“Get your ass in the pool.” Robbie playfully splashes the crystal-clear water in my direction. Little do they know that nothing could pry me out of this lounge chair.
Well, maybe one thing…
“Nah, I’m good here. I’ve got to get rid of my pasty ass.” Keeran throws her head back in laughter, her blond hair dipping into the water.
“We’ll be at the bar when you’re ready.” She pulls Robbie by the arm as he sticks his tongue out at me, which I return.
With no more distractions, I pull out my phone and dial Tiffany's number. Of course, we’ve been in constant contact since I snuck out the morning I came to theSirenwithout waking her up. A hung-over Tiff is not someone I want to deal with. Ever.
“For fuck’s sake I thought you had forgotten all about me.”
“What a lovely way to greet your best friend,” I laugh. “You act like we haven’t spoken in years.”
“You’ve gotta admit you’ve been like the walking dead. You’re there in body, but the mind is all blank.”
“If you must know, I’m lounging in one of the top-rated resorts in the Bahamas right now. Zombie no more.” I lean my head back against the headrest of the lounger and sigh. “It’s paradise.”
“Ugh, lucky bitch.”
“How’s the new boat? Getting along any better with the chief stew?” Last week was her first week on a new yacht for the summer and from what she’s told me, her chief stew has it out for her.
Sheets rustle on the other end of the line. “She’s an ice queen, but she has to put up with me. You caught me on my first break all day and I need some gossip that doesn’t include me.” Tiffany loves a good gossip session and I have this need to talk to someone about Anson.
My head turns on a swivel, my eyes searching out for any crew members close enough to overhear.
Damon and Garrett went down to the private beach and I’m pretty sure Damon’s goal is to be Garrett’s wingman. He’s been joking that Garrett is too stiff and has been wanting to hook him up. Keeran and Robbie are making out in the pool under a palm tree, and Aidan is nowhere to be found. I even go so far as to sit up and look behind me, because this shitcannotget out.
“Okay,” I whisper into the phone, “I’ve got something to tell you, but you can’t tell anyone under any circumstances.”
Tiff chuckles. “Damn, what’s going on on that boat?” She’s whispering back to me, making me smile.
“So… um…” The words aren’t coming and I’m not sure where to start. “Let me just say that this boat has probably the best-looking crew I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Jealous.” I ignore her comment and keep talking.
“Well, I told you that Captain Lewis retired, and his replacement is the sexiest man. Like ever. Anyway, so on day—”
“Oh my god,” she gasps. “You’re sleeping with the captain? Please, Han, say you’re sleeping with him.” She’s downright giddy and I can picture her sitting up and bouncing in her bed.
I glance around once more checking for any crew members and cup my mouth over the speaker with my hand. “Yes, I’m sleeping with him.” Her screams are so loud that I have to pull the phone away from my ear until she gets herself under control.
“Tell meeverything,” she begs. Some details I keep to myself, but I fill her in on some key details about how we got together, careful to not overshare.
“I’m confused though,” I admit to her once I’ve dodged her questions. “We have only a few days left on the boat, but we haven’t talked about anything that comes after.”
“Maybe you need to.” Her excitement has died down and she’s not as hysterical. “Sneak into his room or something and ask him outright. He’s a grown-ass man, he can tell you what he wants.”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “You’re right.” My fingers toy with the string of my bikini, noticing a tan line starting to form.
“Of course, I am,” she quips. “But Hans, I’ve got to go. Ice bitch will ream my ass if I don’t show up on time. Bye, babes.”
Placing my phone on the table next to me, I lower the lounge chair and lay down on my front, reaching awkwardly behind me to untie my top.
The warmth of the sun’s rays has my eyes sliding closed, my mind whirring.
Maybe Tiffany is right. Maybe I should sneak into his room and talk with him about it. It’s not like we’ve had a ton of time to meet one on one with everything that’s gone on this past week. Although the favorite part of my day was going to bed alone and waking up with him beside me. Now it’s like I’ve programmed myself to search out for him in the middle of the night, even when I know Keeran is asleep above me.
In several weeks, I’ve come to need him in a way that I haven’t needed anyone else. Yes, he fulfills me sexually that even the thought of him has my nipples pebbling, but it’s a need that’s deeper than anything. A soul-deep longing for him that’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
