George nodded slowly, trying to processeverything. “Yes … but if she doesn’t want to get close to me whatdo I do?”
“I didn’t say she didn’t want to getclose to you, boy. I said she was scared. Let her make themoves.”
“So I shouldn’t pursue her?”
Mr. Seever shook his head. “Just be there forher. She’ll approach you when she feels comfortable.”
George sighed from low in his belly. “I’vewaited almost a month.” To take her to bed. Hell, I’d be happywith another kiss. The last four weeks had felt like aneternity.
“Most men your age wouldn’t even last thatlong,” Mr. Seever said, smiling. “You must really care abouther.”
George looked up at the boiler deck again andsaw Allison, standing at the railing. He grinned at her, and apleasant feeling cascaded over him. “I do, sir. I do.”
“You can’t raise a family on a steamboat. Iknow.”
George’s brow creased. What did he mean abouthaving a family on a steamboat? Was he married? Those were personalquestions he wasn’t about to ask.
“I hope I helped. And if there ever comes atime when you and that pretty gal up there want to raise thatfamily let me know. I haveconnections. I can likely get you both jobs in town.”
George suddenly forgot his manners and forgothow to speak. Mr. Seever was full of surprises. Finally, he got his tongue working again. “Thankyou, sir. If I may ask, what kind of job?”
“My brother owns a warehouse. I’m a silentpartner. Instead of loading and unloading steamboats, you’d be transferring freight in and out ofthe warehouse.”
Pretty much the same thing he was doing now,but in town where he really wanted to work. “I would really likethat, sir.”
Mr. Seever nodded and walked over to one ofthe ship’s officers, talking with him as easily as he had talkedwith George. He couldn’t figure Mr. Seever out or Allison. Why didhe keep trying?
By the time the call came to eat, he’d workedup an appetite. Staring at his plate, he missed living on the farm.Noon meal on the Queen Bee was nothing compared toEmma’s cooking, but he sure enjoyed the company. He smiled atAllison and motioned to a barrel. It was as good a seat as any. Shesat and he sank down next to her.
“I’ve been looking forward to this meal,”George said.
Allison glanced at the cornbread, beans, andsalt pork. It was nothing special. “You extra hungry today?”
George leaned closer to her. Yes, hungry forher. “No, ma’am. I’ve missed you.”
Allison gazed out at the water. “It isanother hot day.”
“Yes.”
George dug into his beans. Why did shesuddenly change the subject? Sorrow seeped through his pores. Didshe not want to return his feelings?
They ate in silence for several minutes. Hesneaked glances at her, trying to gauge her emotion. He had nearlycleaned his plate, eating faster without spending most of his breaktalking. The awkward tension between them ate at his nerves.
This was one of their few chances to spendquality time with each other during the day. It had become hisfavorite part. But if she wasn’t up for conversation … he couldonly think of one other thing to do.
Setting his plate on the deck, George reachedover and grabbed her hand. She smiled and heaviness lifted off ofhim. She still wanted to be near him. The heat from their skin toskin contact sent blood rushing to his cock. He needed hercloser.
His fuse burned down and passion exploded inhim like a firecracker. To hell with manners. All restraintgone, George pulled Allison to herfeet and she gasped, dropping her plate.
The look of surprise on her face aroused himeven further. His mind focused on one thing—Allison. He reeled herin until she pressed against his chest. He heard her thunderingheart, felt every one of her rapid breaths. She was panting for himand he hadn’t even kissed her. Yet. He planned to change that verysoon.
“Allison?”
“Yes?” Allison looked up at him, her lipsangled toward his.
Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers givingher time to turn away if she didn’t want this. His gut twisted withneed, the need to taste her, to claim her. With one hand he cuppedher face and took his second kiss from this woman.
Did she like it? As if to answer hisquestion, she quit struggling and melted into his arms.
Encouraged by her lack of protest, hedeepened the kiss, his lids closing. Their lips sizzled where theylocked together. He groaned, his second taste of her was heady acombination of coffee and sugar.
The faint sound of muddled conversation andfootsteps reminded him of his surroundings. His entire body heated,embarrassment rivaling the fire of passion. He shouldn’t havekissed her here, like this. He bowed his head sheepishly. When hefinally worked up the courage to meet her eyes, his breath caughtin his throat.
She glared at him with the intensity of alioness.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed.
“You better be,” she spat. “And don’t thinkyou’re going to get more of that tonight.” The rough edge in hervoice cut through to his heart.
“Allison, please—”
She folded her arms across her chest.“They’re all watching us, George! Don’t you have anyself-control?”
George nearly choked on air. He’d lost it.There was no excuse. He’d had self-control in her presence up untilnow. Couldn’t she give him credit for that? He bit his tongue andswitched his concern to her where it belonged. He didn’t want thecrew thinking Allison was a hussy.
“I said I wanted to take it slow and you pullthis.” Allison’s voice shook tears glistening in her eyes. “And Ithought I could trust you.” She slapped him, turned sharply, herlong black hair whipping her shoulders.
The disappointment in her voice hurt worsethan the sting. “I’m sorry, Allison,” he said again.
“I have to get back to work. There is a berthavailable in the ladies’ cabin. It will be much more comfortablethan sleeping on the deck.”
Fearing anything else he’d say would make itworse; he stood rooted in place and watched her walk away.
One of the other roustabouts patted him onthe shoulder. “Don’t worry. She’ll cool off.”
George let out a long sigh. Hopefully. Hefelt like he’d been plowed over by a stack of whiskey
