who was ignoring them in lieu of checking out the hardwood floors and then the hallway where their offices were tucked away. A sly grin split her face when she looked at him.
He squeezed her hand. "What?" The same saucy expression she'd had in the car was on her face, and he suddenly became grateful for the long coat to hide his reaction.
"Nothing. An idea."
Sensing this idea shouldn't be discussed in front of Veronica, he directed her to grab the charter keys and a small cooler of snacks. When his assistant strode away, he eyed Raven. "What's this idea of yours? Do tell."
Stepping into his space, she pressed against him and tilted her face up to his. "Later."
He narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. Whatever she had up her sleeve, he'd willingly play along.
After getting the keys and cooler, he told Hintz to stay on the mainland. He and Raven walked down the dock to the twenty foot boat and climbed aboard. Leaving Raven inside the aft cabin in the steering station above the rear room to stay warm, Noah checked the gas tank, back up containers, battery, and gauges before untying the boat from the dock.
He climbed the steps into the cabin and started the motor. "Ready, baby?"
Grinning, she nodded.
Easing them from shore, he made sure to get past the harbor and inlet islands without creating a wake before letting loose. Once in the open water, he glanced at her. She leaned over the seat to take in the scenery, her eyes bright and a faint smile tracing her lips. Stunned by her beauty, he found it hard to take his eyes off her. Even in the dusky lowlight that passed for day this time of year, she shone like a beacon.
Chest aching, he tore his gaze away to round a bend to get closer to the island where he wanted to go. He reduced their speed when he caught sight of a fin. It surfaced again, so he cut the motor.
He jerked his chin starboard. "Check it out. Whales."
She glanced to their right and her grin widened. "Can we go on deck?"
Nodding, he held the door and descended the steps after her. She walked to the chest-high railing and leaned into it. He came up behind her and caged her in his arms, kissing her temple.
The Chugach Mountains to the east and Mount Spurr far off to the west, they were pocketed in immense beauty. Saw-tooth ridges and hanging valleys were clouded in a fine mist fog that gave the impression of solitude. Birch and spruce dotted the landscape, scenting the air with pine and mingling with salt and ice off the water.
As the boat rocked, he tugged her closer. "Really something, isn't it?"
"Yeah," she breathed, leaning her head back on his shoulder. "I forget how beautiful it is sometimes."
Because the view couldn't hold a match to her, he nuzzled her ear. "Really beautiful."
"Oh, look."
She straightened and pointed just as another fin broke the surface about forty feet from the boat. The V shape indicated whale, which was surprising as they were typically spotted farther out. He was glad he'd stopped. The fin came down with a splash and disappeared. Another twenty feet from the fin a few seals were playing on a small ice glacier.
"Seals, too, baby." He pointed. The tourists who booked their fishing charters always got a kick out of them and the whale sightings. More than half signed up just for the wildlife.
"Aw. When I was little and my mom first brought us to Alaska, there were a bunch of seals on shore sun-bathing. I wanted one for a pet."
He chuckled and, finally, all the knots loosened in his shoulders. Somehow she'd managed to expel his anger from earlier, turn him on to the point of pain, and leave him in happy bliss. And without the need to punch or fuck his way through the emotions. He didn't think he'd ever loved her more. His chest swelled, rocking him back a step.
She sighed contentedly. "We got distracted from my mission. You seem calmer now." She turned her face up to him, regarding him over her shoulder. Her cheeks were pink from the chill. "Feel better?"
Her mission meaning him bending her over the nearest surface and--how had she put it?--fucking her senseless. He wasn't in the mood to fuck her. He wanted to make love to her with this backdrop. Slide in and out of her wet heat slowly, driving them both to the point