Page 88 of Between Love and Honor

Ben flipped the other agent off. Agent Caracas’s laugh rang out through the marina.

“What next?” Griffin asked once the secretary’s footsteps faded. “I know you’ve got something going on in that mastermind brain of yours.”

“I’m afraid this one has me stumped.” Ben sank down onto one of the bench seats.

Quinn sat beside him. “What about the Seas the Day? She can’t stay here.”

“I’ll sail her back to Alexandria first thing tomorrow.”

He threaded his fingers through hers. “I want you to go back with Adam to the Crown.”

“Absolutely not.” She gripped his hand firmly. “We’re a team now, remember? If I’m not allowed to be out of your sight, then the same goes for you.”

“Good, then you’re both coming back to the Crown,” Griffin insisted.

Ben grinned before shaking his head. “I’m not leaving my boat.”

“And I’m not leaving you.” She leaned over and kissed him.

“You’re both insane,” Adam argued.

“Then we’re perfect for each other,” Ben said with a laugh.

“Bennett, you can’t stay out here all night.” Griffin looked as if he wanted to haul them both over his shoulder and carry them all the way back to the White House.

“I appreciate the concern, guys.” Ben stood up, pulling her along with him. “But the traitor won’t show now. Not with Ronoff dead. They’ll have to find another sucker to buy that list. The Mariner may have been burned, but I can still navigate the dark web using another alias.”

Adam and Griffin exchanged a look.

“You’re taking this a lot better than I thought you would,” Adam remarked.

Quinn was also a bit uneasy about Ben’s quick re-bound, but she kept her feelings to herself.

“We’ll head back in the morning,” he told his friends.

“Go home. Get some sleep. Tomorrow is a work day.”

“Okay.” Adam shrugged.

“If you say so.” Griffin looked at Ben like he wanted to say more.

“Yeah. I say so. Now get out of here.”

The three exchanged man hugs before Adam and Griffin climbed off the boat. Their reluctant footsteps echoed on the dock until they were swallowed up by the sounds of laughter and music being carried from the various hotels and restaurants within the harbor. Ben quickly spun her around toward the cabin.

“Ben—”

“Not here,” he murmured. “Let’s get inside.”

She stepped down into the galley, but he didn’t stop there. With his chest pressed to her back, he propelled her toward the forward cabin. Her shins bumped up against the bed just as his mouth found the tender skin on her neck.

“What are you doing?”

He released her and took a step back. She twirled around just in time to see him shuck his shirt. The sight of his naked chest brought goose bumps to her skin.

“We’re going to do what I’ve dreamt of doing every time I crawled into this bunk. Take your clothes off.”

The boat swayed slightly with the tide. She wanted to defy him. To discuss whatever had happened in the gondola. But apparently her fingers were on a different wavelength because they were already unfastening her shorts. He stepped out of his shoes and shoved his jeans and briefs down his legs. All it took was one glance for her to realize he was not in the mood for discussion.

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