Page 81 of Hearts on the Line

“We’ll get caught,” she whispers against my lips.

I register the sound of the busy dock, the timer going off to pull the cooked lobsters out of the sea salt tank in the kitchen, Wally’s paws moving over the pea gravel outside the shower.

“Not if you don’t want to be.”

She draws back enough to look me in the eye. “Do you?”

Do I want to be caught fingerbanging Sloane in the outside shower? No. But my mind races ahead to the little time we have left, and I don’t care anymore. Can’t seem to find it inside myself. I can keep us a secret if I have to, but I insist on loving her while I have her here. I’m so sick of us being a secret.

I want to say it. I want to say all of it—but I bite it back. My chest tightens up from the soft sigh she makes while I circle her clit with my thumb, so instead of speaking, my kiss softens, and I lay out my heartbreak for her to taste, giving myself up a little bit more with each touch as her body tightens and she comes against my hand.

“I’ve waited long enough, Sloane. I’m not going to fuck you here when I can take my time with you, alone, in my bed all night.”

Our breathing is ragged, and I think I’ve just about steadied myself when I drop my forehead against hers, and we both seem a little confused about what just happened.

“I’ll be in to help in a few minutes.” I slowly set her back on her feet.

Sloane’s lips are a little swollen, and I realize I’ve just kissed her to within an inch of my life.

But we’re roommates, right? Just a summer fling?

A secret.

Tony is cracking a joke to Sloane as I push through the back door a few minutes later. I drape the apron over her head, and she peeks up at me, her big brown eyes wide, almost pleading. I push down my grumpy mood and motion for her to spin around, then tie off her apron before I check tickets.

“Trying something new today?” she asks.

“Had to.” I blow out a breath, terrified I’m too late, and I’ll end up losing everything. “Another order of clam cakes to fire, Tony.”

He grumbles something in reply, but it’s drowned out when my younger brother runs up to the screen door.

“Daddy’s home!”

If I had a better sense of humor, I might laugh right now. Instead, I cross my arms and glare at my brother as he swoops Sloane into his arms and spins her around the kitchen. Impressive, given it’s the size of a closet.

“Sloaney Baloney!”

She throws back her head and cackles.

“All right, enough, buddy, put her down.”

Jack listens to me at least, unlike Annie.

Once Sloane is set on her feet, she pulls Jack in for one more hug. “What are you doing here?” she asks him.

“More important question,” he says, leaning back against the worktop. “Why are you here?”

She still has the most beautiful flush on her cheeks. I push forward, shoving my brother aside to check on the tickets. “No time to chitchat. You can catch up after closing.”

Sloane leans in to whisper, her big brown eyes fluttering up at me, and my control slips. “Yes, Seafood Daddy.”

Then she winks at me, turning back to my brother.

Jack laughs, and I swear he heard that, then motions for Sloane to give a twirl. She does, of course. Everyone falls at his feet. He’s got quite the reputation.

“I came in on a favor since it’s off-season.” He grips his ball cap and spins it backward on his head, his bright-blue eyes landing right on Sloane. “That doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

“Don’t think it’s going to be that easy. You blew me off five years ago. Sent me tickets, got me into that really nice suite.”