Page 36 of Uncharted

“Like a drowned rat. A really turned-on drowned rat.” She flicks her head back to me at the same time a large wave crashes onto our legs. We cling together, laughing.

But damn, she’s like a mermaid. She arches her back, and I grab her to keep from falling into the water. She bends farther, her hair brushing the waves. And the fact that she trusts me to keep her from falling into the water makes me even fucking harder. I will never let anything or anyone harm my girl.

“Oh, right there.” Her new position has her driving deeper onto me. My pulse pounds in my dick. I’m never coming back from this. I force my eyes open as she’s teetering on the edge of her orgasm. It’s the best fucking thing. With one hand, I grip her hip, and with the other, I rub her clit, coaxing her over.

She vibrates on top of me, her pussy flutters around me, and it takes me with her. I’m soaring into the early evening sky.

“Whoa...” She sits up. “Another inch and I would have flipped all the way over.

“I’ve got you.” I rub along her hips. She’s going to have a mark later. I had to grip pretty hard to keep her upright.

“I know you do.” She leans into me, resting her forehead on mine.

“Are you ready for your appointment now?”

“Appointment?”

I pick up the bottle of shampoo from behind me.

Chapter16

Onloading

Zane

“Holy shit.” I look up at the sleeping loft, and the window is filled with mosquito netting. “That’s fantastic.”

Easton pokes his head through the window. “No, what you’re holding looks fantastic.”

“It’s a great addition to the new yoga mats.” I’m holding the new extra-large cushion above my head.

“Hold on, let me help you,” Easton calls down.

“Can I come the rest of the way up?” Haley’s waiting on the living room platform with Pepper curled asleep on her lap. It’s still early, but it feels like it’s the middle of the night. And I’m ready to go to bed. But more importantly, I want to fix our connection with Haley. I know we all showed how we feel during the day. I tried to, at least. The captain’s eyes glared at every passing touch. But tonight is going to be different, and I sure as hell hope she’s willing to let us prove how much we need her. I need it. We all need it.

“Give us a minute.” I pass the cushion to Easton and kiss her temple. I charge up the ladder with two grocery bags over my arm. I found some of the solar charge twinkle lights that the interior uses for parties on the sun deck. They were brand new since we’d never had a party. They’re not super charged up right now, having spent their entire existence in a box, but they’ve got a little glow around the mosquito net. There’s also a few of the fake solar-battery-powered candles. I have them in the corner, on the three-legged stool that we found under the bed in the fishing boat. The best part is the new pillows and blankets on top of the new big cushion. It’s perfect. Like a tree house in the movies. “Ready,” I call out.

“Hold on a second. I need to add something.” Calvin’s hair is wet. When he pushes past me, he doesn’t smell like shit. Having soap is a freaking game-changer. He puts the picture of Haley and her mom on the little stool next to the solar-operated candle.

“Okay, now we’re ready.” Calvin crosses his arms over his chest. And I don’t even care. He’s not stealing my thunder; he’s being Calvin, a guy who was smart enough and brave enough to tell her he loves her. I fucking love her too. But I can’t tell her now. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. She’s freaking out about the captain. I mean, I understand why. He’s a good man, and they had a thing first. I don’t care about who was first. I just want to be part of the last. That’s the only thing that matters to me. I want to be part of her endgame?and I don’t mean the movie.

Haley comes up the ladder. “It’s amazing. This, this is...” Tears roll down her face. “Sorry, happy tears. OMG, is that my picture?” She storms to it. “It’s my mom. Thank you for getting it.”

“Zane grabbed it. The lights, the cushion. It’s all him.” Calvin throws his arm around me.

I glance at Calvin. He’s giving me all the credit, I guess because of our chat in the tender.

“Oh, he grabbed your wets, some shoes, and your robe too. They’re in the bag over there.”

“Really! Thank you for getting them, Zane.” She throws her arms around my neck, and this time she kisses me. Her soft lips take me in, and I get butterflies. I pull her closer, but then Dante jumps next to us, landing on the new bed.

“Can we go to bed now? Damn, that feels good.” Dante pulls back a blanket and lies on his back. He’s naked because that’s how Dante rolls most of the time now. Unless he’s cooking, he’s living his best nudist camp self. Him, Haley, the rest of us, and his massive dick. “Come here, Haley. This mattress is the same thickness as our two little cushions together. The idea of not rolling off it into a desert of sand is f’n fantastic.”

She unzips her new crew jacket. And I can die now. Underneath isn’t her old shirt. Haley has on a white lace bra. The rest of us freeze. No movement at all. Until Easton moves first, and then we’re all pulling clothes off, in a race. Until we’re all naked.

All but Haley, who has her hand over her mouth, laughing. “Really?”

“What else is in that suitcase of yours, Chiefie?” Calvin’s the first to grab her around her waist. He dips his head and kisses her.

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