Chapter 7: Distraction

Tina took a deep breath of the fresh sea air and couldn't help but smile. Even after being on the water for over two weeks, she still couldn't say that she was getting tired of the endless ocean.

True, they were sticking relatively close to the shore and they had already stopped to resupply once already but the open ocean was still wide open and welcoming. For those who dared to live on it, the ocean was a beautiful and thrilling place.

“Hey, Tina.” Joe called down from the bridge. Dallas was sleeping despite it being past noon, it was Kai's turn to sail. “Ilia says we should be at the town by tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Tina called back.

Joe turned back and began talking with Kai but Tina could no longer hear her over the sound of the engine. Tina turned away as well and her eyes fell onto Crispin.

He had adapted to the sea well. Sexily well. He had taken, much like the three other guys aboard, to not wearing his shirt during the day. The sunlight was doing beautiful things to his skin, his already bright hair, and his startlingly blue eyes. Every color about him just seemed enhanced on the ocean.

Watching him standing at the prow, Tina could understand why sirens were considered beautiful water creatures that lured sailors to their deaths. She dearly wanted to run her hands through his golden hair, to let her lips trail along his bronzed skin.

Which was exactly why she didn't. She needed to focus on her revenge. Crispin was still being polite, damn him. He hadn't even tried to put a move on her and she had been expecting something, anything. He failed to deliver on his promise to distract her sexually or otherwise. He was a perfect gentleman, he was incredibly annoying.

As if he could feel her eyes on him, Crispin turned back and caught her gaze in his.

Tina refused to look away and stared him down, she got only a smile in return.

She watched him as he stepped away from the prow and joined her on the port side.

“Did you need something?” he asked innocently enough but the look in his eyes betrayed the double entendre.

“Nothing from you, thanks.” Tina assured him, crossing her arms.

She wished she had chosen to wear something more substantial than a bathing suit and cut off shorts. Anything more would have would have been unnecessary considering she was traveling in such hot weather so it wasn't like she had much choice. Even the other girls dressed similarly. That didn't stop her from feeling slightly exposed to Crispin's appraising eyes. Not that she cared if he looked, she told herself.

“Shame.” he signed simply. He reached over and let his hands run through her black hair that was billowing in the breeze created by the boat rushing along the water.

“Don't you have something to do?” Tina asked, gathering her hair and moving it away from his fingers. His touch felt too good for her to allow it to continue.

“Lunch has already been served and I don't have to think about dinner for a few hours yet.” He signed with a smile, as if he knew she was trying to get rid of him. He probably did, cocky bastard.

Everyone had their own jobs aboard the boat. Ilia was in charge of charting their course, Kai and Dallas did a majority of the steering, while Crispin was in charge of food preparation with Joe. Warren did all the heavy lifting and Tina, who couldn't boil an egg and knew nothing about nautical traveling, provided little help.

Instead, she took care of everyone else. She made sure everyone got the proper amount of sleep, food, and entertainment. She took care of the small injuries they obtained while working and kept in contact with Brook back home.

All in all, they had all been rather busy since leaving Paradise Falls. There had been no time for Crispin to make any unwanted moves on her.

So why was she so upset that he hadn't done so?

“Perhaps you'd like to talk about our job then?” she asked deliberately. If he was going to finally make his move, she was going to be prepared. She would cut him off before he had a chance and claim it as a victory for herself.

“Indeed.” he signed as if pleased she had suggested it. “What's on your mind.”

Tina cast her mind quickly for something to say.”Um...when we get there! When we land, I'm thinking I won't take everyone into town with me.”

“Reasonable.” he agreed like she hadn't already covered this topic before they even left Paradise Falls. “Any particular people you want to take on shore?”

“Dallas.” she answered immediately. “He's traveled a lot, he knows how to blend into a new environment. And you, of course.”

“Of course?” he asked with a smile.

Tina turned away quickly. “B-because of your voice.. You'd be a good ally if anything goes south.”

Crispin nodded. “Very logical. I would be most happy to help, of course.”

Tina glared at him. She could practically feel his mockery in the easy sign language and his inoffensive smile. He didn't even have to try, it came naturally to him. It had been so long since she had seen his fire, she was starting to wonder if it had banked at all.

She wanted to see it again.

Because she did, Tina stood up and backed away from him with all the dignity she could muster. “I'm going to go check on our medical supplies. You should go make a list of any food we need. While we're there, we might as well resupply.

Crispin nodded pleasantly but she had already turned from him and was disappearing into the belly of the boat.

“That was smooth.”

Tina jumped as she descended the stairs. Dallas was leaning against the wall next to the boys cabin.

“Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?” Tina asked angrily, embarrassed she had been overheard.

“I don't need much.” he shrugged and returned to his previous statement. “I mean, I didn't hear Crispin's side, but yours was not at all subtle.”

Tina glowered as she walked past him to the girl's cabin. “Who said I was trying to be subtle?”

“I don't think you're capable of being subtle.” Dallas pointed out, earning a glare.

“My relationship with Crispin is none of your business.” she told him regally. “I don't interfere with you and Ilia, do I?”

“No, but me and Ilia don't need any interference.” he said as she slid open the door to the girl's room. The doors didn't open outward or inwards to save space in the already small boat, instead they slid into the wall. “Want my advice?”

“I don't need advice.” Tina told him, hesitating. She kept the medical equipment in the girl's room just for ease of access for herself. Going over what they had and needed would provide her a good excuse to hide in her room. Hide, unfortunately, being the key word.

“Well, I'll offer it anyway.” Dallas smiled at her. “Crispin is a good guy, you could do worse even if he is a siren.”

“It's not because he's a siren.” Tina snapped agitatedly. “It's because he's so....ugh!”

“That's specific.” Dallas said dryly.

“Look, I don't have his way with words, alright?” she grumbled. “I don't know how to explain it. Everything about him just manages to get under my skin.”

Dallas laughed. “Good. Relationships without tension are boring.”

“Does Ilia bother you?” Tina couldn't help but ask. She was a bit disappointed when Dallas shook his head.

“If I let Ilia bother me, I would never stop being bothered.” he pointed out with a smile. “She's a handful, she requires patience. Luckily, I'm a patient man.”

“Well, I'm not.” Tina growled.

“No, Crispin is.” Dallas “You're the prickly one in the relationship.”

“Did you just compare me to Ilia?” Tina asked him darkly.

“You two are alike in some ways.” he told her, not surprised when her look turned almost hateful. “Calm down, it wasn't an insult. Anyway, why don't you give Crispin a chance?”

“No way.” Tina shook her head. “I have too much to worry about right now without adding him on top of it. I'd rather just finish my revenge and focus on my dad. Crispin is not in my plans.”

“Ilia wasn't in mine either, doesn't mean I didn't include her when she came along.” Dallas said as Tina walked into her room and shut the door.

What would he know about it anyway? It was her life, she should decide who in it and she had no room for a pretty boy siren who had the power to knock her on her feet without trying.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that night, when the girls had returned to the cabin to bunk down, Tina laid there wide awake.

It wasn't that she couldn't sleep with the rocking of the waves, part of her even found it soothing. She couldn't sleep because Crispin was in her thoughts.

Damn him! Without even trying to do so, he was distracting her. He fulfilled his promise with no effort at all. Tina tried shoving him from her mind, turning over in her bunk, but it was futile. The harder she tried not to think of him, the more he dominated her thoughts.

Finally, when both Joe's and Ilia's breathing had slowed and evened out, Tina stood up from her bunk and left the room. If she couldn't sleep, she might as well find something to do. At the very least, she could go bother Dallas at the wheel, perhaps even learn something about navigation while she was up there.

However, when she stepped out of the boat's compartment, before she had a chance to climb up to the bridge, she was distracted by Crispin.

Again! Damn him!

He was back at the prow of the boat, sitting down, leaning backwards and looking out at the open water they were cutting through. The ocean breeze was ruffling his hair, caressing his body. He had put on a shirt to combat the cool night air but that did nothing to take away from his allure.

Those things Tina barely noticed. She was focused completely on his face.

His smile was gone. In its place was a slight frown, as if he were thinking deep thoughts that he just wasn't permitted to have in the light of day. The steel wasn't in his eyes at the moment either. The fire was there, but had cooled of considerably since she had last seen it.

Not like the fire was dying, more like it was resting. The fire wasn't burning now, it was smoldering. Soft and warm, a glow more like a campfire than the molten flame that had scorched her before.

Tina found that she enjoyed this flame. It wasn't wild, it was controlled. This was Crispin completely at ease, relaxed. There was no one around to fear, no one to worry about. At that moment, Crispin was the normal man she had always wanted to see.

As if he sensed her, his head turned and caught her gaze.

He blinked and, when his eyes opened, the steel was back.

Tina took an involuntary step forward, reaching her hand out. The soft protest that escaped her throat was automatic, thoughtless. She didn't want to see that part of him locked away again.

“Crispin...” she whispered. It was a soft plea for him to come back.

“You should be sleeping.” he signed.

“Where did you go?” Tina asked to his surprise.

Before he had a chance to respond, she was walking forward. He tried to stand up but her hand on his cheek stopped him. He just sat there as she searched his face for a trace of that flame. That was the real Crispin, that was who was hidden behind his smile, who he protected with silence.

He must have sensed what was on her mind because, after a moment of stillness, the steel began coming down. It happened slowly, as if he was unsure. But, gradually, the him that he kept hidden started coming back.

She was left staring into the heart of that calm fire while the night breeze played along their skin, their hair.

Slowly, as if worried she might scare that steel back into place, Tina ran her fingers along the planes of his face. He simply sat there, letting her do so, reveling in the softness of her skin.

Neither of them knew exactly how long they stayed that way. Time seemed to not matter at all. Tina couldn't – wouldn't – stop herself from looking over this man.

An eternity could have passed, maybe it was only a few minutes, when Crispin lifted his hands and placed them gently on Tina's hips.

Because she had to get closer to this person, Tina moved forward and placed her knees on either side of his waist and sat on his lap so that she was straddling him.

As she did so, Crispin's hands moved slowly up her back, adoring her bare skin. He enjoyed the little jump of her muscles as he touched them.

For the first time in a long time, maybe the first time ever, Crispin gave himself up to the sensation. He didn't think, he didn't analyze or worry. He sat there and just enjoyed.

As if she could sense his surrender,Tina moaned softly in triumph. The sound was carried out and away across the endless water.

No longer wanting to deny herself, not even understanding why she ever had, Tina dipped her mouth to his. She teased him at first. Kissing the corners of his lips, trailing around his mouth.

Crispin didn't mind. He relished in the feeling of her. She was a marvelous contradiction of hard and soft. She teased, denying him his pleasure but she didn't do it on purpose. More like she just enjoyed the way he tasted and she wanted to experience every piece of him she could.

It was slow, it was tortuous, it was wonderful.

And when she finally let their lips meet, their bodies pressing together as close as they could be, the feeling was even greater.

The fire was flowing over her again. She could feel the flames licking at her, tickling her skin. It didn't scare her this time. It felt warm and welcoming. She knew this fire, she craved its burn. As Crispin's hands moved over her body - her back, her arms, her thighs - she could feel it igniting an answering fire inside her.

She arched into him, demanding more. This new fire within in her hungered, it fed off of his flame.

“Tina!”

The pair of them jumped at Dallas's call.

“Dallas!” Tina snapped angrily, shooting a deadly look behind her towards the bridge.

“I hate to interrupt,” he called down, “but we've got a problem. Get up here and look.”

Tina and Crispin shared a look; half apology, half worry. Tina clambered down off of his lap and ran across the boat. She climbed up the short ladder to get to the bridge, Crispin just a few steps behind her.

She joined Dallas at the helm and he handed her a pair of binoculars.

“Check it out.” he said indicating with his eyes the direction she should look.

Tina lifted the binoculars and peered through them. It took her a few seconds to find what Dallas had seen another one to recognize it.

“It's a boat.” she said lowering the binoculars.

“And they're headed this way.” Dallas nodded as Tina passed the binoculars to Crispin.

“What should we do?” she asked Dallas as Crispin peered through them.

“We can't escape them, they already see us.” he answered. “Our best bet is to play it cool and have Crispin on standby just in case.”

“Play it cool...” Tina repeated. “And how do we do that?”

“We act suspicious.” Dallas answered earning a look from her. “Trust me, in this line of work there is nothing more suspicious than being completely inconspicuous. If we act distrustful of them, like we don't understand why they would be coming after us, we'll seem less noteworthy.”

Tina nodded, it made sense.

Inside, part of her was grateful for Dallas's interruption. Another part hated him for it. She spared a quick look at Crispin. She had no excuse this time. He hadn't moaned, he hadn't made a sound. She had lost herself to him completely, not even remembering that Dallas could clearly see them from the bridge. He did that to her without a murmur, without a gasp or a moan.. It wasn't his voice that had trapped her before, she was forced to admit, it was just him.

She shook her head. She would think about that later. She had other things to worry about right now.

Crispin lowered the binoculars and signed, “Think it's the welcoming committee for the port town?”

Dallas nodded. “If we're lucky, they'll just pass us by. They might just want to see who we are, what we look like. It would explain why they've got all their lights off and are moving so slowly.”

Tina crossed her arms. “If they don't want us to see them, why are we supposed to act suspicious?”

“I already locked eyes with one of their guys.” Dallas explained. “They know I saw them, they're just playing it off.”

“Should I wake the others?” Tina asked him, deferring to his experience in such matters.

Dallas nodded. “But keep everyone downstairs. Just in case. Crispin, if you have to, I want you to put a fake memory in their heads.”

“To forget they saw us or that they gave us permission to pass?” the siren asked.

“Permission.” Dallas said as Tina climbed down the ladder. “If we're lucky, they won't say a word to us.”

Crispin stood at Dallas's side as the ship got ever closer to them. Tina did not reappear but he knew she was waiting in the cabins with the others.

The minutes stretched by almost painfully.

Just as they were almost upon them, they heard a voice boom out from the other ship, “HO! THERE!”

Dallas cursed as their lights came on, indicating that they should stop.

He was given no choice, he slowed Eden down.

Dallas climbed down off of the bridge, leaving the wheel of the ship to Crispin.

Inside the hull, Tina squatted impatiently on the steps leading up. She was ducked just out of sight, angry that she could do nothing to help. Warren and Kai were right behind her, Joe and Ilia behind them. They were waiting for some sign from Dallas on whether or not to charge out.

“Evening.” Dallas called to the other boat. His voice was both friendly and cautious, Tina couldn't help but be impressed with his acting. “You folks alright?”

“What are you doing down here, gringo?” she heard a distinctly Hispanic voice called back. He didn't sound friendly.

“We're travelers.” Dallas called back. “You know, tourists? We've been all up and down the coast around here. Some guys in the last port said there was a place further this way, you know it?”

Tina heard the other men call out to each other in Spanish. Then, the same guy from before said, “It's pretty far from the last port. Why you coming this far?”

Tina could practically hear Dallas shrug. “Ain't got nothing better to do.”

“Where's that girl?” a new voice called out. His voice was thicker accented than the first guy.

“Why do you want to know?” Dallas asked him suspiciously. “She's with me, leave her out of this.”

“Relax, man. I'm just curious.” he said, laughing slightly.

“You should go back the way you came.” the first man said. “This ain't a tourist town, gringo. You better off somewhere safer.”

“We aren't looking for safer.” Dallas said carelessly. “You like money, right? How much will it cost us to get through?”

Tina wished she had spent more time studying languages as the men called back to each other again in Spanish. She couldn't tell what they were saying, she couldn't even determine if it was friendly or not.

Finally one of them yelled out a number and it was followed by laughter. The number was too high. It was a joke, they had denied them entrance.

“Look, just let us pass.” Dallas called back, angry. “This ain't your town.”