It was something, he said.
It was a mistake.
He raked a hand through his short hair. It sure wasnt on purpose.
We should get going, she said, anxious to focus on something else.
The last thing she wanted to do was dissect their kiss. The last thing she wanted to do was admit how it impacted her. The last thing she wanted her boss to know was that she saw him as a man, more than a boss.
She couldnt do that. She had to stop doing it. In this relationship, she was a mechanic, not a woman.
Were not going anywhere. He looked pointedly out the window where the rain was driving down.
Tasha took note of the pitching floor beneath her.
It was Matt who reached for the marine radio and turned the dial to get a weather report.
We might as well grab something to eat, he said. This could last awhile.
Two
Waiting out the storm, Matt had fallen asleep in the living area. He awoke four hours later to find Tasha gone, and he went looking.
The yacht was rocking up and down on six-foot swells, and rain clattered against the windows. He couldnt find her on the upper decks, so he took the narrow staircase, making his way to the engine and mechanical rooms. Sure enough, he found her there. Shed removed the front panel of the generator and was elbow deep in the mechanics.
What are you doing? he asked.
She tensed at the sound of his voice. She was obviously remembering their kiss. Well, he remembered it, too, and it sure made him tense up. Partly because he was her boss and he felt guilty for letting things get out of hand. But partly because it had been such an amazing kiss and he desperately wanted to do it again.
Maintenance, she answered him without turning.
He settled his shoulder against the doorjamb. Can you elaborate?
I inspected the electric and serviced the batteries. Some of the battery connections needed cleaning. Hoses and belts all look good in here. But it was worth changing the oil filter.
I thought you would sleep.
This was above and beyond the call of duty for anyone. Hed known Tasha was a dedicated employee, but this trip was teaching him she was one in a million.
She finally turned to face him. I did sleep. Then I woke up.
Shed found a pair of coveralls somewhere. They were miles too big, but shed rolled up the sleeves and the pant legs. A woman shouldnt look sexy with a wrench in her hand, a smudge of oil on her cheek, swimming in a shapeless steel gray sack.
But this one did. And he wanted to do a whole lot more than kiss her. He mentally shook away the feelings.
If it was me he tried to lighten the mood and put her at ease I think I might have inspected the liquor cabinet.
She smiled for the briefest of seconds. Lucky your employees arent like you.
The smile warmed him. It turned him on, but it also made him happy.
True enough, he said. But there is a nice cognac in there. Perfect to have on a rainy afternoon. He could picture them doing just that.
Instead of answering, she returned to work.
He watched for a few minutes, struggling with his feelings, knowing he had to put their relationship back on an even keel.
Workhe needed to say something about work instead of sharing a cozy drink.
Are you trying to impress me? he asked.
She didnt pause. Yes.
Im impressed.
Good.
You should stop working.
Im not finished.
Youre making me feel guilty.
She looked his way and rolled her eyes. Im not trying to make you feel guilty.
Then what?
The maintenance needed doing. I was here. There was an opportunity.
He fought an urge to close the space between them. Are you always like this?
Like what?
I dont know, überindustrious?
You say that like its a bad thing.
He did move closer. He shouldnt, couldnt, wouldnt bring up their kiss. But he desperately wanted to bring it up, discuss it, dissect it, relive it. How did she feel about it now? Was she angry? Was there a chance in the world she wanted to do it again?
Its an unnerving thing, he said.
Then, youre very easily unnerved.
He couldnt help but smile at her comeback. Im trying to figure you out.
Well, thats a waste of time.
I realize I dont know you well.
You dont need to know me well. Just sign my paycheck.
Well, that was a crystal clear signal. He was her boss, nothing more. He swallowed his disappointment.
Then again, if he was her boss, he was her boss. He reached forward to take the wrench from her hand. Its after five and its a Saturday and youre done.
Their fingers touched. Stupid mistake. He felt a current run up the center of his arm.
Her grip tightened on the wrench as she tried to tug it from his grasp. Let it go.
Its time to clock out.
Seriously, Matt. Im not done yet.
His hand wrapped around hers, and his feet took him closer still.
Matt. There was a warning in her voice, but then their gazes caught and held.
Her eyes turned moss green, deep and yielding. She was feeling something. She had to be feeling something.
She used her free hand to grasp his arm. Her grip was strong, stronger than hed imagined. He liked that.
We cant do this, Matt.
I know.
She swallowed, and her voice seemed strained. So let go.
I want to kiss you again.
Its a bad idea.
Youre right. His disappointment was acute. It is.
She didnt step back, and her lips parted as she drew in a breath. We need to keep it simple, straightforward.
Why?
The signature on my paycheck.
Is that the only reason? It was valid. But he was curious. He was intensely curious.
Im not that kind of girl.
He knew she didnt mean to be funny, but he couldnt help but joke. The kind that kisses men?
The kind that randomly kisses my bossor any coworker for that matterwhile Im working, in an engine room, covered in grease.
Thats fair.
You bet, its fair. Not that I need your approval. Now, let go of my hand.
He glanced down, realizing they were still touching. The last thing he wanted to do was let her go. But he had no choice.
She set down the wrench, replacing it with a screwdriver. Then she lifted the generator panel and put it in place.
He moved away and braced a hand on a crossbeam above his head. The storms letting up.
Good. The word sounded final. Matt didnt want it to be final.
He was her boss, sure. He understood that was a complication. But did it have to be a deal breaker? But he wanted to get to know her. Hed barely scratched the surface, and he liked her a lot.
* * *
Theyd brought Orcas Run back to the marina, arriving late in the evening.
Tasha had spent the night and half of today attempting to purge Matts kiss from her mind. It wasnt working. She kept reliving the pleasure, then asking herself what it all meant.
Tasha had spent the night and half of today attempting to purge Matts kiss from her mind. It wasnt working. She kept reliving the pleasure, then asking herself what it all meant.
She didnt even know how she felt, never mind how Matt felt. He was a smooth-talking, great-looking man who, from everything shed seen, could have any woman in the world. What could possibly be his interest in her?
Okay, maybe if shed taken her mothers advice, maybe if shed acted like a woman, dressed like a woman and got a different job, maybe then it would make sense for Matt to be interested. Matt reminded her so much of the guys shed known in Boston, the ones whod dated her sisters and attended all the parties.
Theyd all wanted women who were super feminine. Theyd been amused by Tasha. She wasnt a buddy and she wasnt, in their minds, a woman worth pursuing. She hadnt fit in anywhere. It was the reason shed left. And now Matt was confusing her. She hated being confused.
So, right now, this afternoon, she had a new focus.
Since shed been promoted, she had to replace herself. Matt employed several general dock laborers who also worked as mechanical assistants, and they pulled in mechanical specialists when necessary. But one staff mechanic couldnt keep up with the workload at Whiskey Bay. Matt owned twenty-four boats in all, ranging from Montys Pride right down to a seventeen-foot runabout they used in the bay. Some were workboats, but most were pleasure craft available for rental.
Cash flow was a definite issue, especially after Matts divorce. It was more important than ever that the yachts stay in good working order to maximize rentals.
Tasha was using a vacant office in the main marina building at the edge of the company pier. The place was a sprawling, utilitarian building, first constructed in 1970, with major additions built in 2000 and 2010. Its clay-colored steel siding protected against the wind and salt water.
Inside, the client area was nicely decorated, as were Matts and the sales managers offices. But down the hall, where the offices connected to the utility areas and eventually to the boat garage and the small dry dock, the finishing was more Spartan. Even still, she felt pretentious sitting behind a wooden desk with a guest chair in front.
Shed been through four applicants so far. One and two were nonstarters. They were handymen rather than certified marine mechanics. The third one had his certification, but something about him made Tasha cautious. He was a little too eager to list his accomplishments. He was beyond self-confident, bordering on arrogant. She didnt see him fitting in at Whiskey Bay.
The fourth applicant had been five minutes late. Not a promising start.
But then a woman appeared in the doorway. My apologies, she said in a rush as she entered.
Tasha stood. Alex Dumont?
Yes. The woman smiled broadly as she moved forward, holding out her hand.
Tasha shook it, laughing at herself for having made the assumption that Alex was a man.
Alexandria, the woman elaborated, her eyes sparkling with humor.
Of all people, I shouldnt make gender assumptions.
It happens so often, I dont even think about it.
I hear you, Tasha said. Please, sit down.
At least with the name Tasha nobody makes that mistake. Alex settled into the chair. Though I have to imagine youve been written off a few times before they even met you.
Im not sure which is worse, Tasha said.
I prefer the surprise value. Thats why I shortened my name. I have to say this is the first time Ive been interviewed by a woman.
Alex was tall, probably about five foot eight. She had wispy, wheat-blond hair, a few freckles and a pretty smile. If Tasha hadnt seen her résumé, she would have guessed she was younger than twenty-five.
Youre moving from Chicago? Tasha asked, flipping through the three pages of Alexs résumé.
Ive already moved, three weeks ago.
Any particular reason? Tasha was hoping for someone who would stay in Whiskey Bay for the long term.
Ive always loved the West Coast. But mostly, it was time to make a break from the family.
Tasha could relate to that. They didnt support your career choice? she guessed.
No. Alex gave a little laugh. Quite the opposite. My father and two brothers are mechanics. They wouldnt leave me alone.
Did you work with them?
At first. Then I got a job with another company. It didnt help. They still interrogated me every night and gave me advice on whatever repair I was undertaking.
You lived with them?
Not anymore.
Tasha couldnt help contrasting their experiences. I grew up in Boston. My parents wanted me to find a nice doctor or lawyer and become a wife instead of a mechanic. Though they probably would have settled for me being a landscape painter or a dancer.
Any brothers and sisters?
Two sisters. Both married to lawyers. Tasha didnt like to dwell on her family. It had been a long time since shed spoken to them. She stopped herself now, and went back to Alexs résumé. At Schneider Marine, you worked on both gas and diesel engines?
Yes. Gas, anywhere from 120-horse outboards and up, and diesel, up to 550.
Any experience on Broadmores?
Oh, yeah. Finicky buggers, those.
We have two of them.
Well, Ive got their number.
Tasha couldnt help but smile. This was the kind of confidence she liked. And you went to Riverside Tech?
I did. I finished my apprenticeship four years ago. I can get you a copy of my transcript if you need it.
Tasha shook her head. Im more interested in your recent experience. How much time on gasoline engines versus diesel?
More diesel, maybe seventy-five/twenty-five. Lots of service, plenty of rebuilds.
Diagnostics?
I was their youngest mechanic, so I wasnt afraid of the new scan tools.
You dive right in? Tasha was liking Alex more and more as the interview went on.
I dive right in.
When can you start?
Alex grinned. Can you give me a few days to unpack?
Absolutely.
Both women came to their feet.
Then, Im in, Alex said.
Tasha shook her hand, excited at the prospect of another female mechanic in the company. Welcome aboard.
Alex left, but a few minutes later, Tasha was still smiling when Matt came through the door.
What? he asked.
What? she returned, forcibly dampening her exhilaration at the sight of him.
She couldnt do this. She wouldnt do this. They had an employer-employee relationship, not a man-woman relationship.
Youre smiling, he said.
Im happy.
About what?
I love my job.
Is that all?
You dont think I love my job? She did love it. And she had a feeling shed love it even more with Alex around.
I was hoping you were happy to see me.
Matt. She put a warning in her voice.
Are we going to just ignore it?
She quickly closed the door to make sure nobody could overhear. Yes, were going to ignore it.
By it, I mean our kiss.