Chapter Thirty-Four
LAUREN WAS SURPRISED by how hard it was to say goodbye to the Muellers once they were back in Charlotte Amalie.
She should have been ecstatic because their leaving meant that she and Grey would finally be alone for a few days, and she was, but there was also a part of her that hated seeing them go.
She was going to miss the boys and their enthusiasm about everything, Will’s easy-going nature, and even Kim’s knowing little smirks and playful comments.
They had been the perfect buffer during those first few days of awkwardness, and their acceptance these last few days had been a blessing.
“Goodbye, Lauren,” Reid pouted as he fell into her arms. “Thank you for making us yummy food.”
“You’re welcome, buddy,” Lauren murmured, giving the boy a good squeeze before letting go.
She watched him turn to his brothers, who were hovering near the bottom of the port-side dive platform, looking reluctant to leave, and shook her head as she looked at Will and Kim. “Thank you guys, for everything.”
“Thank you,” Will stressed, shaking her hand. “Everything was amazing,” he added as he turned his attention to Grey.
Kim just pulled Lauren into her arms and hugged her tight. “Thank you. And good luck,” she added softly.
“Thanks.” Lauren’s gaze flicked over to Grey, and she cleared her throat softly as she backed out of Kim’s embrace. “Have a safe trip home.”
“We will,” Will assured her as he watched his wife hug Grey goodbye as well. “Really, the trip was amazing. We may just have to come back next year and do it again.”
“I’ll be here,” Grey told him with a smile.
It did not escape anyone’s attention that Lauren remained silent, and that was enough of a push to finally send the Muellers on their way.
Lauren wrapped her arms around herself as she watched Will hop onto the dock to help the boys make the jump over, and she sighed at the feeling of Grey’s hand ghosting over her hip as Kim followed them.
She did not want to think about the fact that her time aboard the Veritas was already halfway over, or that she would soon have to go back to New York.
Grey’s lips were warm and welcoming when Lauren turned to capture them with her own, and she purposefully ignored the idea that it was because Grey was feeling the same things she was.
A small shiver rolled down Lauren’s spine as Grey’s mouth opened over hers, the brunette’s tongue both ardent and demanding as it stroked along her own, and she gave as good as she got as she spun and fisted her hands in the collar of Grey’s shirt.
Thoughts of New York tried to push their way back to the forefront of her mind, but they were quashed by the overwhelming need she had for Grey.
Lauren kissed Grey until her head spun, and she let out a shuddering sigh when she finally pulled back far enough to draw a proper breath.
“Goddamn,” Grey muttered as she nuzzled Lauren’s cheek.
Lauren pulled back just far enough to run the pad of her thumb over Grey’s lips as she nodded. “Yeah.”
“Is there anything you’d like to do or see these next couple days?”
“You.”
Grey laughed and pressed a quick, playful kiss to Lauren’s lips. “Well, duh. But, seriously. We need to be back here around noon on Thursday to get everything ready for the next cruise, but tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday are all ours. Anything you want, and it’s yours.”
“I just want you,” Lauren answered honestly. She smirked and added, “Preferably naked.”
“That can definitely be arranged,” Grey assured her. “But…”
Lauren silenced Grey with a kiss. She had come down to the islands with a list of things she wanted to see and try, but everything on that list paled in comparison to the woman in front of her. “I just want you.”
The earnestness in Lauren’s voice was unmistakable, and Grey nodded.
“Okay. I know of a nice little bay over on Saint John that’s about as secluded as you can get during the high season.
What do you say we pick up some provisions and then head over there tomorrow?
We can grab a mooring ball and just hang out. ”
Lauren smiled and kissed Grey softly. “That sounds absolutely perfect.”
“And…even though it’s like, the least sexy thing in the world, I really need to do some laundry.”
“Me too,” Lauren admitted with a small laugh.
“Okay.” Grey kissed the tip of Lauren’s nose playfully. “So, laundry, then some grocery shopping, and then, tonight, will you let me take you out to dinner?”
Lauren nodded. “I would like that.”
Grey could not contain her smile as she lifted her chin to press a sweet kiss to Lauren’s lips. “Me too,” she whispered, the words barely audible over the pounding of her heart.