Page 81 of The Admiral's Daughter

27

River

“You’re going to haveto keep quiet if you want to do this,” I pant into Cleo’s mouth.

God, I hope she still wants to do this. I think I might die of sheer frustration if she stops us now. I can’t believe how the day is shaping up. I know I look good—physically, I mean. I put a lot of hours into training my body to manage the harder parts of my occupation. Plus, I like how women look at me when I’m naked.

I didn’t think about that when Cleo stepped into the gym, though. In fact, it was the first time in days I was completely focused on something not related to her. It felt good to lift weights…an excellent substitute for what I’ve really wanted to do, and that’s Cleo. Which seems to be what is about to happen right now.

We are taking a huge risk by sleeping with each other on the ship, in broad daylight no less. If we’re caught, my head is on the chopping block for sure. But as Cleo answers my statement with a flick of her tongue against my lips and a hard squeeze of my arse, all argument as to why we should absolutely stop vanish into thin air.

In our rush to get to her cabin, I didn’t stop to shower, which is kind of gross because I’d really worked up a sweat. I don’t know how I would explain being in her cabin in my wet gym clothes. Then again, I wasn’t exactly thinking rationally when Cleo propositioned me and told me to follow her.

“I’ll be silent as a mouse,” she eventually answers.

The second we entered her quarters we collided with a flourish of lips and limbs. It’s like we couldn’t get close enough quickly enough.

We still can’t. I want every part of me on her. However, I force myself to slow down. This isn’t a race to the finish line. I’m not here to see how many times I can get her to come.

Cleo chases my lips as I pull back and settle my hands on her hip. “Are you really sure, Cleo?”

Her nostrils flare as she reins in her lust. I need to know this is genuinely what she wants and is ready for. Weonly made the agreement a few days ago. I thought it would be at least a month before Cleo even contemplated sleeping with me again. I…I really don’t want this to happen if it’s nothing more than her being horny.

Oh my god, who am I?

“I’ve thought about it, trust me,” she says, looking in my eyes. “I said I’d let you know when I’m ready, and I am.”

“But—”

“I know,” she begins. “I thought it would take longer too, but then again, River Dawson, you’ve surprised me every step of the way. I put the no sex condition in place because I didn’t think you’d take it seriously.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

“I was scared you’d never open yourself up to the possibility of something more than—”

“Trying to get you back into bed.”

“Yes,” she nods, “but then we went on our first date, and we had our pause moment.” She smiles, clearly reliving my magnificent ‘boop’ button. “And I could see you were committed to really trying this. We talked, like really talked, and I loved every second getting to know you. Then last night, and that picnic.”

I grin because I smashed that fucking date out of the park.

“Alright, Ms Cocky.” She laughs. “In fairness you have every right to gloat because it was perfect. You’ve been perfect and honest and open. If anything, it’s me that’s had trouble trusting, even though you’ve shown me time again that you’re not here to hurt me.”

I pull her close and cup her face. “I don’t want to hurt you, Cleo. I want to be with you…and…and no one else. I haven’t thought about another woman since you walked into my life.”

She cocks her lovely red eyebrow, which has a perfectly placed freckle. How did I not notice that?

“Ruby,” she says, with a grin added on for effect.

Rolling my eyes, I huff. “She doesn’t count. That was a massive mistake on my part. The truth is, Cleo, you’ve taken over my brain. It’s a little inconvenient if I’m honest.”

I love the smile she gives me because it brings out her dimples. Fucking hell, this woman is everything I look for in a sexual partner. Add her personality that is the opposite to mine in so many ways and yet we complement each other…I think…fuck, I think she could be…

“I could say the same,” she replies, interrupting my thoughts. “Which is why I know I’m ready for this.”

Right, sex. We’re about to sleep with each other again, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m feeling suddenly nervous.

Pulling away, Cleo drops her hand to mine and intertwines our fingers. She pulls me the two remaining steps to the bed.