Page 35 of Flyboy

His face was earnest, intent, tender still.

“What are we doing in a few hours for our date?” She grinned.

“Oh, now don’t you try to ruin your surprise, little lady. You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“Until tomorrow, then?” Her breathless whisper filled the air between them with promise.

“Tomorrow is just getting better and better.” He reached for her hand, and they walked back to the front door together.

He kissed her again at her door, the kind of intimate kiss that said, “We do this now. Your lips are part of my familiar space.” And she melted into him.

“Goodnight.” She whispered to him and then closed her bedroom door, trying to pretend he wasn’t sleeping on the other side of a thin wall.

The next morning,they sat together at breakfast. He didn’t hold her hand, but they were close enough their shoulders brushed. Omar was nowhere to be seen. Fatima’s cheerful smile and the delicious food made for a near-perfect morning. Colton reached across her. “Oh, pardon me.” He grinned as he grabbed the fruit plate.

Then he held up thesuco de goiaba. “Can I pour you some more?” His arm brushed hers as he leaned closer with the pitcher. His foot pressed against hers under the table. Though he looked about as tired as she felt rolling out of bed so early, he was a delicious sight first thing in the morning, and for a moment, she felt more like they were on a vacation together than on a job assignment.

As they finished up breakfast, Fatima brought out a basket. “And here’s the picnic you asked for.” She smiled. “I know your captain. He has ten grandchildren, and he dotes on them all.”

“Our captain?” Ivy turned to him.

“Opa. I didn’t say anything.” Fatima held up her hands and hurried out of the room.

“Yes, our captain. On a large sailboat that is ours for the day.”

“What! We’re going sailing?” She leaned closer and kissed him on the cheek, then stayed close. “How could you even know how much I love to sail?”

“I didn’t. But I love to sail, like you, so it sounds like this is going to be one awesome day.” It took only a small shift in the angle of his face for his lips to find hers. “Should we get started?”

“Yes.” She grinned. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” His eyes searched hers. “Believe me.”

She laughed, feeling a carefree happiness surround them like a lovely bubble.

They approached a marina. “We’re looking forThe Menina. She should be at the end of one of these docks.”

“I see her.” Ivy pointed to a tall mast with a sail still tied tight. “She’s beautiful.”

The boat looked like new. The deck was large. A grizzly man with tanned skin waved. “You Colton?”

“Yes, I am. Great to meet you.”

“I’m Tiago. Welcome aboard. I’ll be your captain and take care of everything for you. You can put your food in the galley. It’s just down below. And feel free to pretend I’m not here.”

“Could we help you sail?”

“Ah? A woman interested in sailing?”

“We both are.” Colton led her to an opened door. “Obrigada,Tiago. We’re just excited to get out on the water.”

“With any luck, we will see some whales. The dolphins play out there, and sometimes we see sharks.” His eyes twinkled. “Which is thrilling if you are inside my large and safe boat.”

“Yes.” Ivy wondered at the shark population in these waters. “Looking forward to setting sail.” She moved through the door that Colton held for her into a combined seating area and kitchen that was much more spacious than she thought it would be. “This is nice. And Cozy. What a great idea for a day out.” She smiled, enjoying every urge she felt to kiss him in gratitude.

He took two strides. “Now, Tenderfoot. If you keep looking at me like that, we could end up anywhere.”

“Why’s that?”

---