“Okay.”
Was it wrong of him to take pleasure in the disappointed look she wore when he pulled away? He wanted to kiss her protruding bottom lip.
Taking her by the hand, he led her to the loveseat that faced the television. They sat close to one another, his side touching hers. He snatched the remote off the end table and pressed the power button.
“Do you want to watch anything in particular?” he asked.
“Not really. Maybe something light and funny.”
Cap flipped through the channels until he found one showing an old sitcom from the nineties, then he set the remote down.
Emma shifted to face him, tucking one leg beneath her. She placed her free hand over their entwined ones.
“Thank you for staying with me. You didn’t have to; I know it’s not your job. I’m feeling a little guilty roping you in like this.”
“It’s no problem. I wanted to make sure you were safe.”
That was an understatement. Sure, he wanted to keep her safe, but he also just wanted to be with her and learn more about her.
“Please know that I realize this places your brother and sister in some danger too, with taking your charters.”
“They know the risk. Also, Captain Tomie is with them, and there is a police boat on the ready.”
“Still…”
“Hunter and Cici know how to take care of themselves. They’ll be fine.”
His stomach swirled at the thought of the risk his siblings took.
Emma tilted her head to the side. “What’s your real name?”
Cap winced internally. He hated his real name, which is why he shortened it. Though that caused some confusion when he worked for the police department. Some folks thought he was the police captain even when he started on patrol. It got even more confusing when he was promoted to the drug investigator position because he worked in the office.
“Capricornus.”
Emma’s brows knit. “Like the constellation? The sea goat? I thought it was a nickname because you’re a charter captain.”
“Unfortunately, yes, the constellation.”
She smiled, thoughtful rather than amused. “It fits. Strong. Steady.”
The compliment landed deeper than it should have.
“My mother was a bit of a hippie in her younger days. She thought naming us after the constellations was fun, I guess. She thought Capricornus was a strong name.”
He chuckled.
“What?”
“The name made me strong because of how much I got picked on in school for such a dumb name.”
Emma’s facial muscles relaxed, causing her brows to drift back to where they belonged.
“I agree with her. It is a strong name for a strong person. It makes complete sense. She must have known from the moment she held you in her arms that you’d do great things. And, it’s even more fitting now that you’re a charter captain.”
His heart swelled at her continued compliments, and he couldn’t really argue with her last point about being a boat captain.
“I don’t really think my being a former drug investigator should be labeled as doing great things…”
