Page 124 of Release Me

“I could probably count the days we’ve been apart since I met him two years ago.”

“Wow. Not gonna lie, that’s kind of weird. Do you two doanythingseparately?” The question is thrown out casually, without thought, but the moment the words are out of my mouth, an answer flutters into my mind.

There isonething they don’t do together.

By the smirk on Ronan’s face, I’d guess he’s thinking the same.

“I better get this over with.” Ronan stands, empties his pockets, tossing his wallet and phone on the counter.

My stomach clenches as a text pops up on his screen from someone named Tasha, but I’m quickly distracted from my jealousy as Ronan peels off his shirt. He’s as perfect as he wasin my kitchen, and I can’t help getting caught on the V-cut of his pelvis as I remember what he looked like—and felt like—pressed up against me, thrusting into me.

A desperate, traitorous ache stirs deep within my belly. Yes, I’m angry with Ronan for going radio silent, I’ll admit, but my body doesn’t seem to care.

“I didn’t tell Connor about us.” Ronan answers my unspoken question from earlier, yanking my eyes upward to find him watching me.

“You mean, you don’t shareeverythingwith him?” They seem awfully close.

A sly smile curves his lips before he schools his expression. “It would appear not. Anyway, I didn’t tell him, but he’s figured it out and he’s gonna be exceptionally annoying for the rest of the day. I’m sorry in advance.”

“Can’t wait.”

“Feel free to tell him to fuck off. I’ll write a good review if you do.”

“You weren’t going to, anyway?” I quip.

“Foryou? I’ve already written it in my head. I doubt you want me sharing it online.”

“And why is that?” We’re quickly sliding back into that dangerous flirtatious zone again, the one that led to me peeling off my clothes like they were infested with bugs.

He was ready to join his friends a second ago, and yet he edges around the platform to step through the swing gate, into my space. “Might get flagged for indecency.” He reaches up to turn his baseball cap around.

My pulse races through my veins. I didn’t think he could get any sexier, but he has a thin layer of stubble across his jaw, and that, coupled with the hat, is ejecting all common sense from my brain.Again. “What would it say?” I taunt, backing up into the nautical ship wheel to make room.

“That it was a quick ride but a wet one that I thoroughlyenjoyed. I wish I’d lived up to expectations, though.” His voice turns so low and gravelly.

I clear my throat. “You were fine.” More than fine. He may not have made me come that day, but he has every night since, as I’ve replayed those stolen moments in my head with the help of my hand.

The responding chuckle is dark, bitter. “I’m never justfine. But with you, I wasn’t …” A muscle in his square jaw ticks. “I don’t know what I was. Not myself.” He grasps the hem of my floral shirt between his thumb and index finger, holding it open. “I like this.”

“Yeah?” I’m suddenlyverythankful that I wore it today.

Sharp green eyes flash to mine. “I’d like it betteroff.”

He may as well have peeled off my clothes with his words because I suddenly feel naked, my skin acutely aware of his. I struggle to play it cool as my breasts grow heavy, my nipples tightening with anticipation. “Not included in the cruise rate.”

“We can renegotiate later.” His focus swings toTiki Two, anchored twenty feet away. “Is that your golden boy over there?”

I follow his gaze, relieved for the reprieve from innuendo so I can catch a breath. “The one and only.” Jeremy is chatting up a cute girl with French braids in her lengthy strawberry-blond hair. Thankfully he’s not paying attention to us.

“Has he admitted to taking the job at Wolf yet?”

“Not a word to me.”

“Chickenshit.”

“But at least we can both avoid an uncomfortable conversation.” The last thing I’d ever want to do is make Jeremy feel bad. “How’s he doing over there?”

“Still in training.”

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