“So then youdidkiss Dr. Jacobs?” Logan asked.
“I didn’t say that,” Rafa growled. God, why couldn’t they leave it be?
“So, then youdidn’tkiss Dr. Jacobs?” Rahim said, scratching his head. “Wait, I’m confused.”
Rafa rolled his eyes and laughed. These guys. He couldn’t tell if they were lovable fools or just drunken jokesters. But they stood waiting with bated breath, wanting to know the answer.
“I didn’t say that, either,” Rafa said.
“Ohhhh,” the guys cooed, throwing their arms around his shoulders and giving him a playful shake. He couldn’t help but smile at their genuine interest in his romantic affairs.
“How was it?” Logan asked.
“Yeah, is she a good kisser?” Felix followed up.
“Uh-uh.ThatI’m keeping to myself,” Rafa responded. He’d never been much of a kisser and teller.
“All right, all right. That’s respectable,” Rahim said.
“Yeah, Dr. Jacobs seems cool. You wouldn’t know it by looking at her, but when she went after those guys on the boat? That was…” Felix said, unable to find the right word.
But Rafa knew the perfect word for Miri.
“Badass,” Rafa said, almost as if to himself.
“Yeah, badass,” Logan said, nodding his head like everything made perfect sense. “So, what? Are you two a thing now?”
Rafa shook his head. “It’s not like that. We were caught up in the moment.”
“Danger boning,” Rahim said.
Wait? That was a real thing and not just something Miri had made up?
Rafa, Felix, and Logan turned their heads to Rahim in unison. “Danger what?” Felix asked.
“Danger boning. When you’re in trouble and emotions are high, so you get caught up in the moment and then,BAM!” he said, smacking his hands together, causing all three of them to jump. “You fuck.That’sdanger boning.”
The guys laughed, but Rafa managed to clarify, “I’m familiar with the concept, but, no, that’s not quite what happened. Besides, I think it’s time to move off this subject. I don’t think Dr. Jacobs would appreciate knowing that her crew was gossiping drunkenly about her.”
“If we’re drunk, then you’d better catch up,” Rahim said, handing over the bottle.
If it got them off this topic, then fine. Rafa took the bottle again, this time taking a much larger swig.
They continued passing the bottle around, talking about who knew what. Rafa didn’t care. His mind kept wandering to Miri’s directive, growing more annoyed with each sip. Honestly, he was a little pissed at her for saying thathewas the one who needed to back off, whenshe’dbeen was the one holding on to his arm today. And sitting beside him at the campfire.
He’dbeen trying his damnedest to sabotage this mission.Hewas honoring the agreement they’d made in her cabin two weeks ago.
If only she’d get with the program and give up already. That way, he could forget she ever existed. This assignment nothing but a blip on his radar.
Another sip.
Yes, that’s all he needed. To put this experience behind him.
“You have to admit, though. Itwaspretty wild when she went after those guys,” Logan said, staring off into the fire.
Seriously? Were they still talking about this?
Rafa glanced at his watch, but the face was a little blurry and he couldn’t make out the numbers.
