Page 80 of Hot Saltwater Kisses

Heat snapped through me and zipped along my spine, body clamping down around him. I spilled wet and slick between us, resplendent darkness like a gentle flood. Could feel him shuddering into me, his rhythm lost to a few last, mindless shoves before he went still. I clung to him. Holding on through the aftershocks, rippling through me like the crackle of fireworks. Each minute twitch of his hips sent a shudder through me.

He dipped his head for an intimate, unhurried press of our mouths. My fingers slipped through his hair, thumb gliding along the curve of his jaw as our breathing slowed.

“God.” I tugged him down and wrapped my arms around him. “I love you.” The words tasted bright and new, as though I’d never said them before to anyone.

He inhaled deeply and brushed a kiss against my throat before he settled, still inside me, his face turned into the crook of my neck. I shifted just enough for his weight to feel comfortable, tangled together, no space left between us. Sweaty and gross and perfect,perfect. We’d need to move eventually, but dawn was a long way off.

I closed my eyes and held on to him.

Early rain had washedacross the island. Everything glistened, trees dripping in thick, languid drops, their leaves heavy with moisture.

Like usual, Nia and I were hiding at the top of the stairs while Des bustled about on the first floor, delivering enough breakfast to feed an army without comment. Part of the job description, I supposed—the ability to witness a murder without ever pausing in pouring a glass of champagne. I clutched my coffee against the vague sense that things were still shifting under my feet.

“Sir.” Des’s smooth voice carried up to us. “If I may?”

“Logan,” came the well-worn correction. It was a song-and-dance routine that Logan and Des went through every few days. “It’s Logan.”

“Logan, yes. Of course.” Des cleared his throat. “Thank you for acting on my concerns about Richard. I wasn’t sure I’d be taken seriously, and I know his financial performance was good.”

Huh.

“Yeah.” Logan’s reply was dry. “Too bad his values didn’t align.”

”There is that.” Des’s tone carried a half-suppressed laugh, the kind of familiarity he would never show with a normal guest.

“Seriously,” Logan said a moment later, “I’m glad you spoke up on behalf of the staff. And I’m glad my aunt and uncle sent me here to check. It’s been… an experience.”

“Des knew?” I asked in a murmur, shifting to meet Nia’s eyes. “This whole time?”

She blinked, processing. “Well, he’s been here forever. Like, first time Logan was here? Des would’ve been around. And I guess if anyone were to speak up against Richard on our behalf… Well. Des would have the credibility.”

That… made sense. And… fuck. Des had handled the paperwork for Logan and Tom, filed their dive certifications, all that jazz. It was perfectly common, so we’d seen no reason to double-check his work.

“Bastard,” I said. “A little warning would have been nice, spared me some heartache.”

“Yeah, but he wouldn’t have wanted to risk Logan’s identity getting out. I mean, what if Richard had suddenly started acting like a decent person?” Nia pursed her lips as she studied me. “Also, if you’d known—would you have given Logan even a lick of a chance?”

“No.” It was true—I’d have kept things professional, would have ignored Logan’s dimples and magnificent body, his charm and quick mind. I exhaled and glanced down at my coffee. “So. I guess it’s a good thing Des kept his mouth shut.”

Nia stayed quiet, but the soft bump of her shoulder filled in the blanks.

Once Des had left, we made our way downstairs to join the other three on the terrace. Kyle was sprawled on a sun lounger in skimpytrunks, arms behind his head like he owned the place, while Tom and Logan were seated at the table, pouring another round of fresh coffee for everyone. A sun sail stretched over part of the terrace, filtering the morning light into soft hues.

“So,” I said as soon as we stepped outside. “Des is the one who flagged Richard?”

One corner of Logan’s mouth lifted. “Yeah. Been a while since my cousin was last here, but Des knew him from several stays and still had his number. He’s a good guy—Des. Real class act. He helped keep my identity a secret so Richard wouldn’t get tipped off.”

“He did tell us to go the extra mile for you,” Nia threw in, and I blew out a breath along with a faint laugh.

“Yeah, he did.”

“Milo definitely got the memo.” Kyle’s smirk implied a dozen dirty things he had no business imagining, but before I could set him straight, Tom jumped in with a lazy drawl.

“It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.”

“Oh, yes.” Logan’s voice gained a filthy edge, at odds with the softness in his eyes as he winked at me. “Milo’s ahardworker.”

“Very hands-on,” Kyle agreed.

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