Page 29 of A Shore Fling

TRAVIS

ONE MONTH LATER

I hop onto the deck of the Sea Ray and glance back as Nina steps in behind me. With her glamorous sunglasses perched on her nose, red lipstick painting her lips, and her hair twisted into a knot on top of her head, she looks like she owns the damn world—or at least my heart.

She briefly lowers her sunglasses, flashing me a look. “Let’s just agree up front if I crash this thing, it’s not entirely my fault.”

I raise a brow. “You already beached her once. That was your one freebie.”

“That was a navigational hiccup,” she says, brushing past me. “It’s very common among new boat captains with limited experience.”

“Uh-huh. You left her stranded like a shipwreck. I had to pick you up off the coast of an uninhabited island.”

She pouts her red lips. “You said you were going to stop bringing that up.”

I flash her a grin. “No, I said I’d stop bringing it up in public. This doesn’t count.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a little smirk tugging at her lips.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying this way too much.

Watching her climb into the captain’s seat, cautious but determined, feels like it could be a metaphor for our relationship—a little reckless and a lot of unexpected, but also the best time of my life.

With the sleek white and red boat gleaming under the sun, I crouch beside her. “All right. This is your chance for redemption.”

“What if I’m just a land creature?” she asks, shifting in the seat.

I rest my hand over hers on the throttle. “Rule number one is: don’t panic.”

She flattens her lips. “I don’t panic.”

“Rule number two is: pay attention.”

“I pay attention.”

I snort. “Tell that to the ‘shallow water’ sign you ignored.”

“That sign must’ve been tiny if I missed it. Shouldn’t it be a giant blinking arrow that says ‘sandbar here’ to keep boaters away?”

“Rule number three is: do exactly as I say.”

“I always do,” she says.

I laugh. “Always?”

“I meant in bed.” Her full lips form a smirk.

“Let’s just focus,” I say, fighting a hard-on. “Gently ease the throttle forward. Slow and smooth. This is a no-wake zone, so you need to pull forward slowly.”

“I remember how to do this part. It’s the navigating I struggle with.”

I shoot her a look. “What happened to rule number three?”

“We’re not in bed.” She snickers but follows my instructions. Her fingers tighten slightly under mine as she nudges the throttle forward, and the boat begins to glide out of the slip like it’s listening to her.

“There you go,” I say. “Look at you. That was smooth as butter. I’m impressed.”

“Don’t jinx it,” she mutters. “Let’s just get clear of the marina before we declare any victory.”

The docks slide by on either side, and the harbor is calm and quiet this morning except for the occasional slap of the sea against the hulls of the anchored boats. I watch her eyes flick between the wheel and the open water, her jaw tight with concentration. But she’s got this.

“You’re doing great,” I say after a minute. “Better than last time.”

She side-eyes me. “Better than crashing is a low bar.”

“Hey, low bars are meant to be cleared. We all start with baby steps.”

“Does this boat come with a certificate when I pass? Or a merit badge? Ooh, how about a captain title? Captain Nina sounds impressive.”

“No, but you might get a cookie.”

“And what if I want something more motivating?”

I glance at her mouth, and smirk. “We’ll negotiate that.”

We coast past the last marker, and the boat slows, easing into the current. It’s quiet out here. There’s no sign of anyone else. It’s just open sky and ocean for as far as we can see. She tucks her hair behind her ear and glances at me, waiting for instruction.

“Kill the engine. We’re floating for a minute.”

She does as I instruct and then removes her sunglasses, placing them on the dash. The hum of the motor fades, and we’re left with nothing but the soft rocking of the waves. I step closer, my hand grazing her leg as I reach over to adjust the throttle to neutral.

“You passed,” I murmur.

She lifts her brows. “That’s it? That’s the whole lesson?”

“Lesson one.”

“I was promised cookies.”

I reach up and brush a strand of hair from her cheek, watching the way her breath catches. “You want your reward now?”

Her gaze flicks to my mouth. “Maybe.”

That’s all the permission I need. I lean in and capture her lips like I’ve been waiting to do since the second she took the wheel. Her hands slide up my chest, her fingers curling around the nape of my neck. She kisses me back, tongue whirling around mine.

She tastes as sweet as always, with a hint of sunscreen mixed in. The boat rocks gently beneath us, and the rest of the world drops away. Just her lips on mine, the heat of her body, the sound of our breaths tangled together.

I finally draw back, separating our mouths.

I remove her hands from my neck, then lead her to the bow.

I lower onto the bench, drawing her down to my lap.

Her knees bracket my hips as she settles against my erection, the thin fabric of our swimsuits the only barrier between us.

Cupping her face, my thumbs stroke her cheeks as I stare up at her.

“This is a much better reward than I expected,” she murmurs, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Just wait.” I slide my hands down to squeeze the dip of her waist gently. Nina rocks her hips, sending a jolt of desire through me. “You’re playing with fire,” I warn her, but I can’t stop my hands from lowering to her hips and encouraging the movement.

She leans forward, her lips brushing my ear as she whispers, “Maybe I like getting burned.”

My breath hitches as her teeth graze my earlobe. I know I should suggest we head back to shore, find somewhere more private, but the way she’s looking at me makes rational thought impossible.

“Nina,” I warn, but there’s no real protest in my voice.

She pulls back to look at me, her eyes dark with want despite the bright sunlight beaming down on us. “We’re far enough out. No one can see us.”

Glancing around, I confirm we’re well beyond the range of prying eyes. The nearest boat is just a speck on the horizon. When I look back at her, she’s already reaching behind her neck to untie her bikini top.

“Christ,” I breathe as the scrap of red falls away. The sight of her bare breasts makes my mouth go dry. I can’t resist cupping them both in my palms. Her nipples harden against my touch, tempting me until I lean forward and take one into my mouth. Nina gasps, threading her fingers through my hair.

“Travis,” she moans as I slide over to lavish her other breast with the same attention. Her hips rock more insistently, creating a delicious friction that has me straining against my board shorts.

“I want you,” she whispers, reaching between us to tug at my waistband. “Right here. Right now.” She leans down, slanting her lips over mine, using her tongue in sinful ways to convince me. Not that I need convincing.

Her mouth lifts from mine, and she moves over to my ear, biting the lobe. I groan as her tongue soothes the sting.

“You know anyone with a pair of binoculars can see us,” I say.

“Let them watch,” she says with a wicked grin that makes my pulse race.

I reach for the ties on her bikini bottoms, my fingers working quickly to loosen the knots. She lifts from my lap slightly, aiding me in sliding the fabric free, and then she’s naked on top of me.

“Your turn,” she says, tugging furiously at my shorts.

I lift my hips, letting her push them down just enough to free my cock.

The feel of her pussy against me is almost more than I can handle.

Gripping her hips, I position her over me.

Her eyes locked with mine, she sinks down in one fluid motion, enveloping me.

“God, you feel fucking amazing,” I say, fighting to control the urge to lift her and repeatedly slam her back down on me.

“So do you,” she whispers, beginning to move. She sets a slow, torturous pace that has me seeing stars. Her head falls back, exposing the elegant line of her throat. Leaning forward, I press a kiss there, tasting the salt on her skin.

She moans as she takes me deeper, her warm, wet walls welcoming me.

Fingers tangling in my hair, she pulls my head back and kisses me.

It’s messy and desperate, full of fiery passion more than finesse.

Gripping her ass, I help guide her up and down my length.

The sight of her breasts bouncing with each thrust is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.

She grinds against me harder, her inner muscles rhythmically clenching around me. I slide my hand between us, finding her clit with my thumb, and gently rub the sensitive bundle.

“Yes,” she cries.

“Let go for me,” I urge, watching her face as pleasure overtakes her. With each wave of her orgasm, I’m squeezed by her inner walls, and I follow her into bliss. Holding her tightly against me, I bury my face in her tits as waves of pleasure crash through my body.

When we finally pull back, she smiles, lazy and pleased. “Best boating lesson ever.”

I grin, still catching my breath. “You say that like we’re done.”

She arches a brow. “There’s more?”

“Oh, plenty more. I haven’t even quizzed you on port and starboard yet.”

“Sounds like a pop quiz I’m going to fail on purpose.”

I chuckle, reaching out to tuck a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “That’s fine. I grade on a very generous curve. Especially when you look at me like that.”

Her smile turns playful, and her head tilts. “Like what?”

“Like you’re already planning on distracting the instructor.”

“Maybe I am,” she says. “Or maybe I really like being out here with you.”

I study her for a second. “I love you.” And just like that, the words slip free.

Her breath catches, and she looks at me like she’s trying to make sure I mean it.

Then she exhales, smiling so wide I feel it in my chest. “I love you too.”

It takes a few seconds for it to register that she said it back. “I was going to wait for a more romantic moment. You know, something with candles or a sunset walk on the beach, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”

She leans in, forehead resting against mine. “This was perfect. It’s only right we’d profess our love out here where we first met.”

We stay like that for a minute before Nina leans back with a soft grin curving her lips.

“Think I can drive us back without hitting a sandbar?”

I smirk. “We’ll find out. But if we do end up stuck again…”

“At least we’re in paradise?” she guesses.

I shake my head, smirking. “David will have to rescue us.”