Chapter 33

After two weeks of lazy relaxation, walks on the beach, moonlight picnics, skinny dipping and exploring the town properly where they also enjoyed a lobster and steak dinner, they set off to Harbour island to do some fishing. After getting their fishing licences and necessary bait, they set sail in Frankie's yacht, The Katarina he kept in the island's marina, armed with ice boxes and fishing poles. Bo's tan, unshaven face and longish hair he didn't bother to cut made him look like a buccaneer; just like how he'd looked when they'd first met years ago. He caught Carly staring at him as they cast their lines and he winked, grinning at her. She turned away shyly, trying not to laugh. Bo's eyes took in Carly's beauty which had enhanced all the more since their stay; her pulled back hair was streaked from the sun and her skin a light golden-brown; making her emerald-green eyes glow. Right now, she looked incredibly sexy in the bright green one piece bathing suit she was wearing and if he wasn't so keen on the fishing rematch, he would've lowered anchor, carry her below and ravish her.

'Will you stop staring, you're going ruin my concentration.' she complained jokingly, her cheeks going warm.

'It's okay to stare at me but I can't stare at you? Who's distracting who more here?' he returned, using one hand to touch her neck.

She slapped it away. 'You keep your hands to yourself, Commissioner; I know what you're trying to and it isn't going to work. I'm going to catch the most fish today no matter what you say or try to pull.'

'That was years ago and I didn't pull anything... I just didn't believe you could catch anything with what you called bait.' The memory still stung; she'd caught seven fish that cold day and added salt to the injury by actually naming them. To his chagrin, Shawn Douglas picked up the habit.

'Well, I did and I not only had to listen to you bitch about it; you refused to admit you were wrong. And then you fell in the ice later and burnt my catch...'

'Keep talking and you'll end up in the water.' He growled,glaring at her or trying to, the swimsuit was really giving him some hot, lascivious thoughts. Grinning, she focused on the task on hand.

Within moments, Bo made the first catch; a shiny large bass. 'Oh, oh… looks like my luck's changed.' He hooted triumphantly. 'Look at that!'

Carly shook her head, exasperatedly. 'This isn't a contest.'

'The hell it isn't! You humiliated me last time and I'm want to regain my winning streak.' He insisted, depositing the fish in the icebox. To his delight, he caught four more, laughing in delight at Carly's face.

'My luck's definitely changed, princess. After over 20 years, Bo Brady 5; Carly Manning 0!'

'I'm this close to hitting you.' She glared, really cross at his behavior. 'You really need to stop.'

'Who's the sore loser now?' he said, unrepentantly.

'I didn't act this way when I beat you back at the cabin.'

'Oh come on… princess; don't be mad at me.' He cajoled, slipping his arms round her waist. 'Why don't you put the pole down and let's go celebrate below?'

'Let me have the chance to catch at least one and then we'll call it a day.' She said firmly, moving away from him and inwardly thinking of ways to pay him out.

Bo stepped back, grinning indulgently. He didn't mean to crow over Carly, but he'd waited too long for this moment to be nice.

He turned to go below to get a drink when Carly's shout startled him. 'I got a bite!'

She struggled to pull it in but it was either too heavy or too strong. 'Don't just stand there, help me!'

Grabbing her upper arms, they pulled together. 'What the hell did you catch, a shark?' he puffed with the strain.

'Oh my God… I hope not!' she cried, scared at the idea of a great ugly sharp toothed shark landing on top of them.

Straining and almost falling overboard, they gave one more hefty pull and the catch finally appeared from the water, landing heavily on the deck. They jumped back; Carly's heart beating from fright.

'Are you alright?' he asked solicitously, hugging her and kissing her head.

'Yes...but what is that?' she gasped, staring at the huge spear jawed fish.

Bo moved over to it to examine it, it looked like it weighed over a hundred pounds at least. 'It's a blue marlin.' He said, trying not to sound disgusted and disappointed at his sudden defeat.

He turned, expecting to see her grinning triumphantly but instead she was holding her arms, still trembling. 'Oh it's okay, princess...come here, come here...' he pulled her back in his arms, holding her tightly and kissing her cheek. 'It's okay.'

'I'm fine... I just... I've never caught a fish that big!' she whispered.

'Well, there's s first time for everything.' He shrugged. 'With this, you beat me hands down, again. Aren't you going to make me eat crow like I deserve? My catch's nowhere near yours.'

Carly smiled suddenly. 'I think you've been punished enough.' Pulling his head down, she kissed him thoroughly.

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Back on land, Carly was cheered and applauded by the fishermen and tourists around and the marlin was weighed; exactly 120 pounds. Bo stoically ignored the ribbing he got from all sides as Carly was photographed standing next to her catch; it was too heavy for her to hold.

'Well, it was a fun day.' she said as they drove back. 'Scary but fun.'

Bo smiled. 'You're a huge sport you know that? You didn't even so much as say "I told you so", not once.'

'You were the one who made it a contest; I just wanted to go fishing with the man I love. You probably go fishing when you have the chance but it's the first time in years for me.'

'Well anyhow, I owe you a heartfelt apology for the way I acted.' He looked at her briefly. 'Forgive me?'

'Apology accepted.' She laid a hand on his knee. 'But you do realise when we get back to Salem, no one's going to let you hear the last of it when they find out.'

'Yeah, I know.' He chuckled. 'But since I got the real prize sitting right beside me, I think I can handle the jabs they throw at me, Roman especially. The way I acted anytime I caught the most when we went fishing with Pop always made him boil. He's really going to enjoy this; trust me!'

Carly laughed heartily. Bo glanced at her, loving her so much. The whole time they've been alone so far has been nothing but a dream; or like in Cancun years ago, living in Corzon Del Cielo- the heart of Heaven; their special heaven, loving each other more every passing day, watching Carly smiling and laughing again, no more trace of sadness in her eyes, the interaction between them stronger; as there were no more barriers between them.

He focused on the road, his face clouding a bit. He shouldn't be jealous of a dead man, considering how he'd died as well as his own lack of celibacy until he came to his senses but the idea of Tony Delfino touching Carly bothered him. When she'd told him Melanie's father was Daniel, it didn't disturb him so much as they'd both had too much to drink that night but it still pained Bo that she'd managed to get pregnant by him after he'd failed to give her a child when they were together. Suppose Delfino had gotten her pregnant before he died?

He tightened his jaw. He would have wanted her back all the same and given the child his name. The past didn't matter and it wouldn't be fair to ask her how Tony had been with her. No...He could never, will never ask her that. All he could do was do all he can to make sure she never thought of her moments with him.

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Much later on as Carly dozed; weary from the day's excursion, Bo drove to town, stopping the Jeep in front of the town's only jewellery store. The owner, a silver haired man in his seventies, greeted him cordially. 'How can I help you?'

'It involves an engagement ring.' Bo explained.

'Ah, that's nice... let's see what we can find for your lady...'

'No, no... I already have a ring for her.' Bo took the small velvet lined box out, opening it for him to see. The old man examined it carefully, nodding in approval.

'A Claddagh ring... Diamant mo Chroí, if I'm not mistaken.'

'That's right. But I want it engraved. How long will it take?'

'I don't have other engravings to do, so it shouldn't take very long.'

'That's great.' Bo handed it over to him. 'And this is what I want you to write...'

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Carly was in the kitchen when he came back, preparing dinner. 'Did you go to town?' she asked.

'Yeah, something I wanted to check out.' He put his arms round her shoulders. 'What smells and looks so good here?'

'Fajitas and I followed the cookbook's recipe to the letter; at least I hope.' Carly said ruefully. Bo took a bit to taste, Carly watching nervously. 'Well?'

'You've come a long way, princess.' He assured her, kissing her. 'Delicious.'

'Well that's good because tomorrow you're going to fix us the fish you caught, you I've never been good with fish.'

'I'm glad you remember that fish's my specialty; I'm going to make it so fine your mouth's going to water before you take a bite out it.'

Carly scoffed. 'Just remember not to burn it this time.' Then squealed as Bo smacked her soundly on her behind.

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Bo made sure he kept the ring hidden before taking a shower, wanting the moment to be just right, like she deserved and what she'll always remember. The Claddagh ring he'd bought for her in Salem the day he'd met with Audra was different from the silver one he'd given her years back, this one was white-gold with a diamond heart and crown between the two clasped hands; they symbolised Love, Friendship and Loyalty, the three important things he'd shared with her then and now. And the simple message he had engraved on it was from his heart.

Carly was sitting crossed legged at the edge of the bed when he emerged from the bathroom; wearing sheer black lace lingerie.

'Hmm... Now here's a vision.' He said, taking her by the hand and pulling her to her feet, covering her mouth with his; breathing in the faint scent of jasmine on her skin.

Carly ran her hands over his chest, toying with the medallion. 'I can say the same.' She murmured, looking deep in his eyes. 'I like your suit.'

'I wore it just for you.' he growled; his hands kneading her body through the thin material, aroused already.

'And I put this on for you,' she said softly, eyes dark with desire as she fiddled with the knot of the towel. 'But... I think they are in the way right now, don't you think?'

'Great minds think alike.' Bo took her mouth again hotly as he pushed the straps of her nightie down her shoulders as she dropped his towel with a flick of her wrist. He lowered himself on to her body as they settled on the bed and they shared yet another night of white-hot love making.