Page 50 of Swept Up In You

She cleared her throat. “I’m just gonna quickly, uhh, get changed.” She held up her clothes.

“Right!” Taylor looked around, clearly seeing the same space problem Sam had. “I’ll turn around. Let me know when you’re changed.”

So considerate.

She stood there swooning, then realised Taylor was reaching to take her top off. Not wanting to be an absolute hypocrite, she spun on her heel, focusing her efforts on changing herself—andnotthinking about Taylor half-naked on the other side of the room.

Sam reached over and flicked off the light. She’d never had anyone stay over on the boat with her. Sure, Alex had visited, and her dad had been around numerous times but she realised she’d really kept Manny all to herself. It washerproject boat. This personal piece of her that, now that she thought about it, she hadn’t wanted to share with anyone.

Yet here she was, not even thinking twice about asking Taylor to stay over. Did this count as a first date now that they’d kissed? She couldn’t believe it had actually happened. Not that she’d had time to dissect it with Taylor lying right next to her.

Because, yep. She was in bed with a woman. That she liked.Likeliked.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

“I see what you mean about the hatch,” Taylor spoke into the darkness, clawing Sam from her thoughts. “And you can still seeso many stars, but from a much comfier position.” She snuggled further under the blankets as the light breeze whistled over the deck.

“It’s so much warmer in here than up on deck too. I also tell myself Mum gets to ‘look down on me’… which is stupid, I know.”

What was it about a dark room that made you just start blabbing things out loud you’d never told anyone? Sam internally groaned at herself.

“That’s not stupid at all. It’s a really nice thought, especially when you’re out here by yourself,” Taylor said seriously. “Having said that, I know it’s a calm night, but the gentle rocking of the boat is so soothing right now.”

“‘Like rocking a baby to sleep,’as Larry likes to say. We’ve had guys come in and declare they’d never sleep on land again after discovering the peacefulness of sleeping on water. Then you get those that want to sleep out in gale force winds, and that’s just crazy.”

“Yeah, no thanks—or at least not out here like this. I’m sure it’d be different back at the marina though?”

“They are much, much more protected, so yeah, you’d be fine in there. You’d still have the high winds and some choppy water, but you wouldn’t be worrying about thrashing waves and your anchor dragging or snapping, or worse, taking on water.”

“Way to make me feel relaxed right before bed.” Taylor laughed as Sam felt her pull the covers up a little closer.

“Yeah sorry. Probably not the best thing to be talking about before your first overnighter at sea. We’ll be fine,” Sam assured her.

“Okaaaay,” Taylor drew out the word, seemingly still unconvinced. They were both quiet for a beat. “Well, goodnight, Sam.”

“Goodnight, Tay.” She tried to leave it there, but couldn’t help herself and singsonged, “…and don’t let the bedbugs bite!”

“Oh seriously—well, maybe there IS a bug in here… right…now!” A hand reached out, tickling Sam’s side.

Oh no.

She was so sensitive. This was not going to end well.

Sam screech-giggled as Taylor hit a particularly sensitive spot. She retaliated in a scramble of limbs, launching an attack of her own, desperately trying to distract Taylor away from herself. Taylor was faster. Stronger. Her arm grabbing Sam’s wrist and securing it behind her head before she’d even realised what was happening. Now on her back, she tried to get her other arm out, frantic laughter and fast breaths coming from both of them. She must’ve finally hit a sensitive spot, as Taylor jerked and barked out a laugh. It didn’t last long before Taylor grabbed that hand too, pinning both down with one hand to continue a one armed tickle assault.

Through the blur of chaos, her stomach burning from laughter, reality set in. Sam realised Taylor was now straddling her in a very,verycompromising position. Her heart pounded in rhythm with the pulse between her legs. Any sensible thought died on her lips as she tried to make sense of what was even happening.

“Mercy!” Sam cried out, knowing any chance of winning at this point was futile. Their laughter died down, replaced with heavy breathing in thealmostpitch-black room. The water outside still licking at the hull, gentle slaps hitting the sides of the boat from the small waves.

Taylor let go, sitting back on her legs—then stiffened.

Sam smirked, assuming Taylor had just realised how she’d ended up.

“Sorry,” Taylor muttered, moving to get off her.

“Wait.” Sam barely recognised her own voice, low and husky. Gone was the runaway girl from the deck. She was high on adrenaline, nerves and what ifs replaced with a confidence she didn’t know she had.

Taylor stilled.

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