Steam Me Up, Rawley by Angela Quarles

Author:Angela Quarles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Victorian, Science Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Steampunk
ISBN: 978-0-9905400-3-8
Publisher: Angela Quarles
Published: 2015-01-14T05:00:00+00:00

Adele watched as Rawley dispensed with his coat, picked up the oars, and slowly rowed into the river, each stroke showing off the strength of his arms and shoulders. Mercifully, he stayed close to shore, skirting around the other docks and large ships and wharfs as he piloted them upriver.

A strange warm feeling settled over her at his sharing the story of his Edgar. Her heart went out to the little boy he’d been. She could see the younger version, a dark lock across his forehead, his face serious and earnest as he nursed the baby squirrel. Clearly, it had been more traumatic than he let on. She also appreciated how he’d distracted her once they were in the boat, but also knew how much, or little, to push.

A slight breeze teased a black curl over his eye. “I think this will be easier if we move to the opposite shore, where there’s not as much industrial activity.”

She nodded and concentrated on watching his strong muscles flex under the linen of his fine lawn shirt as he continued sweeping powerful strokes into the water. She didn’t look around, but kept watching him. She didn’t dare to yet. And besides, this view wasn’t a hardship. She settled against the wooden seat.

Shortly, he pulled up next to a much smaller dock, the shoreline devoid of commercial activity. He tied a rope around the post and sat back down.

“How are you?”

She took a deep breath. “Fine. So far.”

“I thought next we should help you overcome your fear of being in the water itself.”

Her body went rigid, and her blood roared through her, chanting criminy-criminy-criminy. She clamped her lips. Rawley believed she could do this, and she wasn’t keen on proving him wrong.

When she knew her voice would sound calm, she asked, “What do you have in mind?”

He looked to the water and back to her. “I thought we could slip over the edge here and float while we hold onto the boat.”

That didn’t sound so bad. She nodded.

“I’ll go first. You join me when you’re ready.” He rolled up his shirt sleeves, removed his gloves, shoes, socks, and hat, and slid silently into the murky river.

She also removed her hat, gloves, and shoes and stared at the water.

Don’t think about what you’re doing, just do it. Mindful that the longer she delayed, the more she’d allow her mind a chance to panic, she scurried over the side and plopped in next to him, grabbing onto him instead. Small waves splashed against the rocking boat, and the water—so cold!—embraced her. Oh, God, her feet didn’t touch bottom.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his torso and buried her face against his chest. His familiar scent—now mixed with wet linen—comforted, as did the steady da-dump of his heart against her ear. His body’s heat bled into her and helped her adjust to the water’s temperature.

“I have you.” One arm snaked around her waist, enveloping her.

Her now-wet skirts weighed her down, and another trickle of panic hit her.

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