Course of the Heart (7 page)

She broke into a smile, ignoring her uneasiness.

His big blue eyes widened. “What? What’d I say?”

“Nothing.” Strangely, she would have never thought an offer to sleep with this man would put her at ease, but she relished the thought of being near him. “Wait until the girls in Fairhope get wind of this.”

His expression changed rapidly as he withdrew his hand. Although he attempted to conceal it with a smile, she had hit a nerve.

“I’m sorry, Drew.” She reached her hand across the table toward his. He stood abruptly, taking his plate to the sink. She stood and moved toward him. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Forget it.” He took another beer from the icebox. “Believe me, I deserve it. You go ahead and turn in. I’m going to study the charts for a while on deck. Give you a chance to get to sleep before I start snoring.”

He moved into the main cabin and up the steps to the deck before she could move.

She was such an idiot.

She woke to pitch darkness, courtesy of a new moon. A chill passed over her, causing her to roll over and sit up in his big stateroom bed. The other side of the bed was still made up. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw him in the corner, scrunched in a chair and wrapped in a blanket. Still in her sweat suit, she got out of bed and walked over to him and gently touched his hand. He woke abruptly, jumping to his feet and hitting his head on the bulkhead.

“Whazzit?”

“Drew, it’s me. Everything’s fine. You look so uncomfortable. Please come to bed.”

He yawned widely and sat back in the chair. “Are you sure?”

Samantha took his hand and led him to the bed. He made a couple of steps, stumbled, and fell onto the other side of the bed. In a matter of a minute, his breathing changed. She took the blanket from the chair and covered him.

Even in his T-shirt and shorts, he looked sexy. She moved around to the other side and crawled under the covers, shivering from the cool night air. As he fell deeper into sleep she edged closer. His warmth radiated, even though he was three feet away. She scooted closer, as he turned away from her onto his side. Ever so slowly, she inched her way up next to his back and broad shoulders. The heat from his body was delicious and she stopped shivering immediately.

Despite her efforts to downplay the situation, the reality of the moment kicked in and her heart began to race. His man scent permeated her nose and she found her mind meandering to thoughts she should not be having. She drew closer to his buttocks and felt the moisture building between her legs. She was aware that if he were to turn over and touch her in any way, she might not have the strength to move away and would be his, if he so desired. Blocking thoughts of actually waking him, she backed away slightly. She had gone from a chill in her bones to a wanton heat she could hardly contain.

For a long while she lay there, aware of his presence, before finally becoming drowsy.

She was toasty warm, safe, and in bad need of sleep, yet her desire continued to flame out of control.

For the first time since early the previous morning, she felt secure.

And she wanted out of that sweat suit. But the man she wanted to remove it was within a few inches, fast asleep.

Chapter 6

She was plastered against his back when he woke. He carefully slipped out of the bed, his back wet with sweat. How could such a small body create so much heat? He blocked thoughts of how to put that heat to work for his pleasure. Old habits are hard to break.

He grabbed his toothbrush and hairbrush and made his way through the galley to the guest stateroom, in an effort to keep from waking her. After putting coffee on, he climbed the ladder to the deck. A warm breeze greeted him, as the sun broke through the pink and orange on the horizon. He had never been a man to capture much of anything on film or in a frame, but if that had been his thing, this would be a poster morning. Ever cognitive of the tasks that lie before him to prepare the boat for sailing the rest of the way to Andros, he stopped for a moment to savor the scenery. If one word could describe the beauty before him, it would be “breathtaking.” As he relished the moment, Sam appeared in the middle of his view, as she moved up the ladder.

For a moment he forgot how to breathe. It was hard to put into words how her appearance made the setting complete. Her long dark hair tossed in the gentle breeze, and he was amazed at how beautiful she was, even at that early hour, without make-up, wearing oversized shorts and a baggy tee. The sweat suit was gone.

“Good morning,” she said, as she came up to him.

It was all he could do to swallow. “Good morning, back at ya. Did you sleep well?”

“Like a baby.”

Until that moment, he hadn’t noticed the coffee mugs in her hands. She sat one on the starboard settee. From a pocket she produced a breakfast bar. “Brought you breakfast.”

“Thanks.” He realized how comfortable the morning felt. Although she kept his senses on alert, having her around was so natural. Of all the times he had started a new day with a woman on his boat, none compared with the peace that now surrounded him. That in itself was a first for him. Most of the mornings after weren’t the least bit comfortable and usually came with guilt or a hangover, and the need to get away as quickly and as possible.

She sat on the settee and turned her head toward the east, sipping her coffee, and taking in the scenery. As he munched on his breakfast bar, standing at the wheel, he found he couldn’t take his eyes from her as she sat in the foreground of the morning’s display of splendor. The breeze played through her hair, making its way across the cockpit toward him, bringing her fresh, sweet girl scent. As he washed his breakfast bar down with a sip of coffee, she turned and caught him staring. He looked away, set the mug in the holder on the wheel pedestal, and started removing the mainsail cover. She stood and helped.

“I figure we’ll reach Andros Town by noon.” He stifled a yawn. “That will give me some time to get to the bank and store and provision up before dark.”

“And have a little time for shopping?” she asked meekly. Even that expression was sexy as hell. “I know you must be getting tired of me wearing your clothes.”

“You are welcome to whatever clothes you can find on this tub. But yes, you should have plenty of time to shop. Not sure what’s there, but hopefully we can find a good place to dock and eat. Most of the island’s people live along the eastern shore of the island. But the good news for you is that there are three airports on Andros. If you want to change your mind about the journey, this might be a good place for you to make your escape.”

Drew thought he detected a different, uneasy look on Sam’s face.

“Great, you’ll finally be rid of me.”

He couldn’t help but pick up on the sarcasm. “I thought this was what you wanted.”

“Yes, of course this is what I want.” She touched his arm. Had he missed her suggestion of waiting until they arrived at the US Virgins? “I guess I’m just a little nervous.”

“Well you can stop worrying. I’ll be right there with you until you walk onto that plane. And we’ll get there early enough to make sure we scope out the other passengers to make sure that no undesirables get on the plane with you.”

“Thank you.”

“According to my conversation with the attorney, the money is at a Scotia Bank in Andros Town. I’m thinking we dock overnight and after I get the money, maybe spring for a steak or seafood dinner tonight in town. That should give us time to get you a flight out the next day.”

Sam poked her lip out and frowned. “You don’t like my cooking?”

“Your cooking is great, but tonight you get the night off. Tonight we’ll let someone else do the cooking and clean-up.”

“Aye, aye, Cap’n.” She stood rigid and saluted.

The winds cooperated and by late morning Drew dropped sails and motored into an inlet near the immigration office at Andros Town. After clearing customs, they motored back to the numbered mooring the dock master had assigned for
Sail Out.
Quickly tying off, and securing the boat, they locked up and took the dinghy back to the dock. Although Sam was still in island attire, Samantha had donned a floral print sundress she had found in a locker, and was wearing her hair up. Drew gave a local kid five dollars to watch the dinghy, and managed to obtain the general direction to the bank from the young boy’s broken English.

They located a travel agency close to the bank. Drew soon had the money, and Sam purchased her ticket. He couldn’t remember having that much cash on him in quite a while. He ducked into a restroom stall and stashed all but five hundred of the ten thousand into a pouch, with a string tied around his waist and suspended the bag of cash down a leg of his shorts. He walked the short distance to the travel agency, as Sam walked out onto the street.

“All set. Get your ticket?”

“Yep, my flight leaves at one, tomorrow afternoon.”

“Ready to do some shopping?”

“Can’t wait!”

She’d gotten her shopping fix in by three o’clock, buying a suitcase and loading it with her purchases. They decided to have dinner before finishing up at a market, where Drew would load up on provisions for the next leg of the trip. They soon found a restaurant that served early dinner and were quickly escorted to a table overlooking the bay.

“This is my treat. So the sky’s the limit. Whatever you so desire shall be yours. It looks like this place has great entrees.”

“No, I want to pay,” she insisted. “I owe you so much. Let me at least pay for our last meal together.”

“Absolutely not. I’m the captain and I call the shots, at least until we get you to the airport tomorrow. Just think, you can get started on a new life of not having to deal with men of questionable reputations.”

Sam lost her smile for a moment and Drew wondered if he had overdone it. “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

“No, no, not at all.” She closed the menu. “I was just thinking that after tomorrow, you’ll be free of cold natured clinging women, at least until you find one of your own choosing, and you won’t have to be risking life and limb for some stranger with baggage.”

“Well, that may be true. But I have to admit it’s been kind of nice having you around to talk to, even if you do look funny in baggy clothes.”

“That was a low blow, mister. Too bad you won’t be around to see me in normal clothes, without safety pins or T-shirts to cover up.”

The drinks came and she proposed a toast.

“To new beginnings.” She lifted a rare rum and diet-coke.

Drew touched her glass with his drink of scotch and water. “May you and I both find the life that we so richly deserve, without abuse or stress.”

“Here, here.” Their drink glasses clinked.

The food was slow getting to the table, but the delay provided time for talk and libation. Sam kept pace with Drew’s drinks, one for one. He had always thought he had a high tolerance for alcohol, but the tropical air and ambiance caused him to drop his guard and he found himself on the verge of inebriation. What the hell, it was time for celebration. Tomorrow it would be back to normal for Drew and he was sure Sam would be ecstatic, breaking away for a brand new life. Freedom was around the corner and they both wanted to christen their new lives with a celebration. Didn’t they?

Drew paid the tab as the sun set behind the lush greenery surrounding the restaurant. He decided that based on his condition and the condition of his soon to be ex-crew, he would forgo the provision gathering until after Samantha was on the flight tomorrow. At the moment, he had to concentrate on getting them back to the dinghy and out to
Sail Out
, if he could indeed remember where she was moored.

He and Sam harmonized as best they could on songs they both knew, as they walked along the dock to the dinghy. The young boy was asleep in the dinghy when they arrived. When their singing woke him, he jumped onto the dock and apologized for boarding the vessel.

Drew took another five from his wallet. “Not a problem, my friend. Excellent job at protecting the dinghy. Have a great night.”

Drew managed to find the mooring. He eased alongside the windward side of
Sail Out
, and tied up to a stern cleat. When he turned to Sam, she was staring at him, acting much more sober than she could have possibly been. Her eyes glistened with tears in the moonlight. He jumped onboard, then took her hand and helped her board. As she stumbled stepping onto the deck, he caught her in his arms.

He frowned. “Are you okay?”

“No,” she whispered, then standing on her tiptoes, she threw her arms around his shoulders. Her eyes landed on his lips and she moved her mouth to his, closing her eyes.

He lifted her from the deck and kissed her gently. She responded by crushing her mouth against his, clawing at his shirt as he stripped her dress over her head. She fumbled with his shorts as he pushed her panties to her ankles. When she moaned in frustration, he reached down and unbuttoned his shorts, allowing her to slide them off him. Both now naked, she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He stumbled with her over to the wheel and sat her in the captain’s chair. Reaching down to his erection, he pulled her toward him, in a frantic effort to couple them.

“This is all very erotic and such,” came a voice from behind them. Drew spun around defensively, pushing his arms behind him and shielding Sam. “And I’m sorry to interrupt you at a most inopportune time, but I’m on a tight schedule and must get on with business.”

“Who are you, and what do you want?” Drew demanded to a wiry red-haired man who was pointing a gun at him. The man surveyed Samantha from top to bottom, swallowing hard.

Drew and Sam dressed quickly. He kept Sam behind him. “What do you want?”

“Oh, we’ll get to that soon,” the man responded, waving his gun to the starboard side of the boat. “Now, you two move over against that rail where I can see you better.”

Drew held Sam’s hand and moved them over. He glanced over to the leeward side of the boat and saw a dinghy hugging the gunnels, tied up so that it was hidden.

“Now, I want the little lady to untie the line to the mooring while you fire up the engine, Mr. Richey. Oh, and by the way, my name is Chester Bynum. Little lady, I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

Samantha remained quiet.

Then it hit Drew. He had known he had seen this man somewhere, but in the darkness he hadn’t made the connection until then. “Samantha, Chester is one of the twin half-brothers of Janet Williams.”

She nodded.

“Samantha Bartlett. Yes, yes, Charles and I were long gone when you two became friends. Now please do as I say so we can shove off.”

“Where are we going?” Sam asked.

“Not far.”

“It’s okay, Sam.” Drew stepped over to the wheel pedestal. After starting the engine, he came back toward Chester.

“That’s far enough, Mr. Richey.” The man backed up against the bulkhead of the cabin. “Now I want you to very slowly go below and bring me the urn with my sister’s ashes. And remember, no tricks—I have your girlfriend in my sights.”

“Is that where you hid the jewelry?”

Chester smiled. “Very good, Mr. Richey. I must admit that you are much smarter than you look. Where else would I put the diamond? You can’t possibly think I would leave it in the house do you? Why, the authorities tore my sister’s house apart. Now be honest, can you think of a better place to stash it than the urn?” He shook his head. “You can’t imagine how much I had to pay the funeral director to seal it in that false bottom. Now please, do as I say and get below. And remember, no funny stuff.”

Drew complied. After a few minutes he returned to the deck with the urn.

“Now, place it near the bulkhead and let’s shove off.”

“Where to?” Drew asked.

“Just head north, toward the out islands. You must have seen them on your way in. But before you do, I want you to bring my dinghy around to the stern. Then I want you to tie your dinghy behind it.”

Drew did as ordered, his mind racing to develop a plan that didn’t entail him or Sam being shot. When he had finished with the tasks, he stood at the wheel once again, with Sam pressed up against him.

“Is there anyone who
isn’t
following us?” she whispered.

“No talking, please.” Chester’s voice held an edge that made Drew feel uncomfortable. “Now let’s shove off.”

An hour later an island came into view. As instructed Drew motored into a narrow inlet of deep water.

“Now, I want you to shut the engine off and throw me the ignition key.”

“Look, just take the urn and go. I could care less.”

“Shut up!”

Drew’s gut clenched at Chester’s angry tone, a sudden turnaround from the man’s initial calm demeanor. Sam also jumped and issued a short scream. The bastard smiled and once again appeared calm. “Just do as I say, Mr. Richey.”

After the engine was shut down, Chester told them to climb into the
Sail Out
dinghy. When they were in the dinghy he retrieved a bag from his dinghy and removed two sets of handcuffs. He tossed them to Sam.

“I want you to place a cuff from one pair onto Mr. Richey’s wrist, and then one of the clasps from the other pair on your right hand. The extra clasp for both you and Mr. Richey needs to be clamped onto the outboard brace. Then I want you to remove the wire that’s connected to the spark plug of the engine and toss it to me.”