Undertow (17 page)

Zane·s expression went from amused to serious, and a moment later he looked downright grim. Tightening his grip on her shoulders, Zane gently drew her up until they wer e nose to nose.

´Tel me something. Did your husband beat you?µ he asked. Ábuse you physical y in any way?µ

She scowled.
Ńo.µ

Ís that true?µ

´Yes!µ She deflated, shame evident in the twin circles of red on her cheeks. Ít was mental «

verbal. Nothing I couldn·t handle.µ

Yeah. Explained the lethal dry wit of her tongue. Self -defense. ´Just because he didn·t beat you with his fists doesn·t mean you weren·t abused. He·s an asshole.µ He moved in a little closer, felt the soft puffs of her breath against his lips. Ánd you were smart to get away from him before his words turned into something worse.µ She shuddered and his temper flared. Í·d kil anyone who put their hands on you.µ

Her body bumped his and stayed there, her soft breasts pressed to the hard plane of his chest as she said thickly, ´You have your hands on me.µ

Í·l probably kil myself for this later,µ he murmured, his eyes playing over her now flushed face. Teal gave a choked half laugh, half snort. It was al the permission Zane needed.

Gliding his palms across her shoulders, up her arched throat, he tunneled his fingers through her silky hair, holding her head exactly where he wanted it .

Ín the meantime,µ he murmured, watching her eyes for signs of fright or flight.

He saw, thank God, neither. ´There·s something I forgot to give you last night when we were dancing. So for once in your life, Wil iams, could you please shut the hel up a nd cooperate?µ

Ń³µ

His mouth closed on hers. The woman was just ful of nos. For one second, Zane thought he·d pushed too far. Her lips were compressed into a tight line, and he felt the tension of her opposing urges pulsing through her body. But he also felt her erect nipples pressed against his chest, and her hips against his as she strained higher on her toes.

Reading her body language, he went in for the kil . Third time lucky. Fight it al she wanted, she was starting to feel some of the same sexual pul . Hel , nothing he liked more than a chal enge, Zane thought as he angled his head, softened his lips.

Just as she opened her mouth to say « something.

Her lips were open when his landed. She tensed when their mouths connected.

A long shudder traveled down her body, and her fingers tightened on his back.

She tasted of hot cocoa, and smel ed of redemption. Sensation shot through his body as she touched her tongue to his. Zane explored her pliant mouth as he felt the frantic pound ing of her heartbeat in her temples, like a smal bird beneath the fingers he had wound in her hair.

He used every technique in his not inconsiderable arsenal. Tongue, teeth, hands. Good, nonverbal communication that she seemed to understand better than words. Teal·s entire body participated in the kiss, and she slid her arms around his waist, her fingers gripping the back of his T-shirt as he plundered the warm recesses of her mouth.

In an annoying moment of sanity, Zane realized if he didn·t put a stop t o this right now, he·d have her flat on her back on the floor. Anyone could walk in. And frankly, this wasn·t where he wanted to make love to Teal for the first time.

He eased away slowly. Her lips seemed to cling, and he went back for a brief, juicy kiss that left his body hard as a rock, and his pulses pounding. ´The door isn·t locked,µ he murmured, unable to resist nuzzling his nose across her hot cheek.

She shoved him away with the flat of both hands. ´You are real y amazing, you know that?µ

She wiped the kiss off her mouth with the back of her hand, eyes hot.

Ís there nothing between zero and one-twenty?µ

´Plenty.µ Zane realized that while he was shaken, she was rock steady. Or was she? Her eyes were luminous in her pale face as she chewed a nail, shooting him a hot, considering look. Then she strode across the room, untied the overal from her waist, and jammed her arms into the sleeves, then yanked the zipper of the coveral to her throat.

´Wel , test-drive someone wil ing.µ

He spread his feet and crammed his fists into the pockets of his shorts to hide the bulge.

´That was quite a response for a woman who was unwil ing.µ

Ánd
you·re
delusional. I have no intention of being a notch on
Ace
Cutter·s headboard.µ

Taking his hands from his pockets, Zane, his breathing back under control, sauntered across the short distance separating them. Ńo notches. No headboard.µ He swiftly ducked his head and brushed a kiss on her mouth. Ánytime you·re not wil ing to kiss me again, you know where to find me.µ

Something heavy slammed into the door as he closed it behind him. He grinned. ´My point, I believe.µ

* * *

This morning she·d acted like nothing had happened ³something she was very good at.

She·d exchanged professional words with him, because to avoid him would give that freaking kiss too much importance. She·d made a point of talking to Maggie, but they hadn·t touched on what happened. No time.

Flat, calm weather had produced visibility of over a hundred feet. The helicopter had done its six P.M. pickup, taking with it the day·s haul. Minus, mysteriously, a row of what Zane believed to be silver bars that had disappeared while they·d al been having lunch. It was a s though the thief or thieves were invisible ninjas who slipped in when their backs were turned and just freaking swam away without anyone seeing them.

Lifting the hair from her nape, Teal searched the clear sky for storm clouds.

The late afternoon air felt heavy and oppressive, matching her mood. Her stomach grumbled, the tuna sandwich she·d had for lunch a delicious memory. They·d al worked so hard that maybe a few dozen cookies would lift everyone·s spirits. Zane had been right about dissension between crew members affecting everyone on board.

My fault, Teal thought, feeling crappy about altering everyone·s happy mood because of her own shitty attitude, however wel earned it was. As she checked to make sure she had al the necessary ingredients, she vowed to do better. Be better.

Baking soothed her, giving her time to think. It had the added benefit of keeping her off the deck while the others waited for the hordes to arrive for the evening.

Maggie walked into the gal ey as she slid the first baking sh eet into the oven. Teal·s body tensed in preparation for a possible confrontation. But the older woman slipped onto a stool and propped her elbows on the counter.

She·d dived earlier, and her wet hair left a dark stain in the neck of the purple T -shirt she wore over her swimsuit. The older woman tugged at the brim of her straw cowboy hat. Í·ve got daughters, honey. And one of them liked to wear makeup and get a mani/pedi with me to lift her spirits. The other one would rather stick a nail file in her eye. µ

Teal smiled slightly, her heart warming as she accepted the idea that maybe Maggie didn·t hate her. Í was being too sensitive.µ

Maggie removed her hat and settled it beside her, then ruffled her wet hair.

´With reason. I tend to barge my way into the lives of people I care about, thinking I can make everything easier with unsolicited advice.µ

Teal stil ed, biting her lower lip as she clarified the woman·s statement. ´You care about Zane. I get it.µ

´True. God, those cookies smel delicious. I care about you, too.µ She hopped from the stool and reached around the counter for a mug and the coffeepot, definitely in Teal·s space. Í

forgot that you were an only child.µ

Teal felt an insane urge to cry as she scooped spoonfuls of chocolate chip batter into neat rows on the second baking sheet. Was Zane right, and her fel ow shipmates considered her more than just a coworker? Not sure what to say or how to deal with the surge of emotion, Teal uttered a low laugh. Íf you think I·m antisocial now, you should· ve seen me as a kid.µ

´Tel me.µ

´Painful y shy was an understatement.µ The hurtful memories made Teal·s chest ache. Í

didn·t know how to talk to the other kids, you know? They thought I was a snot, so they left me alone,µ she added softly, making sure every cookie was exactly the same as the last and the rows were evenly spaced.

Óh, honey,µ Maggie murmured. ´That must·ve been so lonely for you.µ

Teal swal owed and tossed her head so the bangs would get out of her way. Í read a lot, tinkered with stuff. Sam taught me how to listen to the hum of a wel -run machine. I already knew how to listen, but this took it to the next level.µ

´You·re a genius. As good as, if not better than, Sam. Al the guys say so.µ

The compliment helped settle some of the tension in Teal·s bel y. She glanced at Maggie and flashed a wry smile. ´You·l probably find this hard to believe, but my teachers equated my shyness with being rude.µ

Maggie laughed as Teal had hoped she would. ´We went to a school counselor, but since Mom had issues, we couldn·t exactly tel the truth, which was that she was a drug addict. I was ¶documented· as secretive and uncooperative.µ

She kept her tone cool and even, hating the memory. Śecretive because my mom didn·t
look
like a druggie. She·d show up for those school meetings looking the picture of maternal concern.µ

´Teal,µ Maggie said in a voice fil ed with angry empathy. ´How could you expose your mother? Of course you protected her. At a high cost to yourself. You had nobody else.µ

Staring at the oven buzzer, begging it to beep so that she didn·t have to feel, Teal brought her thumbnail to her mouth, then shoved her hand into her pocket instead. Í don·t li ke to talk about it.µ

Í think hashing out bad memories puts them to rest, but I·l try harder to mind my own business from now on. We can talk about something else, if you·d like. I·m sure there·s al sorts of things I don·t know about you. Last night, for instance, you surprised me when you mentioned that you were married. I had no ideaµ

Another fun subject. Maggie had a nose for uncovering secrets. Ánd divorced. Three years of lying in the bed I·d chosen before I realized I didn·t have to stay there.µ

´Thank God you did. A lot of women don·t ever leave. You·re one strong, amazing woman, honey.µ

The buzzer dinged, al owing Teal to take out the cookies and put the other tray in the oven.

She started moving the hot cookies to the cooling racks, giving her time to get her shit together. Í was young. Stupid. Dennis was my first real boyfriend, and I thought he was the answer to al of my prayers. Handsome, outgoing. He loved being the center of attention, and he made me believe that I belonged there, too. Bu t only once he made me into Super Teal.µ

Śuper Teal with the extensions?µ

´Yeah. Dennis promised fun and excitement.µ She offered a hot, fragrant cookie to Maggie.

´The parties weren·t al I thought they·d be, and the after parties were ten times worse.

That·s when I·d get critiqued on my performance for the evening.µ Her gut clenched at the humiliating memories. Not busty enough, not pretty enough, not flirty enough.

Maggie set the cookie on the counter before sliding off the stool. Í·m hugging you,µ s he warned, daring Teal to say no as she wrapped both arms tightly and maternal y around her.

Teal·s throat clogged and her eyes stung as she inhaled Maggie·s scent of coconut suntan oil, clean ocean, and coffee. She wanted this hug more than she·d ever wanted a hug, but she stood there surrounded by Maggie, unable to return the gesture without completely fal ing apart. She patted Maggie·s shoulder awkwardly, and Maggie hugged her tighter.

Óh, honey, I·m so sorry. I get it now. I get
you
now.µ The other woman pul ed back, her eyes fil ed with empathy as she scanned Teal·s face. Ścrew that bastard ex and anyone else who didn·t· get you³you·re perfect. Just the way you are.µ She brushed Teal·s bangs out of her eyes. Ánd someday you·re going to find a man who appreciates who you are.µ

Eyes stinging, and feeling a little uncomfortable with al the touchy -feely stuff, Teal moved away and sat down at the counter. Maggie was making an effort to be friends; the least she could do was make the same effort. Śomeday you·re going to have to tel me your secret for a happy marriage. You and Ben obviously have the real deal.µ

Maggie leaned against the counter and picked up her warm cookie.

Éverything in a long -term marriage isn·t al hearts and flowers. Believe me, we stil have our rough patches.µ She took a bite. Óh, yum, Teal. This is delish ³µ After chewing and swal owing, Maggie said quietly. ´Ben and I have had some very ³
heated
discussions over the last thirty years.µ

Í can·t imagine you two fighting.µ

´You·d be surprised. Back in the day, Ben was a gambler. Cards. Horses. You name it, he·d throw money at it. It wasn·t a hobby, or a fun way to pass a weekend.

He had a gambling addiction, and we fought about it al the time. We had a family to take care of, and he made some horrific, stupid decisions. Final y we lost our house, and I·d had enough. I gave him a choice. His family or gambling.µ Maggie smiled. Ĺuckily for him, he chose wisely. We moved to St. Maarten, and never looked back.µ

´Good for you.µ Teal picked up a cookie she wasn·t going to eat. God. What if Ben was stil gambling on the sly? With an Internet connection, he could be secretly gambling even while he was on board the
Decrepit
. Was Ben responsible for the sabotage and for the thefts? If so, where was he hiding what he·d stolen? Teal couldn·t help but wonder if his old addiction had caused him to sel out his oldest and dearest friend.

Ćan we change the subject for a minute?µ Not real y a change of subject, Teal thought uncomfortably, but she was trying for subtle here. Zane would be devastated if Ben was responsible for what was going on. ´Do you think someone on board is responsible«µ For trying to sink the
Decrepit
, pilfering treasure from the site, cal ing in the
Sea Witch
.