blowing cool air across my clammy skin. “Just gotta get your sea legs, that’s all.”
A sad little groan was all I could manage.
Lee dropped a kiss on my shoulder and stood. “Be right back. Don’t move,” he warned.
A weak lift of my hand was all I could muster. I wasn’t going anywhere.
