Page 37 of Deadly Waves

Twelve

“How do you feel?”

James sat with his back propped up on the pillows as he flipped through a file and kept one eye on his stirring wife the next morning. Mandy took a moment to rub the sleep from her eyes and roll to her back so she could stare at the ceiling. The antics of the previous evening rushed back relatively quickly. Thankfully for her, she didn’t get an accompanying headache when it happened.

“I feel okay,” Mandy replied after a beat. “My tongue is a little dry. I have cottonmouth.”

“Here.” James had a bottle of water and two aspirin tablets ready. “Let me see your blue tongue again.”

Mandy stuck out her tongue and made him smile. “Happy?”

“I’m always happy with you, wife,” James said, flipping another page in the file before focusing his full attention on Mandy. “Are you hungover? Be honest.”

“I’m okay,” Mandy said. “We only had four drinks. I was a little tipsy when you found us – and I would’ve been hungover had I downed another drink, so good call there – but I feel solid.”

James smiled at the admission. “Good.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “I was worried when you passed out before your requested sex came to fruition that it was going to be a rough morning.”

Mandy made a face. “I passed out? I’m sorry.”

“Well, I would rather have you pass out than not remember it,” James teased, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. “Did you at least have fun with the girls while we worked?”

“We had a good time,” Mandy confirmed. “I decided that you don’t have to worry about marrying someone else after I die because I’m just going to live forever.”

“You told me that last night.”

“Oh.” Mandy shifted on the bed. “I don’t remember telling you that either.”

“Yes, I think I cut you off at the exact right time,” James said. “I’m glad you’re not hungover.”

“That makes two of us,” Mandy said, rolling to her side so she could look at the file in James’ hand. “Is that the missing girl?”

“It is,” James confirmed. “She’s twenty-seven and has been bouncing around cruise ships for the past four years. I have Maverick running a deeper background check to see what he can get. He should have more tonight.”

“Are you sure she’s not on the boat?”

“No,” James said. “This place is huge. Someone could easily be keeping her in a room or another part of the ship without us knowing. Searching this place from top to bottom is going to be a big chore if we go that route.”

“She also could’ve been killed and her body dumped overboard,” Mandy pointed out.

“I haven’t ruled that out either.”

Mandy involuntarily shuddered as she drew closer to James, causing him to arch an eyebrow.

“Sorry,” Mandy said instantly, moving to pull away. “You’re working.”

James slipped his arm around her waist to still her. “I can hold you and work at the same time,” he said, resting his chin against her forehead as she settled her head on his chest. “Holding you always takes precedence.”

“I’ve noticed.” Mandy was quiet for a moment. “I love you.”

The words were barely a whisper, but they were so heartfelt James couldn’t stop himself from clutching her tighter. “I love you, too,” he said. “I’m glad you’re never going to die. That made my night.”

Mandy giggled. “Ally says that our biggest problem is that you and I like to fall on swords for each other. Do you think that’s true?”

“I’ve never considered myself a sword man.”

Mandy slipped her hand beneath the covers and cupped James’ manhood, eliciting a groan as she tested her theory. “You feel like a sword man to me.”

“You’re on dangerous terrain there, wife,” James said, shoving his file on the nightstand and moving his hips so they were pointed in her direction. “I don’t suppose you want to fall on my sword, do you?”