Page 47 of That Ship Has Sailed

“What?” Seth gave up on watching the women and turned to face his friend.

Zack shrugged. “Nothing. I’ve just never heard you talk like that about anyone. The sex must be amazing.”

Seth rolled his eyes. He didn’t kiss and tell, but even if he did, he wouldn’t know how to answer Zack. The sex had been phenomenal, absolutely mind blowing. Every time he touched Courtney, each time he sank into her, felt better than the time before. After the first night he tried to convince himself it just felt good because it was new. But after last night he couldn’t deny the truth. The reason sex with Courtney was so amazing was because for the first time in his life, he was making love to a woman instead of just having sex with her. He’d finally fallen in love in the least expected place. And he fucking loved it.

The thought might normally scare the shit out of him for a myriad of reasons, but with Courtney it felt right. Each time they made love, a small part of him expected her to freak out and send him back to his cabin. Instead, each time, she cuddled close to talk or sleep. Despite what she might have convinced herself about their little hookup, the woman wasn’t made for casual. She oozed commitment and monogamy. And it was sexy as fuck.

“You did have sex, didn’t you?” Zack pushed when Seth didn’t answer.

He met his friend’s gaze. “I’m not going to talk about what Courtney and I did or did not do.”

Zack nodded. “Fair. She turned you down. I get it, man. I wouldn’t want to talk about it either.”

Seth rolled his eyes. He didn’t really care what Zack thought about whether or not Courtney had turned him down. He knew what had happened between them and that was enough for him. But he did wonder . . .

“I’m thinking I’m going to ask Courtney to keep seeing me after the cruise. Maybe we can. . . What?”

Zack stared back at him slack-jawed. “Dude, are you serious?”

Seth nodded. “Why?”

“You live . . . well, I don’t know how far apart you live, because you don’t actually have a house.”

“I do have a house,” he argued.

Another blank look. “Not one you live in. No woman is going to want to live in your van.”

Maybe. But maybe Courtney would. It wouldn’t be all that new for her.

“I live wherever I want. She works online. It’s doable.”

Zack’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve thought about this.”

Of course, he’d thought about it. Courtney was a great woman and he’d enjoyed the days they’d spent just talking. Even before he’d slept with her, he’d wanted to spend more time with her. Now that hehadslept with her, heneededto spend more time with her. The thought didn’t scare him, but he thought it might frighten Courtney.

“What does Courtney think?” Zack asked.

Seth shook his head. Courtney had said they’d just be friends on the ship, but then she’d slept with him, negating their original agreement. He didn’t really know what she might think about seeing him after the cruise ended.

“I mentioned the possibility of her joining me at some competitions, but I haven’t pushed it. I don’t want to scare her off.”

Zack nodded. “I hate to say it, but I think that’s a definite possibility.”

Seth’s heart sank. He was afraid Zack was right.

Zack clapped him on the shoulder. “I meant it when I said it’s too bad you didn’t meet her before she got married.” He didn’t have to say the rest, Seth heard it loud and clear now. It wasn’t just too bad they hadn’t met before she married. It was too bad they hadn’t met before she’d lost the man she married.

* * *

“You know those have alcohol in them, right?” Ashley eyed the newest drink Courtney held in her hands.

“Yes,” Courtney answered, sucking on her straw. The alcohol was the number one reason she was drinking them. She needed something to settle her nerves or bolster her courage. She didn’t know what she was hoping for, but she did know the alcohol made her problems seem a little further away. Unable to help herself, she cast another glance Seth’s way. Unfortunately, the alcohol offered no answers about what to do with him and did nothing to diminish the feelings rising in her for him.

“Things not going well with Seth?” Ashley’s voice lowered to a sympathetic whisper. “Is the sex not what you thought it would be?”

Courtney shook her head. Sex with Seth had been all she’d expected. And so much more. The man had rocked her fucking world. She’d never been so thoroughly fucked in her life. Which was part of the problem. Courtney had always thought she and Kyle had a great marriage and a great sex life. But the things Seth made her feel, both in her body and her heart, made her question everything she’d ever felt for Kyle. Her body still hummed with residual pleasure from the rounds of sex with Seth. And she wanted more.

Ashley’s face scrunched up. “That bad? I’m sorry. I always thought Seth would be really good. Not for me, but you know. . .”

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