Page 8 of Unchartered Curves

“We get some email and suggestions at signings, but I really like that idea,” Duane said, typing it into his phone notes app.

“Have you ever thought of writing?” I asked her. “We run into many people who do.”

“Why don’t you guys teach writing?”

“We’ve done the occasional presentation or mini course on thriller writing, but our work commitments and doing the books takes a lot of time. Plus, our departments don’t really consider it serious work.”

“Jealousy,” she said again. “I guess it isn’t exactly biology or economics, like what you teach, but you’d think they’d like having famous teachers in the faculty.”

“They like when we have interviews, and when we mention the university. We don’t get it either, but until we want to quit, we keep those lives separate.” Duane explained.

“I could see that. Hey, do you mind if I have a tour of this penthouse? It’s beautiful.”

“Sure.” I took her hand and led her to the stairs in the corner. “Our bedrooms and bathrooms are up here.”

“This is lovely!” She exclaimed over Duane’s room. “I would sleep with the shades open here.”

Then she stepped into the bathroom. “Um, I have to take a bath here.”

“You wouldn’t hear us complain about that,” I said.

“No,” Duane said. “Feel free.”

She hesitated. “OK, maybe later.” Then she walked into my room and started exclaiming over it.

Duane and I had admired these rooms, but her excitement made me appreciate it even more.

By the time we were back downstairs, she grabbed her bag. “If I don’t head back to my place now, I’ll never leave.”

Duane and I moved to walk with her.

“I’d better stop at the main gift shop. I made so many lists for so many months that I can’t believe I forgot to pack a few things.”

She leaned in to kiss me, sliding her arms around my neck. I felt her gorgeous breasts pressed against my chest and I wanted to yank her as close as we could get, but made my hands rest on her hips. Duane moved in behind her and sunk into the feeling of the three of us together, as she turned to kiss him, too.

“We’ll pick you up for dinner, ok?”

She named a time and hurried out the door.

“I hope she will stay here with us soon,” Duane said.

“Yes.” I said, going up to take a shower.

Chapter five

Anisa

Thank goodness I’d gotten a birth control shot before the trip, I thought. I’d wanted to take off my suit and get into that tub, then climb into bed with both of them.

Whew. Was it this cruise or did I really feel this strongly after only one day of being with them? I didn’t know, but I did need to get some contact solution and more sunscreen at the shop. And I was feeling confident enough to grab a bright red bikini. I selected some Chapstick, too, as I had a feeling my lips were going to get a real workout on this trip.

As I paid for my purchases, I heard my name.

“Anisa?”

I turned to see Steven, my ex. I just blinked at him in surprise for a few seconds before I found my voice. “Steven? What are you doing here?”

“Surprise!” He said. “I joined you after all. I’ve been looking for you.”

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