AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was a siren, a mermaid, and no way was she eighteen or nineteen.
He glanced away, unsettled that he had gawked at her so blatantly. He had no idea what to say and for the first time around a woman, or anyone for that matter, he was speechless.
"I forgot a towel before I showered," The husky tone in her voice only enhanced her allure.
"Ah, here." He opened the closet and grabbed a towel. Holding it up, he shook it out and met her gaze.
She didn't look upset or embarrassed. Confidence oozed from her and when she stepped into the towel, she tilted her head up. Her lips were parted, softly plump and wet, eyes luminous, hinting at what she would look like tumbled between the sheets. He closed the towel at her back and she turned it around to secure it.
Watching him, their gaze locked on each other.
Finally, he cleared his throat. "Who are you? Explain why you're here showering and behaving as if you're moving in."
She leaned over, giving an outstanding view of her legs, and hauled her sack onto the bed, dumping it out. He watched her rummage through the pile of clothes and other items.
He forgot he'd asked her a question, and when she dropped the towel giving him a tantalizing view of her back and heart-shaped ass, he spun around, not sure what else to do and gritted his teeth feeling discombobulated.
"You can turn around now," she told him and he did, cautiously, part of him hoping she was dressed and the other part…well…
She was in between, clad in a sapphire blue and white matching bra and panty set and winding her hair into a bun.
"Please get dressed, this is ridiculous. And I need you to answer my question."
She pulled on a white polo shirt, and white shorts with a crisp crease running down the front of each leg. Her belt was woven white and the buckle subtle but shiny.
Her transformation from the homeless ragamuffin to this was astonishing.
"You're Beckham, correct?" she asked, her voice melodic.
He nodded.
“OK then, now that you’ve calmed down, and not such a bear, can we talk?”
"We're talking.” Who was this chick? He wasn't used to being talked to this way, except for Fletch. He squared his shoulders and faced this fiery young woman. She looked up at him, totally unfazed which also gave him pause. She wasn't the least intimidated by him. He knew he could be a powerful force, and it has worked to his advantage at times. But looking down at this slip of a thing, he was thrown while he admired her tenacity. "Why am I a bear?”
Her eyes widened. "That, right there." She pointed at him. "You have to ask? Your behavior in the galley, and reaction to me.” She shook her head and reached for her pack. He could tell it was heavy, but she slung it over her shoulder without effort.
Now he was getting pissed off. "Listen, you turn up on my boat, wander around, and eat my food. I have no idea who you are and you disappear without speaking with me or anyone else. You can't do that, board a strange vessel and make yourself at home.”
"Intrepid isn’t strange, I know all about her. Plus, I was hungry, stopped in the galley, listened to you, then found my cabin.” Her hand curled around the strap of the sack.
"Wha— " Beck was gobsmacked. "Your cabin?"
She met his gaze. Beck was getting angry, but no way would he show her. She was calm, and even though she was small, her presence was big.
"Yes, my cabin."
He narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?”
She smiled, and he was enchanted for the briefest moment. Quickly, he gathered his frayed emotions.
She stepped toward him and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Mick."
Beck was silent, processing what she'd just said. He cleared his throat and asked, "Fletch's Mick?"
"The one and only." Her smile was bright.
You could've knocked him over with a feather.
