“My commanding officer knew every single dad joke and made up a few of his own. He’d subject us to them every time we shipped out together.”
“Is that a new form of military torture?”
He grinned. “Should be, though I’m not sure they would translate well.” He dried the dishes while Penelope cleared the bench. “What’s brown and sticky?”
“I know that one. A stick.” She smiled, turning from putting things in the fridge just as he turned to place the bowls on the bench. They bumped into each other, and Sam used his free hand to steady her. She stared up at him, her smile wide, their bodies only inches apart. Her eyes widened, and her gaze darted to his lips.
Yes, please.
He shifted closer and she didn’t move away. Then, because he didn’t want her to feel a conflict of interest, he said, “I really want to kiss you.” He slid his hand down her back, drawing her closer. “It has nothing to do with our jobs, and everything to do with me finding you incredibly attractive and sweet.”
A moment of uncertainty flashed across her face at the mention of work.
“What would Ceiveon say?” he murmured.
A flash of a smile before her lips were on his. Soft, warm, passionate, there was no holding back. She kissed him as if she had no doubts and he hardened. He teased her tongue with his and she pulled him closer, though they weren’t far apart.
His body ached he wanted her so much. He tugged at her shirt, which was still tucked in, and finally it released to give him access to her smooth skin beneath.
She moaned softly, a sexy exhale of breath. Where was her bedroom?
Suddenly a shrill voice sang, Girls just wanna have fun. Penelope leapt away as if caught by her mother and spun, hand to her chest.
The culprit lay vibrating on the bench.
Penelope exhaled and laughed. “Ceiveon.”
He chuckled, stepping back, still hard. “You should get that. I don’t want her to think I’m taking up all your time.”
“She would love it,” Penelope said, and answered the phone, turning away from him as she did so. He adjusted himself as she said, “Hi, Five.”
Penelope moved over to the couch and said, “Just finished dinner.” She grimaced at something her friend said and glanced at Sam. “Actually, Sam came over.” Her full laugh followed, and it made him smile and move closer. Something about her drew him in. “Sam owns the tour boat whose licence I suspended on Monday.” She placed the phone against her chest and said, “She wants to know if you’re trying to seduce me.”
He grinned and held out his hand. “Can I talk to her?”
“Sure.” She passed the phone over.
“Ceiveon, you interrupted my seduction attempt with your phone call.” He winked at Penelope.
Ceiveon gasped. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or worried you’re taking advantage of Penelope.”
He chuckled. “Be impressed. I made it clear the reason I wanted to kiss her was nothing to do with our work.”
“And what was the reason?” Ceiveon sounded intrigued and a little amused. He liked her vibe.
“It’s because underneath her prickly exterior she’s incredibly sweet, and she has a laugh that trumpets joy.”
Penelope blushed and tried to take the phone from him. He wagged his finger at her and moved away.
“What did you do before you were a tour boat operator, Sam?”
He recognised the beginnings of an inquisition. “I was in the army for twelve years. Decided my last brush with death was too close and got out a week ago.”
“And already you’ve bought a tour boat and been suspended?”
“The suspension was a misunderstanding.” Penelope hovered next to him and kept reaching for the phone, so he kept moving around the room. “And the decision to buy the tour boat was made a couple of months ago when I came up here for a friend’s wedding.”
“Are you married?”
