Tempest - Kris Michaels Page 0,53

he mouthed, “Florida.”

"I don't know. I think the captain said something about cruising around Florida. Why? Is something wrong?"

"No. Have you been online?"

"Me? How in the world would I go online? On my phone? Sorry, not interested in the news, or what this idiot is saying about that idiot. Besides, I dropped my phone in the hot tub earlier today. The internet works for like one second and then blanks out. I can't dial out, though apparently I can get incoming calls."

"You dropped it in water?"

"It happens."

"The next time you're in port get a new one."

"Why? You can call me if you need me. I'll get it fixed when I get back home. Two weeks, Regina. I'm unplugged, and for the next two weeks, I don't care what happens anywhere in the world. When I get back, I'll fall into line and march to the beat of your drum. I am going to be the first female President after all."

She rolled her eyes at the sanctimonious Regina-kowtowing-minion she'd channeled.

"Be prepared to work. It won't be easy."

"Nothing worthwhile is," Pilar answered, but she was sure her mother had disconnected the call before she'd finished her comment. She turned off her phone and tossed it on the cushion beside her.

"What a lovely lady." Tempest stood and extended his hand to her. "Shade and one of those frozen drinks you told your mother about."

"Sounds wonderful." She let him assist her from the chair and then hobbled to the large round rattan daybed currently sitting in the shade. A gentle breeze moved the light drapes at the head of the futon. "I guess I should ask. Where are we?" She glanced off the port side of the ship. A series of islands dotted the vista.

"The Florida Keys." He helped her sit down and put her foot on top of a pillow before he walked to the daiquiri mixer on the bar. The thing had been tumbling the icy concoction all day. She accepted her third, fabulous, mango and rum drink since noon.

"This is so good." She took a strong pull on the straw and hummed in appreciation. Sending him a sideways glance, she asked the question she'd been wondering all day. "Tell me what happens next."

"I sent the information you gathered to my organization. They are taking the questions you asked and working them. Until they find something, we do this."

"This? As in float, lie in the sun, and drink?"

He chuckled, "Food and sex need to be in the mix somewhere."

"Sex before any of the rest." She waggled her eyebrows several times.

"Hungry?"

"For food? Nope." She wound her tongue around her straw and watched as his eyes followed. She sucked the thick drink through the straw. "Very good, but I think I want something else." Her eyes traveled down his rippling abs to the waistband of his trunks. "I definitely want something else." Luke shifted and yanked at the leg of his swimming trunks. The bulge was impossible to miss. "A nap."

His eyes snapped up to hers. "A nap?"

"Absolutely. I'm suddenly very tired. Would you help me back to your cabin?"

A wolfish smile flashed across his face. "A nap sounds wonderful." He stood and extended his hand to her. When she stood, he swept her into his arms.

She laughed and leaned into him, wrapping an arm around his neck. "I can walk you know."

"I know, but I don't want to wait for you to hobble the length of the ship." He dropped a long, hungry kiss on her lips.

Pilar sighed, happiness drowning everything but Luke. "Dear heavens, neither do I. To the cabin, sir."

Chapter 16

She trailed her hands down Luke's chest as he held himself above her. They'd made love, napped, eaten dinner and were back in bed again recovering from another yacht-shattering orgasm. Her lungs drew deep in an effort to regulate her breathing. "Wow, as a legal professional, I would be remiss not to mention death by orgasm is punishable by law." Her arms hung limply around his neck, and she sighed happily when he chuckled and rolled to her side.

"And what is the sentence for death by orgasm?"

"Ah, you are forced to reenact the crime every night for the duration of my vacation."

"Such a harsh sentence?" He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Absolutely." She traced one of the scars which littered his body. Needing to be sure, she asked, "Are all of these..."

His hand covered hers, and he brought her fingertips to his mouth, kissing them one by one. "My scars are healed."

She