10
I floated through the day, still under the glow of our morning love making session in the shower. Cork and I gave each other knowing glances through the day. His attentiveness was … warming, sweet, and held promise of more. Oh yeah, I was falling for him. Was I weak, swayed by amazing sex with this magnetic man? He was a force and bowled me over just like the hurricane bearing down on my island.
The red sky this morning foretold we’d be getting some weather after all. Gilbert’s fingers seemed to reach far and wide and I said a prayer for St. William’s. Love Beach’s inner harbour was protected, and Intrepid ’s size kept her fairly stable.The boat rocked a bit, but nothing too serious, thank goodness.
We had breakfast on the aft deck with Beck and Micki, Fletch and Robyn. It was evident how close the two couples and Cork were. But I didn’t feel like an outsider. They were extremely welcoming. I sensed they knew Cork and I were now more than just treasure hunters. The knowing looks in their eyes gave it away. Had we been too loud this morning? It surprised me I didn’t care if we had, and couldn’t wait to be in his arms again.
Tonight.
The rain started in the early afternoon, and Robyn encouraged me to go for a massage and spa treatment. Her team was on board in the Intrepid Spa, preparing for a charter coming up in two days. I jumped at the opportunity and pushed open the door to the spa and drew in a breath. The ambiance was exactly like a day spa, if not way better.
“I’m so glad you came,” Robyn greeted me.
“Thank you for the suggestion. I’m looking forward to checking out for a few hours.”
We laughed together.
“That’s what we’re here for. Trisha is going to get you started.” Robyn introduced me to her. “Go, enjoy yourself. I hear we’re having a special dinner tonight. See you then.”
“Again, thanks.” I followed Trisha. The soft music, gentle lighting, and spa scents immediately claimed me, and I was ready for the next few hours of pampering.
When Cork opened the door to their cabin, he stopped dead in his tracks, not prepared for the vision of a naked Daisy standing in front of the mirror, her blond hair cascading down her back in waves. Her green eyes reflecting in the mirror, luminous in the lighting, met his.
“Damn.” His feet felt glued to the floor, but he had the wherewithal to close the door.
She faced him, and his gaze roved over her body. After loving her in the shower this morning, he’d been unable to focus for most of the day and most of his thoughts were on her.
“Hey there. Cat got your tongue?” She smiled and walked to him.
“Uhm, I, ah, have no words.” That was all he could manage and he reached for her.
She stepped into his arms and it was like he was coming home. Like she was a long-lost part of him that made him whole. Cork tightened his hold on Daisy, as unfamiliar emotions barreled through him. He rested his cheek on her head and inhaled the scent of her hair, closing his eyes and breathing deep. He didn’t want to let her go. A small voice in the back of his mind whispered… ever .
“How about we get these clothes off you. We don’t have long before dinner.” Her whisper wrapped around him and he would have done anything she asked at that moment.
“If we do that, we may be late for dinner.” Cork lifted his head back and gazed into her upturned face.
She smiled. “Then maybe we could come back here for dessert?” she suggested.
He nodded. “I like that idea. However, having you in my arms like this doesn’t make it easy, you know.”
“We can fix that.” She stepped from his gaze and walked toward the bathroom, casting a glance over her shoulder.
Cork couldn’t decide what to do. Follow her and forget dinner, or get dressed and do as she suggested, bring dessert back to the cabin. Only, his intention for dessert had nothing at all to do with what the chef had prepared. Daisy was his dessert.
Moments later, she came out of the bathroom, dressed, with her hair pinned up on her head.
“This is all I have to wear. Thankfully, during my spa time, my clothes were washed.” She held out her hand. “Shall we?”
He took her hand. “We shall.”
I was enjoying the banter around the dinner table. Everyone was having a good time, laughing, and bringing up memories. I didn’t feel left out at all. They included me in the banter and I decided I really liked these people. There weren’t any airs at all. Dinner had been wonderful, delicious, and so was wine. Everything was perfect. I reached for my glass and took a sip.
“Daisy,” Beck said my name.
I raised my eyebrows and turned to him. “Mmm?”
“There’s something I’d like to ask you. This quest that you’re on to find that ship Sirena del Mar , from my understanding you been at for quite a while, right?” He had a powerful gaze, intense and formidable. But he didn’t intimidate me. I was curious about what he wanted to say.
I nodded. “As long as I can remember. It was my father’s dream, and he died before…” I trailed off when a wave of grief took hold.
“It’s fine, you don’t need to revisit that part. I’m intrigued by the journey you’ve been on. And how it connected you with Cork.”
I glanced at Cork to see his expression and waited for a reaction. He smiled and nodded slightly.
“We met at the gala fundraiser I hosted few weeks ago at St. William’s Nautical Museum. We bumped into each other on the patio outside and then a few days later on a dive.” I wouldn’t go into details.
“Interesting that you bump into each other. Must be serendipity.” Beck mused.
I furrowed my brows. What an odd comment. Was he trying to tell me something? Was he warning me off Cork? I glanced at Cork and he was talking to Fletch now.
“I don’t see where that’s a problem. It was a fundraiser; many people were there and all the proceeds go to the museum. There were some very generous donations too,” I stated.
“That’s great. I didn’t know about the fundraiser otherwise I totally would’ve been there and contributed.” He smiled and glanced at Micki.
“We would’ve loved to be there, had we known about it.” She leaned her elbows on the table. “It wasn’t until Cork mentioned it, after the fact. I’m intrigued by the idea of a nautical museum. Tell us more about it.”
Cork took my hand under the table and laced his fingers in mine. I gripped his, wondering where this conversation was going.
“I suppose it’s been a dream of mine for quite a while. My father had discovered many unique and wonderful artifacts over the years. He was driven, always looking for that elusive find. But he didn’t do it for the money. He was bound and determined that whatever he found needed to be on display so everyone could enjoy them. They belonged to the people and not to one particular person.”
Beck’s lips twitched, and he glanced quickly at Cork. Just what was going on between them? I was sensing some kind of vibe.
“Anyway,” I continued. “He’d set up a small viewing area on the island down near the docks, but as he continued his hunting, he needed more space, and got the museum building. It was pretty dilapidated, and he did what he could.” I paused and gathered my thoughts. “But it wasn’t enough, and he died well before the renovations were completed.”
“Then how is it the museum is up and running now?” Beck asked.
I lifted a shoulder. “I watched a lot of YouTube and got friends to help with jobs we could manage. It still has a long way to go. I just hope the hurricane didn’t cause any damage.”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Cork replied.
“What else needs to be done?” Beck picked up the wine and walked around the table filling our glasses.
“Oh geez, what doesn’t need to be done? A new security system, display cases to keep the artifacts from deteriorating, windows, roof, foundation repairs.” I sighed and shook my head in frustration. “So much it’s overwhelming to think about. Finding Sirena would be the ultimate.”
“That’s quite a story. You’re determined. It’s a damn shame it didn’t work out yesterday.” When he got to me, he paused and I looked up at him.
“There’s something I’d like to do. I don’t have the time to devote to your museum and continued quest for marine artifacts, but I can help in other ways.” He filled my glass, and I looked at him perplexed.
“What do you mean?” I was curious.
He looked down at me, and his expression made my heart quicken.
“I don’t want you to have to worry about fundraising ever again. I’m going to set up a trust fund for the museum so that you can renovate, fix, do whatever you need to do in order to get the building up to snuff and keep it that way. As well, I’d like you to flesh out a proposal to build an infrastructure for future expeditions.”
I was absolutely dumbstruck. I glanced at Cork, then at Robyn, Fletch, and Micki who were all smiling. They must’ve known this was coming. I looked at Beck and stood up.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” I didn’t know what to say. No words could ever express how much this means to me…and would have to my father.
“Believe it, you’re hearing it. Everything should be in order by the time you get back to St. Williams.”
Tears filled my eyes, and I flung my arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you so much. You have no idea what this means.”
He hugged me back. “Oh, I think I do. And I’d also like to hire you to research yesterday’s dive location.”
My mouth dropped open, unable to grasp what was happening. “Really, this is just so unexpected.” I dropped to my seat, not trusting my legs to hold me up and looked at Cork. “Did you know about this?”
He shook his head. “No, actually, I didn’t. I think it’s a great idea and feel a bit sheepish I hadn’t thought of it. You stole my thunder, man!”
They laughed, but I could only mutter non-coherent words. I cleared my throat and gathered my thoughts. Get it together, girl .
“Wow, just wow. I don’t know what to say except a very, very, profound thank you.”
Beck returned to his seat beside Micki, a satisfied smile on his face.
“I’m glad you’re interested in finding more about the site yesterday. I have a feeling that there could be something to it, and grateful you’re letting me take those papers home.” I clasped Cork’s hand.
“That’s actually got me thinking about all this. You’re right about these artifacts. That they belong to the people and not to one individual.” He cast another glance at Cork and then looked back at me.
“That is my goal. But what’s the deal with you looking at Cork every time you say that?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing really. It’s nothing at all.”
I nodded and chose to believe him, even though small niggle of doubt grew inside me. I was on a jubilant high! A load was lifted off me, now that the museum had a benefactor. “One thing, though. The name of the museum shouldn’t change,” I told him.
He shook his head. “Absolutely I agree. I don’t need my name splashed anywhere.”
He may not need it, but the museum should acknowledge it. I’d figure out a way to do it.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur, and it was all so surreal I could hardly believe it. Then Cork took my elbow.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I think it’s time for dessert.”
I faced him and saw a gleam in his eye. His slow smile told me exactly what was on his mind.
“I agree.” Now I had something else to think about.
We said our good nights, filled plates with delicious desserts, and left arm in arm for our cabin.