Recipe for Satisfacton(11)

“What if she fell off the boat?” Penn said. “This is her first time and—”

“We have plenty of staff on duty, there is no way she could have fallen off without someone noticing. She couldn’t have gone far,” Cole said, a surprising softness to his voice Jack had never heard before. “We just docked. I’ll help you find her.”

“Thanks.” Penn’s voice was quiet.

“You mean thanks for coming to your rescue? Again?” Cole’s tone shifted, his voice suddenly full of disdain. The softness hadn’t lasted long.

A tapping sound of one of Penn’s stilettos vibrated against the floor of the deck. “I said thank you.” The hardened edge of Penn’s voice was enough to scare any male adult. Jack could only imagine how Cole would handle the situation.

Sterling angled her head toward the edge of the wall with a smile, coaxing him to take a closer listen. She seemed at ease listening in on her best friend’s conversation. But Jack hated eavesdropping. He grimaced and held Sterling tight when she leaned farther out to hear. He wouldn’t make their presence known. The need to keep Sterling all to himself was too important.

“It’s customary to thank a person after they’ve helped you,” Cole spat.

“Ugh, you’re infuriating.”

“Don’t forget who signs your paycheck.”

Ouch. That was uncalled for.

“How could I forget? You remind me every day.”

There was definitely something going on between these two, but Jack knew better than to ask. Cole would never spill.

Sterling’s focus turned to the gentle sway of the water. Jack scratched his chin. She was Penn’s friend. Penn was his employee. It seemed Cole had his own troubles with Penn; the family didn’t need Jack adding to the situation. But the electricity of Sterling’s kiss dared Jack to forget propriety and take more.

Penn’s voice brought Jack back to the situation. “Why do you hate me?”

“Penn…”

Jack wished he could see their silent exchange. His brother didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, yet Penn was getting a glimpse of the man Cole hid from the world.

“Why don’t you phone her?” And just like that, Cole changed the subject to avoid explaining that he, in fact, didn’t hate Penn. Jack knew his brother too well—his actions were those of a little boy who tortured a little girl because he liked her. Someone had it bad.

Penn sighed. “Right.”

Sterling tensed and cursed under her breath just as her phone sang inside her bag. Again and again it rang, the glow of the screen visible from outside the purse. She fumbled with the contents inside. Not a time to carry an entire medicine cabinet. Jack chuckled as he loosened his grip to allow her more room to maneuver.

A silhouette blocked the light from the deck of the boat as it stopped in front of them.

“What the…” Penn’s expression was priceless as she pushed the end button on her phone to stop the ringing. “Sterling! I thought you fell off the boat.”

Cole sidled up behind Penn. The nervousness on his face was distinguishable even in the dim light.

“Cole.” Jack gave a nod and they had their own silent exchange. Despite being privy to the conversation, he would never speak of it.

“Looks like Jack’s taking pretty good care of her, Penn.”

“Jack brought me some tea for my stomach.” Sterling motioned to the wooden bench where they’d sat before they’d been so rudely interrupted.

Penn eyed them both, onto their game. “All right, then.” She stuffed her phone back in her bag. “Are you fine to get home?”

“Yep. The car you sent should be waiting for me.”

Cole put a light hand on Penn’s arm. “Let’s go.”

She ignored him for a moment and leaned forward to envelop Sterling in a hug. Jack heard Penn whisper something that sounded like “seal the deal,” then as she stepped away she said, “Thanks for coming tonight. I love you.”

Footsteps receded down the stairs and after a few moments, they were alone again.

The dynamic between Cole and Penn put his time with Sterling into perspective. No complications here, fortunately. What they had was plain and simple. Which was exactly what he wanted.

“We weren’t supposed to hear that,” Sterling said. “Do you think they’re all right?”

“Cole’s silly crush on Penn is not important right now. I—”

“He has a crush on—?”

Jack cut her off with a kiss. His heart thudded, and he couldn’t resist grabbing her bottom under the fabric of her skirt, the skimpy lace of her thong exposing her bare flesh. He squeezed and yanked her forward, rubbing his pelvis into her stomach.