I stare at her silently for a second. How can she ask that? “Because you’re the first woman I’ve ever taken on a date. It feels pretty important I get this right, Cleo.”
She cocks her head to the side, causing her sweater to slide further down her shoulder with the movement. I’m straining so hard not to look at her bra strap and the soft skin of her shoulder that my eyes are watering.
“River, this isn’t just about you. The success of tonight isn’t on your shoulders alone. It’s not about the food, or even the setting for me. It’s about the company. First dates are fun, and, yes, admittedly butterfly-inducing, but that’s all a part of it. I just want us to talk. It doesn’t have to be about anything deep. Not yet, anyway.”
I nod my head, because I can do that. “Okay, okay. Let’s get to know each other then. We’ve got about an hour, because unfortunately, I couldn’t bribe my friends for any longer.”
Cleo laughs. “That’s a great place to start. Tell me about bribing your friends. Actually, tell me how you met them.”
My body relaxes as she gives me that smile which I’m becoming a little obsessed with. Cleo is easy to talk to and somehow knows just what to say to get me to calm down.
Taking a sip of beer, I smile fondly at the memories running through my head. “Cheddar and I met in basic training. Unfortunately, it’s where we met Grey too, but no need to bring her into it. Anyway, me and Cheds just sort of clicked. HMS Raleigh is tough, and it takes a village to get through it. Cheddar and a few other recruits became that village early on. We were up for the same specialism too, so really, we’ve been together from the moment I joined up. Kit was already on board when we joined the Queen Elizabeth. It was like kismet or something when we got bunked together. Three queer women who got along like a house on fire.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
I nod my head and laugh. “Boot came along and completed the set. What about you? Do you have a best friend or friends?”
Cleo grins. “I certainly do. She reminds me a little bit of…actually she’s a mix between you all, I think.”
Grinning, I hike up an eyebrow. “So she’s bonkers?”
“Oh, completely! But she’s my person. Honor is just so kind, and loving, but utterly nuts. I think she knows me better than anyone.”
I clear my throat. “Is…is she gay?”
“No, she’s an utter man-eater.” Cleo cackles. “I’ve never met someone who has such a thirst for sex.”
My cheeks warm because we both know she’s just realised what she’s said. There is at least one more person she knows who enjoys a lot of sex, and she’s on a freaking date with them.
“Um, I…”
I laugh because this is all kinds of crazy. “Don’t tell me you’re feeling awkward, Cleo Carter? Let’s acknowledge the horny elephant in the room, shall we? Yes, I’m probably as much of a woman-eater as your friend Honor is about men. There’s no denying it, is there?”
Her lip swipes across her bottom lip and I’m picking up an undercurrent of sexual tension, which is encouraging. However, I already know we have great chemistry between the sheets. Even if Cleo wasn’t as blown away as me.
“You’re right.” She grins. “You possiblyarea match for Honor.”
“However,” pointing my index finger to the sky as a symbol of my sincerity, “those days are behind me.”
“River, you can’t say that.”
“Why?” I say with a little force. “We’re here on this ‘tin can’ as you put it. Dating, I might add, and getting to know each other. I won’t be with anyone else.”
“Sure,” she says slowly, which, to be honest, sounds a little condescending. “But we will dock eventually.”
“Well, yeah…and?”
She’s looking at me with confusion, as if I’m missing something…and then it clicks. “Ah,” I begin with a mirthless laugh. “You’ve put an end date on this before it’s even got started.”
“No I hav—”
“Yes, Cleo, you have. You’re expecting us to arrive back in Portsmouth to watch me hop off the ship and straight into the bed of some random woman, right?”
16
Cleo
Shit, I feel myblush rush across my face. “No…I…”
