Page 36

Guilt and relief roil in my stomach, and I squeeze my eyes shut so tight rainbow sparks trail across my eyelids.

“How many did you get, June?”

“Get?” I repeat, barking out a harsh laugh and opening my eyes in indignation.

“Talking about it helps,” Dean just says.

“Two. Maybe three,” I finally admit.

Dean nods once, his gaze firm on me, warming me. His thumb strokes my jawline as his other hand pulls me close. He’s so close his breath whispers across my neck.

Collecting myself, I snip the bandage carefully and tuck it into itself. I ignore the warmth rising to my skin.

“June, you had to make a choice.” His fingers stroke my back. “It was us or them. You picked us. It’s okay.”

I tilt my chin up, our lips dangerously close, and his eyes drop to them, but I don’t care. I don’t want to talk about this. I don’t want to think about anything. His hand on my back makes small circles, sending shivers through me that have nothing to do with shock, and I arch into him. His lips part, both hands stroking, one along the side of my neck, the other up my spine. The heat of his bare skin is nearly too much, a contrast to the cold settling over me.

The swell of my breasts meets the hard planes of his chest and he sucks in a breath, his eyes heavy. His grip on my waist and the column of my neck tightening.

Leaning closer, I wait for him to close the gap between us. For our lips to touch.

A half-second passes, breathing the same air.

His eyes meet mine as he moves in, and my heart races.

A horrible screech fills the air, the sound of metal on metal jerking me back to reality.

“Shit.” I scramble off the deck, stomach sinking, and head to the steering wheel. The screeching dies away as I shift the wheelleft. “We scraped a buoy. Can you hold the wheel straight while I check the damage?”

Dean winces, unsteady on his feet, but nods.

“You need water.”

Keeping my eyes on the dark sea, I rummage around one of the under-seat storage bins. Sure enough, the heavy flashlight’s there, along with two gallons of water. My emergency stash.

If there’s ever been an emergency to use the stash up, this is it.

Dean grabs a gallon with his left hand, and I put the seat back in place.

“Youneed water,” Dean says, holding the jug out to me.

“Take the aspirin from the med kit.” I ignore the water, picking up the flashlight instead.

“I’m fine.” He unscrews the cap, tipping water into his mouth.

“You want to be in pain? Whatever. Stupid Marines,” I mutter, sure he won’t be able to hear.

He chokes on the water, patting his chest. “I’m not a…” Shaking his head, he lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s ex-Marine.”

I shake my head.Apparently, he can hear just fine.

“Once a Marine, always a Marine. My dad didn’t believe in pain killers either.” I squint, trying to make out his face. It’s unreadable in the settling dark.

“Check the boat.” He nods to the water. “Don’t have the light on longer than necessary.”

“I’m not an idiot,” I snap, suddenly beyond annoyed. “You think I want them to catch us?”

I’m furious with this stupid ex-Marine, who is the reason my house is torn apart, my dock in pieces. I’m furious with myself for almost kissing him. For evenwantingto kiss him. The only thing I truly know for certain about him is that he looks hot as hell with his dumb shirt off.