Page 59 of Ship Outta Luck

“Lemme guess, your company name is probably something really toxic and masculine.” She purses her lips, tapping the same finger that was just on my bare skin against her chin. “Guns and Money, Inc.”

I press my lips together.

“Is that a no? How about Hired Muscle, LLC, is that it?” She wears a mock serious expression, but her eyes glitter with humor.

At my expense.

I love it.

“Bodyguards R Us?”

“That’s the one.”

“You want me to trust you, but you won’t even tell me the name of your company?” She makes a noise of mock distress, shaking her head.

“You’re having such a good time making fun of me, I didn’t want to ruin it for you.” Overhead, a seagull squawks before winging low over the water.

“Well?”

I grunt.

“Alright, wouldn’t have guessed that, but I can see the appeal. Grunts For Hire. Got it.” She winks and tilts her head, her long ponytail sliding over a shoulder, and I want to catch it. Wrap my fingers in the silky strands. Pull her head back, press against her hot body and?—

“Can you focus?” It comes out feral, nearly a growl. So much for my anger management. “Where is the beach?”

And just like that, the hint of humor in her expression disappears. “You don’t have to be such a jerk. I was just teasing. Who hurt you?”

Fiona.With her petite curves, her easy smiles, the way she seemed to know just what to say and do to soften me up. To get me to relax. And when I found out who she was, who she worked for?—

“Dean…” Soft fingers press against my arm. “Dean, are you okay?”

I shake myself, clearing my head. “Let’s go.” The words bark out, an order.

June holds her hands up, backing away from me. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”

I close my eyes. This infatuation with June will pass. It has to.

Over the swell of water on fiberglass, I register the squeak of skin on vinyl, a switch being flipped, and the sound of the boat revving to life.

I count again, backwards from ten, though maybe I should start at a hundred around June. The metal railing is hot under my hand, and I grip it tight as the boat roars to life. Ignoring the burn, welcoming the distraction.

June’s back is ramrod straight, her hair whipping behind her like a banner.

She doesn’t deserve me yelling at her.

Disappointment wells in me, fierce and furious. Why can’t I just be normal around her? Being so careful, so on guard all the time—it’s exhausting.

The boat slams into a wave and I jerk my head up. June glances over her shoulder at me, a wicked smile curving her face.

“You still hanging on back there?” She shouts to be heard over the noise of the motors and the wind roaring across the deck.

I grit my teeth as the boat slams across the waves. A few crabs bounce out of the mesh bag, claws pinching at nothing. Slowly, I avoid them, making my way to the captain’s chair, where June wears an all-out grin.

“Sorry,” I manage, holding onto the back of the chair as the boat slams over another wave.

“What’s that?” June cups an ear. “I can’t hear you.”

“I said, I’m sorry,” I yell.

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