Page 69 of Bagging the Blueliner
Hannah moved down the aisle, pulling Natalie up from her seat and dragging her toward the back of the plane. Plopping down into two seats side by side, it was clear they were planning to have girl time on the trip to wherever we were going.
Mentally bracing for the most uncomfortable flight in the history of the world, I chose the white leather captain’s chair across the aisle from Jaxon. Flagging down one of the flight attendants, I requested a whiskey before takeoff.
As I sipped my liquor, you could cut the tension between me and my best friend with a knife. As the pilots began their final safety checks, he muttered, “I hope she’s worth it.”
Turning my head, I answered with my own question, “Was Natalie?”
Jaxon sighed. “You know she was.”
“Then I think you have your answer.”
“This isn’t going to end well, you know that, right?”
Leave it to Jaxon to twist the knife. All it would take was one person to take a candid photo of Hannah and me together, and my world would come tumbling down.
Listening to her laughing behind me, I knew I would take this risk over and over.
Whatever the collateral damage, we would face it together.
We boarded the superyacht,Shine Brighter, as the sun began to set behind the marina on the shoreline of Miami.
Once Jaxon warmed to the idea of us joining them, I’d learned that Amy and Liam would join us the following day when we ported in Nassau. Our charter was set to be a five-day circular path starting in Florida, taking us to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Key West.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the entire crew and then shown to our rooms to settle in before dinner.
A stewardess led Hannah and me to our cabin. This was my first time on a yacht, so I was surprised to see the size of our stateroom.
Rich, glossy wood accents made the stark white linens on the queen-sized bed stand out. A white leather couch sat against the room-length pane-glass window. Moving around the room, I found a full bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. Assuming Jaxon and Natalie got the master suite, this was one hell of a guest room.
While I scoped out the cabin, Hannah was chattering like a monkey to the stewardess. Staring out the window—transfixed by the beautiful pinks and purples the sky was turning as the sun set—I heard her say, “We weren’t on the original charter manifest. Would you let the chef know that my boyfriend is allergic to shellfish?”
That caught my attention, and I spun around, staring at her while she finished her conversation. Finally, we were left alone to relax and change before dinner.
Hannah laid back on the bed and sighed. “Not too shabby, huh?” When I didn’t respond immediately, she lifted her head to find me still staring at her. “What?”
Raising an eyebrow, I asked, “Boyfriend?”
She rolled her eyes. “Is this where you become the stereotypical man and freak out?”
“No. I just wasn’t aware we had labels.”
Rising on her elbows, she asked, “Are you sleeping with other women?”
I shot her a glare. “You know I’m not. Are you sleeping with other men?” The rage that hit me at that thought had my fists clenching at my sides.
Hannah scoffed. “Of course not.”
I let out a deep breath, relieved. The logical part of my brain knew she wasn’t sleeping around, but hearing her admit it set me at ease.
Standing, she moved to where I stood. “So, if I’m not seeing anyone else and neither are you, that makes us exclusive. And if we’re exclusive, Ithinkthat means you’re my boyfriend, and I’m your girlfriend.”
Looping her arms around my neck, she rose on her tiptoes to kiss the side of my jaw. Grabbing her ass, I ground her hips onto my growing erection.
Dipping my head, I growled, “I’ve never fucked on a boat before.”
That fire lit up her blue eyes, and Hannah smirked. “Are you saying I get to be the woman who claims Cal Berg’s maritime virginity?”
A thought crossed my mind. “Wait. I don’t get yours?”
