Page 48 of Uncharted

“I’ll try not to be a killjoy. But that’s kind of my job, normally.”

“Sam, don’t say that.”

“It’s true when you’re in charge. I literally have to steer the ship.”

I smile.

He grips the base of my chin and kisses me. I melt into his lips. Until he pulls back. “How does it work with the guys? Do I have to get on your calendar?”

“Calendar?” Now I’m really laughing. “We don’t have a schedule.”

His eyebrows rise.

“What? It’s just organic. There’s no schedule or tally.” I slap my lips together. “And don’t you start a tally. Because most of them are really competitive, and it might kill me.” I shrug with another laugh.

“I guess that’s one way to go.” He pulls me onto his lap so I’m straddling him.

“What happened with going to talk to Calvin?” I play with the button on his white polo.

“It can wait a few more minutes. I’ve missed you, Haley.” He stresses my name.

“What happened to ‘Darling?’”

He pulls my head back to his again, and this time it’s more than a dizzying kiss. His hands race around my back, down to my legs. His fingers play with the hem of my shirt, and then it’s gone. A large hand cups my breast. Our kiss breaks. “This is pretty. I pictured you in it more than once.” His fingers slide over the lace of my bra.

I playfully slap at his muscular arm. “Sam, you said you didn’t open my bag.”

“I lied. I couldn’t help myself. I missed you too much. Do they know what else is in there?”

“No.” I shake my head. My hair falls around his shoulders. The heat is rising up my neck. “Why did you say you hadn’t looked in it, then?”

“I thought you would want to keep it private.”

“Oh, well, thank you.” I should have just thrown half of them away. I didn’t. But I couldn’t have left them in storage, in a garage where anyone could find them. A garage that’s technically owned by me, but if they think I’m dead? My father would be the one to go through all of my stuff. I’m more than glad I brought the lockbox.

“No, thank you. I can’t wait to try them out on you.”

“They were locked up.”

“I had time. There’s only so many combinations. I used it as a solvable puzzle compared to the mess the boat’s in. There might have been tequila involved too.”

“A drunk Sam? That’s something I want to see.”

“Well, tequila and I are no longer on speaking terms.” He nips at my lips.

“That bad?”

“You have no idea.” He kisses me again.

It feels so normal. Like the radio could crackle with Shayla’s voice asking if I want her to start on cabins or laundry next. I kiss him back.

“Fuck. Right, I really do need to go.” He picks me up and sets me back on the bench, then races out of the room, leaving me with a raging lady boner. Is that a thing? Well, I know how to fix that. I pull on my shirt and make my way down the corridor, past the destroyed main salon to the galley to Dante.

Chapter22

HMS King George V

Dante

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