Shipwrecked-Chapter 3

Perry leaned against the wheelhouse, watching the waves as the boat picked up speed. He looked at his friend, noting the scowl. There was something on his mind, and the sooner it was out in the open, the better for all concerned.

"Okay Jack, let's have it."

Jack laughed uncomfortably. "Have what Perry?"

Lighting a cigarette, Perry drew out the moment, never lowering those piercing blue eyes from his friend's face. "You obviously didn't want Della around to hear whatever it is you're going to say. So, spit it out."

Jack couldn't maintain the level of scrutiny and dropped his eyes. For another long moment he said nothing, focusing on steering. Then finding his courage, he glanced at Perry. "She's not your usual conquest."

"Meaning?"

Jack frowned at him. "Meaning, I've known you for a long time, Perry. When we were in law school, you were the king of love- 'em-and-leave-'em relationships. If you dated a girl more than one time, the guys thought they should start looking for a church."

Perry eyes darkened and he grimaced, remembering how he used to be. He longed to set the record straight, to tell Jack that the real reason most of those girls never got a second date out of him had nothing to do with sex or commitment. Instead, he simply said, "I've grown up."

Jack chuckled. "Yes, and you're the most successful lawyer on the west coast. And still in the society pages."

Irritation flared. Perry fisted his hands, the reminded himself that Jack meant well, if only he would get on with it. Ordering himself to relax, he tossed his cigarette over the side and watched as it disappeared in the wash and current.

"Get to the point Jack!" he growled.

Jack reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing Perry to look at him. "My point is, Della's a true lady. She's not some bimbo you can bed and then toss away. I'm afraid our friendship wouldn't survive if I knew you'd hurt her."

Perry just stared at the man for a moment, then shook his head. Here was yet another knight-in-shining-armor who would come riding up on his white charger to defend Della. First there had been Paul. After guessing the relationship between them, he had threatened Perry on several occasions, informing him he would break him in half if he hurt Della. And even though Hamilton Burger and Lt. Tragg had never said it in so many words, they had both implied that if Della suffered in any way from something Perry did, they would see to it he paid dearly.

He knew that Della was a special lady. He had recognized it the very first day she entered his office for her interview. She had a style and class that he admired. She was smart, funny and had a way with not only their friends, but with clients. She had elevated his practice and turned his life around.

He was equally aware of his reputation with women. Despite being what he considered, a gentleman, he was not perfect. And his reputation in the romantic arena to the public was, well, not the best. Before he admitted his feelings for Della (to himself and to her), he had been content to be seen with socialites. Women that could bring him the prestige his status as an up-and-coming lawyer needed. And then, of course, there was Laura. But Perry had put all of that in his past, because of Della.

And now one of his best friends was joining the protect-Della throng.

"Jack?"

"Yes?"

"What makes you such an expert on Della and what she needs or wants?"

Jack met his look, saw the firm set to his mouth and the jut of his chin, and had the sinking feeling he might just have overstepped, offended, and irritated his friend and guest. After all, there was no real reason to suppose Perry intended to hurt anyone…especially Della.

He measured his reply. "I'm no expert. I just wanted to…I don't know…put you on your guard, I guess. Old habits and all that."

Perry was beginning to think maybe he was the wrong person for Della.

"Jack, about my past - there's something that you…"

"Lunchtime, gentlemen." Della announced in the soft, sweet feminine voice he loved so much. She emerged from below carrying a tray with not only sandwiches, potato salad and Cole slaw, but two bottles of beer and a glass of tea.

Jack gave Perry a very pointed look then turned to Della. "Looks good enough to eat. Thank you, Della."

Perry took the tray from her and escorted her into one of the deck chairs. She observed him in silence, a small frown causing her mouth to turn down at the corners. He was annoyed, that much was obvious. He wore his tension like a bright orange life-vest.

"I'll take care of this. You relax," he said. Leaning forward, he gave her a kiss on her cheek and busied himself with lunch.

Della looked from Perry to Jack, wondering just what they had been discussing. If it wasn't about her relationship with Perry, she'd swim back to shore. Then deciding she probably didn't want to know, she averted her eyes back to the food and licked her lips in anticipation.

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Food had seemed to be the perfect balm to whatever the irritation was between the two men. They spent the afternoon just enjoying the ocean view and breeze and conversing about silly things. Jack and Perry started going back and forth with stories from their law school days. The more they traded accounts, the harder Della laughed. Soon it became a game; the men tried to see which of them could make her laugh hardest.

Around dinner time, Jack anchored the boat off Coronado. A veteran of many a sailing jaunt, he had installed a new Zodiac at the back of the boat, which they took to shore. Dianne was a quiet affair at the Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill. After watching Della eat a jumbo shrimp cocktail, crab and avocado salad, a large filet and lobster tail with a generous portion of scalloped potatoes and grilled asparagus, Jack was floored to see her also completely devour a creme brûlée for dessert. He couldn't resist teasing her. Joking with Perry, he commented that he hoped the lawyer had the good sense to keep her fed.

Once back on the boat, Perry and Della sat together in a lounge chair on the aft deck, looking at the star-studded sky and watching a dolphin play in the wake of the boat. After a while, she closed her eyes, content to rest her head on his chest and shoulder, and to let her feet play with his. Those strong arms she loved were around her, and his breathing was nice and easy. Though she had been worried by his prolonged silence, she managed to shrug off her concern and decided he was just relaxing at long last.

Jack, feeling as though he owed it to Perry to give the couple a little alone time, didn't seek out his friend until just before midnight. He quietly approached them and cleared his throat. Perry looked up and greeted him with a warm, genuine smile that flashed his signature dimples.

"I'm going to need your assistance, Perry. We need to furl the sails." Jack went onto say they would be under motor power until morning. Perry offered to steer for part of the night, and Jack agreed to take him up on the offer. "I'll wake you at three."

Perry and Della headed below. Taking her in his arms, he gave her a deep, tender kiss filled with longing, hunger, and restraint before sending her to her cabin. She crossed the threshold and turned back to smile at him. In her eyes he could read love, trust and a longing equal to his own.

"Goodnight, Counselor." Then she slowly closed the door.

Perry then headed to his own cabin, but instead of undressing, he lay fully clothed on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his memory turning over and over the events of the day. In particular, Jack's words echoed in his mind, causing him no little amount of turmoil. The maelstrom of emotions churning in his soul made him wonder if he was doing the right thing. There were only a handful of things he knew beyond a certainty in life.

One: he loved Della, and it was obvious the feeling was mutual.

Two: he loved Law and loved his practice - especially with her at his side.

Three: if one more person he knew told him not to hurt Della, he was going to commit a felony and beat the offender senseless.

But even with those certainties, he couldn't help but wonder…what if his past indiscretions came back to haunt him? It would surely cause Della no small amount of pain, and while he could care less about Paul's, Burger's, Tragg's, or even Jack's threats, that was something he didn't want to do. And so, his mind presented the argument he had kept submerged all day. Maybe he should end this now before he hurt her.