Page 11 of Lucky Strike

Going to bathroom

Delphine responded a beat later.

Thanks for sharing!

Snickering, I pocketed the phone. The boy’s eyes flickered over my face as if he was trying to decipher something. “What year are you?”

“I’m a sophomore. What about you?”

“Senior,” he said. “You go to Edenbrook?”

I nodded, wondering how on earth he’d figured that out. “Is it that obvious?”

“I’ve never seen you around, so I figured Maeve must’ve brought you from school.”

“Are you one of her cousins or something?” I asked, remembering a sweet kid earlier I’d met named Finn.

“Or something.” He gestured to where I’d just pocketed my phone. “Your friends ditch you?”

“No, I just needed a break.” I glanced back at the party, which was getting sloppier and louder by the nanosecond. “Who are you, really?”

He hesitated, cocking his head as he stared at me for an uncomfortably long moment. “Lucky.”

“Lucky?”

“Want to see something cool?” His hand dropped to mine, taking it. The sensation of our fingers sliding together sent heat shimmering through my body. “C’mon.”

I shook my head, amused at how forward he was. “I don’t even know you.”

“But you want to, right?”

It probably wasn’t too wise to leave with a guy I’d just met, but I was curious, and he was kind of irresistible, so I let him lead me off the terrace. There were plenty of people on the boardwalk, admiring the city lights and the yachts, so if Claudio/Lucky got handsy I’d just kick him in the nuts and yell for help.

“You ever been on one of these?” he asked as we walked past the yachts docked at the marina.

“No, have you?”

“Yeah, they’re incredible.” He stopped in front of one, kicking off his shoes.

“Wait, what?” I dug my heels in, tugging at his hand. “We can’t just get on someone’s yacht!”

“Yes, we can.” He gestured for me to take my shoes off too, and I did, though hesitantly.

“Do you know the owners or something?” Judging by the levels of wealth I’d seen tonight, it wouldn’t be too beyond the realm of possibility.

“Mhm.” A small shamrock tattoo flashed from his wrist as he pulled me onboard.

I glanced back at the harbor as we walked across the yacht’s deck. His friends were loitering just outside the terrace now, their voices carried by the frigid breeze. “I hope you’re a nice guy, because if you try anything, I’ll claw your eyes out,” I rambled, grabbing my phone again just in case.Should I text the group?“I’m not ending up on a true crime podcast.”

“I prefer my women willing.” Lucky’s hand fell to the small of my back as he ushered me through a door. Warmth wrapped around me like a blanket. “And you’re too cute to kill.”

“Oh, well, that’s reassuring.” A small, dim light blinked on, and I gasped, realizing where we were. “What on earth?”

A mischievous grin played at his lips. “Do you like it?”

I nodded, grazing my fingertips over a leaf the size of a dinner plate. We were in a small greenhouse, which seemed to be in the very center of the yacht, a glass ceiling extending overhead. Fragrant bushes lined one wall, the sweet, heady scent of their blossoms mixing pleasantly with the earthiness of soil.

We paused beside a cluster of exotic-looking orchids, their delicate petals swirling with hues of purple and gold. Before I could stop him, Lucky plucked a single bloom and tucked it behind my ear. The gesture sent a rush of warmth through me, and I couldn't help but blush under his watchful gaze.

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