Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

looped the anchor line over the front roller, and she hurried to the pilot house to engage the hydraulics to help drag it in. Once the chain rattled over the roller, Garrett finished manually pulling in the anchor, dragging it on deck, out of the way, next to the rail. She’d seen many men lift heavy objects, but none had quite the effect on her that Garrett produced. Made her remember last night on the beach and how he’d picked her up in his arms, held her against the side of the Jeep, and took her body with his in an act so elemental, so feral, it bordered on claiming.
    Being cold wasn’t her problem now. In fact, she could use a cooling off period before Garrett joined her. He entered the pilot house too soon, and instead of taking a seat on the bunk, which would give her some much needed breathing room, he stood next to her as she drove. Heat tingled over her skin and made her palms sweaty.
    Having Garrett onboard was going to be a trial in more ways than one.

    Later that evening, Sonya had a pow-wow with her family, explaining to everyone what happened to the Double Dippin’ that afternoon and the new trooper development. Garrett currently kept watch aboard the boat, which was dry in front of the cabin. He’d allowed her to leave to talk to her family as long as she promised not to venture anywhere else. She knew he meant toward the Harte’s camp. Her grandparents seemed relieved over the news. Not this afternoon’s vandalism, but having Garrett literally onboard.
    When she left the cabin to return to the Double Dippin’ , she was loaded down with a bag of aluminum-wrapped food Grams had prepared. Salmon hunks, homemade dill weed bread, cheddar cheese slices, and the last of the German Chocolate cake. The rain had finally stopped, though the air was still wet as if the weather was only taking a moment to catch its breath.
    She saw Aidan waiting for her as soon as she hit the beach.
    “Who the hell is that onboard your boat?” Aidan demanded, pointing to Garrett standing on deck.
    She quickly brought him up to date.
    “What do you mean he’s staying on the Double Dippin’ ?”
    “Please don’t make me repeat it,” Sonya said.
    “You know what this looks like, don’t you?” He leaned into her personal space. “Like you’re siding with the enemy.”
    “Technically, the enemy is siding with me.” She felt the need to point out.
    “Yeah, I’m sure the fishermen are going to swallow that whopper whole. Why, Sonya? Why would you agree to this?”
    “I didn’t have much choice in the matter,” she mumbled.
    “Is it the sex? Couldn’t you wait to hook up with him until after fishing?”
    She sent him a warning look. “Don’t go there.”
    He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Sorry. That was uncalled for.”
    Silence settled heavy between them and Sonya heard Cranky or Crafty—she couldn’t tell which—cackle from down the beach. They were stooped over a makeshift table made of driftwood and broken pilings, a strange lineup of household cleaners littering the sand at their feet. “What are they doing?”
    “They missed celebrating the Fourth of July because of weather and fishing. Tomorrow’s forecasted to be clear. You know how they are about their fireworks.”
    Yeah, homemade and hazardous.
    “Listen, Sonya, if you feel like you need protection…” He let the sentence trail.
    “Thanks, Aidan, but I think its best if we leave the situation the way it is. I could use your help keeping an eye on my family and the cabin.”
    “Right.” The look in his gaze changed from powerless to purpose. “You got it.” He reached out his hand and gently grasped her upper arm. “Don’t worry about a thing and please…be careful.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. He released her, and with just one backward glance, headed to his camp.
    Sonya watched him walk up the beach, shoulders hunched, hands in his pockets, and she knew he’d just said good-bye to her.
    She turned, ready to return to the Double Dippin’ , and came up short when she caught sight of Garrett, standing in the bow, with a pair of binoculars aimed at her.

C HAPTER T HIRTY- F IVE

    Garrett lay on the narrow bunk and tried to sleep as the boat lightly bobbed with the incoming tide. No breeze gusted against the windows as the weather had cleared, revealing a starry night, which winked at him through the glass as though finding his situation funny.
    Who else was laughing at him?
    Seeing Sonya with Aidan on the