After Lauren had returned to the bridge and taken a good dozen pictures of the bay and the island, she turned with a smile toGrey as she slipped her phone into the back pocket of her shorts. “So what’s the plan for tonight?”
“Eh…probably the usual. More water-time for the Muellers, one of the boys will end up crying, and then we’ll have dinner and just hang out until they all go to bed. Is there anything you’d like to do?”
Lauren shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Aww, come on.” Grey slowed theVeritasto a crawl as they neared a mooring ball at the eastern edge of the bay. She pushed her sunglasses up onto her head and gave Lauren a searching look. “There’s gotta be something. Snorkeling? Swimming? Taking the kayak out for a spin?”
Lauren laughed and arched a playful brow at Grey. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Not at all.” Grey shook her head. “I’m just trying to get you to do a little vacationing on your working vacation.”
Lauren smiled and gave Grey’s arm a light squeeze. “I’m good. But thank you.”
“You sure?” Grey blew out a quiet breath and gave Lauren a look that clearly said she did not believe her. “Because I know that I’ve pretty much ruined these first few days of your trip. You deserve to have a little fun.”
“Grey.” Lauren shook her head. “Please, don’t. I’ve had lots of fun.”
“Yeah right.” Grey rolled her eyes. “I was a total bitch to you the first day we met. Then there was the whole me running out on you when you told me you were gay thing, and then this morning…”
“Yeah, well…” Lauren looked out over the water and tucked her hair behind her ears. Grey was right, her first few days aboard theVeritashad been an unmitigated train wreck, but that did not change how she felt about them. “Even with all that, I’ve still had fun.”
It was clear that Lauren was serious, and Grey’s expression softened as she looked at her. “You’re crazy.”
The warmth in Grey’s tone was unmistakable, and Lauren sighed as she looked back at her. “Maybe,” she agreed, tipping her head in agreement. She held Grey’s gaze until the moment felt like it was becoming too much, and then smirked and added, “But I’ve never claimed to be sane.”
Grey laughed. “Well, obviously. I mean, your favorite movie isThe Cutting Edge, for fuck’s sake.”
“It’s not a bad movie!”
“It’s not a great one, either.” Grey grinned at the look of indignation that flashed across Lauren’s face and nodded as if to confirm her own point.
“You know what, Wells…” Lauren chuckled as she started for the stairs. “I would love to continue this, but I need to get back to work. Those lines aren’t going to secure themselves to that mooring ball, you know.”
“No, they surely aren’t.” A small smiled tugged at Grey’s lips as she watched Lauren walk away, and before she knew what she was doing, she was calling out to her. “Hey, Lauren…”
Lauren stopped with one foot on the top step and turned to look back at Grey. “Yes?”
“I…” Grey ran a hand through her hair and shrugged. How could she possibly put into words everything she was thinking when none of it made any sense? All she knew for sure was that she was glad Lauren was there with her. “Thank you.”
Lauren smiled and nodded. “You’re welcome,” she answered softly, holding Grey’s gaze for an extended beat before she turned and disappeared down the stairs.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GREY WATCHED THE Muellers swim off into the middle of the coral gardens that filled the Indians as she waited for Lauren to finish changing so that they could head out as well. She had been pleasantly surprised by how easy it had been to talk Lauren into going snorkeling with her, and she smiled as she turned the dive mask in her hands over to inspect the lens. She looked up at the sound of Lauren clearing her throat from the doorway, and she was only dimly aware of the way her mouth fell open when she looked at her.
“Goddamn,” Grey whispered as her eyes roamed greedily over Lauren’s body that was shown off to utter perfection by the navy blue halter-top bikini she was wearing.
Lauren smiled at the look of obvious appreciation on Grey’s face and gave the brunette a quick once-over as well. She bit her lip as her eyes dragged over the defined plane of Grey’s abs, and she sighed when she eventually forced her eyes back up to Grey’s. She was going to have a hard time not staring at her. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Grey cleared her throat softly and looked at the snorkeling gear that was laid out on the table beside her. “Here, let’s get this fitted for you,” she said as she handed Lauren a mask.
Lauren slipped the strap over the back of her head and pulled the mask down over her eyes. “Okay.”
“How’s it feel?”
Lauren pushed on the front of the mask and nodded. “Good.”
“We can always make it tighter when we’re in the water if it isn’t sealed right.” Grey waited until she saw Lauren nod again before she lifted a snorkel off the table. “Right, well, your snorkel, milady.”
