Jake got back to the boat in the early morning, a long drive from a passing farmer he managed to flag down, and then had to persuade a local to take him on a boat trip out to the moored yacht when he got to port. Not having his phone or any form of money on him had been brutal, but he was glad to be finally climbing the silver ladder onto the back deck of the boat.
Hunter was being kept in for forty-eight hours to ensure he would have no lasting effects and receive some minor antibiotics to ensure he didnât catch any bugs. He would return to the boat in due time, so Jake was happy to leave him. Seeing one of the crew approaching his arrival, he beckoned him over.
âGo to my room, get some money from the vanity, and pay the guy for the ride⦠Just take whateverâs there.â He patted the crewman on the back, knowing he was trustworthy, and left him to speak the native tongue of the local to pay him for the kindness.
Jake was too tired to deal with anymore. He wanted to find Emma and check she was okay, tell her that he was back, and then go to bed. He was exhausted and almost dead on his feet. âRicardo?â He turned to the young man quickly. âWhere is Miss Anderson?â he asked pointedly.
âUp on deck, sir. She was on the loungers about five minutes ago.â The young man nodded his way, receiving a pat on the shoulder as a way of thanks, and Jake headed for the stairs to the upper deck.
It was early even for an early riser like Emma, suggesting she had probably waited on him all night, and that didnât make him happy at all. She would be as tired as he was.
âEmma?â he called out as he got to the top of the deck and saw her lying on the double lounger like an angel resting on the clouds. God, she was a sight for sore eyes, and just being back within ten feet of her relaxed every taut muscle in his body.
He felt like he had been tense waiting to get back to her and could finally breathe now that he could see her. âHey.â She smiled shyly from her position on the lounger as he walked forward intently; she just looked too inviting not to go to her, and all thoughts of anything else swam from his fuzzy head.
She was like a constant lure for him, pushing sense aside. He slid down beside her on the lounger with a satisfied sigh, his body giving way to the comfort of lying down. He sprawled alongside her, not caring if he draped all over her, too exhausted to move, and lay on his front.
He buried his face in his arms to block out the light and felt like he could fall asleep instantly beside her; the smell of her and her nearness was like being home, and now his brain was shutting down with relief. Despite his brain closing down slowly, he could feel her breath on his arm and her eyes on his profile, silently looking at him.
He could sense her shyness at saying anything vibrating his way, and as much as he wanted just to sleep, he wanted her to be okay about last night too. âIâm still awake,â he mumbled, sliding an arm out across her waist with his eyes closed, pulling her to his side so he could snuggle into her and kill this insane need to stare at her.
He wanted to know what she was thinking, but he didnât have the energy to do anything about it. He moved his face nearer her neck to tuck his forehead against her hair and inhale all the sexy goodness and subtle tropical scent that was just her.
He had missed her like crazy. âYou smell good,â he muttered almost incoherently, still with eyes shut and sleep trying to overtake him. He could feel her slowly beginning to tense her body, her breathing becoming shallower and the tell-tale signs of Emma going into PA modeâall business and no emotion.
~Fuck, he didnât need this version right now.~ âThanks,â she muttered a little tightly. Jake sighed internally that she wasnât even going to give him five minutes to rejoice in last night before ripping this to shreds for him.
He smiled against her naked skin with a hint of defeat, smiling because he knew her too well. âAre you ever going to learn to let go, Miss Anderson? When youâre sober?â He sighed again, wishing she was still drunk for at least a little while.
âWhat do you mean?â She sounded irritated, maybe a little surprised. âI can feel you ⦠stiffer than a board ⦠why so formal after last night?â He smiled again. Teasing her might be more fun than an argument now, not that he could do much. He had no use of his limbs anymore.
He felt her movements and the tell-tale motion of her twisting her hair anxiously, her cute little annoying habit of nerves on show. ~Goddammit, Emma.~ He reached up, covered her hand in his, and pulled her fingers away from that soft, beautiful hair.
âRelax, I only want to sleep,â he mumbled, casually returning his arm to its previous throw across her waist. âStop thinking and sleep with me ⦠you look tired.â He commanded a little more than he meant to, but he wanted this last time with her before reality set in, and she found every reason to rip his heart out.
He felt her eyes on his face again and knew she was probably glaring at him for pulling her fingers out of her hair like she always did. Truly a return to her uptight former self and not even a hint of the carefree holiday Emma left on show.
âIâm not tired,â she huffed childishly, feathers ruffled for whatever reason and whatever he had done this time. Hungover, Emma was on show, and even though it was normally cute, not so much today when he cared about what had happened between them last night.
He felt her slide out of his arms, leaving him feeling a little empty. âIâm going for a swim,â she added as she rose, voice all cool and very PA, and Jake could only sigh at her return.
Last night had pushed her further than she was comfortable with, and here she was, reeling it back in again with a vengeance. Jake lifted his head to look at her walking away, sexy and cuteâall rolled into one perfect little package of sheer angelic beauty.
He felt that ache of longing at knowing this would never be what he wanted, and she was already closing down on him. âDonât drown ⦠I donât have the energy for a repeat of last night.â He sighed, watching her leave with a serious bout of regret at leaving last night.
As much as he was glad to stay by his best mateâs side, he couldnât help but wish he had stayed with her and seen through whatever last night had been. More now than ever, seeing as cold and closed-off Emma had made a grand return. She was back in work mode, and he was not too happy about that.
When Emma had left the deck, Jake hauled himself up, the lounger no longer appealing without her on it, and dragged himself back to the confines of his own room to sleep in peace away from the sunâs death rays. Leaving it dark and only kicking the door semi-closed, he collapsed face down on the bed, barely managing to haul the covers back with his heavily fatigued body, and passed out immediately.
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