Chapter 41
Ariel lay in my bed, her hair still damp, the fresh towel wrapped around her torso. With a sultry gaze, she said, "I hope you don't mind. I'm still a little wound up. I don't really want to be alone right now."
"Well, if you promise to behave, I guess I can let you stay.”
She lifted a curious eyebrow. "What are the rules? I’d hate to misbehave.”
I tried to stifle a grin. Something told me Ariel excelled at misbehaving in all the right ways.
“You don’t strike me as a rule follower.”
“I’m not,” she said, pulling the towel away, revealing her sumptuous form. A devilish grin curled her lips. She knew exactly what effect she’d have on me.
I drank in every inch of her.
The invitation was crystal clear, and I didn’t waste any time tossing my towel on the deck and sliding into bed with her.
Ariel’s plump lips beckoned, and I obliged. We kissed, and our bodies drew close. My hands caressed her soft skin, exploring her glorious curves.
I think I might brave shark-infested waters again for a reward like this.
It didn’t take long for things to get hot and heavy. Throbbing, pulse-pounding fun. We tumbled around the sheets, testing the limits of the mattress. Ariel’s breathy moans steamed my ear.
Slick with sweat and high on life, we went for broke.
When we’d given it all we had, passion crescendoed, and we collapsed, thoroughly exhausted.
Ariel snuggled close and felt good in my arms, her soft touch caressing my skin.
I passed out in a state of bliss, thankful to be alive.
My dreams were filled with visions of the mammoth meat grinder. I woke a few times during the night in a sweat. Let’s just say that shark had left quite an impression.
We slept in.
When we finally stirred, we decided to celebrate life again with another roll around the hay. This was certainly a life worth living.
With a head full of oxytocin and pleasure chemicals, we finally peeled ourselves out of bed, showered, dressed, then headed down to the galley.
The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, and bacon sizzled in the pan. Jack had already started grilling breakfast. He was rather chipper. "You kids have fun last night?"
Ariel covered her face, embarrassed.
Let's just say we weren't exactly quiet. Ariel had a lot of lung capacity. I’m sure the whole marina knew what we had been up to.
We chowed down on blueberry pancakes smothered in syrup and butter. The morning sun bathed the marina in a warm glow as we sat on the sky deck. It was calm and quiet. Most of the island was hungover and probably would be for the next several weeks.
The sheriff buzzed my phone. “He lives,” he said with surprise.
“Barely,” I said.
“You’re not going to like this.”
I groaned. “What is it now?”
“FWC wanted that shark DNA tested again.”
“That’s what JD said.”
“They sent it up to the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, but somehow the sample is missing.“
“Missing? How did that happen?”
“I don’t know. Never made it into evidence lock-up. I’m looking into it. As far as they’re concerned, this whole thing was a DNA misread. They think it was a great white.”
“What I saw yesterday was no great white.”
“Can you prove it?”
I frowned. “What about the tooth we pulled out of the first victim?”
“Their expert doesn’t agree with Jay’s assessment.”
I rolled my eyes.
“It’s not all bad. Gives us more time to sort this out before it gets taken away from us.”
“Let’s get a dive team out to that site and recover the shark cage,” I said. “That ought to lend credibility to the hybrid theory.”
I told him we’d be down at the station shortly.
We finished breakfast, bussed our plates, and made plans for the day.
“If it’s not too much trouble, can you run me back to my apartment to get a few things?” Ariel asked.
“Sure thing,” I replied.
“Are you okay to drive?” JD asked.
“I’m good.”
Jack gave me a skeptical look.
"I'm great. My head’s clear. No issues.”
He tossed me the keys.
Ariel and I left the boat and headed down the dock toward the parking lot.
"How long have you guys been friends?" she asked.
I smiled. "A long time.”
"It shows. Must be nice to have a friend like that.”
"It's a blessing."
As we neared the Porsche, a brunette approached with determination.
It took me a second to place her face. It was Mason’s sister, Nova.
She pulled a pistol from her purse and aimed it at me.
With fury in her eyes, she stared down the barrel and gripped the pistol tight.
Her sweaty finger wrapped around the trigger, and the barrel twitched.
Ariel froze, and her eyes bulged.
"You killed my brother!" Nova screeched, her eyes misting.