Page 69 of Resistance Training
“Not a couple,” I correct her again.
“Right. Not yet.”
Larry holds out his hand to help Vivian onto the swim platform from the narrow walkway. “Come aboard, young lady.”
I grab onto the dock cleat to pull the stern closer to the dock as Vivian takes his hand. She had plenty of experience climbing aboard boats when she lived on Mercer Island, but her hesitation tells me she hasn’t been on a vessel for a while. Her shithead ex doesn’t sound like the kind of guy who enjoys water-based recreation. My face heats up at the thought of the way that guy treated her. Or maybe my face is heating up because it spent, like, twenty minutes between her legs last night and it just wants to get right back up in there, but nope.
This is the opposite of my intention for the day.
I give Cindy a look, frowning at her, but it’s not easy to maintain this expression when I’m so damned fond of that lady. I hold one hand out to her. “Step aboard, troublemaker.”
“Oh, I’ll just wait here a minute, hun.”
Interesting.
“There’s a full bar,” she says to Vivian, pointing below deck toward the galley, “coffee and tea, sandwiches, cookies, protein bars. Lots of bottled water to keep you hydrated.” She winks at her. “Oh, and the cabinets in both heads are fully stocked with anything our guests might need, if you know what I mean.” She winks again.
Condoms. She clearly means condoms. Probably nipple clamps, whips, handcuffs, so many items I do not want to picture my clients using. Unless that client is Vivian. And even then, I don’twantto picture it, but now I can’t stop.
“You can call me anytime if you have questions,” Larry calls out as he hops onto the dock. “About the boat. Or whatever.”
“Wait, what?”
“You’re captain for the day, kid.” Larry unties the dock lines and tosses them onto the boat. “Me and my woman are going for brunch. You kids have fun. I set your course to Multnomah Channel on the Garmin,” he says to me. “Up to you, though. You know yer way around.”
For shit’s sake.I start to coil the lines and stow them, muttering about meddling old people, and I don’t care if they can hear me.
“You really aren’t coming with us?” Vivian asks, still clinging to her shoulder bag and coat. She doesn’t sound too disappointed, and that makes me very uncomfortable.
“I trust Mitch to take good care of both of you,” Larry says as he wraps his arm around Cindy’s shoulder and waves to us, like we’re the teenage neighborhood kids and he’s entrusting us with his luxury minivan that has condoms in the glove compartment. “Winds are light. Perfect day for cruising. Shoot me a text when you’re back. Cabin key’s on the hook,” he tells me. “You can bring them to me at the gym tomorrow.”
So casual. He has the ease of a man with so much money he knows he can just buy another gently used vessel if I sink or stealthis one. And he knows I won’t strangle him because I want him to invest in my business.
Cindy blows us a kiss. “Bye, babies! Have fun, y’all!”
I don’t look over at Vivian when I’m done stowing the lines. I have to pass her to go up to the flybridge, but I am very careful not to bump shoulders with her.
“Make yourself comfortable, Vivian,” Larry says. “Set your things down in the main salon. You can join Mitch up on the bridge. If you want. Plenty of seating and sleeping options.”
“There’s a deck of cards and some old board games in there,” Cindy adds. “Plenty of clean towels, and well, anything you might need, I’m sure you’ll find it. Stay outta trouble!”
“You’re literally creating trouble for us,” I mumble as I test the horn.
It works.
“Hold on!” I call out to Vivian. I have no idea where she is. “Backing out now!”
“All good!” she says from the main cockpit just below and behind me.
Way too close for comfort.
“Right. Here we go.”
I reverse out of the slip.
“Looking good, Captain!” Larry shouts from the dock.
I motor north down the Willamette River, toward the Columbia River. It’ll be about ten miles. Visibility is excellent from this elevated helm seat and because of the weather. I will concentrate on piloting this vessel and I will enjoy the views along the river. Most of the clear vinyl panels around the bridge are up and attached to the canvas canopy overhead, so I can enjoy the fresh air. There is more than enough space for two people on this yacht. She can have every room below deck.Thisis the captain’s domain.
