Chapter 21

Hudson

Fisher metme at the marina at a quarter till nine. We'd be picking up the booze cruise passengers in Swallow Beach, so we had to head out a few minutes early.

He wore dark jeans that fit him like a glove, a tank that showed off his toned shoulders and biceps, and a sweet smile that never failed to make my heart skip a beat.

He carried a duffel bag over his shoulder, and just like Pavlov's dog, my dick chubbed up at the sight that meant I'd be getting lucky later.

Epically lucky, since tonight I'd finally sink into his perfect body.

It was amazing I'd held out this long, but I feared that once Fisher had experienced all the firsts he wanted, I'd no longer have an excuse to keep seeing him. A real relationship was out of the question.

Even though Fisher had accepted my work conflict gracefully, it was a reminder of all the ways things could go wrong.

"Hey," he said. "Is it cool if I leave my bag in your office?"

"Yeah, of course, but you don't have to do this. We could just meet up after."

"And miss out on seeing you all competent and sexy as a boat captain? No chance. Besides, Sawyer has told me some wild stories about booze cruises. I need to see how much of it is true."

I chuckled. "All right. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Fisher grinned. "You warn me about a lot of things, Hud. I just choose not to listen."

Ah, to be young and fearless. I envied Fisher's spunk sometimes. He fearlessly charged after what he wanted, while my personal baggage always made me hesitate. I wanted to cut it loose, to be as free as him, but how did you shed years of regret and guilt?

I unlocked the office so Fisher could deposit his bag, then helped him aboard the Regal 35-foot sport cruiser. This was far larger than the bowrider I used to travel to my place and back, with a ton of comfy seating along the sides and back of the boat.

Fisher stood by the captain's chair, hand on my shoulder, as we skipped across the choppy, wind-churned water toward the opposite shore. Swallow Beach was lit up like freaking Vegas, with bars up and down the shore and loud music spilling out of open doors onto covered decks where people mingled. Several docked boats were pumping their own music, creating a chaotic swell of noise.

I made my way to the pickup point, behind a bar called Wet Dreams. A gaggle of women who looked to be in their late fifties cheered as I arrived. They already had drinks in their hands, and I'd readied an ice chest with some complimentary drinks as well. Some passengers wanted to stay on the water for the full cruise, but many others wanted to bar hop, and we aimed to please.

"What would you like me to do?" Fisher asked as I eased into dock.

"Can you help them aboard while I get us secured?"

"Sure thing."

Fisher hopped off the boat. "Hi, ladies! Are you all ready to party?"

Another whoop went up. This wasn't the worst group we could have gotten. Bachelorette parties and fratboy gatherings were my least favorite, but women this age could be a handful. They were past giving a fuck about what anyone thought of them and ready to have a good time.

Fisher helped each woman aboard, holding their hands to keep them steady as they stepped up. At least most of these women were smart enough not to wear heels. The attire was a mix of beach and party wear, with swimsuit tops and wraparound skirts, some in flipflops, some in Crocs.

Then I spotted the cock-shaped straws extending from each of their cups.

"This isn't a bachelorette party, is it?" I asked, my heart sinking. There were forms the groups filled out, and this one had simply said reunion.

"Actually, it's the opposite," said the brunette who'd just stepped aboard. She wore a tank top over her swimsuit, and when she turned, I saw the text on the back: Divorcee Party. Well, that was different.

She pointed toward the woman with bottle-red hair who wore a black sash I'd failed to notice. On it in glittery red letters were the words Just Divorced and the image of open handcuffs.

"Ah, so I should congratulate her?"

Her eyes lit up. "You should. In fact…are you single? She's looking to mingle, if you catch my drift."

Given the obnoxious wink that followed her statement, there was no doubting the intent.

Fisher came to my rescue just then. "Should we get under way? We've got a schedule to keep."

Fisher knew approximately nothing about the cruise schedule, but I took the opportunity to escape. "Yes, please take a seat. I've got a few safety guidelines to go over, and then we'll be on our way."

I gave my usual safety spiel and offered them all life jackets, which they refused. It was optional for adults. All passengers signed a waiver not holding Swallow Adventures liable for accidents, but that didn't mean I wanted a tragedy on my hands.

"Please stay seated when we're moving. Alcohol and running on boats don't mix." I got a couple of chuckles.

"Being drunk off your ass and falling overboard really don't mix," Fisher added.

The women laughed a bit more, charmed by him. If Fisher didn't already have career ambitions of his own, I'd try to recruit him. He was a natural with people. But then, that was why he'd been hired to help with the resort plan.

Also why he'd found his way into my bed when I'd been so determined it would never happen.

"Will the big strong captain rescue me if I go overboard?" the new divorcee of the group asked. "I might be tempted to accidentally trip!"

"Celia, you're terrible!" one of her friends said with a laugh. "You might be divorced, but he's probably a married man."

"There's no ring on that finger."

I clapped my hands, ignoring her comment. "All right, let's get going."

The women whooped and cheered, adding their voices to plenty of others ringing out across the lake. I had to put most of my focus on driving the boat. The water was busy at this hour, with plenty of amateurs mixed among the more seasoned boat captains.

A pontoon boat with the name Water You Looking At passed by, a bunch of drunken frat boys holding up their beers and hooting. Celia flipped up her top, flashing them, and they busted up cheering and laughing.

Damn. She was old enough to be their mother, but then, did I have any room to judge? I was old enough to be Fisher's dad.

We made it to the first stop, and Fisher helped the women—all fully clothed again—out onto the deck behind a pub called Sea Men. Yeah, the names of these places were just about as cringey as some of the boat names.

"You scarred for life yet?" I asked Fisher once we were alone.

"Please. I grew up on this lake. If you think I haven't seen drunken flashing before, you'd be mistaken."

"Have you been to Swallow Beach before?" I asked, curious.

He smirked. "Shallow Beach, you mean? Yeah. Cash insisted on it when I turned twenty-one. But this isn't really my scene."

"No? You're young and gorgeous. Pretty sure you'd fit in well."

He slid his arms around me, nuzzling into my neck. "I guess I'm just not shallow enough then."

I chuckled. "I can see that. Especially since you're interested in an old bastard like me."

He nipped my flesh, making me grunt at the sudden sting, then soothed it with his warm, wet tongue, making other parts of me burn.

"Please, you're the best argument for calling me shallow. You're fucking hot, and I want you."

Maybe it was all about the sex for him. That would be best for both of us, even if a part of me longed for more.

Fisher continued to nibble my neck. Just as my mind began to whirl with bad ideas of a quickie down below deck, the women came down the dock, their laughter carrying on the night air.

Damn it. I willed my hard-on away and stepped up to help them reboard.

Celia grew bolder with more liquor in her, squeezing my arm as she stepped up into the boat.

"Your boat says Swallow Adventures on the side. But what do we get to swallow?" Her gaze dropped below my waist. "You look like—"

She stumbled forward as one of her friends, a woman who'd introduced herself as Linda, pushed her forward.

"Sorry, don't listen. She's drunk."

"Hey!" Celia objected. "She can hear just fine."

I laughed gamely, but the back of my neck heated. It wasn't unusual to get jokes and innuendos about the name of my business. But with Fisher here, watching every flirtation, I burned with embarrassment.

There was a time I might have been receptive to a tourist's flirting. Probably not Celia's, but I'd had my share of hookups after boat tours. It seemed distasteful now, like getting greasy drive-thru when what you really needed was a healthy meal.

I cast a look at Fisher, who was frowning as one of the other women teasingly brushed against me. I didn't like that look on his face. It was conflicted, unsure, as if he thought maybe I liked the attention.

We made it through the next hour, but the women became progressively flirty and handsy as they got drunker. I didn't mind them coming on to me, but when I saw one of the old gals swat Fisher's ass while he bent to retrieve a drink from the ice chest, I'd had enough.

"Fisher, can you come up here a minute?" I called, throttling down the motor so I could get up. We weren't docked, but there wasn't much traffic in this spot in the middle of the lake, so we could drift harmlessly for a minute.

Fisher excused himself from the group of women that had seated themselves at the far end.

"What's up?" he asked as he neared me.

"Are you okay? They're not harassing you, are they?" I drew him closer. "I shouldn't have subjected you to this."

"Hudson, I'm fine."

I frowned. "They're pretty forward. The more they drink, the worse it'll get."

"I can handle it. They're just playing with me. If anything, they're more into you. I've been watching them flirt and touch you all evening, and that doesn't seem to bother you."

"I'm just used to it, is all."

He shrugged. "You're bi, so if you like the attention, I get it. I just—"

"Hell no, I don't like it, Fish." I cupped his face. "You are the only one I want touching me."

He relaxed a fraction, forcing a smile. "Okay. Well, don't worry about me. I can handle them."

"Oh my gosh," one of the passengers exclaimed, having approached while we talked. "Are you two boyfriends?"

Fisher

"Are you two boyfriends?"

An exclamation rippled through the group of women, and my heart leapt into my throat. It wasn't panic though. It was hope. If these women saw us as boyfriends, then maybe Hudson would see it too.

I cocked an eyebrow in question: Will you deny what's right in front of you?

Hudson looked conflicted, but after a brief hesitation, he dropped his voice to a whisper. "Is it okay if I say yes?"

My pulse spiked with excitement, but before I could answer, he added, "It might make them behave better."

Damn.Of course. It was just for show.

I swallowed down my disappointment and nodded. I knew how Hudson felt about relationships when all this started. Maybe this would at least show him what it could be like to date for real.

Hudson swooped in, giving me a quick kiss and causing a flurry of gasps.

"You caught us," he announced to the passengers. "Fisher is my boyfriend."

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the words roll over me. If only they were real.

"Aw, you guys make such a hot couple!" Celia exclaimed. "Interested in a third?"

Linda smacked her arm. "Ignore Celia. She's just looking to celebrate her divorce with some bad decisions."

"I haven't had good sex in a decade," she exclaimed to a round of laughter. "Do you blame me?"

"Sorry, I'm only into men," I said.

"What about our handsome captain then?"

"Well, I'm only into Fisher," Hudson said.

"Awww," the women crooned. I wanted to melt alongside them. Maybe this boyfriend thing was for show, but there was the ring of truth in his words.

He wanted me, and for now, that would have to be enough. Not that I was giving up on Operation Make Hudson Love Fisher.

Tonight, he'd finally top me, and then we could put an end to "Fisher's sexy lessons" and just be two men who wanted to be together.

Maybe we could put an end to this role I'd been playing from the start, of the horny virgin desperate for experience with the sexy older man. It didn't fit me. It never had.

"All right," Hudson said, "let's get back to the cruise. Fisher, maybe you can hand out some bottled water?"

"Sure." I started to turn away, but he grabbed my arm. "Hey, Fish. You do know I wasn't enjoying Celia's attention, right?"

I hesitated. "Yeah, I know that now."

"But not before?"

I shrugged. "You're bi, Hud, and it's not like I know what to expect. We're not really dating."

I wanted him to contradict me, but he just sighed. "Not dating, no, but we're exclusive for now, right?"

"For now," I echoed. "Yeah, that's true."

To my surprise, he added, "And we're boyfriends for tonight. So don't make me too jealous with those women."

I laughed, delighted by the idea he'd get jealous over me. My stupid heart was quick to latch onto hope.

"Like I said, I'm only into men."

"One man, I hope."

I grinned. "Yeah, Hud. Just one man." Then I added teasingly, "For now."

I retreated to the stern and opened the ice chest to hand out drinks to the women as they retook their seats, chattering in the wake of our big reveal.

Celia, the spunkiest of the bunch, pulled me down to sit next to her. "Sorry for hitting on Hudson. I didn't know he was taken."

"It's okay. I can see the appeal."

She grinned. "I bet. Just how big of a swallow is he, anyway?"

Linda groaned and hung her head, clearly embarrassed. But I just laughed. "Hey, all I'll say is that the name on the side of his houseboat is Over 8 Inches."

The women burst into laughter, swatting my arm. "Oh, you're just having us on!"

"No, it's true," I said with a chuckle. "That's the name."

"And is this name fitting of the owner?"

I grinned and wiggled my brows. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"You're a lucky boy," Celia said, apparently taking my comment as confirmation.

"I am," I said, catching Hudson's eye as he glanced back to check on me.

He was a careful driver, but I'd seen him watching me all night. Now, with the women convinced we were boyfriends, I didn't have to avert my gaze. I stared back at him, smiling smugly.

"I'm going to be very lucky tonight."

I left the women to their voyeuristic enjoyment and headed up front, bending over the back of his chair so I could put my lips next to Hudson's ear. "Please tell me it's almost time to call it a night."

"Fifteen minutes, at most."

I groaned, and didn't miss the way he shuddered in response to the sound. "Well, boyfriend, let's milk these women's weird fascination with gay relationships and make it ten. I'm dying to get you alone."

He licked his lips. "Good idea. I'll have us docked in five."

In truth, it took almost the full fifteen minutes because once we'd returned the women to their pickup point outside Wet Dreams in Swallow Beach, they wanted to take more photos. Initially, they posed together, but then they insisted we get into the pictures, too. I pretended to hate it, but when Hudson wrapped his arm around my shoulders, effectively claiming me in front of all these people, I loved it a little too much.

"Aw, you two look really cute on camera too! So photogenic. I'm jealous."

Linda and Janice peered over Celia's shoulder to see the phone screen. "Ooh, post that one!"

"Uh, maybe don't tag us though," I said.

As much I enjoyed playing boyfriends with Hudson— and I really did—my father still didn't know we were hooking up, and the last thing I needed was for him to discover the truth via social media.

"Aw, boo," Celia said. "Can we tag Swallow Adventures at least?"

"As long as we're not in it," Hudson said. "We're, uh, not out as a couple."

Linda's eyes widened. "Oh, in the closet. Gotcha."

"Not the closet," I said. "Just…"

Celia looked delighted. "A secret romance, huh? Very naughty. I love it! We'll just have to keep these photos to ourselves. Thanks for a memorable night, though." She hesitated, her flirty smile slipping to something a bit more sheepish. "And thanks for putting up with me. I know I was a handful."

"Hey, you're here to have fun," Hudson said easily. "I hope you enjoyed the night."

She nodded. "I did, and I don't even have to wake up with regrets! Win-win."

As they walked away, Hudson turned to me. "Do you still want—"

I shoved him toward the boat. "Hurry up and get us over to your place."

He laughed as he went. "I have to dock at the marina and clean the boat for tomorrow's service first."

I groaned in dismay. "But Hud…I've been waiting all night."

He pulled me close. "I know, Fish. Me too. We'll make it quick."

I sighed, lip pushing out in a pout. He nipped it, making me gasp. "We'll dock the boat and grab your bag. The cleaning can wait."

My eyes lit up. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, why not? It's not every night we're pretend boyfriends."

My heart leapt at the B word, though I could have done without the pretend part. Still, maybe this little role play would resonate with Hudson, and he'd see that we could have more than a great string of hookups.

"True," I said softly. "It's not."

"I want tonight to be perfect for you."

"It already is," I promised. "Every night we're together is perfect."

I kissed him then, unable to wait until another minute to release some of the pent-up want I'd had all night. Hudson kissed me just as enthusiastically, only breaking away when someone shouted, "Get a room!"

Cheeks flushed, eyes glazed, hair mussed, Hudson finally looked as flustered as I felt.

"That sounds like good advice," he rasped. "Let's go get that room."