Fast Cars (Working Title)

Chapter 19

Maisy wrapped the sarong around her waist. "How does this look?"

Don grinned. "You look great."

"You didn't even look."

Don turned and wrapped his arms around her and growled in her ear. "You'd look better with nothing on, but the bikini is as close to that as we'll get at the moment." He pressed a kiss against her temple.

Maisy giggled.

Dmitry grunted. "I should send someone with you."

Don winked. "Three's a crowd, Dmitry. It'll be so much less suspicious without a third wheel." He shrugged. "A romantic day on a boat as I look over the island to see if it's even feasible." He grabbed the pack Dmitry held and tossed it into the boat.

"Just remember, if you don't come back with her, you're both dead."

Don chuckled. "What? You think I'm gonna leave her on the island? Set her adrift in the middle of the ocean? There's sharks out there." He ran a hand down Maisy's arm and grasped her fingers. "Come on. Let's get this romantic interlude underway."

Don stepped onto the boat and helped Maisy in before casting off the lines. He urged the boat forward and coasted out of the bay. Once they were in open water, he headed for the island.

"Explain to me what we're doing out here."

Don glanced at her and winked. "We're having a romantic day on the boat."

"But," she paused for a moment. "Why?"

Don sighed. "Because Dmitry has a business transaction that's gonna happen in a few days and the other players want to shake things up a bit. I'm checking it out before hand."

"And I'm just a cover."

"You could take off that wrap and be uncovered," Don said with a wink.

Maisy laughed and shook her head. "You're impossible."

"I know."

The boat slowed to a crawl as the island came into view. "And this is where I need Jax. I could've sent him onto the island to look for traps."

"What kind of traps?"

Don shrugged. "Hard to tell. Come here."

Maisy stood and stepped to his side. She glanced up at him expectantly.

He pressed her against the steering wheel and nuzzled her neck. "Pretend like we're making out. We're being watched."

She drew her hands up his back. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

She rubbed his back while kissing his collarbone.

Don growled. "This isn't gonna work. I need a distraction for them, not for me."

Maisy giggled. "What would happen if we went for a romantical walk on the beach?"

Don grinned down at her. "Romantical, huh? I knew there was a reason I brought you. Let's circle the island and see if there's anyplace safe to pull in."

Maisy winked at him. "I'm such a good distraction."

"Right."

Maisy stepped behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his back. Don patted her hands before urging the boat around the rocky shoreline.

"What are you looking for?"

"Anything out of place. That piece of tin there is covering something, just can't tell what from this distance."

"It's a satellite dish."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded against his back. "Can you see the radio tower? It looks like they've built it against that tree or planted the tree to hide the tower."

"Great job, honey. There's a few things in the water. I'm not sure if they're mines or what."

"You keep an eye on those and I'll watch the beach."

"I'm glad you're here, Maisy."

"Me too. How close would you have gotten if I weren't?"

"Probably not too close. There's an inlet. I'm gonna pull in there and maybe we'll go for a walk."

She squeezed him but remained silent.

"When we get on the island, we need to beach comb for a while."

"Or find a cozy spot on the sand?"

Don grinned over his shoulder. "Possibly." Don killed the engine and coasted to the beach. He tossed the anchor and climbed out before holding up his arms for Maisy. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she slid into his arms. He spun her around as he sloshed through the few feet to the sand. They held hands as they walked across the beach, stopping to pick up shells. Don spun her around and crushed her in an embrace.

"There's someone coming."

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I know."

"Excuse me. This is a private island. You're trespassing."

Don released her and acted startled. "Man, I'm sorry. I had no idea. We'll get out of your hair."

Maisy blushed a pretty shade of pink then smiled. "Do you know a beach around here that isn't private?"

The man shook his head, his eyes hard. "No."

"Thanks, man. Sorry."

Don turned and guided Maisy back to the boat. He kissed her quickly before hoisting her into the hull. "You were great."

The boat puttered away from the island. Maisy sighed as she flopped down onto a cushion. "What now?"

Don shrugged. "I guess we go back and report what we found."

"Do we hafta go back right away? It's so peaceful and nice out here."

Don cut the engine and turned around, his eyebrow raised. "What did you have in mind?"

"I thought that since we couldn't find a comfy spot on the beach, maybe we could find one on the boat."

Don breathed out a soft chuckle. "Only if that's what you really want."

She smiled. "It is."

Don knelt next to her. "Be sure, baby. My brakes are going out."

"You don't need brakes here, Donovan."

Don buried his face against her stomach and breathed in. Her fingers threaded through his hair.

"Love me, Don."

"Always," he murmured.