by Zoe York
Which was all fine, but what about the cops? Seth knew that bulge under Hernandez’s jacket wasn’t a badge.
Christine, however, seemed completely unfazed.
“And you, my dear Capitán Hernandez, you’ve come to make sure it arrived safely, yes?”
Hernandez stood stiff as a statue, but he managed a cold smile. “Of course.”
“I can only imagine what your superiors will have to say when I tell them of your hard work.”
There was a warning coded in those words, Seth could tell. I know what game you’re playing, she was saying, and I can blow the whistle any time I like.
Hernandez’s hand shot up. “That won’t be necessary.”
The nun flashed a huge smile. She’d played the situation just right, and she knew it. Julie looked at her in awe. Seth, too.
“Well, this is just wonderful. Wonderful!” Sister Christine clapped and turned to Julie. “My dear, I would love to thank you properly, but I know what a hurry you’re in.”
Julie looked a little lost. Hurry?
Then Seth got it and grabbed her elbow. “Yes, we’re in a terrible hurry.”
“Such a pity,” the nun said.
“Really a pity,” Seth parroted and took a side step toward the door.
Hernandez tensed, as if to block the way, but froze when Sister Christine barked an order.
“You!” Everyone went still as Sister Christine stared the men down. “The rest of you, I’ll be delighted to invite for tea.” She clapped and called through the door before they could protest. “Hermana Maria! Tea for these gentlemen, please!”
“Oh, I really couldn’t accept,” Leeds started.
“My dear professor, I insist.” She nailed him with her words, and Seth knew he was a goner. “A donation like this cannot go unacknowledged. And Capitán Hernandez!” she shouted, just as he was leaning toward Julie. The man jerked back like a puppet on a string. “You and your hard-working men must be famished. You’ll join us, of course.”
“Of course,” he mumbled through tight lips.
“Yes, we’ll all share tea. Then prayers.”
If Seth were one of the men pulled into the net, he’d have groaned. As it was, a few of them were crossing themselves. But he and Julie, well, they took one last grateful look at Sister Christine, then did a walk-sprint straight out the door. A minute later, they were blinking in the tropical sunlight and making for the bike. He swung on behind her and circled his arms around her, good and tight.
Vroom! Julie roared out of the courtyard, under the arched entrance, and out — into their freedom.
“Holy…” Seth started, trying to digest everything that just happened.
He could see Julie grinning in the mirror. “Holy something is right. But you know what?” she shouted over the engine noise.
“What?”
“I think it’s time to sail into the sunset. Just in case.”
— EPILOGUE —
~ One day later in Pueblita, twenty miles south… ~
“You sure about this, man?”
Julie watched Seth study his brother, working his jaw a little before he said it again. “I mean, are you really sure?”
Tobin, in contrast, was wearing one of his trademark cheek-to-cheek smiles that made Julie grin right back. A hot guy on a motorbike with a ready smile like that? She doubted he’d be alone for long. Even with the gash and bruise on his cheek, he was something else.
“I’m sure, man,” Tobin said. “The boat’s been great — and Gramps was right about making us do it — but it’s time for something else.”
That seemed like her cue to speak up, so she did. “You’re not leaving just to give us space, are you?”
“Hey, I just spent four months on a thirty-two-foot boat with my brother!” Tobin swung his arms like it was an amazing feat then patted the saddle of her motorcycle. “Besides, I think I got the good end of the deal.”
Julie shook her head. She was definitely getting the better end of the trade: sailing with Seth instead of bumping around back roads on her own. Hard to believe her own luck.
It was crazy, how it all worked out. A whole twenty-four hours had gone by without her being chased, tied up, or shot at. She and Seth had made it back from the convent without a hitch and found Tobin just where they knew he’d be: on a stool in the very beach bar where they’d first met. A very hurried drink later — because who knew how long Sister Christine’s tea and prayers could hold Leeds and Hernandez — they made a snap decision. Tobin would take the motorcycle and drive south to Pueblita while Julie and Seth grabbed a cab back to Serendipity’s secret cove and set sail. They set a rendezvous for the same night in Pueblita, where they slept on it for one night. As Seth said, it was hard to make a reasonable decision after a near all-nighter.
Not that she and Seth got much sleep their first night together, alone on Serendipity. She was riding too big an adrenaline high, and the thought of having her very own pirate to herself was too good to resist. Their first time was fast and furious in the cockpit, folded around each other on one of the seats. The second time was slow and sweet on the comfy mattress of the forward cabin. And the third time? Sheer magic, the sight of the full moon over her lover’s back as they lay intertwined on the bow of the boat, under the stars. And yes, he’d held her gaze the whole time, watching her come completely undone then following her right over the edge. She’d held on to Seth a long time after that, and it had nothing to do with the gentle rocking of the boat.
Now they were gathered on shore again, the three of them, saying their goodbyes.
“I figure I’ll make Panama in no time on this puppy,” Tobin said, running a hand over the motorcycle’s tank.
“Lucy,” Julie said. “The bike is named Lucy.”
Tobin threw back his head and laughed. “I thought only guys named their bikes after girls.”
“You’re right. The guy I bought her from named her Lucy. Said it would be bad luck to change the name.”
“Like a boat,” Seth said.
Tobin gave a sly wink. “Well, I think Lucy and I are in for a lot of luck. And you two, too.”
Julie went warm all over again. She and Seth were getting the chance she never thought they’d have. The chance to spend more than just a rushed couple of days together. And after that… For all that she tried not to get ahead of herself, it was hard not to imagine more. A lot more, for a good, long time. A lifetime.
“Just make sure you actually get some work done on your thesis.” Tobin winked.
“Thesis? What thesis?” she joked. But yeah, he was right. Originally, she’d been planning to go home and work on her thesis for the next few months. But she could do that just as well from the boat, and the little bit of grant money she had left would stretch further in Central America than it would back home. They might even squeeze a couple of months out of it. Who knew? Seth had enough savings, too, for him to extend this dream just a little longer before heading back to real life and real jobs. In the meantime, they’d live the dream. Palms, islands, sunsets. God, life could be good.
“Are you sure you’re sure?” Seth aimed the question at her this time.
She turned to see his brow folded in worry. Did he really think she could doubt him now? Did he really think she’d ever leave him? Okay, the whole steady relationship thing was uncharted territory as far as she was concerned, but she’d never felt more sure in her life.
She ran a finger along his jaw. “Your problem’s gonna be getting rid of me, pirate, not the other way around.”
He pulled her into the fifth spontaneous hug in the last hour. “Not a problem, Julie.” He ran a hand over her hair as if to assure himself she was for real then murmured again. “Not a problem.”
She could have stayed there forever, but it was time to get moving. The next adventure called: a couple of days’ passage to as far into Honduras as they could get, and Tobin had to get going, too. The sooner they all got out of Belize, the better. Just in case.
<
br /> “Hey, who knows,” Tobin said as Seth pulled him into a back-patting man-hug. “We might meet up in Panama.”
“Yeah, who knows,” Seth replied, his voice breaking just a little on the words.
They broke the hug but stood eye to eye for a moment. It was another one of those moments that could never be captured on film, because that much emotion — brotherly love, a little worry, and newfound respect — was hard to squeeze into a lens. Julie watched them, imprinting the moment onto her memory. She had the feeling she’d be doing a lot of that in the next couple of months.
Then Tobin pulled her in, too, and it became a three-way team hug, and that was even better.
“Be careful, man.” Seth sniffed a little, squeezing his brother’s shoulder.
“Don’t tell Mom about the motorcycle.” Tobin winked, then pointed a finger at Julie. “And you, no more package deliveries.”
“Never.” That lesson, she’d learned.
Tobin slid onto the motorcycle seat like he’d been doing it all his life and kicked the engine to life. He flashed another smile, lifted two fingers from the handlebar in a salute, and took off down the road.
Seth swung an arm over Julie’s shoulders and pulled her close as they watched Tobin go. She could feel his chest rise in a sigh.
“Watch out, chicas,” she said, only half-joking. “He’ll leave a trail of brokenhearted women from here to Colombia, for sure.”
Seth tapped his fingers on her arm. “I’m not so sure. He packed that book.”
“Which book?”
“The one with the picture stuck in it. Him and Cara.”
She watched the trail of dust left in Tobin’s wake and considered. “Maybe it’s easier to break other people’s hearts when your own is hurt.”
“Maybe,” Seth sighed. “Funny how it never hurt to see him go before.” He shook his head at his own words then pulled her to his chest. “But this more than makes up for it.”
She hid a smile in his shirt. “This?”
“You. Me. Us. This.”
The sound of the motorcycle faded and the swishing sound of the waves filled back in. It was her turn to sigh. “Come on, sailor, let’s get moving.”
“You’re sure you’re good with an offshore trip?”
“I think I can trust my captain.”
He blushed a little. A pink pirate. She liked that look on him, so she went on. “As long as we end up on our own tropical island somewhere. I owe you a night of missionary style on the beach.”
“In the moonlight,” he nodded, and his grin grew. “Think I forgot?” His fingers ran lightly up her arm. “I know exactly where I’m starting.”
She raised an eyebrow, pretending she wasn’t going all warm between the legs. “Where?”
He leaned in and ran a finger, featherlight, down her neck. “Can’t give away the whole fantasy at once, you know.”
She tightened her grip on his shirt. “Maybe just a little hint?”
Seth brushed his lips over her skin just above the hollow by her collarbone. “Right here,” he whispered, working his way up to her ear. “I know exactly where I’m starting, where we finish, and everything in between.”
“Seth,” she murmured, running her hands over his firm rear.
“Hmmm?” It wasn’t a question or an answer, just a supremely satisfied sound.
His breath was soft and minty on her throat, and it took everything she had not to throw him to the sand and shag him silly right there.
He pulled back as slow and reluctant as a man waking from a very good dream and looked around. “I guess here is not the place. We ought to get going.”
She sighed. “I guess the lady selling bananas over there doesn’t approve of this much heavy petting.”
“So let’s go.” Seth led her down the beach to the dinghy, the two of them snuggled side to side.
“Where to, exactly?”
Seth threw an arm out over the view: an open horizon marked with stripes of green, turquoise, and brilliant blue. “Uncharted waters, honey. But somewhere out there is another Cayo Coco, waiting for us.” He leaned in to her ear, his voice was low and gritty. “And the minute we get there, we’re staying a week doing nothing but each other.”
She hid her blush with a laugh. The straitlaced business guy had truly gone buccaneer.
“It’s a date,” she joked, then wished she hadn’t. They’d parted two months ago with those very words.
Seth pulled to a sudden halt and fixed her in the eye with a look so earnest, it melted her. “It’s not a date,” he whispered. “It’s a promise.”
—THE END—
Thank you so much for reading Uncharted! If you loved the romance, action, and tropical setting of this story, you’ll love Book 2: Entangled. That’s when Tobin gets his chance to shine — and a second chance to win over the love of his life. Get your copy here!
CLICK HERE TO READ ENTANGLED
You’ll also love Off the Charts, the short story prequel to the Serendipity series. Off the Charts is the story of how Julie and Seth first met — and boy, do sparks fly! You can buy Off the Charts for only 99¢ using this link — but better yet, get it FREE by signing up for my newsletter. That way, you’ll not only get another great, hot read, but news of great deals, new releases, and exclusive content, too! Sign up now to receive your FREE copy of Off the Charts!
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OTHER BOOKS BY ANNA LOWE
ACTION-ADVENTURE ROMANCES
Off the Charts (a Serendipity Adventure Romance Prequel)
Uncharted (Serendipity Adventure Romances, Book 1)
Entangled (Serendipity Adventure Romances, Book 2)
Windswept (Serendipity Adventure Romances, Book 3)
Adrift (Serendipity Adventure Romances, Book 4)
TRAVEL ROMANCES—Coming Fall 2015
Island Fantasies
Veiled Fantasies
PARANORMAL ROMANCES—The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch
Desert Moon
Desert Blood
Desert Fate
TAINTED PEARL
SADIE HALLER
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GENRE: Contemporary Romance
DESCRIPTION:
The last person Biddy expects to greet her at the start of her secret four-week eco-activism island adventure is a red-blooded alpha male, and the irresistible camera operator proves to be a big, bad complication she's unable to resist.
Turn the page to begin reading Tainted Pearl, or click here to return to this anthology’s Table of Contents.
— ONE —
“Have you lost your fucking mind? We go on tour in barely six weeks and you decide to go play eco-terrorist? What if you get hurt? It’s not like we can just order up a new bass player off the Internet, you know.”
If there was one thing Biddy could count on, it was Honeycunt’s compulsion to say exactly what she thought—Tainted Pearl’s lead singer had absolutely no filter.
“Calm down, woman. I’m not an idiot. As much as I wanted to get in on the real action, fighting illegal fishing and whaling on an off-shore campaign wasn’t a serious consideration. I’m going as an observer on a small island where they slaughter entire whale pods in the name of tradition. The sole purpose of the campaign is to document and share what we see with the world—it’s strictly hands-off. The only action I’m going to see is what I capture through the lens of my camera.”
“Jesus, Biddy, couldn’t you just donate a fuck-load of money instead?”
“Of course I could, but that’s way too easy. I want to feel like I’m doing something. Throwing money at an issue isn’t enough for me, anymore.”
Honeycunt reached over and patted Biddy’s knee
. “Sweetie, I know you mean well. Really, I do, but we’re not just talking risk of injury, here. You could get arrested, and while that on its own could cause problems, if you got charged with a crime and convicted, that would totally fuck up your ability to travel for the rest of your life. You wouldn’t be able to tour.”
This was one thing Biddy hated about being in a band. Always having to weigh her personal wants against the best interests of the group. “Look, I’ve been through all this with Owen. He said all the concerned-manager things he gets paid for, and I promised all the good-client things necessary to keep his head from exploding. Honestly, I’ll just be photographing events as they unfold. I won’t be interfering in any way. It’s a done deal and you’re going to have to trust me. I leave tomorrow. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll check in every day.”
“You’d better. It won’t stop me worrying, though.”
“I know.” Biddy glanced up at the clock. “Look, I need to get moving. I still have to pack.”
“Do not take any chances.” Honeycunt pointed her index finger at Biddy. “Not just because you’d fuck up the tour for the band, but because we love you and want you to be safe. Promise me.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.”
***
Biddy hadn’t been surprised by the reaction of her band mate at all. Which was why she waited until the last possible minute to reveal her plans for the six week break between finishing their latest album and their next tour.
Normally when they were in between recording and touring, she’d spend her down-time doing risk-free activities like vegetating in front of the television and catching up on her reading.
She discovered the Red Earth Ninjas during their last break. She had fallen asleep in front of the TV and woken up in the middle of a documentary about the group of environmental activists.
By the time the show was over, she knew she wanted to help. She’d fired up her laptop and spent countless hours researching the group and their activities.
