Page 77 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

He shrugs. “You know, I lost two decent marriages because we didn’t communicate, and a large portion of that was because I couldn’t discuss my work with them. I know y’all just met, and I’m not saying you should tell him, but if it progresses with him or someone else, it wouldn’t be the worst thing. It’s hard to have a relationship worth anything if you’re constantly hiding something.”

“Yeah, I agree. Maybe I should marry a SEAL after all—at least I’d be able to share everything with him.”

“I would be pleased and proud to make you my third wife.”

“Hard pass.”

I jump as Alex’s head pops over the side of the boat.

“Am I interrupting something again?” he says.

“Not a thing,” Butch says. “We were just catching up. You swim all this way by yourself?”

Alex laughs as he climbs over the ladder. “I mean, I’m not a SEAL or anything, but I can stay afloat. You’ve been out here for a while. Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I say. “We thought it was weird that this boat was parked out here, but it seems like it’s been abandoned. Or maybe the villa’s owners just let it anchor out here. Nothing suspicious.”

“Not even that camera you’re holding,” Alex says, pointing to my lap.

“He is observant,” Butch laughs.

“Is there anything on it?” Alex’s face gets very serious. “Do you want me to disable it?”

“Settle down, Macgyver,” Butch says. “We looked at the memory card. Nothing there. No need to destroy a five thousand dollar camera.”

“What are you going to do with the boat?” Alex says.

“I just hooked up the explosives,” Butch says. “We better get off pretty quickly.”

“Stop playing, Butch,” I say, shoving him. “I’ll call it in as abandoned when we get back to the resort. The Coast Guard can come and get it.”

“All right,” Butch says. “I’ve had way too much physical activity for the day. I’m going to tie the flamingo up and get myself a beer—or three. Alex, can I count on you to make sure Raine gets back safely? She’s a horrible swimmer.”

“I remember,” Alex says, sliding his hand around my waist. “I’ll take care of her.”

“I know you will,” Butch says as he launches his body into the water—landing with a gigantic cannonball.

After we watch him take off toward the flamingo, Alex takes me to the swim deck on the back of the boat. He pulls me down on his lap—facing him.

“I missed you,” he says, kissing me. “And before you say people are going to see us, I don’t care. I’m having bad withdrawal symptoms.”

He pushes my head into his and almost inhales my face.

“Alex,” I whisper. “I missed you, too, but really, people are going to see us.”

“Don’t care.” He slides his hands under my butt and pushes me closer into him. “First, I look out here and see you wearing Seb’s number on your hat and then I overhear Butch trying to make you his third wife. I’m jealous.”

“I wouldn’t marry Butch if he were the last guy on earth—which seriously, I think he might be one day.” I push back and look at him. “And Seb’s hat was the only one that was offered to me.”

“Well we’re going to have to do something about that right away,” he growls. “I want you wearing my number.”

“Which is?”

“Six,” he says, smiling. “It was my grandpa’s favorite number.”

“Then I’m only wearing the number six from this day forward. Do you feel better now?”

“Marginally,” he says, hugging me to his chest. “I don’t know what’s happening. I’m not a very jealous person. This is a new feeling for me. Any suggestions?”

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