Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

need to go set netting, to the cabin, pick up supplies at the cannery, or shower.”
    “I’ll be with you.”
    She swallowed hard at the vision of them showering together. She knew he hadn’t meant it the way she took it, but her mind went right to bubbles and steam, and slick, wet skin sliding against each other. “I need alone time, Garrett. Someone will have to protect you from me , if I don’t get a moment to myself.”
    “Enough.” He grabbed her arm, wrestled her rain jacket out of her hands, and tossed it on the bunk, then he plunked her down in the captain’s chair. Leaning over her with his hands resting on the arms, he caged her in. They were both breathing heavy by the time he was done.
    “Listen up, Sonya Savonski. I know you’re scared and trying to put up a strong front. It’s okay to be worried. In fact, it’s damn smart. It’s also okay to accept help when you need it. And yes, you need it.” He laid a finger against her lips to silence her objection. “Wait until I’m finished and then I’ll let you have your say.” He removed his finger from her mouth. “I know this isn’t the best situation, and if you could, you’d choose to do something different. But you can’t and there isn’t. The season’s almost over, and this is a temporary condition. One that will hopefully end to everyone’s satisfaction.
    “Now—” he straightened and made a come-and-get-me gesture with his fingers, “let me have it.”
    Damn, she hated that he was right. Hated that she was in this position, and hated that she needed his help. “Okay, I might need your help, but I don’t have to like it.” She sounded like an ungrateful child, but couldn’t seem to do anything about it.
    “Tell me this, Sonya, if Peter was captain and the attacks and evidence were directed toward him, would you have a problem with me stepping in?”
    “That’s an unfair question.”
    “No, it isn’t. What are you really objecting to? The situation or me? Would you rather Judd take my place?”
    “No,” she mumbled under her breath.
    “What was that?”
    She knew he’d heard her. “No. All right?” She glared at him. “Are you happy now? Yes, I hate the situation but having you here…so close…messes with me, okay?”
    “Messes with you how?” He lowered his voice, turning it all sexy again.
    “I don’t want to care for you and…and with you so near…it makes that harder.”
    He kneeled down so that they were eyelevel, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It makes it harder for me too. Listen, I think it might be a good idea to know where we stand with each other.” His eyes searched hers, reflecting heat now instead of ice, and she had an overwhelming need to reach out and brush her hands over his squared, muscled shoulders, let his arms hold her tight against his chest, feel his—
    “Yo, Sonya!” Peter hollered from outside.
    She was grateful for the interruption. She wasn’t ready to go where Garrett had tried to take their conversation, and she was afraid any more time in close proximity, she’d have her way with him. Before that happened she really needed to get down with the reality of what she actually felt toward him.
    Garrett stood, freeing her from her chair. She grabbed her rain jacket, struggling into it as she rushed on deck to where Peter and Wes idled the skiff alongside the Double Dippin’ . Unfortunately, Garrett was right behind her like that shadow he’d talked about. She felt the heat generating from his body and was surprised the rain hitting him didn’t rise off his massive shoulders in the form of steam.
    “We tendered a total of thirty-five hundred pounds!” Peter said. “The fish were all on the ebb tide. Just liked you thought they’d be.” He frowned at Garrett. “Why’s the fish cop still onboard?”
    “Pull the nets and running lines and meet me at the cabin, and I’ll explain it to you there. Good job fishing today, guys.” She waved them off and regarded the rapidly receding tide, knowing she should have kept a keener eye on her surroundings. See, the man was already messing with her. She turned to Garrett. “All right. If you’re going to pose as a fisherman, better start acting like one. We need to pull anchor. I want to be at the cabin before the tide goes out much farther.”
    “You got it, Captain.” Without complaint, Garrett headed to the bow of the boat. She watched him walk, enjoying the way he strutted. Not cocky but confident. He