He frowned. "We can send the dive team. Anyway you slice it, this is going to end up as a federal case. The FBI will get involved, so will the U.S. Fish and Wildlife.”
"I'd like to wrap this up before that happens.”
"I'm just thinking out loud, but if this is some kind of government black ops program, something tells me these federal agencies are going to get a national security letter and stand down.” Jack frowned. “If we don’t solve this, it might just slip away.”
The last time we uncovered a covert program, it didn't end well.
I finished my sandwich and was ready to take a shower and wash the briny residue from my skin.
We bused our plates and brought them down to the galley. Ariel slipped below deck to her stateroom, and I headed up to the bridge deck to take a shower. I peeled out of my clothes, blasted the water, and slipped into the stall when it got hot. Steam filledthe en suite. The hot water felt good. I was still a little sore and achy, but nothing I couldn't manage.
I toweled off, brushed my teeth, then stepped back into my stateroom.
To my surprise, I had a visitor.
41
Ariel lay in my bed, her hair still damp, the fresh towel wrapped around her torso. With a sultry gaze, she said, "I hope you don't mind. I'm still a little wound up. I don't really want to be alone right now."
"Well, if you promise to behave, I guess I can let you stay.”
She lifted a curious eyebrow. "What are the rules? I’d hate to misbehave.”
I tried to stifle a grin. Something told me Ariel excelled at misbehaving in all the right ways.
“You don’t strike me as a rule follower.”
“I’m not,” she said, pulling the towel away, revealing her sumptuous form. A devilish grin curled her lips. She knew exactly what effect she’d have on me.
I drank in every inch of her.
The invitation was crystal clear, and I didn’t waste any time tossing my towel on the deck and sliding into bed with her.
Ariel’s plump lips beckoned, and I obliged. We kissed, and our bodies drew close. My hands caressed her soft skin, exploring her glorious curves.
I think I might brave shark-infested waters again for a reward like this.
It didn’t take long for things to get hot and heavy. Throbbing, pulse-pounding fun. We tumbled around the sheets, testing the limits of the mattress. Ariel’s breathy moans steamed my ear.
Slick with sweat and high on life, we went for broke.
When we’d given it all we had, passion crescendoed, and we collapsed, thoroughly exhausted.
Ariel snuggled close and felt good in my arms, her soft touch caressing my skin.
I passed out in a state of bliss, thankful to be alive.
My dreams were filled with visions of the mammoth meat grinder. I woke a few times during the night in a sweat. Let’s just say that shark had left quite an impression.
We slept in.
When we finally stirred, we decided to celebrate life again with another roll around the hay. This was certainly a life worth living.
With a head full of oxytocin and pleasure chemicals, we finally peeled ourselves out of bed, showered, dressed, then headed down to the galley.
The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, and bacon sizzled in the pan. Jack had already started grilling breakfast. He was rather chipper. "You kids have fun last night?"
Ariel covered her face, embarrassed.
