Page 7 of Unchartered Curves

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We were kissing on the couch, my lips on Anisa’s neck while Duane kissed her deeply, when we heard chimes.

“That’s likely the food,” I said, as the door opened, and Aaron, the butler came in with a cart of our lunch.

Anisa seemed nervous at his presence and moved a little away from Duane.

I was sure Aaron saw all kinds of things in his line of work and went to get my wallet with some cash tips.

“I can’t believe I’m hungry again after this morning, but this looks terrific,” Anisa said a few minutes later when we sat at the small dining table near the windows. She selected a cucumber sandwich and glanced at the bowl of chocolate strawberries.

Aaron even opened the champagne bottle, before I could tell him to just put that in the fridge.

But Anisa poured herself a glass. As she lifted it to her lips, I admired her long fingers around the glass. I could feel my body harden. It was like I was a teen again, getting turned on by everything she did.

By the time she sampled a chocolate strawberry, I was ready to pull her onto my lap and kiss her before hauling her into the bedroom.

Duane poured himself some ice water and then filled my water glass. He was correct. We had to slow down, or we’d scare her.

“We’d like to see that Stellar Sky Lounge again tonight,” Duane said. “We were hoping you’d join us.”

“That sounds nice. I might need a nap first.”

“I know what you mean. I can’t remember when I’ve last napped in my adult life, but I can see I might have to for this trip.”

“Gill has endless energy. Multiple rounds of edits? No problem. Six am agent meetings? Great. PHD candidate meetings all day? He’s there.”

“I drove my mother crazy,” I admitted. “But she had four boys, so she kept us all outside and active all the time. The others couldn’t believe I went into biology, but I loved science. I knewworking for a corporation wasn’t for me, and when I was a TA, my brother got in free to university as well.”

“Wow! And I’d like half your energy. I’m kind of a read under the covers gal, though I take martial arts.”

“That’s amazing,” Duane said, “Tell us about that.”

“Duane is our advance plotter man. He remembers all kinds of random things and uses them in the books. So please tell us all about your sport and in great detail.”

We all laughed, but she told us about it, and I enjoyed hearing about her sparring and form classes.

“I noticed your toned arms.” Duane smiled at her. He’d already taken out his phone to make some notes about what she was telling us.

I’d worried that would put her off, or make her shy, but she loved the idea that we might include martial arts.

“Lots of push-ups,” she said.

When we finished eating, she helped us pack the dishes back onto the cart Aaron had left.

“The butler is really cool,” she said. “But does he come in a lot?”

“No, and we can add a do not disturb note, or send him a note when we want the dishes picked up.”

“That’s amazing. Include a butler somewhere in the book.”

Duane nodded. “I think maybe the guys need to go on a trip like this.”

“But how could they bring Cassie?”

“She’d go undercover with them,” I said. “She could pose as one of their wives.”

“Yes! And there could be a fake wedding! Oh!” She took my hand. “Sorry, I’m sure fans are always telling you what to add to the book.”

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