A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(29)

“Hey,” she says, opening the door before I can come out of my head and open it for her.

“You’re going to get me in trouble with my mother.”

She shoots me a grin that hits me right in the dick.

“Why? Because you didn’t walk me to the car like I can’t do it by myself?” The words drawl out of her mouth, feigning shock.

“I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think my sister sent you as some kind of payback.”

She pushes her sunglasses to rest on top of her head. Her eyes laser mine. “You have a sister?”

“I do. A younger sister who acts more like my mother. She’d like you.”

One flash of her brilliant smile and I’m dumbstruck.

“Sounds like I’d like her. I’m sure she has lots of stories to tell.”

I groan for more reasons than one. “You’re never ever going to meet her.”

“That’s sounds like a challenge.”

Her smile widens and I shake my head. Tonight I have to channel Drew so I can keep my hands to myself and be the gentleman she doesn’t think I can be. And for some reason I can’t name, it’s important to me.

“Let me get you to dinner before you start getting ideas.”

When we reach the marina, Samantha stares out at the car window.

“You’re okay with taking a boat ride?”

Startled, she glances over at me. “No.” She shakes her head. “I mean yes. It’s fine.”

I’d texted her what we were doing, but she seems preoccupied or maybe nervous. That’s proven when she lets me open her door and help her out without any protest. I use my time wisely and check out her white top that’s sheer enough for me to see a yellow bikini top underneath.

Before my dick can get any ideas, I grab the basket I’d borrowed from Mom from the back. Although I’m a passable cook, I picked up dinner I’d ordered on the way.

On the way down the docks, she asks, “Did you charter the boat?”

The wind whips her hair up and she sweeps it behind her ear. The act shouldn’t be sexy as hell, but it is. Before my imagination can take me places she isn’t ready to go, I answer her question.

“No, we’re taking a ride on my boat.”

“Your boat. I thought you were practically homeless,” she teases.

“Thanks to you, I’m not.” I give her a cheeky grin and walk her to my boat slip.

After setting the basket down, I do all the prelaunch procedures before I untether the boat.

“I thought we could watch the sunset on Capers Island.”

Her eyes speak volumes as I watch astonishment then suspicion cross her face.

“You are sure full of surprises Ben Rhoades.”

I’m full of a lot of things if you’d let me show you I want to say, but refrain.

She climbs aboard like a seasoned pro, which doesn’t surprise me. Most people from the area have a boat or have been on one. I finish with the preliminaries and set off. Not too long after, her hand smoothes over my shoulder. I glance up at her and notice she’s taken off her tank, leaving acres of creamy tanned skin and a bikini top that does nothing but make my mouth water. I face forward afraid I’ll do something like pull her in my lap.

Samantha’s not that kind of girl; her own words haunt me. The devil on my shoulder and the dick in my pants wonder why we’ve given up. I tighten my grip on the wheel if nothing more than to keep my hands off of her. I can do this.

It’s a blessing and a curse when she leaves me to go sit out in the sun at the back. My mind wanders away from the beautiful woman who’s tempted me in ways I didn’t know existed. Staring at the water ahead as the boat slices through it, I’m reminded of one of the times I took the boat out with Drew.

The memory unfolds like a letter with words that leap into life.

Drew is nursing a beer in his hand while I drop anchor. I hand him a pole and he hands me a bottle.

“Women are confusing,” he blurts.

“No, they aren’t. They have two switches—on and off. Turn them on, get what you want. Then turn them off and send them on their way.”

His eyes narrow as if I’ve said something wrong.

“Dude, your views are seriously twisted.”

I shake my head. “You’re twisted. Rebecca seriously f*cked with your head.”

He finishes his first beer and grabs another without even casting his line. I guess fishing is off the table. I sigh to myself, putting my pole down and taking his. I’m sad for my best friend.

Drew’s the romantic of the two of us or so the women have always said. Only one woman at a time has his full attention even if it’s for a short time. He makes them feel special. So much so if he breaks it off, they remain friends.

“She…” I hate the girl for making him choke on his words. “I loved her.”

“And she shit all over you. She played games. You should have known from the beginning when she jerked you around before she gave you a f*cking taste.”

He looks at me like I’m the one heartbroken. “One day, you’ll understand.”

I shake out of the memory not wanting to let grief over take what should be an easy evening with Sam. Being here with her, a woman I know Drew would have approved of, forces me to face his loss because I can’t tell him how conflicted I am over her.