Page 19 of Wet and Welder

“I’m yours, Mallory. All yours.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

MALLORY

The sun feels warmer, the air fresher, and the world somehow seems to be a better place. My heart and head have been on cloud nine since making things official with Mic.

I have a boyfriend. That’s a new one for me. I’ve never trusted anyone the way I do, Mic, and over the last three days, we’ve shared more than just stolen moments at night. He told me that he became a welder because his grandfather was a welder and a far better man than his father was. Apparently, he loves hearing stories of my childhood adventures with my parents because his were so absent growing up.

Work has gone smoother, with Nelson keeping to himself and Mic and making sure his team is on their A-game. They even finished yesterday, which means we can load the ship up with floaters and bring the ghost ship back to the surface. It won’t be an easy job and the investors agreed to keep the welders on standby for any issues that are sure to arise. I just like having Mic around. Things are still uncertain between us because I’ll be headed to New York to help the Museum set up the artifact and provide them with any historical background they don’t already know. I also want to make sure my parents are credited for their research on Nazar City, which no one would know anything about.

“Coffee?” Savannah asks with an outstretched cup.

“Definitely, yes. Thank you,” I reply and immediately sip the hot beverage, hoping for more energy. Mic snuck into my room again last night after making sure I ate the hot dinner of pasta Alfredo with chicken. I showed my gratitude for hours and made good on that shower he promised me. Needless to say, we both got very little sleep and had several orgasms before finally passing out together. He snuck out at dawn, and I wanted him back in my bed as soon as he left.

“Why are you so smiley?” Savannah asks, shaking me out of my fantasy.

I shrug my shoulder, hiding my perma smile behind another sip of coffee.

We’re on deck watching the crew of divers through in the floats. I’ve retrieved most of the artifacts and secured the crates I couldn’t bring up.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the bearded welder staring at you, does it?”

“What?” I ask, looking around. That’s when my eyes lock on Mic, who is indeed staring at me as if I’m a meal to be had. And oh, has he been feasting lately.

My smile is a dead giveaway, and Savannah starts to giggle and rocks her shoulder into mine, forcing me to look away from him.

“It’s nothing,” I say, trying to play off our obvious chemistry.

“It doesn’t seem like nothing to me.”

“Okay, so, maybe not exactly nothing, but please keep this between us,” I counter, realizing I don’t want to lie to her. Honestly, I’m at the point where I want to run into his arms and kiss him right in front of everyone, but I hold back. The job is almost done. Then we won’t have to worry about what everyone thinks.

“My lips are sealed, boss. It’s just nice to see you so happy.”

Her words warm my heart, and for a moment, I wonder what would happen if I did run over to him. I don’t plan on ever seeing any of these crewmen again, so fuck it.

“Thank you. You know what, who the fuck cares, right?” I say with a newfound bravery.

“I wouldn’t care what everyone else thinks. You deserve to be happy with whoever you want. You do you, boss.” She winks. “I got your back.”

“You know what, I’m going to do just that,” I say, handing her my cup. “Will you take this back for me?”

“Of course,” she says, her smile widening, waiting to see what I’m about to do.

I turn to where Mic and his crew are sitting around, waiting with nothing to do. When I walk closer, it gains the attention of the guys, and they start talking.

“Guess it’s time to pay up. Here she comes for her man.”

The shorter man in the group spouts the words, making me halt in my steps. My bravery falters. What the fuck is that supposed to mean. Pay up?

“Damn it!” I hear from the other man and watch him pull out his wallet. Mic has his back to us while he talks to Cassandra, who I’ve easily become friends with. But this doesn’t seem friendly at all.

“Thank you very much.” The short one takes the money. “Told you, he always gets the girl.”

I know I’m not meant to hear it, but I’ve started walking closer, so I hear every word. My smile is long gone, as I remember the first night we met when Mic had two women fighting over him. He always gets the girl.

Mic turns around just in time to see my red face.