Page 24 of The Bosun

Walking over to Kylie, I held my hand out for the offending oil. I was sure I had a scowl on my face as I stood before her.

“I’m sorry, Remy. You know the mantra.” She actually did look sorry, but I was also sure she’d enjoy them torturing me throughout the day as well.

“Do whatever the guests want. I know, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it,” I said for only her ears to hear but noticed Stella stiffen out of the corner of my eye. Had she heard me?

It wasn’t Stella who was a chore. In fact, she was my reward for all the bad shit that had gone down in my life and for putting up with her friends.

“Nope, just do it with a smile on your face.” Kylie patted my bare shoulder. “You know, if you guys did all your work shirtless, I bet we’d get much better tips.”

“Just as if you did all your work in skimpy bikinis,” I shot back with a big smile.

But we weren’t meant to be seen as meat while we worked, rather with a semblance of respect as the help.

“Point made. Now go get oiled up for the ladies to enjoy you better,” she cackled as she went behind the bar.

My feet felt like they were in quicksand as I made my way toward the women.

“Why don’t you start, Stella? You look like you could use a good time.” Reagan gave her a nasty smile. What the hell was wrong with that woman?

I didn’t mind having Stella’s hands on me. Since she was sitting away from the rest, it might give me the chance to try to explain to her about last night.

“Where would you like me?” I asked as I stood in front of the dark-haired beauty.

A sly smirk replaced the sullen set to her plump pink lips. “Get on your knees.”

Liking where this was going, I did as I was ordered and got down on my knees in front of Stella.

Plucking the oil out of my hands, she coated her palms before she leaned forward and placed her hands on my shoulders. Her fingers dug into the muscles a moment before she started to coat my skin while her eyes following her movements.

“Stella,” I called her name quietly. Her gaze flicked up to mine before she looked back at what she was doing. “I’m sorry about last night. After I got done with my work, I tried to make it to find you, but at every turn, I was stopped. I couldn’t very well send you a note saying I couldn’t meet up for our rendezvous.”

“I fell asleep waiting for you. Do you know what it feels like to be stood up on a boat?” Tears filled her eyes that she tried to quickly blink away, making me feel like an even bigger asshole.

I wanted nothing more than to be able to take her hands in mine or to be able to hold her in my arms, but that wasn’t a possibility with everyone around. “I can’t imagine it felt good. I’m sorry. I truly am. If I could have gotten away without being caught, I would have. Please don’t doubt that.”

“Alright, you hogged him enough. Now it’s our turn,” Reagan said, breaking our moment.

Closing the cap on the oil, Stella’s sad brown eyes met mine. “Is it crazy that I hate the thought of them touching you?”

“Not at all. Believe me when I say I don’t want them touching me either. I wish I could hold you right now and kiss you until you knew how sorry I am for standing you up last night,” I admitted, hoping Stella could read the sincerity in my words.

“Me too, but you need to go before Kylie becomes suspicious.” Handing me back the oil, Stella’s fingers brushed against mine and held for only a moment before they were gone.

What the hell was this woman doing to me? I barely knew her, and yet the pull to her was too strong to deny.

“Who’s next,” I asked as I turned away from her.

Reagan’s hand shot up quicker than lightning, “That would be me.”

I wanted so badly to turn and look at Stella, but I knew I couldn’t.

“I’ll join you. Two is always better than one,” Zelda added.

Handing over the oil, I said. “You can each do an arm.”

“Only an arm?” Reagan pouted, and it wasn’t cute like when Stella had done it.

I shrugged, not knowing how to answer her. Personally, I didn’t want her hands on me at all. I knew Zelda was doing it all in good fun, but I had a feeling Reagan only wanted to touch me to piss off Stella.

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