“Stand up, baby.” She holds her hands out to me, and I help her stand. “Gotta get these off too.” She doesn’t protest as my thumbs hook under the elastic and pull the water-logged panties down her legs hitting the floor with a wet slap. Slowly I lower her back down to the bed making sure she’s stable before I hunt for some new underwear. I’ve been in this room enough times to know which closet is hers and easily find her stash of underwear and kneel before dragging them up her luscious legs.
Now that she’s dressed in dry clothes, I cup her head as I lower her to the mattress, making sure she doesn’t hit that precious head of hers. She moans softly when I press a kiss on her forehead.
“Stay with me.” She grabs my arm, her eyes locking with mine. “Please?”
There was never any chance of me resisting her, I realize. Not now, not ever.
My fingers brush along her jaw, “Of course, baby.” She puckers her lips and I honor her request, bending over and kissing her gently before crawling into bed behind her. “Now go to sleep.” She sighs deeply, nestling against my chest.
While Hannah drifts off to sleep in my arms, I’m busy memorizing the feel of her next to me, breathing in the scent that lingers in her damp hair. The clock that’s been ticking down since the moment she stepped onto this boat is quickly spiraling down, building momentum and plunging towards the end.
I can’t control it. I can’t control anything.
Damon and Aidan know about our relationship. They were both drunk, but not drunk enough to be blinded to how Hannah responded to me. They might keep their mouths closed, but something in Damon’s eyes hint otherwise, and I don’t blame him. He and Hannah are close, I know that. If he thought anything untoward was going on, I have no doubt he’d report it. Hell, I would if I were in his position.
Hannah twitches next to me, moaning softly. “Henry,” she whispers, “I need Henry.”
My face scrunches in confusion. “Who is Henry, baby?” My hand runs up and down her side, offering comfort.
“My penguin,” she mutters.
I’ve noticed the penguin stuffed animal many times and each time it’s served as a stark reminder of our age difference.
Careful to not bang my head against the top bunk, I search her bed for the plush toy. Soft fabric brushes against my fingers and I pull Henry from behind my back and offer it to her.
Her sleepy hands pull it to her chest, and she sighs happily. “Hmm. I love you.”
Heart hammering in my chest, it feels like all the air was sucked out of my lungs. Hannah’s breathing quickly evens out, snoring softly with sleep. She very well could be talking about the stuffed animal she clings so tightly to her chest, but it doesn’t make the feeling of those words any less potent.
My lips brush against her temple, my voice shaky and thick with emotion. “I love you too, baby.” And I mean every word.
Chapter Thirteen
Hannah
Anson is distant.
He’s not sitting in the captain’s chair in the bridge when I bring him his morning coffee like he usually is. It’s the only time of the day that we really have to ourselves and I know he looks forward to it every morning.
Not once has he asked me to bring him something to eat or drink, but this is something I want to do for him.
Instead, he’s out on the bow of the boat, his strong back to me as he gazes out along the bay.
Last night was completely unplanned and when I awoke, pain pills and a bottle of water were waiting on the nightstand.
The whole night is a blur for the most part with only bits and pieces sticking in my memory. After Damon caught me in the act, the three of us drank in the hot tub which eventually led to some sort of falling competition. Of course, it’s dumb as shit to do that in a hot tub but blame the fucking alcohol.
I’m not as hungover as I should be, and I know I have Anson to thank for that.
Vaguely I remember Anson carrying me to bed and holding me as I drifted off to sleep. I also remember saying those three little words.
Not one part of me wants to take them back.
Maybe that’s what’s made him so introspective.
Unsure of whether he wants to be disturbed, I place the steaming mug on the table and search for a pen and paper. I jot down a quick good morning note and leave it under his mug, the thought of him reading it as he picks up his coffee makes me happy.
Hemakes me happy.
