Page 25 of Falling Overboard

I couldn’t be considering Hunter that way.

“It is evidence. Good enough for a court of law. The judge would rule in my favor.” Why did I like his teasing so much?

“I have to get back to work,” I repeated, as if it were some kind of magical phrase that would make my feet move away from him when they didn’t want to. I had a job to do, guests to check on who had paid a lot of money for me to be at their beck and call.

They weren’t paying for me to ogle my bunkmate.

Thomas’s footsteps on the stairs behind me got me to finally move. “Hunter, come help me unload the water toys.”

I brushed past the bosun and made my way back to the upper deck. The women were just where I’d left them, still watching Hunter.

Irene handed me her bowl of ice cream. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get a chance to eat it in time.”

“I’ll take care of it,” I said immediately. “Would you like more?”

“No, I’m fine,” she said.

I took the bowl back down to the galley to be washed.

I looked down at the soupy mess.

Me and the ice cream. Both of us completely melted because of Hunter.

Chapter Ten

Hunter

After I’d changed into the black pants and button-down shirts called, appropriately enough, “blacks,” Thomas sent me to the upper deck to find Lucky and help her. He hadn’t had to tell me twice.

The interior crew had on pink dresses for Mrs. Carmine’s birthday, and I did my best not to objectify Lucky, who looked incredibly sexy. The dress fit her perfectly, outlining every long line and curve, her long black hair up in a ponytail that swayed back and forth as she moved.

It had become apparent to me that she had no idea how hot she was, and I found that personally offensive.

“Thomas said I should come help you,” I said, realizing that standing there and watching her was not exactly the behavior of a friend.

She thrust a package of pink balloons at me. “Here. Blow these up.”

I took one out. “Do balloons ever strike you as strange? ‘Happy birthday, here’s a rubber sack filled with my breath.’”

Her smile made my chest feel too tight. “Don’t make jokes. This needs to be perfect. Her entire group has been so lovely and patient. You have no idea how rare that is.”

I should have blown up the balloon but instead I watched her as she climbed onto the table to attach some pink and gold streamers to the top of a pole. I told myself that I shouldn’t be looking at her butt.

My staring turned out to be a good thing because the boat rocked sideways and she lost her balance. Because she had all my attention, I was there to catch her before she fell. Her back was against my chest and all my blood rushed south. She was so soft. She fit perfectly in my arms and smelled amazing. I wanted to bury my face in her hair.

“Are you good?” I asked, and I didn’t know if the question was for me or her.

She trembled slightly and I could hear how quickly she was breathing. From the almost fall or because I was holding her?

My heart thudded low and hard. What would she do if I turned her around and kissed her senseless?

“I’m good,” she said in a low, breathy voice that made my brain shut off entirely. She didn’t help things by turning slowly around.

I wanted her.

And I couldn’t have her.

She swayed toward me and I wondered if she even realized it. Her dark eyes met mine, and then lowered down to my mouth.

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