Page 51 of The Admiral's Daughter

“You sound like you have a story to tell with that comment.”

She gives me that panty-dropping grin. “Of course I do. We’re all a walking sack of bones and trauma, love.” Using her hands on the table to lean back, she laughs. “But if you don’t mind, I’ll tell you my tale of woe on date two.”

We laugh. “So you think you’re getting a second date, huh?” I tease.

The microsecond it takes River to go from playful to…smouldering vixen is astonishing. Her eyes shine and her lip curls into her trademark curl.

“I think so, don’t you?”

Ah, there’s the flirt I know. She licks her bottom lip, and I stifle a groan because I’m not a robot and River Dawson is hot as hell.

“Maybe. It depends how dessert goes.”

I didn’t mean it to sound the way it did, and neither did River if her arched eyebrows are anything to go by. I can feel the heat of embarrassment invading my face.

“Well,” she begins. Her voice is like velvet, and I can’t help but hold my breath. “It’s steamed treacle pudding with custard, so I’d say I’m safe.”

Snorting into my napkin, I shake my head. River is far too pleased with herself, but I’ll let it go. She deserves to feel good, because once again, she managed to dispel the tension with ease.

There’s a quick knock on the door, and Cheddar walks in with two bowls. “Here y’are. It’s bloody delicious. I’ve just finished a bowl. The custard could be better, but then again, I don’t think anyone can beat my grandma’s, so I’m a bit biased.”

I want to laugh all over again, because River is glaring at her friend so hard and Cheddar is completely oblivious as she rambles on about custard.

“I’d say you have about fifteen minutes before people start getting suspicious, Riv. Kit and Boot will want to chill on the couch soon, and I don’t want to lie to them.”

“They don’t know?” I ask. Even though River promised me she wouldn’t tell anyone, I wasn’t naïve enough to think that realistically extended to her bunk mates.

“No,” River replies with a shake of her head. “I’m sorry I told Cheddar, I know I said I wouldn’t.”

“Hey, it’s fine. I told Honor, so…”

“I think her head would’ve exploded if she hadn’t told me, Cleo,” Cheddar chimes in.

Laughing at River poking Cheddar in the ribs, I take a small mouthful of dessert. It really is good. “How on earth did you do all this without anyone knowing?”

“Called in some favours and told them not to ask questions.” She chuckles. “Kit and Boot are on shift, so I didn’t need to say anything to them, but Ched is right. They’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll clear this lot away,” Cheddar says, piling up the plates. We sit in silence until she leaves and I watch River deflate.

“I hope it’s not been too much of a disappointment,” she says. Her eyes flick up from the tablecloth she’s so very interested in before dropping back down again.

“River, will you look at me?”

She does, thankfully, but it isn’t without a heap full of anxiety swimming in her eyes.

“This has been a lot of fun. I’m a little bit in shock you managed to pull it off, to be honest.”

“I know a lot of good people.”

“You do. I really have had a wonderful time…and I hope we can carry on talking, and sharing stories.”

“I’d like that,” she says in a small voice that is a little heartbreaking.

“Then, I think you get a second date, if you’d still like—”

“Yes!” she declares immediately.

I laugh and she grins. “Okay then. But I think we need to talk about that tomorrow. I don’t want to complicate things with your friends barging in, so I think I’ll head back to my cabin now.”