Chapter 16 #2
“Just to be clear, we didn’t have sex.” I consider my words carefully because this is her brother after all.
“I sat on his face.” Okay. Not that carefully.
My skin flushes from head to toe. “And yeah, it was really, really good.” I leave the chair I’m in and flop back onto the bed, holding the phone above me.
“But I’m worried about it getting complicated.
” More than that, I’m terrified of being hurt again, even after seven years.
“And Leo pulled a total jerk-off move today, freaking out on one of the crew members who was … er, helping me apply sunscreen.”
“Oh.” Kira raises an eyebrow. “I take it this crew member was male.”
“And hot,” I confirm. “He was also being a total creep, but I was going to handle it before Leo got involved.” I nibble on my bottom lip. “Maybe his freak out was part of our cover, but it didn’t feel that way.”
“He’s still protective of you, Aly. And it’s not about Yulian, no matter how much you tell yourself that.”
I sigh loudly and stare up at the ceiling, debating if I should reveal what I heard. But I want Kira to know the truth. “You know, I overheard your conversation with Leo on the phone the other day.”
Her eyes go wide. “Oh, you sneaky bitch!”
“Yeah, well, maybe he shouldn’t take personal calls on speaker phone.” I flash her a mock-glare. “And perhaps in the future you can avoid spilling my deepest, darkest secrets that I shared with you while under the influence of some very fine French rosé.”
She cringes. “I’m sorry, I got a little carried away defending your honor. But if you heard everything, then you heard him say he was forced to end things with you.”
I huff out a breath, exhaustion and overwhelm making my brain foggy. “What does that even mean?”
She shakes her head. “I think that’s for you to find out.”
“I don’t know if I want to,” I admit. “Some things are best left in the past.” Leo was young when he chose the brotherhood over me. We both were. As much as I’ve held onto my anger like a life raft for all these years, deep down, I know that part of being young is making mistakes.
She smirks. “Georgia is right. The sex can be a distraction from all the crazy shit going down.”
The problem is, Leo doesn’t inspire all that much hate from me anymore. He inspires something entirely different. And it’s this shift that terrifies me. It’s like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall and hoping the crash doesn’t shatter me all over again.
Fifteen minutes later, I haven’t moved from the bed. I’m still stewing in my thoughts, staring out the window at the darkening sky, still no closer to answers.
Resisting Leo is futile, I want him. How could I not? Sex with him is a near religious experience. I’ll need to make sure it stays just sex, nothing more. I’ll take what I need and then move on.
Easy. I can do that, can’t I?
Who knows? But I do know one thing, I have to protect my emotions, because it’s too easy for me to fall under Leo’s spell. If it was just sex it would be one thing, but he has a way of seeping into my soul, and I can’t afford to lose myself again.
The phone buzzing in my hand startles me. I glance down as a text flashes on the screen.
Sex God of the Seas: How was the call?
I can’t help but bark out a laugh. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who the self-appointed sex god is.
Me: I’m sorry, not familiar with this number. Deleting now.
Sex God of the Seas: Another option is Salty Sea Stud.
Me: No. Just no.
Sex God of the Seas: Buccaneer of Booty? Swaggering Seaman?
Me: I am about to throw this phone overboard.
Sex God of the Seas: Ouch.
I smirk. I actually do get a kick out of his bizarre names, but I definitely don’t want to encourage his massive ego.
Sex God of the Seas: So … are we good?
I think about it for a minute before typing back my response.
Me: Maybe. I require some groveling.
I’ve decided to let the spanking go because, well, I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I can’t claim otherwise. But going crazy alpha male on Jack was irritating, even if I did provoke him.
Sex God of the Seas: I can make it up to you in another way …
Me: You’re not getting out of the grovel.
Sex God of the Seas: I’m sorry for being an ass.
Sex God of the Seas: I’ll back off with the alpha male posturing.
Me: And?
I find myself looking forward to what he’s going to say. This is the most playful he’s been the whole trip, and I’m weirdly enjoying this text banter.
Sex God of the Seas: Can I show you how sorry I am?
Tempting, but he needs to work a little harder for it.
Me: Try again.
Sex God of the Seas: Fine. I have just the thing.
Me: ?
Sex God of the Seas: It’s a surprise. Tomorrow AM. Meet me on the main deck nice and early.
Me: Details?
Sex God of the Seas: Nope.
Me: Fine.
I take a deep breath, my fingers hovering over the keys. But he has to hear this.
Me: And Leo … no more getting involved in my shit. I can handle myself.
Sex God of the Seas: I know you can. You proved yourself with just a pocketknife.
I’m still surprised at myself, if I’m honest. Never in a million years did I imagine I’d rely on Leo’s training in a life-and-death situation. But when it comes down to it, he is the reason I’m not being held captive right now.
Me: I did have a good trainer.
Sex God of the Seas: It was not just fighting if I recall …
A small smile curls my lips. Yeah, his training was extensive, and it certainly wasn’t just fighting.
Me: Right. Going to sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.
The little blue dots appear, and then stop. And then appear once again.
Leo: Sweet dreams, butterfly.