Page 26 of Love Off Course

“What’s happening? What is he saying?” Sheridan asks from the doorway. “Answer me, dammit.”

Her brown hair has been swept over one shoulder now that I’ve stolen the hair tie. It exposes the long, delicious column of her neck. I’d love to run my tongue along her skin to see if she tastes salty like her fucking attitude.

Before Carson can open his mouth to play peacemaker, I push past him over to her. She’s slightly swaying, which is no wonder with all the tequila she’s been sucking down.

“Looks like a category two hurricane now.” I resist the urge to kiss her supple lips. “Don’t worry?—”

“Don’t worry?” she hisses, her face turning red with sudden anger. “You kept me from going to my destination only to trap me in this shithole and now we’re all going to die!”

I wince at the shithole comment, knowing it’ll upsetMamá. This place is her baby. Her life’s work. To have someone speak so lowly of it to her is aggravating.

“We’re not going to die,” Carson placates.

“It’s not a shithole.” My fiery glare burns into her. “You should apologize.”

Her lip curls up. “I won’t ever apologize for telling the truth.” She shoves at me, but it only ends up making her bounce back because I’m unmovable. “You’re an asshole kidnapper and now you can add murderer to the list!”

“Oh, Jesus,” Carson groans.

“Get this woman back to her room,mijo,”Mamásnaps. “She’s drunk and disorderly. She’ll upset the other guests.”

Forgot to mention, I’m conveniently security, too.

“I can take her back,” Carson offers, trying to dismantle the bomb that’s about to go off in three, two, one?—

“Excuse me!” Sheridan screeches. “I am not drunk! I am not disorderly! I will stay right here and listen to the radio!”

“Enough, little bee. You don’t even know Spanish, so you can’t understand a word of what he’s saying anyway.”

She continues to argue, butMamáis pissed and I need to get her out of here. I sigh before grabbing her and hoisting her over my shoulder, which is beginning to feel like a pattern for us. She kicks and screams for me to put her down. Rather than upset the guests, I take her down the back hallway and out the door. It’s raining now, hard and promising worse weather headed our way.

It’s a short walk back to her room, but we manage to get soaked to the bone. I’m wearing my trunks, so it’s not a big deal. The door is unlocked and we step inside. One half of the room is neat and orderly while the other side has Estefania’s belongings strewn everywhere. I take Sheridan to her clean side of the room and set her to her feet.

“I don’t feel well,” she whispers.

Gripping her chin, I tilt her head to look at her. Big brown eyes are filled with tears and her mascara is smeared. Her smooth hair is a soaked, frizzy mess. She’s pale as fuck too.

“Why don’t you change out of your clothes and lie down?” I offer. “You’ll feel better soon.” I start for the door, but her whimper stops me.

“Is a category two bad if it hits us?”

Fear.

Her voice drips with it.

I’m shocked that she’s afraid of anything. She hides it well if she is. Right now, the tequila has dropped her defenses and a terrified young woman stares back at me.

“The locals are used to hurricanes. We’ll board everything up, stick together, and ride out the storm when it hits.” I walk back over to her and kiss her forehead. “You’ll be safe, Sher.”

She doesn’t correct me for not using her full name.

“Can you help me?” Her brown eyes bore into mine, filled with heat.

Fuck.

I’d love nothing more than to strip this hellion and drive into her just so I can feel her claws and listen to her screams.

But not like this.

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