Page 5 of Unchartered Curves

“Swimming and relaxing. Should we meet up?”

“Yes.” Duane said. “We’d like that.”

We discussed where and when, then we got out our phones to set up a group text.

“Here’s my room. Where are you guys?”

“We have a penthouse on the main deck,” Gill said. “You’ll have to see it.”

Suddenly the energy felt very different.

“I’d like that,” I said, and leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the lips. It only lasted for a couple of seconds, but I enjoyed the firm feel of his lips, tasting the coffee he’d enjoyed.

Then I turned to Duane and kissed him before I could think about what was happening. Duane’s lips were softer, but his face cupped my cheek for a second. I shivered in pleasure as he smiled and met my eyes while I pulled away.

Gill grinned. “See you tomorrow, Anisa. Looking forward to it.”

So was I.

***

I slept so well, that I wondered how much it would cost to live on a ship like this. Clearly, it was all going to my head. But was it real? Could I really date both, then keep doing that in real life, back in Hopeton? Images of what sex with both of them would look like ran through my head. Whew. I definitely needed a cold swim today.

After selecting a turquoise swimsuit and wrap, I met them at the poolside café for breakfast. I found them working on laptops at a table. Both were frowning at their screens.

“Good morning,” I said. “I hate to interrupt you when you’re working.”

“We’re stuck, and you have perfect timing,” Gill said, standing to give me a good morning kiss.

This was really happening, I thought, as I bent down to kiss Duane, too.

“Our agent wants an answer soon on the streaming, and he wants a proposal on the next series. Normally we publish all thisourselves, but he wants to see it, for international rights.” Duane said as he stood up to stretch.

I admired his shoulders as he stretched.

Both of them seemed fit. I wondered which gym they used in Hopeton.

“There’s so much involved,” I said a few minutes later as Duane and I filled our plates at the buffet.

“Yes, it feels like it gets more and more busy. Success brought even more work, somehow, not that I’m complaining. Gill and I are very comfortably off financially now.”

“Why do you keep teaching?” I asked as we all sat at the table with plates piled high. I seemed to take some of everything from fruit, to scrambled eggs, to pastries. But everyone around me was doing the same.

“We are thinking about leaving,” Gill said, taking a bite of French toast.

“Yes, but we both enjoy it. What if this success doesn’t last?” Duane said.

“It’s good you have each other to balance your ideas.”

“True,” Gill said. “But we’ve been wanting someone else for a while, too Anisa. We’d like to date you.”

It felt so formal, but it also felt right.

“I’d like to date you both also, though I’m going to require advance copies of all your books.” I knew it was serious, but I wanted to make them laugh, which they both did.

Chapter four

Gill

---