Intimate Strangers

Kate expected today to be the low point of this trip. Their last full day on this beautiful tropical paradise. Fishing for marlin was something Mac wanted to do. Her? Not so much. A day out on a fishing boat simply couldn’t compete with everything else they’d done, like that hike up the mountain to take in the breathtaking panoramas. Or snorkeling with all those colorful and amazing fish. And there was no way today could possibly compare with the shopping, the dancing, or the romance.

But she was wrong. Her man had planned it perfectly, turning a day that was supposed to be primarily for him into something magical for her too. One question and their wonderful vacation had gone epic.

The happy couple hustled along the dock, a buoyant spring in their steps, their clasped hands swinging between them. It was another bright and beautiful morning. Not a cloud in the sky. The morning breeze was already warm but pleasant blowing in from the sea.

Still tingling from making love back at the hotel, Kate turned her wrist to sigh blissfully at her new engagement ring one more time. The exquisite diamond caught the sunlight and shimmered back at her, captivating her all over again.

Mac shot her a quick glance and gently tugged her along, chuckling. “Come on. You have hours ahead of you to stare at that rock once we’re on the boat. Why do you think I waited to pop the question? Just think. Instead of being bored and depressed because we leave tomorrow, you’ll be making wedding plans and looking forward to showing your ring to everyone as soon as we land.”

“You’re devious and I don’t even care! I can’t decide who to call first, Angie or my parents.” She laughed, still thrown by his unexpected proposal. “I love it.” Then she turned her soft gaze up to him and added, “And I love you.”

“I know.” He turned her hand so he could admire the ring himself then winked at her. “It looks good on you.” Mac turned and craned his neck. “There’s our charter.” He exchanged a nod with a man watching their arrival from the flybridge.

“That’s the boat?” she asked in amazement. Kate had expected something smaller, functional—a basic, no-frills fishing boat. This was a sleek and beautiful yacht. Okay, spending a day in the lap of luxury wasn’t so bad after all.

The man Mac had acknowledged was shaking his head and muttering under his breath when he came down the chrome ladder to meet them.

“You’re prompt,” he said turning with a note of discomfort. “I wish I could say the same. We’re still waiting for one of my crewmen to turn up.”

He reached to assist Kate onto the boat. Mac followed her across and they faced the captain.

“Welcome aboard the Sea Sprite. Brady Finn.” Still holding Kate’s hand, he gave it a firm pump.

Finn was about their age, closing on thirty. His sharp features were weathered from the wind and sun. Curved lines framed his mouth and gave his smile even more warmth. Kate’s gaze strayed to his sandy-blond hair. Generally, she preferred clean-cut, darker-haired men, like Mac, but there was something undeniably appealing about the way Brady’s shaggy mop fluttered and feathered in the breeze, the sun glinting off his natural bleached highlights.

As if saving the best for last, only now did she meet his eyes. They were an unusual shade of blue-green. Tropical eyes. Set off by fine lines radiating out from the corners of each, his eyes were beautiful, so striking, in fact, she was thrown for a moment.

No question most women would find Brady Finn attractive. Trying very hard not to think about it herself, Kate realized with a blush that her delayed reply to his introduction was confirmation enough. Yes, he’d rattled her.

“Kate,” she told him and eased her hand free.

Mac, ever the diplomat, smoothed over her awkwardness by offering his hand to the skipper. His smile was open and confident. “Mac Schafer.” He looked around, taking it all in. “Wow. This is some boat.”

“Thanks.” Finn was noticeably pleased by the compliment. “Ah. Here’s Rome. He’s going to help you haul in your monster fish today.”

“Rome?” Kate raised her eyebrows as she shook the handsome Latino’s hand.

His lips tightened. “It beats Romeo.”

Brady chuckled and gave Rome a good-natured slap on the back and told them, “He’s not as big a fan of Shakespeare as his mom.”

Amused and sympathetic, Mac clasped hands with Rome and returned his easy smile. “I’m Mac, this is Kate. Nice to meet you.”

Kate glanced at her fiancé with a swelling of pride and affection. Mac had a way with people, a gift for putting them at ease. It was one of the things that had attracted her in the first place.

Stepping back, she was startled to catch the captain watching her, studying her. She had an uneasy suspicion he was quite aware of how carefully she’d examined him moments ago. Looking evasively away, she reached for Mac, pressing close to his side while he chatted. She quietly rubbed his back, in dire need of some of his calming mojo herself all of a sudden.

Unaware of her tension, Mac turned to her and said, “See, I told you there’s a bathroom on board.”

Brady pointed to his left. “It’s through the salon and down the stairs. Can’t miss it.”

Mac gave Kate’s waist a bolstering squeeze. “This is going to be great.”

Brady’s eyes landed on her again. To her relief, they didn’t linger.

He told them. “We’ll head out as soon as Manuel gets here. Excuse me. I’ll see what’s keeping him.”

Rome gestured to the couple. “How about a quick tour?”

ISBN: 1533048223