I’m beyond touched. Overwhelmed really.

What the hell are they pumping into this elevator? My emotions are all over the place.

He smiles when I nod. “Partners.”

I coast a hand up his stomach and hook in around his neck, pulling him down for that kiss he promised. Stretching up, I seal my lips with his, fears forgotten. As his tongue once again plays along the seam of my mouth, I groan and welcome him inside.

I’m instantly hard again, cock surging, screaming for relief. A touch. Anything.

But as gone as I am, I don’t forget where we are. And while I’m pretty sure the cameras are down, I’m not willing to bet his reputation on it.

So I deepen the kiss and vow to keep it in my pants for now.

When he lifts his head, breathing heavily, the truth tumbles from my lips.

“I was young when my nanny and I got stuck in an elevator. It’s been bad ever since. My parents moved to a different building, one where the elevator had a window. That made it better, but not great.”

He sits back, hands sliding down my chest. “And that’s how you manage on the sailboat.”

I nod. “Windows. And lots of fresh air.”

“You know the great thing about being an adult? You can do things you couldn’t as a kid. You’re not stuck, King.”

I glance up at him, past him, to the ceiling panels. All the anxiety melts away, and the familiar tingle of curiosity pulses through me. He’s right. There are all kinds of things I can do now that I couldn’t do back then.

“Help me up.”

For a moment, just a split second, he looks disappointed. Then his lips curl up the slightest bit, and he pushes to his feet, reaching for my hands.

“Give me a boost.”

“What?” His jaw falls.

I lace my fingers together and squat, showing him what I want him to do. “Like this.”

“Why?”

I point at the ceiling. “I want to see what’s up there.”

“Oh, good grief.” But he indulges me. I place my foot in his hands and reach for the metal panels as he lifts. My fingers glide along the edges, feeling for a latch.

“You know, if you wanted to put your dick in my face, you could have just asked,” he says dryly.

I glance down and find his cheek pressed against my thigh. Pleasure spikes through me, and a laugh bursts from my lips. Damn, that feels good.

Focus King.

I wiggle the panel off, thankful that it’s decorative and clipped into place. I’m sure that keeps the weight down, but it doesn’t exactly give me the warm fuzzies about how well this tin can is built. The sound of water grows louder, like it’s running over rocks, but I don’t feel any moisture.

The backup light flicks on, blinding me. I turn my head and shield my eyes. “What the hell?”

I drop down from the ceiling, and Gabe steadies me as I blink away the blue dots blurring my vision.

Behind him, the call button lights up, and a man’s voice fills the air.

“You guys stand by. We’re bringing you down to level three, okay?”

“Great,” Gabe says, finding his voice quicker than me. “Thanks.”