Page 58 of A Real Good Bad Thing

She chased her own orgasm, racing after it. She started to shout my name, and I covered her mouth with mine so she screamed into my lips as she came undone in a wild frenzy of silence and heat.

I kissed her cries as she tightened against my cock, her pleasure flipping the switch in me. I gave a muffled roar then followed her there with a few deep pumps. My world spun away, and I came seconds later by the ocean under the stars, stealing a hot, necessary moment with this woman named for a jewel.

* * *

I didn’t want to leave her when I took her back to her hotel, but Kate had called, and I had business to tend to.

Besides, I knew it was better I didn’t spend every second with Ruby, no matter what I wanted. The more time I spent with her, the harder it would be to leave her.

And I’d have to leave when this was over.

So when we reached her hotel, I kissed her gently, then said, “I already miss you.”

“That’s just the orgasm talking,” she teased, but there was distance in her eyes.

Yeah, she knew about self-preservation too.

27

WHAT HAPPENS IN FLAMINGO KEY

Ruby

I didn’t see him at all the next morning or afternoon—and I missed him. Weird, too, that it had taken such a short time to become that accustomed to his company. But I had prep to do for the tour, so I spent the day focused on my business and when he dropped me off last night, Jake had told me that he’d be holed up in his hotel room with paperwork all the next day. He’d rolled his eyes when he said it, and I’d teased him, saying, “Such a horrible thing for a recovery specialist to have to do.”

“Bounty hunters hate paperwork,” he’d grumbled before he’d kissed me goodnight.

Now, as the afternoon wound down and I got ready for the boat party, I was excited to see him. He’d pick me up in an hour, and I’d get to spend a little time with him in the water before the festivities.

While I got dressed and then headed for the beach, I thought about Jake and me and this thing between us. I wasn’t sure what to call it—a tryst? An affair? A fling?—but I thought maybe we could do this. Make it work. Find a way to keep this up when we returned home. We lived close enough to each other that it was feasible.

There was, of course, the issue with my mother and Eli—we both wanted different things. But once this was resolved, maybe we could form some kind of life together.

We were going to the boat party to ask questions and gather intel. But I’d also watch for an opportunity to ask Jake if he’d like to keep seeing each otherafter the investigation was done. And if I found the chance to ask him, I would take it.

* * *

I treaded azure-blue waters next to the yacht, looking up at Jake still on deck in his swim shorts with the early evening sun glinting off his light-brown hair. It was strange—good strange—to see him at ease while in the open like this. Since we’d met, there had been secrets and investigations and stolen moments tangled together. But few chances to just lounge in the sun.

We’d arrived early for the party, hoping to catch Kalila with some questions before the rest of the guests arrived aboard Devon’s boat, still moored at the end of the pier. Since our quarry wasn’t there yet, it had seemed like a good time to goof off. Just a smidge.

“C’mon,” I called to Jake. “I don’t bite.”

He grinned down at me. “Says the woman who roots for the shark inJaws.”

“Okay, then. I don’t bite unless you deserve it,” I said, “and you ask very nicely.”

“I will definitely be asking nicely tonight,” he said, and that comment emboldened me too. Sure, it was a sexy comment, but it also implied we’d be spending time together.

Maybe more after we left this island. I hoped.

“Only if you catch me,” I said, pushing off the hull of the boat with my feet and skimming along the shallow water. Jake dove in and gave chase. I darted away as fast as I could, but soon, he stretched one long arm and hooked my ankle. Underwater, I laughed and then popped to the surface, and so did he.

“Say it,” he demanded playfully.

“Say what?” I asked, splashing water at him.

“Say I caught the mermaid.” His smirk made me grab his waist and try to tickle him underwater. He was impervious, though, and instead he clasped his hands over mine and tugged me close. “Don’t drive me wild in the water,” he said, low and growly.

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