Falling for the Boss (9 page)

“
Let’s see how she behaves with a novice aboard.”

Once they left the dock and were on their way, Maggie found a seat and prepared to enjoy an experience that might never come her way again. The weather could not have been more perfect with t
he light breeze coming off the water. It felt wonderful against her face and bare arms. Her eyes followed the movement of the blue sails flapping in the wind, and she sighed with pleasure.

Marcus’ eyes found their way to her
again and again. He couldn’t decide if it was the blonde ponytail or the slimness of the figure revealed by the sundress she wore that gave one an initial impression of youthfulness. Her mannerisms and air of serenity instantly dispelled the illusion. Either way, she was difficult to categorize. She was a woman of intriguing contrasts.

“
Is this your first time on a boat?” he asked as he maneuvered around a smaller vessel.

“Is it
so obvious?” she asked on a short laugh.

He chuckled softly.
“You’re holding onto the rail with a death grip. Relax – you couldn’t be safer. I’ve been sailing since childhood.”

“My experiences with water
have been limited to swimming.”

“We’re about to change all that.”

The scene was a mixture of colorful sails and sparkling blue water set against a background of green forests. When Maggie looked over her shoulder, the marina was just a dot on the horizon, and the traffic on the river was beginning to thin. In no time at all, they might have been the only people for miles. Marcus steered the boat into a quiet cove and let down the anchor.

“
Now we can relax. Let me show you around and then we’ll be ready for something cold to drink.”

Walking over, h
e gently pulled her to her feet, liking the feel of her small hands in his larger ones. She followed him down a set of shallow steps into a roomy sitting area with a smartly equipped galley at its end. Marcus explained that the hulls on either side housed the sleeping compartments. He showed her the spacious main cabin and its adjoining bathroom. Returning to the sitting area, he indicated a similar entrance on the opposite side which led to two smaller cabins.

“It seems to have everything you need,” Maggie commented. “And it’s all so cleverly
built-in to maximize your space.”

Marcus nodded
, pleased by her interest. “Yes, they’ve come a long way with interior design.”

“It’s like a miniature house.”

He grinned and walked toward the galley. “With great views from every window. What will you have? Soda? Tea? Lemonade?”

“
Lemonade sounds wonderful. Can I help with anything?”

“
No, you’re my guest today, and I’m determined to spoil you.”

They
carried their drinks back into the sunshine, standing side by side against the railing. Marcus watched her for a moment in silence and then said, “I think you’re enjoying your first sailing experience.”

Maggie smiled
impishly. “Who wouldn’t enjoy this? It’s like a slice of heaven.”

He smiled at her words.
“I think so, too. I’ve been hooked since my parents gave me my first sailboat, a much smaller one than this, when I was ten. I spent the entire summer teaching myself to sail. Then I spent every free weekend and summer thereafter on the water. One of these days I want to take a cruise down the coast, maybe even as far as the Keys.”

Maggie sipped her drink thoughtfully
. “What are you waiting for?”

After a moment’s hesitation, he answered softly,
“The right person to take along.”

She glanced
at him in surprise, never imagining Marcus, for all his sensational good looks, to be in any way sentimental. “And among all the women in your life, you haven’t found the right one?”

He grimaced at this
and shook his head. “No. I suppose I’m asking the impossible, waiting for this ideal woman to come along who probably doesn’t even exist.” He turned back to the water abruptly. “How serious we’ve become! I need a refill.”

Watching Marcus disappear
down the steps, Maggie felt a chill sweep over her that was in defiance of the warm weather. All she could think of was how much she wanted to be the one he chose to take with him.

They had the wind behind them for the trip back. In no time they were approaching the marina. Once they were inside the car, Marcus
looked her over with amusement.

“I’m glad we didn’t stay out any longer. You’re as red as a tomato.”

Maggie glanced down at her arms. “I forgot to put on sunscreen.”

“I’ve got some aloe you can use. Remind me when we get home.”

At the door they parted ways, Marcus going toward his office carrying a pile of mail and Maggie heading toward the kitchen. Laying her purse on the counter, she fixed a glass of iced tea and went to look out the window while she drank it. She could hear Marcus talking. He must be on the telephone.

It had been fun going out on the boat. Hopefully, he would ask her again.
But right now, a shower and change of clothes were a must. Maggie had almost reached her bedroom when she remembered her purse was still in the kitchen. Turning around quickly, she cannoned into Marcus coming in the opposite direction.

P
ulling away from him, more flustered than the occasion demanded, she stammered, “Oh, I’m sorry - I didn’t realize you were behind me. You were so quiet.”

“Was
I?” He grinned suddenly. “Maybe I was trying to sneak up on you – so I could do this.” His hands went around her waist, drawing her against him. “All I’ve been thinking about for the past few hours is kissing you.”

“Then kiss me,” she replied softly
, and a little provocatively.

Marcus looked startled for a moment and then he laughed. “
Where has that been?” His arms tightened and he bent toward her. As before, he proved his expertise in making one forget everything else but him. When he finally released her, he gave her the slow smile that always seemed to make her weak in the knees. “I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.”

Maggie’s eyes dropped
. She certainly couldn’t deny what had been obvious to both of them. “I could hardly say otherwise after issuing you such a blatant invitation.”

Marcus shook his head.
“You’re the most unusual woman I’ve ever met. I have some calls to return, but I’d like to take you to dinner this evening.”

“Thank you;
that would be nice.”

“Yes, I think so, too.”
He ran a finger down the side of her cheek. “You underestimated your acting ability, Maggie. You make a very convincing fiancé.”

Maggie
hardly knew how to answer this. Had she given herself away? Thankful that he didn’t seem to expect a reply, she continued on her way to the kitchen.

He took her to a restaurant situated on one of the many waterways that worked their way through the area surrounding Charleston. There was nothing fancy about its exterior; it
planked walls gave the impression of having weathered many storms. The inside was dimly lit and featured numerous built-in aquariums filled with an array of tropical fish.

When
the waiter departed to get their drinks, Maggie said, “I’ve heard about this place, but never been here.”

“It’s one of my favorite
spots. I hope you’ll like it, too.”

“I love it already,” she stated. “Thank you for bringing me.”

“Don’t keep thanking me. You’re a very agreeable person to take places.” Marcus opened his menu and began to study it.

Maggie was touched by this comment. It was pleasing to know that he enjoyed her company. With a happy sigh, she gave her attention to figuring out what she wanted to eat.

Marcus heard the sigh and hid a smile. She really was unique. He’d never been around anyone so easily satisfied and so averse to making a fuss.

T
hey talked with the ease of old friends over their leisurely meal. It was only when the waiter had removed their plates and offered coffee that Maggie happened to glance at her watch.

“My goodness – I had no idea it was so late.”

He smiled lazily at her, his eyes glowing like emeralds in the candlelight. “I’ll have you home and tucked safely in your bed before midnight.”

“Only if you drive very fast.”

Marcus signaled the waiter for the bill. “I don’t think it will come to that.”

Several hours past
midnight, Maggie was woken by rumblings of thunder. With a heavy sigh, she rearranged the sheets and plumped up her pillow. There was no point in trying to sleep. She would read until the storm passed. Turning on the bedside lamp, she grabbed a book. Jane Austen usually did the trick, but tonight not even she could compete with nature.

Streaks of lightning
flashed angrily, lighting up the room at ever increasing intervals. Once the wind and rain started, Maggie set her book aside and burrowed under the covers. She was dismayed but not surprised when her only solace, the bathroom light, flickered briefly before going out altogether.

With the room shrouded in darkness and t
he storm’s fury at its peak, she debated a course of action. A particularly loud clap of thunder helped make up her mind. Stopping only to grab a robe and step into slippers, she went in search of Marcus. He would be amused at her fear, but at least he would be company until the storm was over.

F
umbling her way down the hall, Maggie hesitated briefly outside his room to don her robe before knocking timidly on the door. When there was no answer, she knocked again, a little louder, marveling that anyone could sleep through the racket taking place outside.

“
Come in, Maggie,” Marcus called out at last.

Opening the door
slowly, her eyes adjusting to the gloom, she saw Marcus seated by an oversized fireplace. On the table next to his chair rested a hurricane lamp, on his lap a book.

“
Knowing your feelings about storms, I wondered how you were doing. Come sit down; you’re as white as your robe.” He indicated the chair across from him.

“
I feel such a fool barging in on you like this.”

“Don’t worry about it.
As you can see, I wasn’t sleeping.” As he watched her curl up in the corner of the chair, her tiny feet peeping out from the edge of her robe, a wry smile pulled at his lips. She looked more like a little girl than ever.

“
Were you reading?” she asked after a moment.

“
You sound surprised. Attorneys actually spend a large percentage of their time reading.”

“
If that’s so, you shouldn’t tease me about doing it,” she pointed out.

“
Of course I shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to stop. Do you realize this is the second time you and I have spent time together during a storm?”

Maggie
had no trouble remembering how that particular evening ended. It was the first time he kissed her. “You must find me and my silly fears a nuisance.”

“
Would you believe me if I told you I’ve never found you a nuisance?”

She
could hear the laughter threading his voice. “No, I don’t believe that. You’ve found me in the way on more than one occasion.”

“
Have I? Apparently, I’m not as adept at hiding my feelings as I’ve always thought. I apologize if on those occasions I made you uncomfortable.”

Maggie couldn’t decide if he was teasing, but she hastened to assure him. “
It was nothing. We didn’t know each other very well then.”

Marcus waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “That doesn’t excuse rudeness. I’ll have to mend my ways.”

“You don’t need to change anything. You’re one of the nicest men I’ve ever met.”

His
fascinating eyes widened for a moment. “Am I? But then you haven’t known too many men, have you?”

“How
do you know?” she asked indignantly.

“Easily.
You have an air of innocence that is rare for someone of your age. Exposure to and experience with men would have removed it.”

“You make me sound like a backward child. It’s not particularly flattering.”

He laughed with genuine amusement. “It was meant to be a compliment.”

She fiddled with the belt on her robe, not looking at him. After a moment, he said, “You also possess
something else worth its weight in gold. Sincerity. You’ll make some lucky man an excellent wife.”

“
That’s a strange thing for someone who doesn’t believe in marriage to say,” she accused.

“I don’t want to marry myself, but I have no doubt that you will.”
He hesitated a moment and then asked, “Have you ever been in love, Maggie?”

She
hoped the dim light would adequately hide her face. “It would be useless to deny that anyone could have reached my age without being in love at least once.”