XanderI was on my back, messing with the wiring for the stereo on the boat when I heard footsteps. It was a busy marina. I didn’t think anything of it until I heard her voice.“Knock, knock,” she called out.I had to smile. I slid out from where I was mostly hidden from view. “I’m here,” I said, getting to my feet.She looked at the screwdriver in my hand and then back at me. “Um, I think I might take a raincheck.”“Why?”“You are working on your boat. That isn’t a good sign, is it?”I grinned, shaking the screwdriver. “I was fixing the stereo. The boat is fine. She isn’t going to sink.”She looked skeptical. “I don’t know. I’m not a great swimmer.”“It’s going to be fine. It isn’t going to sink.”She gestured at the boat with one hand. “What about the engine? Is it sound?”She was nervous. It was very different from the confident, bubbly woman I had met at the party. It was too good to pass up. “I have rations on the boat. They will last at least four days. We can live three weeks w

EvieI was not going to let myself think about the fact I was kissing the man in his kitchen, on his boat. I was letting go of all my rules and inhibitions. I was living in the moment. Holy hell, what a moment it was. His mouth moved over mine like a man that had been searching the desert for water. His hands, holy shit, his hands were everywhere.I struggled to keep up. My hands roamed his body, getting my first real feel of the muscles in his arms and stretched across his back. He was powerful and hard and so damn hot. He reached for the hem of my shirt and tugged at it until it was halfway up my body. Our mouths tore away from one another while he quickly removed it before diving right back in.One of his large hands grabbed my breast, lifting the weight of it. He groaned low in his throat and attacked me with new enthusiasm. I wanted the same. I pulled at his shirt, essentially trying to tear it from his body. I didn’t want to take it off the usual way. I didn’t want to lose his m

XanderI walked into the restaurant where I was supposed to meet Charlie. He was taking a long lunch and had the time to actually leave the plant where he worked—managed, really. He was good with his hands and had a hard time keeping to the managing. He liked the doing.He put up his hand. “Xander,” he called.I made my way to the table and took my seat. “Did you order yet?”“Two BLTs.”“One is for me, right?” I joked.“Maybe.”“Asshole.”He chuckled. “How have you been? I haven’t talked to you in a week.”“I was out of town for a few days and then I was working on that other job for a client,” I told him.“Your pet project?”I smiled. “Yes. It’s nice to do a little something different.”“Whatever happened with the party planner?”I took a drink from the glass of water. My first option was to play dumb. “What do you mean?”He chuckled, shaking his head. “You know exactly what I mean. You being dodgy tells me something did happen. You said you were going to take her out on the boat.”“

EvieI closed the dishwasher and turned it on. Being a single lady that was rarely home and didn’t eat a lot at home meant few dishes. I had to practically wash my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. If I didn’t, they would be crusty and gross by the time I got a full load. I put the towel on the counter and shut off the light.I had plenty of candles going. I loved candles. Anytime I got a chance to burn candles, I did. I carried my glass of wine out to my itty-bitty balcony and sat down. It was a warm evening with some serious humidity.I settled in, putting my feet up on the railing and staring out at the pool below that was packed with tenants taking advantage of the warm weather. My phone chimed, alerting me to a text. I didn’t want to look. I didn’t want to deal with a client bitching at me. I was completely chill at the moment. Not a minute later, the doorbell rang.“Nelle!” I said, already knowing it was her.I walked barefoot to the door and pulled it open. “I didn’

XanderI flipped off the TV and walked outside. I had my swim trunks on and was ready to dive into my pool. I had gone down to the beach earlier, but it was packed. I couldn’t wait until school picked up and some of the tourists drifted away.I dove in headfirst, the cool water washing over me. I swam a few laps before drifting to the edge of the pool and holding on. I waited to see if I heard the sound again. My brain could be playing tricks on me.When I heard the birdsong again, I sprang out of the pool, using my arms to lift myself up. That was Evie’s ringtone. I felt a bit like a teenage girl, but I wanted to make sure I knew when she called. I picked up my phone. “Hello?” I answered, pretending to be totally cool and casual.“Hey, it’s me, Evie.”I smiled as I picked up my towel and rubbed it over my head. “Yes, I gathered that. What are you doing?”“I am calling to ask you for a huge favor,” she said.“What would that be?” I asked, praying like hell she didn’t ask me for money.