Hello-o-o? Pam waved her hand in front of Cassies face. What are you grinning like a she-devil for?
Was she grinning? She couldnt even feel her face, just her heart pounding louder than a rock and roll drummer. Its only Dan, she tried to tell herself, that guy you were married to, but some other part of her was making her feel the way she had the first time shed ever laid eyes on him. I wasnt grinning, I was lookingpleasantly surprised, yeah, thats all, because Dans here, you remember Dan, dont you, the guy I was married to, who fished and would stumble around in the dark naked so he wouldnt wake me up, which was so sweet, but he always whispered that he loved me right before he left, and of course he had clothes on then
Pam grabbed Cassies arm and gave it a good shake. Get a grip, girl! Listen to yourself.
Her mouth was watering around the candy. I wasnt sucking.
No, you were talking nonstop. Youve worked hard to squash that impulsive, vivacious Cassie, and here she is trying to take over again!
I wasnt rambling. I just had a lot to say. And I was surprised. Shed worked so hard on getting rid of that going-on-and-on thing. I never thought about him being here. I havent seen him since our divorce. Oh, I have a great idea!
Youre going to ask Dan if you can ride with him.
Im going to ask Dan if I can ride with him. Itll be perfect!
Now that would be impulsive, and a bad idea. A bad idea, indeed.
Not at all, since (a) I know him (b) I trust him (c) he was my favorite mistake, after all. Therefore, (d) its perfectly sensible.
Honey, there isnt anything sensible about the way youre looking at that man.
There wasnt anything sensible about the way she felt, either, all giddy and silly. Im just glad to see him, thats all, she said in her most sensible voice.
Mmm. She suspected Pam was assessing her with her arms crossed in front of her, but Cassie couldnt take her eyes off Dan to see for sure.
You know whats going to happen, dont you? Pam asked.
Were going to be friends, nothing more.
You are so not going to be friends with that look on your face.
Stay here until I give you the sign. That means everythings okay, and Ill see you back here tonight. Ill call when we return, and you can come get me. Cassie took the cooler from her and started over. Thanks for coming with me.
Pam lifted up Sammy. Er, Cassie? Forget something?
Of course not, she said, placing Sammy back in the bag. Just making sure you were paying attention.
Mmm.
She caught herself sucking loudly on her butter rum again and crunched it up before she reached Dans boat. It was a nice boat, medium-size with a roof over the helm, and open in the back. Ooh, he still had a nice behind, though hed always thought it was too small. In those tight shorts of his, she still couldnt find anything lacking about that derriere.
Thats when he chose to turn around, catching her with goodness-knows-what look on her face. She laughed when he looked as shocked as she had earlier, even doing that open mouth thing.
He removed his sunglasses and blinked. Cassie?
The one and only.
2
IT FELT STRANGE TO CASSIE, seeing Dan like this, both familiar and exciting, and way too nice. His smile of surprise made her feel the same way she had all those years ago when theyd met, one of those wham-right-in-the-gut things. Shed been out on a boat with some friends, and theyd stopped at an outdoor bar on the water. Dan had been there with his fishing buddies, doing karaoke and laughing it up.
Shed passed him on the way from the rest room, and theyd been frozen right there. Shed never felt anything like it before. They didnt know what to say, each fumbling over their words like two teenagers fresh into puberty. Finally theyd broken away and returned to their respective tables.
Then for the next hour, theyd caught each others gazes. He sang The Captain of Her Heart, watching her the whole time. It had given her chills. Afterward, shed walked alone to the railing, and a moment later, hed joined her. The rest was history.
History, she reminded herself. It was different now. This was only business and she was way over Dan.
Dont tell me youre a contestant. He walked to the closest edge of the boat and propped one foot on the side. Or are you the prize for first place?
She sputtered, but quickly contained herself. At least he hadnt said the booby prize. Hardly. Dan, I need your help. Hear me out before you say no. She moved closer, catching the scent of the aftershave he used to wear, the scent she ended up wearing herself the rest of the day after they fell back into bed when their goodbye kiss turned into a youre-not-going-anywhere kiss.
Back on track, woman!
Okay, I work for an advertising agency, see, and this guy at workhes a real weenieis trying to steal my account, well, its not my account yet, but they called me first, and now the weenie and my boss are saying I cant handle this account because its a fishing tackle company, and what do I know about fishing tackle, which isnt a lot actually, but I can learn, and I cant let them get away with this, so please, Dan, will you let me tag along with you during the tournament, I promise I wont bother you or scare away the fish or do anything to distract you, just observe and take notes, and possibly ask a few questions
He held up his hand. You still do that.
Do what?
That he waved his hand in circles skimble-scamble thing that makes me crazy and leaves me with no argument because by the time youre done, I cant remember what you were even asking.
No, I dont do that anymore. I just had a lot to say. She felt herself grin sheepishly. Did you say crazy?
He regarded her for a moment, his mouth quirking. Yeah, crazy.
With a deep breath, she pulled another butter rum from her bag and petted Sammy who wanted to pop out. I just wanted you to understand where I was coming from before you said no, and I hate to impose on you, but I dont know any of these people, and I know you, so it would be really nice Her words drifted to a stop when he held up his hand. Im doing it again, arent I? Whatd you call it?
He nodded, but he was smiling, which was a good sign, she supposed. Skimble-scamble. One of Grannys words. For one thing, I have a rule: No women allowed on my boat during tournaments.
She waved away that concern. But Im not a woman; Im your ex-wife.
He chuckled, a low sexy sound that shivered right through her. Youre definitely a woman. And the ex parts the second thing.
She tilted her head, remembering how that little gesture worked on getting her way before. But we probably had one of the nicest divorces ever.
Heck, Cassie, we were only married for seven months.
And two days.
And, he continued, shifting to sit on the transom, You took my dog.
Sammy yipped at that and popped out of the bag. He loved the word dog. She bit her lower lip. This dog?
He gave her a wry grin. Yeah, that dog. The one youre still putting ribbons on. And a bell? Youre going to give him a cross-dressing complex.
And two days.
And, he continued, shifting to sit on the transom, You took my dog.
Sammy yipped at that and popped out of the bag. He loved the word dog. She bit her lower lip. This dog?
He gave her a wry grin. Yeah, that dog. The one youre still putting ribbons on. And a bell? Youre going to give him a cross-dressing complex.
Sammys tail wagged like a maniac as he struggled to get to Dan.
(A) The bell helps me keep track of where he is so he doesnt get stepped on. And (b) hes secure enough in his masculinity to overcome the ribbons.
His laugh was a sputter. The only reason you got him in the divorce was because you convinced me he was too feminine a dog for a guy. You did that skimble-scamble thing and had me completely befuddled.
She grinned. Did anyone ever tell you how cute you look when youre befuddled?
He propped his chin on his upturned palm. Since youre the only one whos ever befuddled me, I guess youd know.
Only her? Better not press. She scratched Sammys tiny head. I got attached.
His expression softened as his eyes took her in. So did I, they seemed to say, though she was sure she was imagining it. I see you havent changed much, he said.
What do you mean?
The ribbons and bells, coming out here The sounds of a boat engine punctuated his point.
She stiffened. Dont say that. Ive changed a lot, Dan. For instance, (a) Ive been in the same job for three years now (b) Ive lived in the same place for four years and (c) Im good at what I do. Coming to the docks was necessary for my career goals, and the ribbons She stroked the pink ribbon on Sammys head. Why did she still put ribbons on him? It started out as a joke. Maybe it was that latent femininity that liked to emerge once in a while, like the frilly underthings she bought. He likes the ribbons. Really. He looks happier when I put a new one on him. She tilted her head again. What do you say, Dan? Itll be just like old times for a little while.
Like old times. Those words curled through her as he tilted his head the same way she was doing and contemplated. He glanced behind her at the dissipating chaos, then back at her. He still had the nicest eyes shed ever seen, light brown with thick lashes, and that thin, two-inch scar that snaked horizontally along his right cheek. He still made her feel all gushy inside.
You think its a good idea, you and me on this boat together, alone? he asked.
What, you think Im going to jump your bones? Come on, Im not falling for that again. It takes more than a look to get me into bed nowadays. You should have taken advantage of that when you had it.
The teasing grin on his face grew wider. As I recall, I did.
She turned away, not wanting him to see the flush creep up her cheeks. The sex had been great. Not sexlovemaking. Shed loved Dan, and there were odd moments when she thought a trace of that love still existed.
Okay, maybe this was impulsive. Maybe she was regressing. Follow-through, she reminded herself. She met Pams knowing look across the crowd. She could read Cassie like a tarot card, darn her. If Dan could get her flushed with a few feet of water between them, what would it be like to spend several hours alone with him? Still, she waved away Pams concern. Handling it just fine; no problem, she implied. They both knew she was lying and left it at that.
All right, he said at last, coming to his feetfeet clad in faded boat shoes, she noticed. But if Im going to help you, I want to know whats in it for me.
For you? She narrowed her eyes. Well, that was fair, she supposed. What did you have in mind?
He shrugged, making her realize how much his shoulders and chest had filled out, and very nicely indeed. He appraised her, running his gaze from head to toe. Just when she thought he might make a similar complimentary assessment, he said, I dont suppose you can filet fish very well.
No way, uh-uh. I am not touching fish guts.
Yeah, youre not a fish-guts-kind-of gal.
Just what every girl wants to hear.
He chuckled. Ive got a way about me, dont I?
Yes, he did. Just dont tell me Im a bank and florist type, she said.
I was going to say youre more of a deck-swabbing type. But I dont have enough deck for you to swab. She didnt like the sparkle that lit his eyes. Still know how to give those awesome massages?
Her throat tightened, and she swallowed. I havent given anyone a massage in years. Those classes were from my career-searching days. Before the singing telegrams and after the bartending job.
He grinned. Your singing made dogs howl, and your drinks knocked everyone on their butts, but you were a natural at massage. And you know what? Its been years since anyones given me one, so were even.
A massage. Oh, great.
You have to keep your shorts on. She remembered too well those massages. His naked body beneath her hands, running her hands down his back where it dipped down at his waist, across his tan line, and then up over those firm buns Definitely keep your shorts on.
Its a deal. He held out his hand. Come on aboard, matey.
She stared at his hand for a moment. Just like that?
Hey, Im easy. A naughty grin lit his face. Or dont you recall?
She blinked, trying to keep her mouth from falling open. Easy? No, it must have slipped my memory. Unfortunately, parts of her body did recall, and way too vividly. She crunched down on the remaining ring of candy and handed him her cooler and then her bag. Sammy jumped out to freedom, and Dan crouched down to pet him. Samuel Kent, shes turned you but good. He scowled at the pink ribbon that held Sammys hair in a ponytail on his head. Maybe I can liberate you. Then he reached out his hand to her, and she clasped it. He pulled her easily over the two feet of water and the transom, but she landed off-balance as a boats wake lifted them.
Oops! she yelled as she pitched forward.
His arms went around her, anchoring her to his chest. Warmth rushed over her as he held her tight, their faces inches apart, her body plastered against his. He just held her there, looking at her without giving a clue as to what he was thinking. His body, however, was giving definite signals. And the heck of it was, she liked it. In fact, she wanted to burrow against him and make him even harder, like she had hundreds of times before. In those impulsive days when shed simply jumped on him, no matter what he was doing, or what time of day it wasahem, before she got responsible.
You okay? he asked.
She could only nod as she shooed away those pesky memories. And you? If only she could breathe, shed be fine. She forced air in, then out.
Oh, yeah. Still eating butter rums, I see, he said.
Still wearing Bracer aftershave, I see, she said.
Another moment passed. Her breasts tingled where they pressed against him. Tingled? She shouldnt be tingling around Dan! She abruptly moved back and dusted herself off, though there wasnt any dust on her. He was casually pulling his shirt down over his shorts. When she turned to give Pam the signal, her friend was making the evil cross sign, drawing her finger across her throat, and rolling her eyes. Mouthing or something worse. Pooh, what did she know?