Free Key West Wild (The Florida Keys Series) by Cyndi Raye

crowded like some of the ships in the water. He wanted her to see an authentic ship, not some reproduction party boat.
    It was a majestic ship, its towering masts and white sails billowing in the wind. He watched Sara as she took in the fresh sea air. She stood at the deck, clutching the wooden rails. “I can’t wait to see the sunset from here,” she said. “Thank you for this. I forgot that I read my itinerary to you.” She glanced at him with a heart beat away from heaven smile on her face.
    He leaned over. “I’m going to help you with your itinerary,” he said in a low voice. She gazed up, blue eyes filled with excitement. The lull of the crystal aqua water and the soothing ocean waves drew them in closer. “We’re going to cross off every single item on that list until there’s none left.”
    Her eyes widened. She parted her lips and her tongue came out, striking the side of her mouth. It was all he could do not to take her right there. “Even the one thing on the list I didn’t know if I accomplished when we got drunk?” she said, her voice just above a whisper.
    He nodded.
    She blushed.
    “It could take me a year to do every single thing on the list.”
    “Two weeks.” At the most, if he could last that long.
    Sara threw her head back and laughed out loud, blonde hair blowing in the salty ocean breeze. She leaned back a bit and then became enthralled when the crew released the homing doves. She turned all of a sudden. “I want to see the captain.” As if she just thought up something new, Josh followed along through the small crowd to the helm. He loved how she embraced every little adventure.
    “Can I steer the wheel?” he heard her say to the Captain. Josh stood back as she enjoyed being at the wheel, steering the ship. He stuck his hands deep in his pockets, because he wanted to grab a hold of the man whose arms draped around Sara’s shoulder, teaching her how to navigate. He hated the jealousy that rose up and tried hard not to show it because she looked like she enjoyed every bit of the lesson.
    “Want some conch chowder?” he asked. What a stupid thing to say. At the bar, the crew served it to the guests, along with complimentary drinks.
    She looked up. He stared at the arm positioned across her shoulder. His hands were deep in his pockets, clenched. He followed the arm up to the captain, whose sun-kissed face knew Josh seethed with jealousy. He wanted to wipe the smirk off the man’s face but he shoved his hands deeper in his pockets. As an expert in self control, Josh knew when to adjust a wrong train of thought. It seemed harder to do with Sara.
    “Chowder?” she questioned. Sara looked at the captain and then back at Josh and nodded. “Oh yes, we should have some.” She ducked out from under the other man’s arm and reached out her hand to Josh. He let out a deep breath and took her hand as they made their way to the galley. Josh couldn’t help a look back at the captain who was staring after them. His brow shot up in victory right before the other man looked away.
    Josh grinned. He was going to enjoy that bowl of conch chowder.
    Just as promised, the vessel crept through the water as the soothing ocean waves slapped against its wooden exterior. The two stood at the rail once again as the fiery sun disappeared from view. “It takes my breath away,” she said, reaching out to touch Josh’s hand. He draped an arm around her, enjoying the tranquil waters of the Atlantic ocean. Everyone on the ship became solemn as they watched the sun make its dramatic departure. Then a loud cheer went up. It echoed from the depths of the waters as passengers on other sail boats cheered to the mighty sun.
    “We have to kiss again,” Sara told him and then lifted her face up to his. He wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her against him, his mouth over hers in a gentle kiss. She clung on to his neck and when he pulled back, she smiled up at him. “A perfect kiss.”
    “The perfect end