Suspicion At Sea (5 page)

Knowing where she is staying, even though it's creepy, I can't help but walk toward the B&B, staying close to the beach out of the lights that line the walk. Her room light is on, and I can see her walk by the window. Like an idiotic peeping Tom, I gawk at her, but I don't care. She stands in the window, staring in my direction like she is looking right at me. I know she can't see me in the darkness. It's like she senses me here. She looks deep in thought and absolutely stunning. She closes the curtains two seconds later with the same haste she has shown me all along. I know she is feeling the attraction, too, but she is hell bent on fighting it. I'll be damned if I'm going to let her do so.

As I turn toward the docks, out of the corner of my eye I see a shadow move under the pier, and I focus on that spot. I step off the pavement onto the sand and walk slowly toward the pillar where I saw the movement. As I reach it I see nothing, not even footprints. Did I just imagine that? I've always been keenly aware of my surroundings and that was definitely a shadow of a person. At least I think it was.

Back at my boat, I shower and lie down knowing that tonight, like so many others, will be filled with nightmares. Usually it takes me forever to fall asleep, but tonight I'm tired. Not sleeping well the past few weeks, it doesn't take long until I drift off.

It's black, just a sliver of moon light is all that illuminates the night. Six of us emerge from the water at the same time, our heads bobbing from the slight waves. We are positioned strategically around the vessel. Up and down, my body bobs, and I start to feel queasy. Something is wrong. I have a gut feeling that something is very wrong.

BANG!

I sit up straight in bed, my body covered in sweat. Out the port side window I see the shadow again. Shaking off my nightmare, I scramble from my bed and throw on my jeans. It takes me half a minute to get outside, and just when I do I hear a splash. I run to the stern in time to see the ripples of whoever was on my boat.

Who the fuck is following me? I knew I saw someone under the pier. I do a quick check and see that nothing is missing. Either it was some punk kid, or I interrupted whatever they were doing. I decide I will mention it to my father when I see him next.

It is four in the morning and I won't be getting back to sleep, so I put on my swim trunks to go for a jog and a swim. My real goal is to be out in front of the B&B by sunrise.

Chapter 12

Ellie

The sun is just rising as I step out on the deck in a t-shirt and jogging shorts. Esther told me about a great little coffee shop in the row of stores off the docks. I leave my suite and take the steps down to the ground level deck thinking I will grab a coffee and then go for a walk. Sitting on the steps that lead down to the sidewalk, I slip on my tennis shoes. Leaning my chest against my knees, I tighten the laces before I tie a neat bow.

On the steps, my arms wrapped around in front of my knees, I take in the beach. I look out at the water and see someone emerging from its depths. They are walking to shore, but the waves make him disappear from view for a moment. As he comes back into view, I see it is Justin. The closer he gets the more I can't stop ogling. He seems to be walking straight for me. His swim trunks cling to his strong thighs and I feel my heart start to race. Is he going to be outside my room every morning? It's really going to be hard to try and forget about him if I have to keep seeing him.

I stand and slowly take the last few steps to the sidewalk wondering if he is going to engage me. Turning my head, he is standing just yards from me. He holds his arms up and out to the side in a what-gives gesture.

“You just going to ignore me?” he says with exasperation.

“Oh, I thought you were walking towards them.” I point to the girls he was talking to yesterday. I soon found out they are renting the house next door. A couple of them are out on the deck, and one is leaning on the railing, watching us.

“Funny.” He takes steps to close the gap between us. My breath hitches as he comes within touching distance. “What is the beautiful Ellie doing today?” He delivers his line as smooth as butter.

“Just touristy stuff.” I shrug. My eyes can't help but wander over his magnificent body.

“Were you going for a run?” He motions to my attire.

“Walk. Thought I would do a little sightseeing on foot.” I shift my weight from one foot to the other as his eyes travel up and down my body. He's checking me out just as much as I am checking him out.

“I would love to join you; I can show you around.” My eyes scan him up and down, more than obvious, and stop on his bare feet. “I mean, if you want to walk with me to my boat, I can change and then join you,” he says awkwardly when he realizes what he is wearing.

“Umm...” I hesitate for a moment. What the hell; I know if I turn him down I will be pissed at myself all day. “Sure, that would be nice,” I answer and his smile grows.

“Great. I'm just over there.” He points to a dock about two blocks away with about ten slips, all occupied with boats. We start to walk in that direction in silence.

“Did you grow up here?” I finally ask, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Yep, born and raised in the paradise of hell.” His disdain surprises me.

“Okay, not sure what to say to that.” I laugh awkwardly.

“It's just that although it is beautiful to look at, living in a small town surrounded by water isn't all it's cracked up to be,” he explains and I can feel him focus on the side of my face as we walk. “What about you, where did you grow up?” he asks.

“The Midwest,” I answer as vaguely as possible. Not sure how much I want to tell this man about myself just yet.

“Where at in the Midwest?” he pushes.

“Oh my, these boats are so big. Which one is yours?” I act distracted as I change the subject, and turn to see the look of disappointment on his face.

“That one.” He shakes his head at me and I guess he decides to let it go because he points to what I consider a very large boat. I would actually call it a yacht, but not sure if that is the correct term.

“You live in that?” I know I have to sound impressed. Is this guy a wealthy frogman? He surely can't afford that boat on his pension from the Navy.

“Yeah, I've done a lot of work to her, but she's getting there.” He smiles with pride as we reach the slip she is tied down to.

“What possibly could there be left to do?” It looks like a brand new boat with what appears to be an upper deck. I can see into the boat as we step onto the lower deck. It leads into the bridge, or at least I think that is what the room with the steering wheel is called, but beyond that it seems to go on forever and ever.

“I'm rebuilding the engine. Would you like a tour?” One eyebrow shoots up as he asks me. I can tell he is very proud of his home, or boat, or whatever.

“I'll just stay here while you change,” I offer. I do want a tour; I want to see it all. I want to see his bedroom where that magnificent body lays every night.
Stop it, Ellie
. I force myself to stop the thoughts that are making my whole body tingle.

“Okay, maybe later?” He wants me to say I will let him give me a tour of his boat, like he wants to hold me to something. I've been very indistinct so far.

“Maybe.” I nod, and he shakes his head again.

“You, Ellie, you are going to make me work for everything, aren't you?” He points his finger at me, wagging it, giving me that dimpled, cheeky smile that makes me blush. Damn, I'm acting like a stupid schoolgirl again. What the hell is he doing to me?

I just shrug at his comment and spin around to go to the railing, wanting to hide just how turned on I am. I gaze out into the water and think how freeing it would be to know you could just go off into the deep blue whenever you want and not have a care in the world.

“You ready?” He startles me. I felt like I was on another planet for a moment. I turn to see him pulling on a tank top as he walks up to me. In the second he was gone, he changed into dry shorts and now has on tennis shoes. My eyes travel the length of his body taking in his shoes that aren't even tied yet.

“I was afraid you'd wander off, so I hurried.” He laughs at my expression then bends down to tie his shoes.

“Wander off, like a dog?” I laugh, but am a little offended. I put my hand on my hip, waiting for his response. He laughs, a deep sexy laugh that literally makes my tummy do a flip.

“Poor choice of words. I thought you would leave if I took too long.”  He walks up to the railing next to me and leans against it.

“Why would you think that?”

“Did you think about it?” He cocks his head to the side with a knowing smile.

“Actually, I didn't. I was thinking about being on a boat in the middle of the ocean without a care in the world.” I mock his facial expression making him laugh again. God, do I love the sound of his laugh.

“Okay, good.” He seems relieved. “I would love to take you out on my boat sometime, have you ever been on the Atlantic?”

“Nope, never been out on any ocean.”

“Really? Well, I hope I can be the one to give you your first boat ride.” His eyebrows wiggle up and down.

“You want to take my boat virginity?” I catch his not so subtle innuendo.

“I do, I really do.” He chuckles, shaking his head.

“I think we should go now.” The sexual tension between us is undeniable, and I know he is feeling it too.

“Right, I'm starving. Would you like to go have breakfast before we sight-see?” He leads the way off the boat.

“Esther told me about a coffee shop, that is where I was headed anyway,” I add. “Were you swimming earlier?” I motion back to the beach where he had emerged from.

“Three hours of swimming,” he says and I think he is trying to impress me.

“Wow, three hours, really? That's remarkable. Of course, you're a frogman, so really not so much.” I turn my head away from him to hide the evil smile on my face.

“Oh, well then...” He laughs with me. “I guess I'm slipping.”

“I guess so.” I snicker.

Chapter 13

Justin

“Weren't you supposed to be giving me a tour?” Ellie asks when I'm caught staring as we walk. She looks amazing in her tight little shorts and white t-shirt that is tight enough it accentuates her curves. Damn, does she have great curves. I don't think I've ever had an urge so great to be with a woman.

“Oh, sorry.” I turn my head away from hers. “Over here.” I point at another dock full of boats. “We have more boats, much like the ones we just left.” I try not to sound like a smartass, but it doesn't work. She punches me in the arm, hard, I might add. “What?” I rub my arm, acting very wounded.

“Smartass.” She laughs and rubs my arm where she punched it. “Sorry.” The contact of her skin on my bare arm is like little pins of fire shooting through me. It makes me speechless for a moment. “Are you okay?” Her head turns my way.

“Umm…yeah, here's the cafe,” I stumble with my words and grab the door to hold open for her.

She walks in and I follow her. “What do you recommend?” She turns to me after scanning the menu on the wall.

“They have the best apple turnovers,” I answer and she nods. I walk up to the counter and order two turnovers and two coffees.

“Oh shit, I don't have any money,” she blurts out.

“I got it, I didn't figure you did with that outfit,” I guffaw. I can see her start to object. “If it makes you feel better, you can pay me back.” I stop her from objecting, and pull my wallet out of my back pocket. Handing the girl at the counter a twenty, I tell her to keep the change. “Find a seat.” I motion with my head to the array of tables that are open by the window. Following her with the tray of food and drinks, we sit at a little table for two.

“Thank you, I will pay you back.” She takes a sip of the coffee.

“Not very worried about it.” I brush it off.

“Have you found out any more about the missing brothers?” she asks as she takes a bite of her turnover.

“No.” I really don't want to talk about this subject.

“Did you know them?”

“Yes, the oldest is my brother-in-law.”

“Oh my God, I'm so sorry.” She puts her hand up to her chest.

“It's okay, we weren't exactly friends. In fact, I hated the guy. Not saying that I wish him dead,” I quickly add, “But he was cheating on my sister. Oh, and he took all her money.”