Before We Kiss (Uncharted SEALs Book 6) Read Free Page B

have been much, much worse. She supposed her dirty dress, bruised ribs, and scraped elbows were a small price to pay.
    She remembered the way the cowboy had barreled into her, an arm encircling her shoulders, a hand cupping the back of her head. He’d knocked the wind out of her, but he’d protected her from major injury. She had no doubt that if he’d used his full weight and momentum to take her down, she’d have wound up in the hospital. He was a big man. Tall with broad shoulders, a solid but lean middle… If he hadn’t knocked the breath out of her, she doubted her ability to breathe anyway. His nearly black hair and piercing brown eyes had captured her attention. Add that square jaw, firm mouth—and for the first time in a long time, she’d been instantly aware of him…as a man. She’d felt small and helpless—something she never felt. Just remembering his weight pressing down on her produced flutters in her tummy. Poppy blew out an exasperated breath. Her father had a lot to answer for.
    Back at the dock, she was met by the captain and several more members of the ship’s security team. They hustled her past the line of passengers being checked for their cruise badges with their belongings whirring through metal detectors.
    “We heard about the robbery,” the captain said, taking in her disheveled appearance.
    “Don’t give me any apologies. That wasn’t your fault. We’re in Mexico. I’ll just be sure to discourage any soldiers and their families from taking that particular shore excursion.”
    “Plenty of other activities are nearer the ship, including secure beaches, for them to enjoy.”
    She nodded, wishing he would go about his business, but he seemed bent on escorting her to her door.
    “I hear your detail took care of the problem?”
    Rather than admit they’d had extra help, she gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Michael’s a very capable man.”
    “Good to hear. He was a recent hire. Haven’t worked with him before.”
    Poppy’s mouth thinned hearing that. But they’d reached the door of her suite. “Thanks. And thank your security detail. I hope the other passengers aren’t too rattled after this morning’s fiasco.”
    He chuckled. “I’m already hearing it’s the talk of the cruise. They’ve had quite the adventure.” He waited while she used her pass card to open her door.
    Once inside, she kicked off her espadrilles and began stripping on the way to the shower. Best way to forget about the man who’d made such a deep impression was to wash his lingering scent from her skin. She sniffed. Too bad it was so damn appealing …
    Captain Lundt caught up with Wiley just as he, Morty, Sly, and Joe headed down the long corridor in the bowels of the ship toward the elevator. They’d been the last in line to board.
    “If I could have a word,” the captain said, with a quick, professional smile.
    Wiley took a deep breath before pasting on an equally polite smile. Shit was about to hit the fan. “Of course.”
    “Drinks in the sports bar on the promenade,” Morty called out as the three older men stepped into the elevator.
    “After I hit the head,” Sly said, smacking Morty in the belly with the back of his hand. “I’ve been dying to go.”
    Wiley shook his head then studied the captain. With a quick glance, he took in his tall, lean frame, deeply tanned skin, and ice-blue gaze. His neatly cut blond hair was silver at his temples, so Wiley pegged him as being in his early fifties. “What can I help you with?”
    The captain didn’t waste any time getting to the point. “I’d like to know how you managed to sneak a weapon onboard my ship.”
    “A weapon?” Might as well go with ignorance first .
    The captain pulled a metal tube from his pocket.
    Wiley rubbed the back of his neck. “Wondered where that went.”
    “One of my security team confiscated it at the scene.”
    “It’s not technically a weapon.”
    “Not without these.” He pulled a dart in a plastic bag