Sadie's Surrender by Afton Locke Page B

her. The last thing he needed was to anger his key employee.
    He had to go through with his plan.
    “Holy catfish! You’ve got a big one.” Caleb pointed at Henry’s bent pole. “Are you going to reel him in, or do you expect him to jump into the boat by himself?”
    But the prize was a feisty bluefish, not a catfish. Henry reeled it in and removed it from the hook. For some reason, he didn’t feel the usual thrill from catching a fish. In the short time he and Sadie had worked together, he’d gotten used to having her by his side.
    Watching her capable fingers, wrapped around a pen. Her smooth brow as she bent in concentration over his books. Her intelligent eyes, gliding over the pages or shooting him a feisty look.
    Her hands in his hair, pulling until it hurt.
    A pinpoint of hot fluid seared the tip of his penis. He wished she were here so he could teach her how to fish. Maybe she’d even kiss him to reward him for catching one. The heat in his shaft intensified when he fantasized about making love to her out here at sea. Each wave would guide his hands over her curves and his thrusts into her sweet wetness.
    She reminded him of the weather at sea, changing in an instant. He pictured her docile one minute and a feral cat the next. Naked, they’d wrestle on this boat, grappling with each other from bow to stern. Pulling, grabbing, fucking…
    “Ah!” Henry masked his groan with a cough.
    Shame scalded his face when he realized his overalls were wet. Blazing barnacles . He’d ejaculated just from thinking about her.
    “Excuse me. I need to use the head.”
    When he returned, he took small, stiff steps. His clothes were cold and wet but clean.
    Caleb raised an eyebrow as he started the boat engine. “What happened to you? Did you fall overboard or something?”
    Or something…
    “The fish was messy,” Henry muttered. “We’re leaving already?”
    “I don’t like to be away too long with Pearl so close to her time.”
    Henry stowed his pole, tempted to pout worse than a sullen child because he wanted to stay out here until nightfall. He also needed to talk about Sadie, but he shouldn’t.
    “Caleb, I need to ask you something.”
    “Shoot,” Caleb called out while stowing the fishing poles.
    Henry pulled up the anchor. “It’s about women.”
    Caleb gestured him to join him up front and grabbed the wheel. “Well, it’s about time. Who is she?”
    “You wouldn’t know her,” Henry said.
    “Try me. I know just about everybody in both counties.”
    “I’d rather not,” Henry replied, staring straight ahead through the windshield. “I’m very fond of her. We’ve fooled around some, and I sort of told her I plan to make love to her.”
    Caleb’s gaze left the water for a moment. “Sounds serious.”
    “It can’t be. It would have to be one time.”
    “Why? Is she married?” he asked, steering around a buoy.
    When Henry shook his head, Caleb rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s black, then.”
    Henry nodded.
    “Then even one time would be dangerous.”
    “Tell me what I don’t already know.” He watched a seagull wheeling overhead. “I want to make it romantic. What would a woman like Pearl prefer?”
    He hoped Caleb didn’t figure out the mystery woman was her cousin. Of course, their personalities were complete opposites. Pearl was demure and very feminine. Sadie had the drive and smarts of a man. And demure? Hardly. But the night he’d admitted his feelings to her, she’d been all woman.
    “For starters,” Caleb admitted. “I recommend a bed. If you plan to do it at your place, clean it up first.”
    “Makes sense. What else?”
    “Pearl enjoys candles and flowers. And wine.”
    Henry scratched his head. “Sounds like I need to do some shopping.”
    Caleb pinned him with a wiser-older-brother look. “Make sure you use a condom.”
    Old memories punched Henry in the stomach. “Why bother? It didn’t help last time.”
    “Because not using one would be worse.” Caleb