Veritas

by Duncan, MJ

  “Good.” Grey smiled and brushed one last kiss across Lauren’s lips before forcing herself to roll off of her. “So, you ready?”

  No, Lauren thought, even as she said, “When you are, Captain Wells.”

  Chapter 41

  Lauren jolted awake the next morning to the sound of Grey’s alarm clock going off, and groaned as she pulled her pillow over her head to try and block out the noise. Her head was pounding, and her mouth tasted like something had crawled into it and died while she slept. “Fucking vodka.”

  After running errands the day before, they had gone to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant not far from the marina that was popular with the locals for its roti—curried vegetables and meat wrapped in a thin dough. The food had been good, but the band playing was better, and somehow ‘a quick dinner out’ turned into dancing and shots.

  Lots and lots of shots.

  Grey cracked an eye open and grunted as she slapped at her alarm. She ran her tongue over the top of her mouth and grimaced. “What did we drink?”

  “Too much,” Lauren grunted.

  “Yeah, got that,” Grey muttered, scrubbing a hand over her face.

  Lauren peeked out at Grey from beneath her pillow, and saw that Grey looked as rough as she felt. They probably should have skipped that last round of Lemon Drops. “God, I hate vodka.”

  Grey chuckled as she flopped back onto the bed and curled up against Lauren’s side. She wrapped an arm around Lauren’s waist, and closed her eyes as she pressed a lingering kiss to her shoulder. “I think this is the tequila’s fault.”

  “I think we’ll just have to agree to disagree.” Lauren pushed the heel of her hand against her forehead and squeezed her eyes shut. She relaxed into Grey, relishing the warmth of the brunette’s skin against her own as Grey’s fingers began scratching lightly across her stomach. She was so comfortable that she was close to drifting off to sleep again when the alarm blared back to life.

  “Sorry,” Grey whispered as she released her hold on Lauren to slap at the alarm again. “I hate to say it, but we need to get up.”

  “I know,” Lauren grumbled as she rolled onto her back. Her head throbbed at the movement, and she groaned as she forced herself to climb out of bed. “Oh, this is gonna suck.”

  “Tell me about it,” Grey said as she rolled to her feet. She ran a hand through her hair as she looked at Lauren, and smiled in spite of her hangover. “I had fun last night.”

  “Me too.” Lauren stepped over their clothes that had been strewn across the floor in their haste to get each other naked the night before, and slipped into Grey’s waiting arms at the foot of the bed. “No vodka next time, though.”

  “Deal,” Grey murmured, even though they both knew that there would not be a ‘next time’. She pressed a chaste kiss to Lauren’s cheek and sighed. “If you get the Tylenol out of the medicine cabinet, I’ll go grab us a couple bottles of water from the fridge.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “You wanna just pick up some breakfast on our way to the farmer’s market?” Grey asked as she started for the door.

  Lauren’s eyes swept over Grey’s naked body and she smiled in spite of her pounding headache. “If I wasn’t so hung-over right now, I’d have you for breakfast.”

  “Promises, promises,” Grey chuckled, her gaze trailing lazily over Lauren’s body.

  Lauren laughed and shrugged. “Sorry?”

  “No you’re not.” Grey waved a hand at the bathroom. “You can have first shower.”

  “We can always shower together,” Lauren offered as she started for the en suite. “I’m too hung over to do more than just shower, but…”

  Grey nodded. She did not have the energy to do more than simply shower either, but she would never pass up the opportunity to spend more time with Lauren. “I’ll meet you in there.”

  Lauren was just climbing into the shower when Grey returned with the bottles of water, and Grey smiled when she spotted three Tylenol laid out on the counter for her. She swallowed the pills dry and chased them down with half of one of the bottles of water before opening the shower door and climbing into the stall with Lauren. “Hey, sexy.”

  “Hey, yourself,” Lauren said as she watched Grey climb into the shower. She smiled at the way Grey’s hands slid over her sides, and groaned when Grey’s mouth dropped to her clavicle. “We’re just showering,” she reminded Grey when dull teeth nipped at her skin.

  “I know.” Grey soothed the spot with her tongue and stood up to look Lauren in the eye as she reached for a bottle of shampoo. She poured a generous amount into her left hand and brushed a soft kiss across Lauren’s lips as she started rubbing the soap into her hair.

  The feeling of Grey’s fingers massaging her scalp was heavenly, and Lauren moaned softly as she reached out and held onto Grey’s hips for balance. “God, that feels good.”

  “Good.” Grey smiled as she watched Lauren’s eyes flutter shut, her face a mask of absolute pleasure as she began to lightly sway with her touch. She took her time massaging the vanilla-scented shampoo into Lauren’s hair, scratching her nails over her scalp and rubbing her thumbs lightly over Lauren’s temples. She kissed Lauren once she was done, using that pressure to guide her back beneath the spray. Grey smiled against Lauren’s lips as she smoothed the bubbles from her hair, and sighed when she pulled away.

  Lauren blinked her eyes open, her gaze immediately locking onto Grey’s. The brunette’s eyes were warm and soft, swirling with a gentle affection that took her breath away. “Wow.”

  “I’m glad you liked it,” Grey murmured as she reached for Lauren’s body wash, which had migrated into her shower over the last few days as well. She squeezed some of the pink gel into her hand and set the bottle back onto its shelf. “Trade places with me, please,” she instructed as she poured some of the soap from her left hand to her right. “I’m going to need the spray at my back for this part.” She chuckled at the look Lauren shot her and shook her head. “We’re just showering, remember?”

  “If I was just showering, I would have been done by now,” Lauren pointed out playfully as she squeezed past Grey to the back half of the small shower stall.

  “I know.” Grey smoothed her hands over Lauren’s shoulders, digging her thumbs into tight muscles as she went. “But isn’t this better?”

  “So much better,” Lauren agreed in a breathy whisper.

  “Can you get your hair up somehow?”

  Lauren nodded and twisted her hair up on itself so that it was off her neck.

  “Perfect.” Grey dropped a quick kiss to the newly exposed skin before she began squeezing that same spot with her right hand in a gentle massage.

  Lauren braced her hands on the wall in front of her as Grey’s thumbs dug into the muscles at the back of her neck. She groaned when Grey began working at a knot in her upped back, and let her head fall forward as she gave herself over to Grey’s touch. Grey’s hands sliding over her skin was both relaxing and arousing, and Lauren could not have contained the little moans that kept escaping her even had she wanted to.

  “Mmm, hi,” Lauren hummed when Grey’s hands skated over her hips to tickle her stomach. She rocked back into the brunette, pressing her ass into Grey’s hips as strong arms enveloped her middle.

  Grey rubbed her hands over Lauren’s stomach and nipped playfully at her earlobe. “Just showering.”

  “I know.” Lauren looked over her shoulder at Grey and grinned when she saw how close she was. “Kiss me,” she whispered, even as she lifted her lips to Grey’s.

  Grey did not need to be told twice, and she moaned softly as she covered Lauren’s lips with her own. They kissed languidly, tongues flicking idly together as Grey’s hands continued to stroke with a quiet passion over Lauren’s body, sweeping down over her hips to tickle her upper thighs before sliding higher again. Lauren whimpered and bucked back into her when she spiraled her fingers around her breasts, and she smiled as she covered them with her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. “Just
showering,” she murmured as she dropped her hands back to Lauren’s waist.

  “Just showering, my ass,” Lauren muttered as she turned to face Grey.

  “I washed that too.”

  Lauren rolled her eyes, and instantly regretted it as the move made her headache pulse viciously. She sighed and reached for Grey’s shampoo. “I know,” she said as she poured the shampoo into her hand. “Hair wet, please.”

  Grey smiled and did as Lauren asked, closing her eyes as she tilted her head back into the stream.

  “God, I wish I wasn’t so hung-over,” Lauren muttered as she watched the way the water course in thin lines around Grey’s breasts. She licked her lips as she stepped into Grey, letting their nipples brush lightly together as she began massaging the shampoo into her hair, just like Grey had done to her. Lauren took her time washing Grey, lingering on the spots that made her whimper or moan until she finished with her hands on Grey’s breasts. She gave them a light squeeze and leaned her cheek against the back of Grey’s shoulder as she closed her eyes and just basked in the feeling of warm skin against her own and the joy that filled her because of it.

  “This is nice,” Grey whispered as she lifted her left hand to cover Lauren’s right.

  “Yeah.” Lauren pressed a lazy kiss to Grey’s back and smiled. The Tylenol she had taken before climbing into the shower was finally beginning to kick-in, but she had no desire to do anything more than this. Just holding Grey under the warm spray of the shower was enough. “Can we just stay here all day?”

  Grey blew out a soft breath and spun in Lauren’s hold so that she could look her in the eye. She smiled as she cradled Lauren’s face in her hands and smoothed her thumbs over her cheeks. She captured Lauren’s lips in a kiss that was achingly tender, full of everything she was feeling that she was too afraid to put into words, and she sighed when she eventually pulled back to drag her nose along the side of Lauren’s. “I would like nothing more than to stay right here with you.”

  “But we can’t,” Lauren finished for her. “I know.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too.” Lauren stole one last kiss as she reached behind herself to turn off the water. She shivered when she opened the shower door, letting cool air into the warm stall, and quickly wrapped a towel around herself. “Here you go,” she said as she passed Grey’s towel back to her.

  Grey took it with a smile, and quickly began drying herself off. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Lauren she reached out to run her hand through Grey’s wet hair, toying with the short strands, unwilling to let this moment end just yet. Grey’s eyes were fathomless, and Lauren’s heart swooped up into her throat as she looked at her. She shook her head and sighed as she pulled her hand away, and cleared her throat softly as she began toweling herself dry. “What time are they all getting here?”

  “Eleven-ish.”

  Lauren groaned. She knew that the alarm went off at six, which meant they would be hard-pressed to get everything they needed done before it was time for their guests to arrive.

  “Exactly.” Grey smiled and darted forward to peck Lauren’s lips with a quick kiss. “So, it’s time to get that marvelous ass of yours into gear, Ms. Murphy. We have work to do.”

  They finished getting done in companionable silence, stealing glances and kisses and sneaking soft touches whenever the opportunity allowed. They moved easily around each other, and in what seemed like no time at all they were making their way out of the salon to the back deck.

  Grey squinted out at the busy harbor through the dark lenses of her sunglasses as she locked up after them, and was glad to see that the large cruise ship that had been docked across the water the night before was beginning to slowly make its way toward open water. That would make her life much easier later on when it was time for them to set sail.

  Because they had walked to dinner the night before, Grey’s car was still parked in its spot in the marina lot, and she smiled at Lauren as she held the passenger door for her. “Is there anything that’s sounding good for breakfast?”

  “Honestly?” Lauren laughed. “Is there a McDonald’s anywhere around here?”

  Grey chuckled knowingly. “Ah, the ol’ McMuffin and hash brown hangover cure.”

  “I think it’s the Diet Coke I get with it, honestly, but yeah,” Lauren agreed with a smile. “I mean, the Tylenol is helping but…”

  “We have to be functioning adults for the rest of the day.” Grey grinned and started the car. “There’s a McD’s on the way to the farmer’s market. We can stop there first, and then try and hurry through the rest of the things we need to do.”

  Lauren adjusted her sunglasses and nodded, resigned to officially starting their day. “Sounds good to me,” she murmured as she looked out the windshield.

  Chapter 42

  Lauren looked out the galley window at Grey, who was leaning against the deck railing at the stern and chatting amiably with their guests. The sun was setting behind Grey, painting a golden stripe across the indigo waters of Saint Frances Bay, and Lauren idly wondered where in the world the day had gone. It seemed like only a couple of hours had passed since she and Grey had showered together, and yet the sun sinking toward the horizon was proof enough that the day had indeed passed them by.

  She frowned and turned her attention back to the appetizer she was plating, wishing that she could turn back time to when it was just the two of them cocooned in the serenity of Hawksnest Bay. At the time, she had been too engrossed in living every moment to really recognize how special that time was, but now, looking back on it all, she knew that those few days were ones she would never forget. She blew out a frustrated breath as she arranged the last few pieces of coconut shrimp around a small ceramic bowl filled with a tangy orange dipping sauce.

  Despite the fact that Lauren wished she and Grey could magically go back in time to when it was just the two of them aboard the boat, she had to admit that she was enjoying the company of their latest guests. David Yi, Harrison Coppes, and Rob Schwartz had been fraternity brothers at Yale, and they and their wives Julie, Mia, and Lily got together once a year to catch up and cut loose, free from the responsibilities of their careers and their children. They were an outgoing group that talked loudly and laughed raucously, and Lauren smiled in spite of herself as she remembered the way they had gathered around the peninsula in the galley to knock back two rounds of tequila shots before the Veritas had even left its slip in Charlotte Amalie.

  Once she was pleased with the presentation of the appetizer, Lauren gathered herself with a deep breath, picked up the plate of shrimp, and carried it out to the deck. David and Julie were seated at the port-side table, while Harrison and Mia were seated at the other with Rob and Lily, and Lauren looked between the two tables before deciding to set the platter down on the table with more people. “Coconut crusted shrimp. Enjoy.”

  Mia smiled at Lauren as she picked up a shrimp and dipped it in the sauce, and she moaned appreciatively at her first bite. “This is amazing.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Lauren smiled and tipped her head in thanks even as her gaze locked onto Grey’s. After days of being able to touch and kiss Grey whenever the urge struck, it felt strange to have to hold herself back, and she sighed when she saw a similar emotion flickering in Grey’s eyes.

  “Don’t eat it all,” Mia’s husband, Harrison, teased as he and the rest of the group all reached for the shrimp. “Save some for the rest of us.”

  “Move faster next time.” Mia waved him off with a smirk and reached for a second shrimp, playfully batting her husband’s hand away and stealing the one he had been going for.

  Lauren laughed and turned to head back to the galley. No matter how amusing the mini-slap-fight the group was now engaged in was, she still had to finish preparing the evening’s main course. “Dinner will be ready in about half an hour.”

  With the group happily converged on the appetizer Lauren had brought out, Grey pushed herself off the railing she h
ad been perched on and started toward the salon. The minutiae of running a floating bed and breakfast had kept her occupied for most of the day, and she had not had one minute alone with Lauren from the moment their newest guests had set foot aboard the Veritas. “Anybody need another drink?”

  Julie chuckled and shook her head. “Not until I get a little more food in me.”

  “Yeah. Me too,” David chimed in, glancing at the others, who all nodded their agreement. “You mix a strong margarita, Grey.”

  Grey nodded and started toward the salon. “Just let us know if you guys need anything else.” Her eyes flicked briefly over the group one last time and, once she was convinced that they would be fine for a while, she disappeared inside. Her gaze immediately landed on Lauren, who was leaning against the edge of the counter waiting for her, and she smiled as she closed the distance between them in four long strides.

  “Took you long enough,” Lauren murmured as she looped her arms around Grey’s neck.

  “Sorry.” Grey wrapped her arms around Lauren’s waist and pulled her in close. She held Lauren’s gaze as she leaned in until their lips were almost touching, and sighed as she nuzzled Lauren’s cheek with her nose. “I had to make sure they were good for a while so that I could do this.”

  “Is this really all you want to do?” Lauren smirked and pulled back to arch a playful brow at Grey.

  “God, no.” Grey surged forward and captured Lauren’s lips with her own. She smiled at the way Lauren whimpered into the kiss, and she tightened her hold on Lauren’s waist as she ran the tip of her tongue along the seam of Lauren’s lips.

  Lauren opened her mouth to Grey, tilting her head to the side to take Grey deeper as the firm press of the brunette’s body urged her backwards. She gasped softly when her back came into contact with the cool steel door of the refrigerator, but the small sound of surprise quickly became a rumbling moan when Grey’s body molded to her own, pinning her to the door as strong hands wrapped possessively around her hips.