“I don’t want to play games with you.”
Cassidy took refuge in her beer, trying not to read into the statement. But, considering it was still a real matter, she said, “Depending on what you decide to do with the boat in winter, you might want to have your own boathouse built. Mine won’t hold two.”
“Never expected—”
“The dock itself, other than making sure the boards are in good repair and the moorings are in place, isn’t much,” she continued. “Of course, the electrical is mine, but unless you plan to live on your boat and use the grid, it’s not a big deal.”
“How do I get a piece of that electric bill?”
She nudged him with her leg. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, you’re dog-sitting.”
He let out a half-laugh. “Don’t think that cuts it.”
“For now, it does,” she assured him. “Help me take care of the dock, tighten the ties on my boat if you see it getting loose; sometimes it’s the small things that are more important.” She nudged him again. “Like putting my boat away before a storm when I fall down the rabbit hole.”
“I got you.”
“Then we’re good. Concentrate on the other things first,” she encouraged him before tipping the beer bottle back.
He fiddled with the sunscreen bottle for a few minutes and then handed it over to her. “Do me a favor?”
Taking it, she responded, “Sure?”
He gestured. “Back.” His voice was tense; she could tell he glanced at her, then away, even behind the sunglasses.
It was her turn to assure him, and she said easily, “I got you.” Setting aside the beer, she moved to sit on her knees, dumping a generous amount into her hands. “Turn around.”
His slight hesitation to obey, even though it was his request, spoke volumes. Cassidy wasn’t sure if he was afraid she would be offended or if he didn’t want to be touched. She’d seen him plenty of times; his scars weren’t new for her. But other than that one night in bed, or during sex, when her arms were wrapped around him, clinging to him, grasping at him, he shied away when she touched his back.
She already knew there was little sensation, only pressure. But now she had permission to touch every inch of him; she started at his shoulders. Because he was so tense under her tender ministrations, she attempted diversion. “It’s not a requirement, but I noticed he hadn’t named it. Would you?”
“I don’t know.”
“You could always name it for what it is:Chick Magnet,” she chuckled.
“Not what it is,” he corrected her. “I don’t want random women on my boat.”
“Oh. Well, I guess thank you for letting me aboard?” she teased, moving her hands lower, spreading out the lotion, careful not to let her curiosity derail her task. She was tempted to dance her fingers along with the patterns, trying to piece in her mind how the flames—she imagined fire—had licked along his flesh. Not because she was morbid, but because she was saddened.
“You aren’t random.”
Cassidy tucked her head as she applied more lotion to her hand, thinking to herself,Not today, anyway.Not pursuing that line of conversation, she returned to the function of the boat. “Well, it’s not exactly a family-style boat, either, no matter what Devin said. This is a speedboat. It’s for fun, but not family fun. A toddler could go right out of it. I’m lucky Fred didn’t.”
“He’s in the cabin.”
“Now, but he wasn’t,” she pointed out. She finished with his back, wiping the excess on his arms.
Mac shifted, sitting back against the boat as he grabbed up his beer, taking a long draw. He stared out over the water as she remained on her knees next to him, watching him. He flicked a look her way and said, “Thanks.”
Cassidy shrugged. “None needed. So, why do you want a boat?”
“Transportation, like you. To and from the town more efficiently. An escape when I need it.”
She cackled. “Is your neighbor annoying you?”
“You’re the only person who doesn’t annoy me.”
“Wow,” she said humorously. “Gold star for me.”