“I would never share anything about your life that you didn’t want me to. If you don’t want your family to know about this, they won’t hear anything from me. I promise.”
Before I can say anything else, Matthew launches himself at me, wrapping me in a massive bear hug. For a second I’m so shocked at the genuine display of emotion that I forget to hug him back.
“Thank you, Stella,” he gushes. “You have no idea how much this means.”
I pat him on the back, hesitantly, still feeling like this is some kind of trap. But the way he’s grabbing onto me, the vibration of his still trembling hands, tells me he’s not faking this.
He pulls back, composing himself as the weight of having actuallyhuggedme settles in.
“I seriously owe you one,” he says.
“You don’t owe me anything. But if you ever decide you do want to tell them,” I take in a breath before I manage to utter the last part, “I’m here for you.”
“I—” I can practically see his defenses go up as he springs back from Matthew the human to Matthew the frat bot.
“Just go back to bed before you make me break any other ship rules,” I tell him, saving him the pain of responding. “I didn’t read the welcome packet, but I’m pretty sure being caught in the galley unattended is grounds for a public flogging.”
Matthew looks at me, surprised, before he bursts out laughing. Despite my better judgement, I smile too. It’s the first timeI’ve ever seen him entertained by a joke he didn’t make. He hesitates before he leaves, turning back to me from the doorway.
“Look, I’ve never had a sister before,” he says, then forces the next part out as quickly and quietly as humanly possible. “But as far as in-laws go, you and Jules aren’t so bad.”
And then he’s gone. If that was supposed to be a compliment, it was a pretty weak one. But after the week I’ve had with him, any show of vulnerability from Matthew is a welcome surprise. If all it takes to get his hackles down is catching him swapping spit with his prep school bestie, I’m going to have to start taking more midnight boat strolls.
When I stepinto the bridge, Caleb practically jumps out of his seat, shoving away his logbook as if I’ve caught him with the spring issue of playboy. As soon as I lock eyes with him, I feel my whole body exhale.
“Sorry I’m late.”
I take a few cautious steps towards him until his face is level with my chest, and he has to crane his neck up to meet my eyes.
Caleb swallows.
“I was beginning to worry you’d changed your mind.”
I shake my head and lift my hands onto his shoulders, resting them on the sexy little black and yellow patches that pad his uniform. He tenses when I touch him, his eyes darting back towards the door.
“Don’t worry, I did a thorough perimeter check,” I tell him, letting my unruly hair fall over his shoulder as I lean down to kiss the tanned skin just above his white collar. “Pretty sure we won’t be bothered anytime soon.”
I pull my head back, watching his eyes boring into mine with mythic intensity as I drag my palm down his chest. ButCaleb grabs my hand before I can trail it any further, never breaking eye-contact as he stands up beside me. He presses my fingers into his shirt, right above his heart, which I would probably think was cheesy if I weren’t swimming with more hormones than a conventionally farmed chicken.
“Then you won’t mind me doing this.”
He ducks his head and brings his lips to mine, his hand guiding me against him as he presses me against the edge of the dash. I let out an embarrassing, breathy squeak and he pulls back, megawatt smile lighting up his features.
He cocks his head towards the door behind him, and I notice it’s open to the balmy night.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
My stomach drops.
“Caleb, I swear, if you make me do any jumping?—”
“Relax, Ariel,” he says before kissing the top of my head. “No water adventures tonight.”
Then he pulls me into the open doorway.
“Follow me, and step exactly where I step,” he tells me.
“Huh?”
