Suspicion At Sea Read Free Page B

gorgeous, charismatic man sitting beside me.
    “So what happened to them then?” I ask, taking a sip of my wine. My mouth is dry and my heart is palpitating.
    “You tell me. That's the question on everyone's lips.” He shrugs, finishing his drink. Jim is watching us with amusement on his face as he pours more liquid into Justin's glass. McCallen. I'm impressed at the expensive Scotch he is drinking. “Jim, get this lovely woman a drink,” he says, pushing my now empty wine glass toward Jim's side of the bar.
    “Thank you,” I fold my hands in front of me and turn my body a little so that my legs are closer to Justin. I notice at once that his eyes go down, checking me out. This was not my intention, but the look in his eyes when they make their way back up to mine makes my body hum. I'm pretty sure he was just picturing me naked, and I was just picturing me naked under him.
    “Well, what do you think? It obviously wasn't aliens.” I take a sip of my wine, and then another, trying to calm my very fast beating heart. At the same time I'm thinking I should get the heck out of here before the running man makes me even more of a gooey hot mess.
    “I have no idea, and really, honestly...” He stops mid-sentence and I lean in, waiting for his response. I don't even realize I'm doing it until he looks down between us. Seeing that I'm much closer to him now, he turns his head straight, putting his hand up to his mouth. It is almost a look of disgust. Did I read the signals wrong? Maybe I was being too forward leaning in to him.
    I sit straight again, mortified. What, does he think I'm desperate? Did my lean-in turn him off?
    The look he gives me actually pisses me off, and I want to yell, “You came and sat by me. Sorry if I invaded your personal space, asshole.” My range of emotions right now is scaring me. I finish my wine in one gulp then reach in my bag and grab a twenty.
    “Are you leaving?” He seems shocked by this. Did I just imagine the look he gave me? The man is still hotter than hot to me, which makes me even more pissed off at myself.
    “Yeah, just remembered I have somewhere to be.” I uncross my legs to stand up. Again, his eyes go down for a look. What is your deal? I want to shout at him. One minute he looks at me like he wants to eat me alive, the next he looks at me like I'm the alien.
    “Can I know your name?” he asks with desperation, turning on his stool toward me. I don't answer and push the twenty toward Jim.
    “Let me,” Justin says, pushing my twenty dollar bill back toward me.
    “I wouldn't dream of it,” I purse my lips together to force a smile. I try my hardest to be cool, although I'm sure I look like an idiot as I stumble to get out between the stools with touching him. I try with as much grace as I can muster, and make it through without disturbing his precious space. Walking away I feel their eyes on me, and I can't get to the door fast enough.
    The loud ding of the captain's bell rings as I walk through the doors. Stupid fucking bell.
    Chapter 5
     
     
    Justin
     
    “Smooth, asshole,” Jim blurts as we both watch the fine ass walk out the door. I didn't mean to offend her, but I was just about to admit something to a total stranger that I shouldn't admit to my best friend. That I couldn’t care less what happened to the McGill boys. And, in fact, I was hoping they were all dead. It scared me that I was about to say that in front of a tourist, and I guess the look on my face wasn't a good one.
    “Shit.” I put my head in my hands, thinking about the impression I just made on the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Not only that, but she obviously was liking me too. Well, she was, not so much anymore.
    “Yeah, she was into you, man. You probably could have scored with that one,” Jim says, swinging his hips back and forth, acting like he is fucking someone. Luckily the bar is near empty and no one else sees Jim, because it's not pretty.
    “Must be off my game tonight.” I