Read Online Moonlight and Margaritas by Cindy Stark - Free Book Online Page B

other passengers had boarded, leaving only her and Mercedes on the dock.  Something in her longed to go to him, to wrap her arms around his waist, to kiss a smile onto his lips…but she'd given up that right when she'd walked out on him before sunrise that morning. 
    Funny how a little thing like that had made them virtual strangers again.
    Before Elena could change her mind, Mercedes linked an arm through hers and tugged her toward the boat.  "We're coming."
    When they reached the edge of the dock, Elena inhaled and met Joe's gaze.  "Good morning." 
    "Yeah."  He regarded her with a cool look and nodded in return.  Gone was the heated desire from the previous night.  She wasn't sure she wanted to miss it, but she did.  Mercedes broke the silence by introducing herself and accepting Joe's hand as she stepped onto the boat. 
    Elena shifted her backpack and took a step forward, knowing she was about to enter uncomfortable territory.  Joe didn't smile, but he held out a hand to steady her.
    She exhaled and grasped his hand, the warmth of his fingers reminding her of all the wonderful things he'd done with those strong hands the night before.  She couldn't remember anyone or anything that had ever made her feel so good. 
    Suddenly, she needed a quick reminder as to why she'd been in a hurry to sever their relationship.  They'd had such a fun time the night before, and it wasn't like she'd see him again once she returned to Carmel.  Perhaps she'd been in too big of a hurry to leave him.
    No, she reminded herself as she climbed aboard.  He'd said he didn't want any kind of commitment.  He'd made that as crystal clear as the turquoise water around them.  She'd held up her end of the bargain and had actually made things easy on him.  He should be grateful.
    A wave came in, making the cruiser bob up and down with more force, leaving her a little unsteady.  He tightened his grip although she'd already made it safely on the boat.   
    "After the way you took off this morning, I didn't think I'd see you again."  His voice sounded calm, but something underlying hid beneath his gaze.  Anger?  Irritation?  She didn't know and wasn't sure she wanted to find out.
    "I thought that might be easiest on both of us."  The awkwardness between them had to be double what it would have been that morning if she'd stayed.
    He released her hand and fixed her with a cold stare.  "Then why are you here?"
    She looked for Mercedes to help, but her so-called friend had conveniently found her way to the far side of the boat.  Elena shifted her stance, wishing she could restart her day.  For one, she wouldn't have chosen to wear her damned bikini, and two, she would have stuck around long enough for her and Joe to part as friends.  As much as she'd wanted to avoid an uncomfortable morning, that would have been preferable to this.   Lesson learned.
    "Mercedes signed us up for this excursion.  I had no idea you were the guide." 
    "Oh."  He gave her a sardonic smile.  "I thought maybe you missed me."
    Damn it, she did miss him, and not a single soul would ever know that.  She shrugged, trying to lighten the mood.  "I did leave a note." 
    His gaze darkened, and she was pretty sure she'd given the wrong answer.  This whole thing frustrated the hell out of her.  "Look, you're the one who specifically said 'no commitment'.  I thought it would be simpler if I wasn't there when you woke up."
    He studied her for a moment, then shook his head.  "You know what?  Don't worry about it.  We both got what we wanted, didn't we?  I shouldn't have expected anything more."  He smiled then, but it didn't warm her.  This was not at all what she wanted.
    "I'm sorry I handled it so poorly.  I thought it would be best if we kept our memories of a beautiful night and went our separate ways." 
    He tilted his head, regarding her with an unreadable expression.  "Yet, here you are on my boat." 
    She glanced at the white cabin cruiser with