I watch his muscled chest expand with a deep inhale. You’d think I was being serious with the way he’s reacting. “We’ve been over this. It’s not safe.”
I glance at my boat and back at him. “Did we become business partners, and I forgot? I’m not sure why you think you have a say in how I run my business.”
“It’s my job to protect you. I’m your brother’s best friend.”
I groan. “Have you not noticed that I’m a grown woman now, Cam?”
His gaze falls to my chest for a moment, and I bite my lip to keep from smiling.
This is the game Cam and I are currently playing. In truth, I have no idea if Cam is interested in me for anything other than my body. He’s not been one to settle down, even though all of the guys he used to party with—most of whom are my brothers—are all coupled up now. But we enjoy pissing each other off. I do it because, well, I’m pissed that he’s always telling me what to do and what to wear and who I should date. Then again, maybe I’m pissed because I want him to fall on bended knee and tell me he’s always been in love with me. That the reason he pays me so much attention isn’t because he considers it his duty because of my brother, but because he cares about me.
“Yes, Chevelle, I’m not the only one who notices that your tits are out half the time.”
I narrow my eyes. “Bye, Cam.” I turn my back on him and walk down the dock to my boat.
The guys today asked for a sunset fishing excursion, which means they aren’t really the fishermen they’re pretending to be. We’ll arrive back in town just as the bars are getting packed, and they’ll migrate there and drink until closing time.
My boat isn’t painted pink or purple or what some would consider a girly color. Although if it wouldn’t have affected my business, I might’ve painted it that. It’s yellow, blue, and burgundy, but mostly white.
I climb on board and head into the galley, setting the case of beer on the ground. I have the first beer in my hand to put on ice when Cam climbs on right after me.
“I’m sorry, you need to ask permission to board my boat.” I put my hand on his chest. His rock-hard chest.
“I’m serious about these guys. One of these days, it’s gonna end in disaster.” He crosses his arms.
While most of the guys out here are dressed as actual fishermen—orange overalls, water boots, and other items to try to keep them dry—Cam is in khakis and a polo because his dad owns the marina and he’s training Cam to take over. One day Cam will be the man who decides what I pay to dock my boat here. Perish the thought.
“It’s my business. I cannot keep going over this with you, Cam.” I stack the beer in the cooler, then head to the fridge to start the snack boards. All of my excursions come with food and beverages if they choose, and the bachelor parties always choose them.
“I’ll go with you.” He sits down.
I laugh somewhat manically, because I’d be seeing pigs fly rather than seagulls if I ever allowed that to happen.
“That’s a hard pass.” I tug at his arm, but he’s too big for me to move.
“See how strong I am?” He arches an eyebrow.
“You fishing for compliments now?” I put the meat and cheese tray, along with the fresh sushi, back in the fridge before making sure the rest of the boat is clean and the poles are ready.
“I was proving my point.” He comes up behind me.
I ignore the way a tingle races down my spine to my ass, as if I can feel the direction of his gaze.
Static comes over the outdoor speakers of the marina. “Cameron Baker, report to your office. Now.”
We both look up at the windows in the building, and there stands his dad with both hands on his hips, staring down at us.
“What the hell does he want?” Cam mutters.
“Oh, Cam’s in trouble. What happened? Did you take too much money out of the petty cash, or did you request a raise?” the fishermen shout various things from the decks of their boats, all of them laughing.
“This isn’t over, Chevelle.”
Cam stomps off my boat and back onto the pier, trudging toward the boathouse that’s more of an actual office building. His dad’s office is on the top floor, and Cam’s is on the second floor, right smack in the middle.
“Have a great night, Cam.” I wave with a smile just as the bachelor party walks toward me, reading the directions I gave them at top volume. Most already have beers in their hands.
Cam scowls at each of them as they pass.
“Welcome to Reelaxing Fishing Tours,” I call.
“I told you I didn’t want a stripper,” the man who I presume is the groom says, needing my assistance to come on board.
“I didn’t. She’s the captain.” The face of the man who booked me blotches red. “Sorry, they’re already shit-faced, for the most part. I’m the designated sober ass for the day.”
“Man, I was hoping she was a stripper,” one of the other guys says.
I pretend to smile. Cam has a point, but I can take care of myself. I always have.
After my introductory speech and safety lecture, I start the engine and look toward the marina offices, where Cam is staring down at me. Maybe I’m so argumentative with him because it gives me his attention. I’ve always been a sucker for Cam’s attention.
2
“BOYFRIEND.”
Cam
I watch Chevelle’s boat move farther out of the marina toward the gulf. She’s knowledgeable and she knows her shit. I know she does. And I’m positive she’s smart enough to have a gun somewhere on that boat, if not for protection from her charter guests, then from wildlife should anything happen if they pull up to one of the islands. Kodiak Island is no joke.
“Cameron!” My dad’s booming voice from behind me doesn’t startle the way it once did. I don’t even turn my attention away from the window to greet him. “You keep chasing that Greene girl around.”
That comment has me slowly turning around. “Chevelle. You know her name, Dad.”
My dad disregards what I say. Not because he means disrespect to the Greene family. He should be thankful they gave me a realistic expectation of what a family is. Otherwise, I’d think it was normal to be left alone for the holidays while your parents go on vacation. Or even worse, maybe they drag you along by yourself since you have no siblings. Other than one time when I was fourteen and they let me bring Fisher to our house in Hawaii, anytime I was forced to go away with them, I was flying solo.
There were a lot of lonely times in my family. Mostly when all three of us were in the same room.
My dad sits on the sofa in my office and props one leg on top of his other knee. “It’s time to embark on our next business venture, and I’d like you to head it up.”
I rest my ass on the edge of the desk, crossing my ankles with my hands on either side of my hips. My gaze keeps diverting outside, even though Chevelle and her boat full of piss-drunk guys won’t be back for about two hours and thirty-seven minutes.
Hey, it’s my job to know when every boat leaves and comes back. It’s standard practice for boats like hers to log their trips so that if they run into trouble and don’t return, someone knows where to look.