Page 71 of Forget Me Not

“I’m not romantic, Nova,” I interject before she can say anything else. “I can make you come more times than you can count. I can fulfill all your kinky fantasies, but I’m not boyfriend material.”

She smiles softly. “I’m not asking you to be.”

“So, what are you asking?”

“More like a friends with benefits situation. I don’t expect anything from you. I know Alaska is important to you.”

It’s a big opportunity that came when I was starting to feel like I’d fallen stagnant. Now . . . I don’t know if it’s the darkness surrounding us or the pretty way her eyes shine in the moonlight, but now, I’m questioning fucking everything.

“So, you want me to fuck you? Nothing more?”

She shrugs. “We can still hang out.”

My cock is rock hard in my jeans again. She meets my gaze, even in the darkness of the cabin. I can practically feel the thump of her heart racing in her chest and the electricity zapping between us that could power a city.

“I just want you to know, I’m not expecting anything from you.”

“Are you asking me to be your dirty little secret, Nova?”

She blushes, but she doesn’t back down.

“I guess I am.”

Her breath hitches when I press a kiss to the side of her jaw and inhale the scent of her. Vanilla and sugar and everything that makes my cock throb.

Still, it won’t happen tonight.

Pulling away, I place a kiss to her temple—also something I’ve never done before. I’ve got to get off this boat.

“Sleep well, little bird.”

Nestling her head on my shoulder, I listen to the sounds of her breathing eventually even out.

She deserves better, for what it’s worth. I’m just a filthy asshole. The prick that plans to leave as soon as September rolls around, never to be seen again. Shit, it would have been so easy to just lose myself in her for the night. I would if she were anyone else. Without hesitation, I’d have her coming so hard she blacks out on my cock, my tongue, or my fingers until well after the other fishermen went to work for the day and the sun started to rise.

It’s different for Nova, though. I can’t bring myself to just fuck her and move on. I want her to remember me for more than just one night. I want her smiles, to watch her laugh.

Just friends. Who the fuck is she kidding? This was never just friends.

“Nova . . .”

My name. Someone is calling my name.

“Wake up . . . ” The water around me ripples in the blackness. I can’t see. I can’t feel anything, but the icy pins against my skin as the current sucks me down.

Why can’t I move?

I’m just below the surface of the water, I can make out the reflection of the moon shining off the surface, but I can’t reach it. A face looms, just out of reach. I can’t make out the eyes, but the hair . . . I recognize it. Dark, inky black strands matted to a wet forehead.

Is this the end?

Am I drowning again?

“Nova.” Warm hands reach for me, and I’m too weightless to struggle against their hold.

Am I awake?

Am I dreaming?

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