Why did I let you drag me into this mess, Hunter?
Because I need the money.Right.
“A good morning indeed.” Nash, on the other hand, walks up to me in jeans, a black sweater, and a red beanie, oozing confidence. “I heard we’re coworkers now.” He stands in front of me, reaching out to tug on one of my braids, the gesture sending tingles through my body. “Coworkers should know each other’s names, don’t you think?”
No way he still hasn’t caught up on my name. He’s just trying to keep this game going to flirt with me. I’m about to open my mouth to tell him just that, when a group of fishermen approach us, greeting Nash.
Some of them walk past us inside, but two of them come to stand beside him. Both look me up and down, then over to Nash. The taller of them asks him, “Who’s that?”
Of course, why would you talk to the person in question?
“That’s my little siren,” Nash answers, grinning, but his eyes don’t leave mine. My eyes narrow to slits, which makes him laugh. “If you won’t tell me your name, pretty girl, Siren is what I’m going to call you.”
“Her name is Sloan, dickhead,” comes a familiar voice from behind them, and Tim makes his way through, grabbing my upper arm and pulling me into a quick hug. He whispers in my ear, “Tally said I should keep an eye on you.”
It’s official,I love her.
I told Tally and Mac yesterday that I got the job after all, and they started to make bets on how long it would take North to no longer give a fuck about Hunter’s opinion and fire me.
“Come on,” Tim commands as he pulls me inside, where he lets go of me but motions for me to follow, which I do, my movements a bit hesitant.
We walk over to the area that appears dedicated to the employees. He gets to a locker and puts in his jacket, taking out big orange rain pants that he pulls over his jeans and holds them up with suspenders. I take off my zippered hoodie but keep it in my hand, gripping the fabric like a lifeline.
The locker room screams camaraderie and teamwork, something I’ve seen in movies or read about in books but never been part of.
Tim has a black beanie pulled over his blond hair and a friendly smile as he turns back to me. “Ready for today?” he asks as we make our way over to the coffee machine.
“At least I will pretend that I am,” I mutter, making him laugh.
My heart is still pounding like crazy, but his presence helps my nerves a lot. A pity he isn’t staying here long since his work is on the water while mine will be in the shipyard.
“Coffee?” he asks, pouring himself a mug.
I shake my head. “No thanks, I’m more the energy drink type.”
I feel warmth at my back before a can of my favorite is held out before my face from behind. From the bright tattoos on the forearm offering it, I know it’s Nash, which is confirmed whenhe whispers in my ear, “Same.” I hesitate but finally take the can out of his hands because I don’t want to make a scene with all my new coworkers around us, especially as some are already watching. “You know I’ve got good taste,” he adds. His voice is barely audible, but it sends goose bumps crawling all over my neck.
Memories of when he whispered in my ear while he was deep inside me flood my mind, and I have to shake my head to get them out. Which he definitely notices, judging by the chuckle he lets out. Nash steps back from me and turns to his buddies to talk loudly about their catch yesterday.
Tim leans against the table with his hip, holding his mug up before his face, but I can see the grin he’s trying to hide.
“You’re gonna tell Tally all about that little encounter,” I guess, crossing my arms over my chest.
“She’s gonna love that.” He chuckles, taking another sip. “Are you thinking about a replay?”
“She told you?” I feel my heart sink a little.
“There wasn’t much to tell, but of course. She’s my person, and I’m hers. We tell each other everything.” I bite on my bottom lip, fiddling with the can in my hand.
Should I not have told her about that?
I thought she was kind of a friend, but what do I know?
“Hey.” Tim brings my attention back to him. “I’m your friend too, okay? I’m not going to say a word to anybody. Although I’m going to enjoy the shit out of this and laugh about it, that’s for sure.”
He grins teasingly, making me feel better. All the men around us start gathering their stuff and filing out of the shipyard again, some smiling and saying hello to me as they pass, while others outright scowl at me.
Well, you better get used to me being here.
