Page 36 of Johnny

does, so perhaps his status and position in the Way has been recently… downgraded.

Like mine.

Why is he looking for Charlotte Kane? I should’ve asked. I should’ve kept my wits about me and

tried to get more information.

A crack of thunder outside startles me. Then another, and another, and the boat begins to sway with

more conviction.

I’m no stranger to boats. It’s how I commute between islands for work. But even someone with the

most steadfast sea legs gets queasy when a boat this size starts rolling up and over large waves.

It jerks to the side and the plate on the bedside table goes crashing to the floor.

I get up, steady myself, and then rush towards the door and slide it open.

I might not know Johnny Boston but he’s all I have right now. And I need him. I’m not gonna let his

dumb ass go overboard and leave me to deal with this shit show by myself.

I stumble down the hallway, but just as I reach for the handrails on the stairs he jumps down,

landing mere inches in front of me.

“Shit!” I say, taking a step back. “You scared me.”

And got my attention.

He’s wet. Thoroughly wet. Rivers of water spill down his neck and then ride the curve of his

muscular shoulders until they slide down his chest.

I get lost watching that for a moment, then take a breath and force my eyes up to meet his.

He’s smirking at me.

I take a step back, stumble when the boat lurches to the side, and quick—like scary quick—Johnny

reaches out and grabs my arm.

“Be careful,” he says. I look down at his hand on my arm and he pulls it back. “Sorry. I just… you

were falling.”

I don’t say anything because everything about this moment has me feeling conflicted. His touch, his

shirtless chest, the water dripping down it. It makes me want to stare at him. Memorize the moment

and maybe even enjoy it a little.

I take a deep breath and turn away before I say or do something stupid.

“There’s a storm,” he says. “I wasn’t going to sleep inside tonight to give you some room but…”

“I get it,” I say, taking a step back from him. “It’s your boat, anyway.”