Page 8 of Castaway Heat
“The study of the chemical composition of the ocean.”
Ronin leaned in slightly and lifted a brow, hinting he expected more of an answer.
“We analyze chemicals present in seawater, investigate how they interact with each other, and how that interaction might affect marine life and the ocean ecosystem as a whole. For centuries, we’ve polluted our earth. Toxic chemicals have been trapped by layers of ice at the poles, century by century. As our oceans heat up, more and more of those chemicals have been released and we need to determine how much that will impact the life within it. Our studies will help those seeking ways to reverse the damage we’ve done to our oceans and marine life.”
A few seconds of silence fell after he’d stopped speaking.
“Beautyandbrains, hmm?” Ronin asked, smiling a bit too sensually for Shiloh’s peace of mind.
His face warmed, which he would’ve thought near impossible as hot as he was.Is he hitting on me? No… there’s no way. Get that out of your head, Shiloh.
“Savior of the planet, too,” Sage added, humor in his voice.
“Hardly,” Shiloh said, doing his damnedest to not look at Ronin.
Sage patted the lounger beside him and Ronin sat down, his long legs struggling to fit in the narrow gap. His knees brushed against Shiloh’s thigh. Shiloh pulled his leg away as if he’d been burned.
“Your father didn’t charter you a yacht?” Ronin asked Sage, the heat of his gaze directly on Shiloh. “It would’ve been less crowded.”
“I like dancing and drinking and having fun. I needpeopleto do that with,” Sage said. “I’d be bored with just these two for company.” Sage turned to them. “No offense.”
“We also aren’t alphas, so there’s no way we could scratch Sage’s itch,” Shiloh added.
Sage pointed at him, winked, and clicked his tongue. “Shiloh knows mesowell.”
Ronin scanned the three of them. “So that’s what this trip’s for? Scratching all of your collective itches?” His gaze landed on Shiloh again as soon as he finished speaking.
The way Ronin was staring was unnerving and unexpected. His inner sixteen-year-old was cheering, but the grown man was smart enough not to get his hopes up.
“I’ve made it my mission to get Shiloh laid before we leave the ship,” Sage replied.
“Sage!”Shiloh snapped. His face burned as he felt Ronin’s stare. “I didn’t ask for that help,nordo I want it.”
“But it’s been literalmonths.You’ve already wasted your time here so far. Do you plan to waste the rest?” Sage asked him.
“Maybe I do,” Shiloh said. He waved at the group of alphas in the pool. “I’m not interested in drunken frat boys like you are.”
“They’re not frat boys,” Sage said. “They’re a New Zealand rugby team on holiday.”
“Well, we all know your history with team sports,” Shiloh said. “I’m afraid there’s no bleachers to suck their dicks under, though.”
Ronin and Eirin both snorted with laughter. Both tried to hide it, too. Shiloh immediately felt bad for saying it, yet Sage’s smile only grew.
“Oh, kitty kat’s gotclaws.I think I likeannoyed Shiloh. I’ll have to embarrass you more often.” He clawed his fingers at Shiloh.
Shiloh’s jaw clenched and he narrowed his eyes at Sage.
“As fun as this has been, I have some snooping to do.” Ronin rose. He captured Shiloh’s gaze. “I have reservations in the sushi restaurant tonight. You should join me.”
“Is that an open invitation for all of us—or only Shiloh?” Sage asked.
Shiloh glared at Sage. When he lifted his gaze to Ronin, curious of what the answer would be, he sensed it had been meant for him.
“You’re all welcome, of course,” Ronin said flatly. “Eight o’clock. I’ll meet you outside the restaurant.”
“We’ll be there,” Sage said. “With bells on.”
Ronin smiled softly before offering them a departing wave. He marched past the rugby players and was soon out of sight. Shiloh spun on the lounger and placed his feet on the deck, glaring at Sage.
