Page 15 of Beyond Me

“Then we’ll let the water take us wherever we want.”

The image of being with him alone on a boat in Key West made excitement unfurl in my belly.Oh yeah.I’d be sleeping with him tomorrow if everything went okay.But did I trust him to be out on the water without anyone else?

Yes.Hell yes.

“I’d like that,” I said.

“Good.Let’s exchange numbers.”We input our respective contact information, then he grabbed my hand and tugged me away from the water.“I’ll walk you to the hotel.”

The stroll back was leisurely and quiet.It was nice to relax and not worry about conversation, and he seemed to enjoy it just as much.He swung my hand was we walked, commenting here and there on some areas of attractions I may want to see during the week, and when we reached the hotel lobby, gave me a gentle kiss on the lips.

But his eyes blazed a promise I wanted him to keep.

“Night, Quinn.”

“Night, James.”

He waited until I went inside.My legs trembled as I got to my room.I barely got through the door before my phone rang.I jumped—no one usually called me when texting was so much easier.I glanced down, saw Cassie’s name, and almost panicked.

“Are you okay?”I asked as soon as I heard her voice.

“Fine.Are you?”

Weird question.“Sure.Why?”

A pause.“Just checking.I met this guy—” She trailed off.“He convinced me to call to make sure you got home in one piece.”

My body slumped in relief.Why did I always have to be the paranoid one in the group?I couldn’t help the little chuckle that escaped.“Oh.”I figured he was right there and she couldn’t talk, but I couldn’t help teasing her a bit.“This guy sounds pretty special if he’s checking up on your friends.”

“Shut up.”I heard the grin in her voice.“Are you at the hotel?”

“Yeah, just walked in.Where’s Mackenzie?”

“Found her hot musician with tattoos.Dumped me pretty quick.Did you find someone to replace Ivy League Dude?”

I collapsed on the thick mattress and groaned.“Yeah.Ivy League Dude.”

“He followed you?”

“Yeah.But he was okay.”

She laughed.“Your tone says better than okay.Guess you forgave him, huh?”

“Guess so.Go back to Very Considerate Hot Guy.Mackenzie will never leave you alone if you don’t get laid this trip.”

There was another deliberate pause and I imagined her glancing at her companion, checking him out.Good for her.Cassie put so much into her studying, she deserved some frolic.“’K.Catch up with you tomorrow.”

“Stay safe,” I reminded her.Not that Cassie needed reminding, but I still felt like the worried mother hen of the group.

“Always.”

I clicked off the phone and stared at the spotless white ceiling.Maybe this trip would end up being a surprise for all of us.

Monday

“THAT’S YOURboat?”

My mouth dropped open as I stood on the deck overlooking the huge catamaran with the massive sails tugging in the wind.It looked about forty feet, with gorgeous teak wood and equipment galore.I knew nothing about sailing, rarely venturing into the water except for a quick swim, but I knew this was mega expensive.I had expected a small motorboat we’d tool around in for the day.Should have realized my Ivy Leaguer would impress the hell out of me.

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