He turned her gently onto her back and lay half over her. “Maybe it’s the Maine air.”
“Maybe it’s some mind-altering drug Paul and Ellen put in breakfast.”
“Maybe you were possessed by aliens.”
“Maybe I feel safe with you.” She wrinkled her nose. “Nah, that’s ridiculous.”
That deep chuckle again. Addie wanted to bottle it and bring it home with her. They had two more days and she already missed it.
“I hope you do, because you are safe with me. As for not being spontaneous, we all have busy lives, duties, things we need to accomplish every day. Spontaneity is a luxury. You’re on vacation now, you can afford it.”
“True.” She frowned thoughtfully, outlining his lips with her pinky. They were beautiful lips. Of course right then she was so infatuated, she’d probably think he had beautiful toenails. “But I do tend to be uncomfortable with anything not planned ahead.”
“Maybe you’ll embrace the dark side a little more now.” He kissed one cheek, her other cheek, her nose, her forehead. “It’s not as if you have to strip for every guy you meet for the rest of your life. Try new things, see how they feel. Baby steps.”
Addie stroked the hard curve of his shoulder. It meant a lot that he took her neuroses so calmly and seriously. “You feel really good, Derek.”
“So do you, Addie.”
They smiled at each other. Incredible happiness and incredible peace, an amazing combination. “Tell me something.”
“Mmm?”
“No, I mean tell me something. Anything. Everything.” She grinned at the alarm on his face. “Tell me about your childhood.”
“Ah.” He rolled onto his back, lips curved in a wistful smile. “My childhood was a study in conflict. Between me, the boy who’d wanted a life on the sea since he was old enough to read Kidnapped, and my parents, who’d planned for me to go to business school like my dad and brothers ever since I was born.”
“Ah, the family black sheep!”
“Baaa.”
She propped herself up so she could see his face. “Tell me more.”
“Let’s see. I worked crap jobs on boats in Boston Harbor till I was old enough to leave home. Then I got crap jobs on boats in Miami until I went to school, graduated and worked my way up, saving every penny. At what I felt was the right time, I let everyone know I was looking for the right boat. And then one day I heard about her.”
“Love at first sight?”
“You have no idea.”
Oh, great, she was jealous of a boat. “Picture in your wallet?”
“Nope.” He half lifted his head to peer at her. “I should have one, huh?”
“Absolutely.” She stroked the firm, rounded planes of his chest. “I’d love to see her.”
“Who knows what life will bring. Maybe you will someday.”
“Maybe.” She paid close attention to his body, not wanting to look at him. The topic was too charged to be under discussion this soon. “So you met the love of your life....”
“I had some money set aside by my grandparents, and landed a loan with help from a guy I worked for as first mate for years.”
“He didn’t mind you were leaving?”
“He knew he had no choice.” Derek adjusted his head on the towel, expression fiercely proud. “He was a good guy. I enjoyed working for him. But I wanted to be boss. It’s in my blood I guess. All Bates boys are bossy.”
She loved the idea of him working hard, making his dream come true all by himself, becoming captain and owner of his own little kingdom. It was kind of a turn-on. But then calling something about Derek a turn-on was sort of like saying the sun was warm.
“It’s amazing what you’ve done. I admire you.”
“Oh.” He looked embarrassed, but in a way that told her he was pleased by her compliment. “Thanks.”
“It took courage and determination.”
“Hmm.” He sat up and squeezed her hand. “I think it was just what I wanted to do, so I did it.”
“But a lot of people don’t get to do what they want. Or can’t. Or are afraid to.”
“Yeah?” He studied her chin then planted a kiss in the perfect spot. “What would you do if you could?”