The Marine (Seductive Sands Book 3) Read online

  “Daddy issues,” he said. “Bodhi told me.”

  I clenched my teeth. Of course Bodhi would run his big mouth. That boy was more of a gossip than I could ever hope to be. “And what about you?” I asked, throwing my arm out to gesture at him. “You run away when things get too uncomfortable? You leave the yacht and try to swim and sail away? You’re in the Marines and yet a big brother scares you? Being alone scares you?” I scoffed. “Maybe I do want to feel loved, even if it’s just for a night. What do you expect, when even my brothers - God bless them - give me these pity jobs because my own father won’t trust me with his company? And you won’t trust me with your body. I can assure you, it would have been amazing. I could have made your toes curl and you’d forget everything, every bad thing you’ve ever experienced, just for a little bit. But now, it’s never going to happen. I want a man who isn’t afraid to be with me, be it for a night or forever.”

  I turned around, ready to stalk off, but he stopped me by grabbing my wrist. I turned, ready to go off on him, when he stopped me with one look. He reached out and tentatively curled a tendril of my hair behind my ear. I froze. My body shuddered under his touch. I wanted to feel it all over my body. Then, he dropped my wrist and stepped away once more, letting me go. When I did, he didn’t stop me. I wished he had.

  7

  Hawk

  * * *

  Isla had nowhere to run. We were on a sailboat, out on the water, far from land. She was stuck with me until I was good and ready to go back. I wasn’t sure how long that would be. Honestly, there was something special about sailing at night. Sure, it made coming back into the marina a little more challenging, but that was okay. The Marines had taught me to run in when everyone else ran out. The other branches thought we were some crazy-ass motherfuckers, but they always looked relieved when they knew we had their backs. Eventually, I’d make sure Max and Bodhi felt the same way.

  “I want to go back,” Isla pouted after fifteen minutes. She’d slunk below deck again, and even with the front hatch open, it could be oppressively hot while we were sailing. There was no AC while we were on the water, only when we were plugged in on the dock.

  “Well, I don’t,” I replied.

  She stomped her foot and my brow rose. “Take me back now.”

  I laughed. I couldn’t help myself. “Listen, little girl. I don’t bend to anyone’s whims. I didn’t invite you. You snuck onboard. You could’ve gotten off any time at the marina. Now, you’re on my schedule.” I glared at her. “And I plan to look at the stars. I intend to sail into the sunset.”

  “I’m hungry,” she whined.

  “Yeah? Two options. And I rather hope you’ll choose the second one.” I sighed, feeling like a wimp for even suggesting it.

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Let’s hear them.”

  “Option number one, you go to the galley and check out the non-perishables in the cupboard. I have jerky, I have some fruit, and I have a ton of chips. Go crazy.” I watched her for a reaction.

  She shrugged. “And option two? You know, the one you want me to take, so sell it good, you big dumb jerk.” Isla glared at me, but I saw right through her.

  I laughed. “Well, if it isn’t the stowaway calling the captain the big dumb jerk. At least I had a plan.”

  “Option two,” she snapped.

  “Option two is where I stop at a marina, you call your brothers, and one of them picks you up.” I smiled and I hardly ever smiled.

  Isla stared at me and wrapped her arms more tightly around her body. “So, option two is pretty much you dumping me in the middle of nowhere, but doesn’t actually involve any food.”

  “You got it, princess.” I smirked.

  She cleared her throat. “Then I propose option number three.”

  “There is no option number three,” I reminded her, already tensing at the thought of what she might come up with.

  Leaning in, she grinned. Her eyes absolutely sparkled when she was mischievous. I rather liked the look, which irritated me because…she was fucking frustrating. “Option three is the one where you stop at a marina with a restaurant or at a waterfront restaurant and we have dinner together before we finish our night sail and return to the marina.” Her chin jutted out and I knew she thought she had a winning idea.

  “Just one problem, Isla,” I grumbled. “I don’t have money to take us out to dinner. I’m not like the guys you’re used to dating. Oh, and just to be clear, this isn’t a date.”

  “It’s not?” she asked innocently.

  “It’s most definitely not. Dates are where the guy asks the girl to spend time together. And then he has money to pay for it. I have zero dollars at the moment and I’m pretty sure we’ve already established that I didn’t invite you on this little adventure.” My eyes narrowed, prepared to counter her next argument.

  “Well, since I invited myself, I’ll pay.” She shrugged. “Option three it is.”

  I laughed. “I doubt you have a credit card hidden in that teeny tiny bikini.”

  “I don’t need one.” She lifted her phone for my inspection. “Apple Pay. Good practically everywhere these days.”

  I groaned. “I think I hate you.”

  “Just so we’re clear, I’m not exactly your biggest fan at the moment either,” she huffed.

  “Cool, but no one is going to let you in a restaurant wearing that,” I reminded her.

  “I’ll grab one of your button-down shirts and pretend it’s a dress. Problem solved.” Isla rolled her eyes at me. “So, find a place to stop and I’ll go get ready.”

  “I really do hate you,” I grumbled, even though if I were being honest, I’d have to admit I actually kinda admired her right now. How many challenges had I thrown at her? She had an answer for everything. I had grown to appreciate that kind of quick thinking while I was in the Corps.

  “I hate you more!” She yelled from below deck.

  In her absence, I was able to get back in my Zen zone. I inhaled the salty air even as I felt it all over my skin. Sailing was a completely different experience. By the time she came topside again, I was practically back to my calm, quiet self.

  “Look at you,” she noted, “all happy and relaxed again.”

  I glanced at her from my position behind the wheel. “And look at you…wearing my shirt.” I shook my head. “And there goes my Zen all over again.” I sighed.

  Isla looked around as she sank onto the bench seat. “You really do love this, don’t you?”

  “I do.” I stared past her to watch the sun setting on the horizon.

  “It’s so quiet,” she commented. “That would drive me nuts.”

  “The quiet is one of the best parts. Sailing is slower. Sometimes you need to tune out all the noise, so you can hear yourself think. Sometimes you need to slow down so you can get ahead.”

  Her head tilted as she studied me. “Who said that?”

  My brow furrowed. “Me?”

  “Oh, I thought it was some philosopher or something.” She glanced out over the water. I watched as she inhaled deeply a few times. Her legs looked amazing, thin, tan, fit, and seeing her wearing my shirt actually stirred things in me I’d thought were long gone.

  “I hope you know I was just mad earlier,” Isla mumbled by way of apology. “I don’t really hate you.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I actually kinda like you.” She nibbled on her lower lip like she was ashamed of her admission.

  I looked away before responding. My face was absolutely on fire and it wasn’t from wind burn. “I understand. I kinda like you too.”

  8

  Isla

  * * *

  It didn’t surprise me that there was a variety of restaurants lining the marina before we spilled into the ocean. What did surprise me was Hawk choosing the cheapest, greasiest option, which would require me sitting on a plastic bench outside in the cold in nothing but his shirt.

  He chuckled when he saw the look on my face. “What?” he asked. “You didn’t really think I
was going to let you take me to a fancy schmancy restaurant, did you? At least this way, I wouldn’t feel bad about having you pay for dinner.”

  “You know my dad is a billionaire, right?” I asked, shooting him a look. “I could eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner there for the rest of my life and I would still have more money than I knew what to do with.”

  “You think I care about that?” Hawk gave me a look, one I didn’t particularly like directed at me. “You think I care about money? I’ve seen things that make up nightmares, little girl. Things you probably couldn’t even imagine. There’s more to life than having lots of money. The fact that I have the freedom to sail my boat and watch the stars, the sunset, without worrying about being blown up - that’s what I appreciate. That’s what I’m grateful for. Not eating at a fancy restaurant.”

  I couldn’t argue with him about that, even if I wanted to. Instead, I pressed my lips together and looked away. He fought for our country, not knowing whether he was going to survive the month, the week, the day, the hour. And here I was, wishing we were eating at an upscale restaurant when he wanted something simpler? My mother would be ashamed of my behavior.

  “Fine,” I said. “I’ve never actually been to one of these things before.”

  “Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me,” he said.

  “You should probably put on a shirt because, um.” I felt my mouth water just looking at him and I hated how obvious I was making my attraction to him. “You know. The whole service thing.”

  He grinned at my clear loss for words as my eyes feasted on his body. “Actually, I can wear flip flops and a bathing suit and they would be happy to serve me.”

  “I’m sure,” I said with a snort.

  Hawk docked the boat in a slip. It was like a parking lot for boats and each boat got its own slip. I climbed on deck and he offered me his hand so I wouldn’t fall as I stepped from the boat to the - I couldn’t even call it a restaurant. Diner also didn’t feel right. Snack shack, maybe?

  I followed him over to the window where a woman a few years older than I was appraised him with the same look I knew was on my face when I saw him standing there without his shirt on. Was it wrong that I wished he would put a shirt on now?

  I nearly scoffed at my reaction to her look. He didn’t belong to me. I had no claim to him. It wasn’t fair of me to expect that he would act like we were together when he could barely stand me.

  “Princess.”

  His gruff voice cut off my thoughts and I blinked, tilting my face so I could lock eyes with him easily.

  “What?” I asked.

  He sighed and I could clearly detect he was annoyed with me.

  “What would you like?” he asked. “Keep in mind, they have three options: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs. You can add chili if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.”

  I shot him a look before looking at the woman. Except she was too busy staring at Hawk. I cleared my throat, trying to get her attention.

  “Hey,” I said. “I’d like a cheeseburger with extra Thousand Island, no pickles or tomatoes, with a chocolate shake and fries, please?”

  Her brow wrinkled as she gave me a judgmental look, but I didn’t care. I didn’t really eat greasy fast food all the time. Sushi was my preferred food of choice. But every now and then, I let myself indulge. It was always worth it.

  I paid for our food and let Hawk lead me to a table close to the edge of the dock. Luckily, there was an awning over us or else I’d constantly be looking up, worried about the sea gulls potentially pooping on us and our food. We got our food surprisingly quickly. I hoped the woman didn’t spit in mine. She probably did.

  We ate in silence. I was surprised how relaxed it was. I noticed a few people giving me off looks for being in a dress shirt, but I thought I did a decent job of making it look like I wore a dress rather than a walk of shame.

  The burger was delicious. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. I devoured the shake as well. By the time I finished, Hawk watched me with blue eyes, his lips curled up in mild amusement. Without saying a word, he reached out and slowly wiped the Thousand Island dressing off of my face.

  “You eat like an animal,” he pointed out.

  My eyes darkened. “That’s not the only thing I can do like an animal,” I retorted.

  His eyes darkened and he swallowed but said nothing. Instead, his eyes went to the water. I couldn’t help but crane my neck before shifting my body to try and see what he was looking at.

  And then I saw it.

  The most gorgeous sunset I had ever seen. My breath caught in my throat and I couldn’t find the right words to accurately describe what I was feeling. By the time the sun slid into the water, I wiped stray tears from sliding down my face. I never reacted this way, even to sentimental moments. And yet, watching this with him, I couldn’t help but be moved. I didn’t know why. Maybe because to someone like him, someone with his background, it meant more than to a spoiled princess like me.

  I locked eyes with him and whispered, “I think I get what you mean.”

  9

  Hawk

  * * *

  We’d reached some sort of unspoken truce over dinner. Mostly, I had learned that while she was every bit the spoiled and pampered princess I imagined her to be, there was also more to her, especially a desire to prove herself. I thought about that as we sailed back to the marina.

  The running lights were on, providing just enough light for me to watch her while I steered. Isla was staring out over the water, her chin propped on her arms. The wind was making some stray wisps of hair dance around her face. I wanted to reach out and smooth them back. I wanted her in my arms. Doing so wouldn’t be the smartest move I’d ever made. It also wouldn’t be the stupidest. I was a Marine; we laughed at danger.

  “Wanna teach me?” Isla asked quietly. No doubt she expected me to decline, to keep her at a distance. I should. I really, really should.

  “Come here.” I gestured to the wheel.

  Her eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. It’s a quiet night. I’ll teach you.” I stared at her evenly.

  “How do you know I need teaching?” One perfectly shaped brow arched.

  I chuckled. “The look of fascination on your face.”

  “Oh, and what if it had been a look of pure longing?” She batted her eyelashes at me.

  “Then I’d say you’re about to be sorely disappointed.” I snickered.

  “You have an answer for everything.” She sighed. “Okay, so I’m a little nervous. No lie.”

  When she stood in front of me, her hands hovering over the wheel, I leaned forward and whispered, “I thought you were fearless.” To my surprise, Isla backed into my arms.

  “I would be with you behind me,” she murmured.

  I tried to ignore her closeness and all the innuendo. “I bet. Everyone’s always more confident knowing a Marine has their six.” I held her hand on the wheel. “Feel it?”

  She was silent a moment as she stood there with a death grip on the wheel.

  “Relax,” I murmured. “You can do this. You don’t strike me as the kind of person who knows how to fail.”

  Isla laughed. “You’re pretty good at reading people. I suppose that is part of Marine training too.”

  I shrugged. “It helps. And not entirely. The thing about the Marines, it helped me develop skills I already had and trained me to move past stumbling blocks. I had a sense of purpose…” My voice trailed off. I hated talking about the past, especially my time in the Corps.

  “So, you’re trying to tell me you were a natural born killer?” She peeked at me over her shoulder, her eyes wide.

  “What makes you think I’m a killer?” I asked quietly.

  Isla faced forward, her head tilted to the side, her neck exposed. I wanted to plant kisses there. I wanted to breathe in the scent of her and remember this moment always. “You walk like a man with nothing to prove, nothing to fear, and nothing to lose. It’
s an intoxicating blend,” she murmured. “I mean…if you’re into that kind of thing.”

  I leaned low and gave into my impulse. Pressing the side of my face against hers, I pretended I was instructing her. “You have to watch out for wildlife in the dark. A whale could easily sink us.”

  She inhaled sharply. “Right.”

  I tilted my head slightly, aware I was breathing on her bare skin, happy to hear her reaction as she released a tiny moan. Maybe one day, I’d have her under me, and I’d make her scream in bed. I laid my hands on hers. “Ease up on the grip. Every little movement up here, makes a bigger response from the boat. Watch.” I helped her jerk the wheel to the port side slightly and the boat turned. Then I did the same twisting it to starboard. We tilted the other direction.

  “Now this is the most important part,” I whispered. “You have to find the wind. You always need to be aware of it and turn the boat so you capture it in the sails. Think you can do that?”

  Isla closed her eyes slightly and I knew she was focusing on the way the air was hitting her face, the way the boat responded when it filled the main sheet. I watched as she moved us just right to keep us sailing along. My heart filled with pride.

  “That’s pretty impressive,” I admitted.

  “Not as impressive as the size of the erection you have pressed against my buttocks.” She groaned. “Is this some special kind of torture, or are you planning on bending me over? I’m happy to steer while you pleasure us.”

  Somehow, hearing her use the word ‘us’ made my cock jerk even more, but I resisted. I stepped back. “Sorry,” I muttered. “You’d laugh if you knew how long it has been for me.”

  “I seriously would be happy to change that right here, right now.” She turned in my arms and waggled her brows at me.