Her Captain's Deck (The Firework Series) Read online

  Her Captain’s Deck by Dee Ellis

  © 2019 by Dee Ellis. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

  Cover Design: Dandelion Cover Designs

  Interior Formatting: Dee Ellis for Indies Ink

  Publisher: Hummingbird Press

  Everlee

  Keegan

  Everlee

  Keegan

  Everlee

  Keegan

  Everlee

  Keegan

  Everlee

  Keegan

  Everlee

  The Fireworks Series

  About the Author

  Also by the Author

  Everlee

  It is finally time.

  Independence Day is coming—and this year, I intend to embrace my freedom and liberty in a brand-new way.

  Because this year it won’t be just any regular Independence Day with barbecues, drinking, and fireworks. Oh, no. This is the year. This is totally my year.

  Time to liberate myself—from my virginity.

  “Everlee, it can’t be so simple. I mean it is for some folks, I suppose. Guys, mostly. It won’t be—and shouldn’t be—for you,” my sister Emrie sighs as if she shouldn’t have to explain it to me.

  “Of course, you say that. Your first time was with your husband. A super-hot, super rich, super sexy slice of perfection. No one gets that in real life unless you’re... well, you.” I frown as I pace the rocky hills overlooking the lake.

  “You can have it too. I got lucky because I waited until it felt right. Tossing out your virginity to some sailors like a ring toss not even caring what prize you land is ludicrous!”

  Her soft smile makes me miss her so I tilt my phone to give her a view of what she’s missing. Behind me, the mountains peak against a clear blue sky full of sunshine. Summer is officially here and Milltown is lovely this time of year. Carefully traversing a tricky spread of smooth rock, I can’t help but smile back at her.

  Guess I might look just as foolish if I married a sinfully sweet billionaire with an adorable daughter. I spot her husband and daughter in the background laughing with each other and my smile widens. I’m still getting used to my sister turning a nanny job into an instant family, but I dig it.

  It’s been me and Emrie since our parents died ten years ago. Naturally a mother hen, she took care of me before I pushed her out of the nest two years ago. And look where she landed.

  Big sister certainly got a prize on her first go-round.

  Not sure if I want a prize or just want my virginity to stop being treated like one. Although I dated during high school and college, I never took relationships too seriously. I guess punching a v-card was serious enough that no one I dated wanted to be the one to punch it.

  “Luck has always been on your side, Em, not mine.”

  My sister makes a face at me before her husband and daughter crowd her to shout hellos. “Because I welcome it with open arms.” Throwing hers wide-open, she giggles as her little girl runs and leaps into her them.

  Looking out over the horizon, I ignore how lonely her happiness makes me feel. My sister deserves everything. I can’t say she’s wrong, either. It’s not as if I turn good things away, but you might say I keep a cautious hand out.

  This summer it stops—caution is out the damn window.

  In a few days, Milltown sets off its epic July Fourth celebration. Known several counties wide for the festivities, it draws travelers. But it’s not the tourists I’m after. Sometimes they stick around our cute town and we can’t have that.

  I want a hit it and quit it kind of vagina visit.

  For a few weeks in the summer, the town gets other visitors too. Military men and women call it home for a short time as well. And those visitors always leave. It’s why this town is known for heartbreak as much as fireworks.

  They come in, break hearts, and then they go.

  “You can’t seriously be considering giving away your virginity to some random army guy just because you know he won’t be around to deal with afterwards,” Emrie scolds once her husband and the little one leave her be.

  “Wrong, big sister. I'm dead serious. I want to do it because I want it done. Maybe afterwards I can find someone like you have. But I want this out of the way first.” Sinking to a crouch on the huge boulder beneath me, I look away from her glare.

  “Jesus, Everlee, it’s not a burden. It’s beautiful and...” Seeing her words hit me, she stops because she knows she’s gone too far.

  Calling me from her perfect penthouse with her beautiful husband and daughter in the big beautiful city, she has no right to talk to me about beauty. Pushing my hair into a messy bun, I swipe away my tears before they fall and ready to end the call.

  “Going for a jog. Talk to you later, Em.” My feet slip on the rocks as I climb down towards the rushing rapids I hiked to.

  Tucking my phone away, I shake off my sadness and stretch before I get to it. Picking up the pace from a light jog to a full run, my lungs are burning and my tears dried by the time I reach the outcropping of boulders I come to everyday.

  Dropping to my knees on the sandy shore, I struggle to catch my breath as the calm waves lick at my feet. Standing, I shrug off my jacket and kick off my shoes before wading into the water to cool off.

  Keeping close to the slower moving current, I catch my breath as my feet slip and curl over river stone. Eventually I'll calm down and call her to apologize, but I’m not ready. My sister didn’t mean anything by her comment and I know that.

  It still stings every single time I'm reminded.

  My entire family is beautiful. My parents were two of the most beautiful people I ever knew. We lived in a wonderful home and had a lovely life until tragedy took them away. It left Emrie in charge of me at a young age after we were sent to live with our equally beautiful grandparents. Cold and cruel but very, very beautiful.

  Seemed I was the odd one out; an ugly duckling who was cast aside in family photos or forgotten upstairs during family parties. Too short and too wide, I didn’t have their beautiful blonde hair or bright eyes and although Emrie always told me I was beautiful, everyone else told me different.

  I became bulimic, throwing myself into exercise and dangerous diets. Food was like a drug that I couldn’t kick. I would sneak my favorite guilty pleasure foods and binge and purge behind my grandparents’ back. My sister found me out and forced them to get me into treatment.

  It took time, but I got better. It took years of therapy to get to a place where I don’t hate my body. Where I don’t feel less than when I look at people around me. Another reason why I want to shed my v-card the way I do. I need to be the one to make the choice. I need to retain my power so my first time is on my terms.

  Wading in the cool water, I think about how silly it is. It’s just sex. I don’t need candles and flowers or romance. I just want to get past this. Feels every bit the burden my sister tried to argue it isn’t.

  As I consider my lack of experience—we're talking negative numbers here—I notice a handful of guys laughing on the shoreline. Each one is hotter than the last, carrying rafting gear. Pushing further into the twisting tides so I can drift closer to them, I yelp as pain slices through my foot.

  Just as sudden as the pain hits, I slip and lose my footing, cracking my head against a huge river rock. Icy water floods my lungs and I push at the rocky bottom beneath me as my arms cut through the water. Twisting with the waves, I feel myself get swept up in the current and I start to panic.

  What kind of cruel world lets a woman die a virgin?

  Keegan

  Small town living might just be what the doctor ordered.

  After spending most of my life touring the world on ships and destroyers, staying in one place for a while sounds like heaven. And this little town seems like the pearly gates leading to it.

  It’s as Mayberry as they come and I am digging it. From the lovely hiking trails and scenic views to the town square, I like it all. And I'm excited to call it home. Early summer bleeds through the town with Independence Day décor lining the streets and brightening up front lawns.

  “You ready for a place like this to be permanent?” My friend Dooly asks as we head down to the rapids to do some rafting.

  “Absolutely my man. Ready to settle somewhere. Been a long time coming.” Sighing with a smirk as I breathe in the fresh air as my feet crunch on gravel and moss, I tip my head to the sky.

  At twenty-eight, I realized I was done with the navy. I served my country plenty and have the scars to prove it. I have done my duty long enough—it's time I do so something that makes me happy. Not that I didn’t love being in the navy, seeing the world, and giving my all for my country.

  I just decided it’s time I put my all into something different.

  At the stream’s shore, we meet up with a few other navy buddies who—unlike us—are just here for a quick stop. Just as I start to bullshit with them about how I won’t miss spending my time on a cramped boat with them, I see her.

  Jogging down the shoreline, her strawberry blonde hair catches my attention first. It bounces on top of her head with every pound of her feet.


  The next thing I notice is her ass. It’s perfection. Round and soft, it bounces too, and I am mesmerized. Toned thighs and wide hips fill out leggings so good she might as well be naked.

  As the guys laugh and talk, I never take my eyes off her. In the shadows of a huge rock formation, she drops to her knees and I start head that way. I am not sure what I'll say once I get there, but I need to go talk to her. Just when I start to reach her, she jumps up, shakes off her jacket, and wades into the water.

  Christ, she’s beautiful.

  And she’s in trouble.

  A yelp fills the air and I see her slip on the rocky bottom of the river. As I watch, she is pulled under by a swirling current. I wait a few seconds to see if she resurfaces, but she never does. Tossing my things aside, I rush into the water and dive beneath the crashing waves. I reach her in a few swift strokes, scooping her limp body up against mine.

  Rushing onto the embankment, I lie her down and bend over her to start CPR. Just as I brush my mouth over hers, she coughs and sputters, spewing river water into my face. I almost laugh but I’m too worried to make the sound.

  Brushing a hand over her tangled hair, I press a hand to her chest, ignoring how my cock jerks when I feel the swell of her perfect tits. Her eyes flutter open to gaze up at me as if I'm a hero or something. I almost jump when her hand comes up to cover mine where it covers her thundering heart.

  “You alive Princess?”

  My friends crowd around us and it frustrates me because I want to keep her to myself.

  “Thanks to you. Jesus. Ouch,” rubbing our hands together at her chest, she coughs and sputters a little more, “almost dying hurts.”

  Kneeling beside her, I let her hold my hand still as she catches her breath. I do my best to ignore her nipples budding up in her tiny bra top. Try to ignore her soft tummy and thick thighs.

  “Let me take you to the hospital.” Hooking a hand beneath her neck, I help her sit up.

  “No. No need. I’m alive. Oh shit!” Wincing, she drags her knee towards her, pushing both our laced hands down to her foot.

  A huge open gash runs the length of her foot, staining the river sand crimson. Suddenly she starts to pant as tears pool in her pretty green eyes. Tearing my shirt off, I wind it around her foot and tie it tight. Drawing her arm around my neck, I bend and scoop her up against my chest.

  “I am taking you to the hospital, Princess. That foot is going to need stitches.” Carrying her close against my chest—mostly because I like the press of her soft body—I head up the trail towards my jeep.

  “Christ I'm a mess. I came out for a hike and a jog and I nearly die. If not for you,” I flush when she grins at me and tightens her arm around me, “I probably would have. I’m Everlee.”

  Her eyes sparkle in the sunlight as I jog up the slope towards my jeep. I'm mesmerized by the softness in those eyes and the feel of her in my arms. I carry her to my jeep and gingerly set her inside. I hate letting her go and that is weird as shit so I take my time buckling her in. When she giggles at me, I realize she must realize how ridiculous I'm being.

  “Everlee,” I try her name out and by the way she flushes, I think she likes me saying it as much as I do. “My name’s Keegan. I almost came to introduce myself before your death-defying dip.” As I settle in beside her, I shoot her a wink and smirk.

  “Not sure I recognize you. I know most of the faces around here.” Cocking her head at me, she brings her ankle up at her knee and cradles her foot.

  “I'm a new face here. Work brought me to town.” I am aware of her eyes sliding over me as if trying to figure me out.

  Something both curious and cautious lights her pretty eyes. I have an overwhelming urge to reach over and take her hand to lace our fingers together. And the longer she watches me with questions in her gaze, the longer I battle the urge.

  It's not all I want to do to her, to be honest.

  My lips briefly touched hers and the spark that sizzled through me still has my heart pounding. In the sun her creamy skin glistens with water and her tiny bra and sexy leggings make me hungry for more than her lips and for more than handholding

  It's how badly I want to hold her hand that keeps me from doing it.

  Because it's not about just wanting to touch her.

  I want to comfort her. I want to feel connected to her.

  And that is some strange stuff, so I keep my hands to myself.

  Once we reach the hospital, she gives me that giggle again as I rush around to scoop her up and carry her inside. Nurses smile at us as I explain her injury and refuse the wheelchair they offer. I am not ready to let her go yet.

  They usher us to a room and finally I set her down and put some distance between us. I realize then that I’m shirtless in board shorts and bare footed. Now her teasing laughter makes more sense.

  “You make a fine savior, Keegan.” Tucking an arm behind her head, she grins up at me in a way that makes my stomach twist.

  “You have no idea, Princess. It’s what I do for a living.” I bounce a shoulder as she blinks up at me.

  “Military man?” I don’t hate the way her eyes eat me up then, drifting from my toes to the top of my head

  “Yes ma’am. Petty Officer Dorsett, at your service.” Giving her a salute and a wink, I feel my chest expand a little with pride.

  “Oh man. You really just saved me, Captain. You have no idea.”

  Before I can correct her about my rank—I earned it and I want it counted—my gaze meets hers. Something hot and fiery is in her eyes as they trail over me. I kind of feel objectified. And I don’t mind.

  Everlee smirks in a way that both excites and terrifies me.

  Everlee

  I found him—and without even looking.

  Beautiful and built, Keegan Dorsett is the man for the job I know it. Meaning the job of destroying my v-card hymen first. Before I can explain my lecherous look, the doctor comes in to check on me. Suddenly my swagger’s gone as he gingerly tends to my foot.

  Something magical happens though.

  Keegan stands there with me, gripping my hand in his and talking softly about the town and all the things he wants to see in it. I make promises of taking him to see everything. Before I know it, my foot is stitched up, wrapped tight, and the doctor is pushing a script for pain meds into my hand.

  “Let’s get you out of here.” Keegan smiles that charming half smile at me as he slips an arm around my waist and scoops me up.

  “I can walk, Captain.” I almost laugh when I see the flare behind his eyes when I call him the wrong title. I saw it earlier and liked it so much I do it on purpose.

  “Stop pretending you want me to put you down, Princess,” he whispers against my ear as my arms clutch tight at his broad shoulders.

  “That is beside the point. Why Princess?” I wonder aloud as he breezes past the nurses who ogle him in his shirtless, shoeless wonder.

  “Why not Princess? You were a damsel in distress and I came to your rescue. It sounds like a fairytale.” He grins just like prince charming as he sets me in the jeep.

  When I snort and cover my face in shame he just laughs.

  Yeah, this one... this one will do.

  As he jogs to the driver side, I take a moment to indulge in him. Tall and wide, he’s built like a hero should be. Toned with so many ripples of muscles and abs I lose count. It’s more than a six-pack is all I’m saying. Thick arms bunch and coil as he pulls himself into the jeep and his tapered waist leads to that sexy v that makes my thighs shake.

  Hopping in beside me, he turns the radio up as my favorite song plays—as if he somehow knows me well enough—and flashes me another panty-melting smile. We get a few blocks before I realize he’s singing it softly and my heart melts a little.

  None of that. Not letting that shit happen.

  I am going to get this man to sleep with me and that’s it.

  “I should treat you to lunch for taking care of me. We’re strangers, but you stuck with me when most guys wouldn’t.”

  Pulling up in front of the pharmacy on Main, he twists towards me. Everything stills for a moment. All the crowds bustling down the streets, the song on the radio, even my heart seems to. Reaching out, he tangles his fingers in my hair and tugs me close. I expect him to kiss me as he bends his head towards me, but he hesitates a breath away.