Page 46 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

“Tell Wynter she doesn’t need to cover her head,” Miele says, giving him a side hug.

He regards me shrewdly, eyes dragging from my unpainted toes to the last freckle on my forehead.

He flicks his gaze to his cousin without even acknowledging me. “Don’t let Mars con you into giving him a sweet before his nap.”

Miele rolls her eyes. “Don’t tell me how to spoil my favorite cousin. You two have fun!” She scurries off, ignoring me, too.

I’m almost afraid to look at Rico. Us… alone… at sea?

I’ve seen this SVU episode before.

“You tired?”

I fight myself not to flinch at his saccharine voice, almost as hard as I fight not to ask him why he’s asking if he doesn’t care.

My arms wrap around my middle as I nod.

“There’s a cabin you can rest in.” He holds a hand out, like it’s something we do.

Have we? Held hands before?

I gawk at it like he’ll grow claws. But he just holds it out, steady, like we have all the time in the world.

When I finally gather the courage to look at him, he’s already gazing at me. His good eye is hooded, lashes so long they look like they probably rest on his cheeks.

“Take my hand.”

Oh, what the hell. I unwrap an arm and place my hand in his, and let him lead me onto the boat.

It’s nice as hell. The deck is covered and has tan leather seats that look new. I only get a quick glimpse before I’m led down the stairs below deck.

“We usually use this boat for the sunrise cruises, but I took it out of commission for today.”

“And what’s today?” I ask as we enter a nicely sized bedroom.

Rico just shrugs. “You can rest here. Come up after you’ve slept.” He drops my hand and leaves me alone.

I must have waked up in the fucking twilight zone.

Turning, I plop down on the circular bed. It feels heavenly, and my eyes are closed before my back hits the covers.

After a nap that had to have been at least three hours, I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed.

I’m actually in a good enough mood to brave being out at sea with Rico and no weapons, so with a little pep in my step, I go up the stairs to the cockpit.

There’s a fishing rod idle, while Rico sits, a hat covering his head.

Still shirtless. Back muscles moving as he turns to face me.

I take a seat on the couch next to him, pulling my legs up. The sun is high in the sky, shining of the cerulean water.

It’s only us out here, the sounds of calm water serenading us, and spots of clouds keeping the sun from beating too hard.

Still, I shift so that I’m under the shade.

“It’s peaceful out here.”

“It is,” he agrees. “I like to come out here… to think.”