Broadrick chuckled. "I'd definitely wait till the cover of darkness if I planned to drop you over the side of the boat."

"Just so you know. I'm an excellent swimmer." I followed him past the lighthouse to the area with the large dock. It wasn't a real marina, but we called it that anyway.

He laughed outright. A man stood at the end of the dock and waved. I glanced behind me to make sure it wasn't at someone else and then waved back at him. The wind whipped around us, bringing in the spray of ocean water in the air.

"Captain," Broadrick said, greeting the man with a handshake.

He had a large wicker basket at his feet and handed it to Broadrick once they finished. "You're all set to go with a full tank of gas."

I stopped myself from making a sarcastic comment about the full tank, making it easier for him to dump my body really far out into the ocean. The captain seemed like a nice guy. He probably wouldn't get our lovers' humor.

Broadrick set the basket on the red and white leather seat of the speedboat. Even though I lived in Pelican Bay, I'd never taken the time to learn the parts of a boat. This one had leather seats all the way around the front pointy end where a good six people could fit. Then two captain chairs sat in the middle of the boat with two more perpendicular rows of seating at the back by the motor. It wasn't a large boat by billionaire standards. Nothing like the ones the Kensington family liked to dock occasionally, but you could have yourself a quaint party on it if you wanted.

Since no other people were on or waiting to get on the boat, I assumed we were not hosting a boat party.

"I'll get her back in one piece," B said to the man as he started on his way down the dock.

Broadrick jumped on the boat and landed with two feet at the same time. He made it look easy, but if I tried that shit, I'd land on my ass. The boat bobbed on the water, and waves crashed against the dock.

He held out his hand to help me over, and I used two to keep my balance. Boats and I didn't always mix.

"Can you drive this thing?" I asked once I was safely on the boat.

He jumped once, causing the boat to rock more as he untied two thick twisted ropes at the front and back of the vessel, tossing them on the dock.

"SEAL, Vonnie," he said as he took a seat behind the wheel.

Right. "So that means yes?" I just wanted a little clarification. A pinky promise. Seal of approval. Anything.

Broadrick tipped his head at me and started the motor. "Yes."

He didn't sound super reassuring. Broadrick reversed the boat out into open water and then turned us around. I took a seat at the front and let the water hit me as he sped toward the horizon. It didn't take long before goosebumps covered my arms even with my coat.

I shivered, and Broadrick motioned for me to join him.

"You want me to sit in the navigator's seat?" I asked.

He shook his head and patted his lap. "No, I want you right here."

My smirk matched his. "Right here?" I asked as he spread his legs, and I sat on his lap sideways. It didn't seem safe, but I wouldn't pass up the chance.

I wrapped my arms around him to hold on and rested my head against his neck. Broadrick used one hand under me and one over my stomach to keep his hands on the wheel. He took his eyes off the water-was that safe-and placed a kiss on my neck.

"Shouldn't you be staying in your lane?" I asked.

He laughed and licked the spot under my ear. "I'm pretty sure there are no lanes out here."

I moaned something in response, but my mind went all fuzzy with his touch. If only we didn't have lives and crimes to solve and people to save. I'd spend all day sitting on his lap, letting the world pass us by.

With him here, everything felt complete. Before I met Broadrick, I didn't believe love could keep me alive, but now I knew the truth. It's all we needed.

I just hoped we didn't lose it.

We stayed like that for a while as I settled in and let him keep me warm. The waves grew choppier, and the boat skipped on top of them.

"I think this is probably far enough out to drop my body," I whispered in his ear.

Broadrick shook his head. "Your brain worries me."

"Me too."

Broadrick slowed the boat, and we jerked harder for a few beats until stopping. The waves kept us in constant motion, but he turned off the motor and let us drift.

"Shouldn't we throw an anchor over or something?" I asked.

I'd been on a boat a few times, and there were always anchors. Even our giant cruise ship had them.

He shook his head. "It's just us. We'll be okay."

"Do we get to see what's in the basket now?" I asked, pulling it out from where Broadrick stashed it behind his seat.

He took it from me and moved us to the back of the boat, where there was less movement. A stack of blankets came next, and he pulled one out for me.

"I don't need it yet," I said. It wasn't that cold.

He gestured toward the sky. "It will get colder when the sun goes down."

"Ahhh, sunset dinner." I smiled. He wasn't a poet, but Broadrick tried with romance, and that's what mattered. I wasn't one for flowers or songwriting anyway, but a nice sunset boat picnic was what I considered perfect.

I settled against a side seat on the floor of the boat and wrapped the blanket around my legs and waist. "Did you cook whatever you have in there?"

Broadrick opened the top of the basket and pulled out a white Styrofoam box. "No. Trish at the diner made it, and she threw in two pieces of apple pie for free. Said you'd know why."

I smirked but said nothing. After her involvement with my murder case in February, she'd begged me to keep her secrets safe. I took my responsibilities seriously.

"You won't tell me why?" he asked.

I made a cross over my chest. "State secrets. Sorry."

Broadrick shook his head as he pulled out his favorite salad. He'd gotten me my favorite turkey club. We really had to branch out and order something rather than our usual. I'd start ordering something different every other trip. Err... every third trip. Let's not get carried away.

Broadrick sat beside me and stole half the blankets. I popped open the top of my container and laid my head on his shoulder.

"This is great," I said after I dunked the end of my sandwich in the side cup of mayo.

Broadrick took a bite of his salad. "I just wanted a few quiet moments with you and only you."

I leaned against him. "It's nice. We should do it more," I said.

He nodded, and I rested my hand on his thigh, loving the feeling of his muscles under his jeans. "We should. I want all these moments with you. Every single one."

His sweet words made me smile. "Me too. I never thought we'd get it."

"I'm sorry about the past, Vonnie. Now I'm just glad to be here. I'm going to do better. For you," he said into my ear.

My heart swelled. He did so well with the wooing.

Wait. He was doing really well with wooing. That was unusual.

I shoved a bite of sandwich in my mouth and chewed. Broadrick and I weren't one of those traditionally romantic couples. We did sweet things for one another. He bought me expensive coffee mugs, and I didn't yell at him. We had a balance.

He was messing up the balance.

Why?

Was this his way of buttering me up before he left on deployment because he worried he wasn't ever going to see me again? My heart rate kicked up, and panic flooded my veins. Shit. Did Broadrick think he was going to die?

Would he die?

How would I survive if he did?

"Get out of your head," Broadrick whispered in my ear.

I jerked toward him. "What? I wasn't."

"Yes, you were. Your face did that whole squishy expression thing."

The boat rocked us into one another. "Damn, the military for training you in these spy tactics."

Broadrick put the top on his salad and dropped it back in the basket. "I notice because I can't take my eyes off you."

Yeah, he was definitely going for romance.

A splash pulled my gaze from his.

"It's a little early for whales. Isn't it?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Not really. Of course, it could be the Loch Ness."

"Funny. We're in the wrong country for a visit from Nessy."

I snuggled in closer to him and watched the water for signs of a whale. We often saw them as they migrated north for the summer. The sun set lower behind us, casting bright orange beams across the water.

Broadrick tried to move us, but I shook my head. "We have to keep our eye on the horizon if you want to see Nessy."

"But the sunset," he whispered and nibbled on my earlobe.

I wrapped my arms around his chest and laid my head on his shoulder, relishing in his feel. His cotton shirt rubbed against my face as I tried to get as close as possible.

"There," Broadrick said and pointed out to sea.

I turned my head but didn't let go. "Didn't you see lots of whales on your ships?"

He kissed my temple and ran his fingers through my hair. "Yeah, but this whale is special."

CHAPTR

A special whale? Did it have purple fins? I raised my attention to the water in front of us. "Why?"

"Because it's my first whale with you."

Okay, seriously. Who abducted my boyfriend and made him mushy? "You know, I'm going to take my pants off for you anyway. You don't need the sweet words."

Broadrick laughed, jiggling my position. "Good to know, but that's not why. I'm just glad to be here. Life is amazing."

I squeezed him. "True."

What more could I possibly ask for besides a sunset dinner with my beefy boyfriend watching whales? Well, maybe a murder conviction, but that was different. He'd understand.

A gray fin cut through the water and rose. It waved once, twice, three times, and then splashed through the waves, sending off water droplets everywhere. I swore two hit me in the face.

"That was pretty cool for our first time," I said and then helped Broadrick adjust the blanket around my shoulders.

He smiled. "I always make a big splash."

"Such a missed opportunity," I said and bit his bottom lip. "Think of all the 'get me wet' jokes you could have made."

Broadrick laughed harder and tugged me toward him. "Next time."

I positioned myself over him so we were chest to chest. "You plan to whale watch often?"

"All the time." His fingers slipped under my shirt and rested on my hips.

My mother spent most of my seventh-grade year on a whale-watching kick. I bet she still had binoculars she'd loan to him. She even had maps of the spots they were most often spotted.

He kissed me. Or I kissed him. The details didn't matter. His lips against mine curled my toes and had me pushing my chest against his. I wanted more of them.

Broadrick slipped his tongue past my lips. "You like that, huh?"

I bit his bottom lip as an answer and smiled.

He had such power in his hands and body but only ever used it in gentleness for me. Just being held by him and knowing he'd protect me in all things put my soul at ease. And my heart in a rush.

"I love you, Von," he whispered in my ear as he moved his attention to my neck.

His words brushed against my hair and caused them to tickle my neck. I pushed it to the side, making more room for him. "I love you, too."

The words fell from my lips easily. It'd taken me a while after our make-up to decide I wanted to say them-whether I trusted him enough to let him hear them from me again. But now they came quickly and without a moment of hesitation.

I loved him. More than anything on earth or in the sky. Destiny put us together, and I'd let nothing tear us apart again.

Broadrick's fingers climbed up my sides, tracing my ribs. It tickled and sent goosebumps rippling over my skin. He reached the bottom of my bra and the very tips of his fingers traced the edge until his thumb slipped underneath.

He bit my shoulder blade as his hands slid along my bra and unhooked it from the back, making room for his hands. They cupped my breasts, and he squeezed.

I moaned as his thumbs circled my pebbled nipples, and Broadrick's head dropped back in pleasure.

"Lift your shirt for me," he said.

I moved the hem higher, and lifted it over my head. He helped me with the bra and then stared at my breasts for a moment before sucking one into his mouth. I jerked forward and arched back, making it harder and easier for him at the same time.

My hips moved forward and back against his groin. His pants tented, but my jeans stopped me from getting to feel as much as I wanted. I rested my hands on his shoulders and bobbed on his lap, grinding myself against him. Everything tingled.

He switched to the other breast, letting his teeth rake across my flesh as he moved. I moaned again, harder, and let my fingers dig into his shoulders for support. Our boat rocked against the waves, and I fell into rhythm with it.

His dick settled in the perfect spot between my legs and I closed my eyes as I nudged it with each moment. But I needed more. My jeans prohibited too much.

"You're mine, Vonnie," he said into my ear. His breath tickled against my skin and I fell against him. "I'll never forget that again."

My heart thundered in my chest for more than one reason, and I hugged myself to him. "You better not."

He pushed my breasts together and stuck his head between them, licking in the space. "I promise."

"Okay, shirt off," I said, pulling at the fabric of his polo.

Broadrick chuckled and leaned back to allow me space to pull the material higher. He tugged it from his shoulders, letting it fall between us.

"That's better." I ran my hands over his exposed chest and tweaked one of his nipples as his mouth covered mine again.

The wind picked up and blew in from the ocean. I shivered as it hit my exposed skin. Broadrick twisted the blanket that fell from my shoulders and pushed it out behind me.

He repositioned my hips closer to his and leaned me backward until my back hit the floor of the boat. "Let me be your blanket."

I wrapped my arms around his back and brought him close. "Don't let me get cold."

"Never." He nibbled on my neck and propped himself up with one hand. The other searched out the button on my jeans and he flicked it with one quick motion of his fingers. My zipper came next, and I wiggled my hips to help him remove my pants.

He hovered over me, keeping the wind off my body and protecting me in everything. I trailed my fingers over his smooth chest and pictured a future where we did this weekly. Except in the winter.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

I inched forward, making it easier for his thumb to run across the edge of my underwear. "Nothing."

"You will be soon," he said, and his thumb slipped under my panties. His fingers followed, and they hit everything.

I moaned and lifted my hips. Two of his fingers dueled around the edges of my entrance and his thumb hit all the right spots on my clit. "Shit, Broadrick, don't stop."

"Wasn't planning on it." He kissed me and my insides lit up.

He moved his attention to my neck with his fingers deep inside of me. My eyes pinched shut, and I held on to his shoulders as my hips moved in time to him.

He was everywhere-my body, mind, soul. Broadrick was the only thing I saw when I opened my eyes. My future.

"You're so beautiful," he said, staring into my gaze.

My core tightened, the orgasm building inside of me as I rushed to breathe. "More."

Broadrick used his entire palm over my clit and slid his fingers deeper.

My neck strained as I pushed upward. He tweaked my clit just right, and the orgasm burst from me in one strangled shout. My back fell to the boat floor, and I panted.

Broadrick withdrew his fingers from me, taking the time to lick each one clean while I watched. I sucked in a breath, trying to come back to earth. "Better than dinner."

My core clenched again. From his smile, he meant every word.

When he finished, Broadrick lowered his pants. The sun had finished setting, but lights on the boat made it possible to see the outline of his hard cock.

I licked my lips and tried to sit up.

"Not tonight," he said and covered me again. "Tonight is about you. And us."

"It's always about you and us," I said as he settled himself between my legs but didn't enter me.

Broadrick moved forward and then back, rubbing his dick against my core but not giving me what I wanted. I wiggled under him.

My tummy was still tight, but I needed more of him.

"I'm ready for a life with you, Vonnie. Everything." He nibbled on my chin. "Are you ready for that?"

Was I?

Yes. I'd pretended to fight it, but I wanted Broadrick with me. In my home, walking my dog, dirtying my dishes, and even complaining about my sheets. Things weren't right when he wasn't there.

"Yes, I'm ready."

He stopped and took the time to rest his tip at my entrance. "Good. Prepare because when I get home, it's on."

I didn't have time to ask him what was "on" before he slipped inside me with a deep push. I sucked in a breath and then released it as my body grew accustomed to him. He stretched me in all the right places. I raised my hips to meet his.

While Broadrick pushed deeper with each thrust, I rested my head against the blanket and closed my eyes. I noted everywhere we touched. His legs rubbed against the inside of mine. When he circled my clit with his thumb, I moved my hips in the same motion. I never wanted this time to end. We were meant for a life together.

My shoulders tightened as he picked up speed, his thumb jerking against my clit as his dick stretched and filled me to new depths.

Broadrick bit my neck as his thumb flicked my clit, and I screamed, raising my head and the rest of my upper body off the blanket as my second orgasm tore through me. He held me tightly, hurtling into me with quick jerky movements. My breasts smashed against his chest as I held on, and then Broadrick groaned in my ear as his cum filled me.

I dropped back onto the blanket, and he fell beside me. We lay there, our chests moving in unison, and stared at the stars.