Page 53 of Ship Happens

“That I’m looking forward to fighting with you in the future,” I admit. “You’re a worthy adversary.”

“And a sexier ally,” he adds. “Don’t forget that part.”

“And a sexier ally,” I agree, smiling against his skin.

Chapter Ten

ETHAN

RETURNING TO REALITY

Iwake before dawn, Harper’s warm body curled against mine. She sleeps, her breathing slow and even, messy hair spread across my pillow like a flame.

Our last morning on the ship. In a few hours, we’ll disembark at Miami, returning to the real world where I’m the CEO of Cole Tech and she’s a respected environmental scientist whose pending article could blow up my company’s sustainability reputation. The bubble we’ve lived in for the past five days—this strange space where antagonism changed into attraction, and attraction deepened into love—will burst.

I should be concerned, planning damage control strategies and PR angles. Instead, I’m watching Harper sleep and contemplating how I can convince her to have dinner with me in New York next weekend.

She stirs, stretching against me before her eyes flutter open. For a moment, she seems disoriented, then her lips curve in a sleepy smile.

“Morning,” she murmurs, voice husky.

“Morning.” I brush a strand of hair from her face. “Sleep well?”

“Mmm, eventually.” The mischief in her eyes reminds me of our late-night activities.

“You’re dangerously good at that, Dr. Bennett.”

“I believe in being hands on.” She props herself up on one elbow. “What time do we dock?”

“Nine. Disembark at ten.” Reality intruding on our last moments of privacy.

She nods. “My flight back to New York is at two.”

“Mine as well. Different airline, I presume?”

“Probably. I doubt my economy ticket is on your private jet.”

I laugh, grateful for her humor. “I flew commercial. But I’d be happy to upgrade your seat to first class if you’re on my flight.”

“No special treatment, remember? That was our agreement.” Her tone is light, but her eyes are serious. “We start as we mean to go on, Ethan.”

“Fair enough.” I pull her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Though I reserve the right to spoil you for personal reasons.”

“We’ll set those boundaries later.” She stretches again, the sheet slipping lower to reveal the freckled skin of her shoulders andthe gentle swell of her breasts. “Right now, I think we have more important things to attend to.”

“Such as?”

Her hand slides beneath the sheet, finding me already hard. “Making the most of our remaining ship time.”

Any clever response dies in my throat as her fingers wrap around me with confidence. I’ve been with beautiful, accomplished women before, but none who approach intimacy with Harper’s genuine passion.

“Harper,” I warn as she works her way down my body, trailing kisses across my chest and stomach. “We have breakfast reservations in an hour.”

“Plenty of time,” she murmurs against my skin. “I’ve streamlined this process.”

When her mouth replaces her hand, warm and wet around me, I surrender to the sensation, tangling my fingers in her auburn hair as she makes me forget my self-control. Just when I’m approaching the edge, she pulls back, a wicked smile playing at her lips.

“Not yet,” she says, moving up my body to straddle my hips. “I want to try something.”

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