Page 32 of My Brother's Forbidden Friend

Getting to really look around this time, I realize it’s nicer than I thought. And bingo—he’s got radar. I need an edge, so I toss Mr. Smelly Fish under one of the bench seats with the life preservers. Hopefully it stays in the sunlight all day and bakes away.

“Gunner!”

Cam’s voice makes me bolt up then hunker down. He’s coming this way, and I have no excuse for being on his boat. And Gunner will scent me out in no time.

I head down to the little galley because the boat is posh and of course he has a place for people to chill and get out of the sun or cold. There’s a bedroom and a little sitting area. He’s got a notepad with notes scribbled in his handwriting. I can’t really decipher any of it. I look through one of the small windows and see Cam come aboard with two cases of beer. His head is cranked to the side, holding his phone between his shoulder and cheek.

“I told you I needed that by this weekend. Has to be the same color,” he says.

The person on the other end must say something.

“They’re expecting it Monday when they get into town. Do I have to remind you that this is a company and I’m not going to start pissing off customers? Get me the same color or I’ll find someone else.” He sets down the beer and hangs up his cell phone. “Some people, Gunner. Be happy all you have to do all day is flirt, sleep, and shit.”

Gunner whines.

“I know, if you could just go back to the dog park, right? It was like your own little strip club.”

I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Cam loves his dog. Makes me think he’ll be a good dad one day.

God, where the hell did that thought come from?

He heads back off the boat and my assumption is he must need more supplies. I sneak back up to the wheelhouse and peek through the window. But a nose moves between my thighs and lifts into my ass. I reach behind me and get a handful of fur.

Gunner.

I quickly turn and Gunner pounces his front paws on me, making me lose my balance. I screech as I plop down on my ass.

“Ugh… Gunner,” I seethe through my teeth.

“What are you doing on my boat?” Cam asks, now standing in the wheelhouse doorway.

“Nothing.” I get up and brush off my ass. “Bad boy, Gunner. Friends keep secrets.” I pet him so he knows I don’t really mean it.

“Bullshit. You trying to poison my guests, or find out where I’m taking them so you can get there first?”

“No.” I give him the most innocent look I can muster.

He narrows his eyes. “What do you think? Want to partner up against Rowdy?”

“No, that’s not fair.” I move to leave the galley, but he blocks my way.

“I should make you pay money to see the boat.”

I put my hands in my pockets. “I don’t have any money, sorry.”

“Then maybe a kiss?”

“Oh yeah, because I’m your girlfriend? Those guys were old enough to be my dad. You didn’t have to try to scare them.”

“Why, did they hit on you?”

“You know, Cam, some men take me seriously as their fishing tour guide. You might only see tits and ass, but other people see a competent woman.” I push him away and make my way off the boat onto the dock.

“Oh, come on, Chevelle, you know that’s not what I see…” He continues carrying on while I walk over to my boat.

That should stop him from trying to figure out why I was on his boat in the first place. I smile the entire time I walk away.

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