Page 76 of Adrift

“I could sleep,” Dante says.

“You guys go ahead. I’ll take the first watch and clean up here.” Calvin jumps up, taking the bowls to the water. A new pile of twigs and branches is already beside his seat.

“Okay, but you should wake up someone else to help with the watch.” I take my crutch and make my way to a spot behind the raft to answer the call of nature. And when I’m ready to get in the raft, Zane is waiting to help me in. I dust the sand off my feet and look around the raft.

Chapter 30

Muster

Haley

I’m using Calvin’s bare chest as a pillow. And it feels so domestic, like it’s Sunday morning and we’re going to lie in bed and read. But this is Calvin, and the only reason he is lying asleep behind me is because he kept the fire and watch going all night.

What would it be like to have Calvin as a boyfriend? He’d probably be an early riser, no pancakes and sleeping in. No, he’d have the garage cleaned and the lawn mown by nine a.m. I laugh out loud. Me with a lawn?

Last night, nestled between Easton and Zane, shoot, I wanted to move. I wanted to rub myself all over both of them. But the sun, wind, and big meal all made me so sleepy I fell asleep before anything happened.

But now I’m not tired.

“Good morning,” Calvin says into my ear, close enough to be a kiss. I lift my head, and our lips are inches apart. I don’t move away. I want him to kiss me.

“Good morning. How was the night shift?”

He lifts his head, giving a bit of distance. “More of nothing.” He squeezes me to him. “How were the sleeping arrangements?” Calvin’s hand lands on my bare back, where my shirt has ridden up. His thumb rubs lazy circles on my back, and I know I should get up. But as long as he’s rubbing circles, I’m not moving. I’m mesmerized by his touch.

A low moan rumbles, and it takes a minute for me to realize I’m the one making it. This might be the first time I’ve been comfortable since I left Fort Lauderdale. No, longer, since in Florida I was too busy crying over seeing fucking Steven and his new girl at my favorite diner. Now I can never go there. I laugh, because I can never go there again anyway, or to any other restaurant. Not when I’m stuck on a deserted island with four guys who watch me like they either want to fuck me or tie me up for safety. Or maybe just tie me up. I shouldn’t find that so hot, but I do.

I hitch my leg up over Calvin’s, and he moves his large leg in between my thighs.

Oh, it feels so good. Not even moving, the pressure my own weight is putting on my clit pushed into his leg is enough to send me almost over the edge.

“Take what you need, little one.” His voice rumbles through his chest.

My eyes widen. He can’t mean what he’s saying, can he?

His teeth scrape along his lip. Our skin is glowing red from the light coming through the raft cover. He lifts his leg, changing the angle against my clit. I let out a moan.

“Take it.”

I slide my hand down his chest toward his cock.

But he snags my wrist, holding my hand to his chest. “Take it, Haley.” His deep, thick voice has me rock forward. I catch his intense eyes. “That’s it. Do it.” He says it the way one dares someone to shoot back a shot or stuff three hot dogs into theirmouth. He doesn’t know it, but I’m not one to leave a dare on the table. I rock forward. The first thrust of my hips has me shaking. I want to run away, but Calvin holds my hand at his stomach. “We all have needs, Haley. You’re not going off into the woods to hide behind a tree.”

I lift my head, and my body follows. More friction against my clit. “Is that what you do?”

“No.” His smile melts me, and at the same time I’m ashamed. “Haley, I don’t hide from anyone. Roll over.” It’s a command, not a request.

I freeze for a second. Am I drawing a line in the sand? Am I picking Calvin above all the other guys?

“Roll over. This is about you, not me. Roll over.” His voice is like a rough wave over me. “I’m getting you off, not asking you to go steady.”

My insides are shaking at how matter of fact he is. Like it’s a task on his list: get firewood, carve utensils, make a boat, and finger Haley. But my body rolls on its own. And his hand slides down my chest. His hand is rough, and when he slides it under the elastic of my panties, I turn away. The doubt shows on my face. His other hand grasps my chin, turning my face to his. He kisses me. His lips pull at mine, his tongue demanding entrance. When I let him in, he circles my clit. I mew into his mouth. My hips lift to his hand.

I want more. His kiss is firm. Demanding. I want to touch him too. When I try, he releases my chin and grabs my hand before I can, pinning it above my head. He breaks the kiss.

“This is about you.” His fingers are still stroking my clit. He stares at me. His eyes are purple in the filtered light of the raft’s canopy. “Understood?”

I nod, unable to speak. I tilt my pelvis up to him again.

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