“You stink.” I scrunch up my nose at him.
He ignores me completely. “Keith is a drummer, which inherently means he lacks couth and finesse. He’s more, I bang hard on drums with sticks, if you know what I mean. Especially when it comes to women. Not to mention he’s ridiculously out of practice.”
“Are you getting to a point, asshole?” Jasper laughs.
Gus flips him off. “What Keith is poorly explaining is that he’s planned a night out for just the two of you. We helped so if you don’t like it, don’t say anything. It’ll not just break his heart, but ours as well.”
“I didn’t realize this was dating by committee,” I jest, cocking an eyebrow at Keith who is smirking like the smirking bastard he is while he continues to sip at his Jack. “Can I have some?”
“When you turn twenty-one,” he deadpans.
“You have no idea how old I am in trailer girl years. We make dog years look like a sad joke.” The sad part of that is it’s true. We age at a rate no girl should age at. I stand if for no other reason than to escape a sweaty Gus. “I’m going to change for my non-date.” I walk backward toward the door. “You guys were bullshit hot tonight. Beasts of the stage. Legends of music. True Apollos.”
“Huh?” Henry lets out a bemused laugh as he sips on some tequila.
“He was noted to be the Greek god of music amongst other things. In any event, my job here tonight is done as is yours. Enjoy the rest of your evening, gentlemen.”
“Wear something warm,” Keith calls out, and I shut the door behind me, needing to flee fast and furious. My hand covers my mouth and I let out a stupid giggle. A girlish squeal. It makes me so disappointed in myself and yet so goddamn happy. He planned a night for us. He asked for input on it.
It sucks that he was right. I am falling so hard for him.
Hook. Line. Sinker. Drop the damn mic, I’m his.
I’m not sure there was ever a choice in the matter. I’ll always want him. I can already feel it. He’s my penguin. Our souls are inextricably connected.
I think part of me knew it that first night.
I can try to hold off. But there is only so long that’ll last. He’s wearing down my resistance like a well-oiled machine. A marching army whose singular intent is to conquer and claim.
All I can do now is hold on for the ride and allow it to take me wherever it wants. Regardless of future outcomes.
25
Maia
* * *
The knock comes on my door nearly an hour later. It’s midnight. Did I mention that? It’s freaking late and I’m freaking exhausted. But I’m also really jazzed. I figure I can sleep in tomorrow since we’re not scheduled to leave for San Francisco until two.
Sucking in a deep breath and tamping down my giddy nerves, I swing the door open to find Keith wearing dark jeans and a navy sweater that makes his eyes glow the most extraordinary color. Almost as if they’re trying to compete with the bold blue of the fabric.
“Hey,” he says, taking me in. His eyes do a slow sweep of me and when they meet mine again, the heat in them is unmistakable. “You look beautiful. Good enough to eat, in fact. Maybe we should rethink this going out thing.” I’m in skinny jeans, a white long sleeve tee and a wraparound pink sweater because that’s all I brought that’s somewhat warm. My wardrobe was limited before the accident and considering it’s been hotter than Hades in LA this last month, I haven’t exactly been shopping for fall/winter gear.
“Nope. It’s the middle of the night. You told me I’m going on a non-date and I’m ready.”
“Then let’s go. But first.” He steps forward and wraps his fist around the braid draped over my shoulder. He kisses me. Nothing hot or heavy or even all that passionate. Just a kiss that still somehow manages to make my knees weak because it feels like it means something more. “Now we’re ready.”
“Where are we going anyway?” I ask as I grab my purse and make sure the door to my room is shut. I’m not sure whether or not I’ll be sleeping in there tonight. My guess is no, but one never knows with us.
“You’ll see.”
Twenty minutes later, Keith takes my hand, helping me out of the large SUV as I look at the scene around us. The wind kicks up, brushing cool salty air across my face. “Are you trying to get us jacked?” We’re at a marina lined with boats of every shape and size, bobbing gently in the water. But it’s also completely deserted save for us.
Keith doesn’t say anything as he takes my hand, intertwining our fingers and leading me down one of the longer docks to the very end where a huge sailboat is waiting. Schooner? Is that what they call these? I don’t know. I’m hardly up on my nautical terms since I’ve never actually been anywhere near a boat before.
“Are we stealing a boat,” I hiss, looking around. Seriously, it’s dead freaking quiet and dark as a mofo. Only the lights of the city behind us provide any sort of illumination.
“Yeah,” Keith deadpans. “That a problem for you?”
The words are no sooner out of his mouth then someone steps up onto the deck of the ship and says, “Good evening.” And like the hand of the great and powerful Wizard of Oz is in charge, a string of gold Christmas lights that line the sails and mast switch on creating the most magnificent and magical glow. “Welcome aboard the Persephone. Please mind your step as you climb on.”
I glance to Keith, my eyes wide, my jaw agape, my heart thundering so loud I’m sure he can hear it. “A boat?”
Keith nods.
“We’re going sailing in the middle of the night on a ship named Persephone?”
He nods again, this time a bit nervous, and before I can do something crazy like tackle him to the dock and kiss every inch of this romantic, thoughtful, incredible man, I cautiously step onto the boat. The man reaches out, offering me some assistance and I take it gratefully.
“I’m Charlie. You must be Maia. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please, make yourself comfortable. Everything has been arranged and we’ll be underway shortly.”
I swallow past the frog of emotion lodged in my throat and say, “Thank you.”
He guides me to the front of the ship where a sitting area is set up with the most perfect picnic. Candles flicker in hurricane jars showing off a spread of cheese, crackers, fruit, chocolates, and coffee, and I’m done. I just start crying.
Strong arms wrap around my waist, Keith’s mouth dipping to my ear. “Do you like it?”
I shake my head because I can’t speak. I’m too busy crying.
“No? Maybe we should go then.” I smack his hand, and he chuckles. “Wanna go on a boat ride with me, Psyche, my goddess?”
“I’m no longer Pandora?” I manage after a few attempts at clearing my throat.
“Let’s see how this boat ride turns out and I’ll let you know.”
I laugh, and it releases the weight of the world from my chest. He spins me around in his arms and levels me with a searing kiss. One that knocks me back a step, especially as the boat begins to move. His hands cup my face and he holds me so close, breathing me in and kissing me. Our foreheads meet, his nose brushing against mine.