Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [58]
“You were.” She smiled. “Several times. You asked for it and you got it.”
“And I couldn't be more grateful. Unless you came back to bed and did it again.”
She glanced out the window. It wasn't twilight yet, but it was close. “I have to get back to the dolphins. Don't you have something important to do?”
“I just did it.” His smile faded. “You do know you're something of a miracle, don't you?”
“Of course. I'm smart and I'm healthy and I know how to speak dolphinese—sometimes.”
“And you're more giving than any woman I've ever met, and that's a miracle in itself.”
“Because of my background”—she finished buttoning her shirt—“I'm finding it pretty much of a miracle too. I never expected to be this lusty. I never expected any of this.”
“Do you suppose it could have anything to do with the fact that I'm the best lover in this hemisphere?”
“No, it definitely doesn't have anything to do with that.”
“I'm crushed.” He paused. “Then why?”
“I don't know. Maybe it's that everything Carolyn taught me suddenly sank in. Maybe it's that I've become so accustomed to sex in nature that I realize that dirtiness isn't in the act but the intent.” She tilted her head to gaze at him appraisingly. “And maybe it's because you're not the worst lover in this hemisphere.” She opened the door. “I'll see you later, Kelby.”
He nodded as he reached for his phone. “I'm calling Gary St. George. He'll meet you at the gangplank. I'd go myself, but I'm expecting delivery of the imager.”
“Good. That means I can get the dolphins out of that tank tomorrow.”
“Or the next day. I have to make sure the imager is in good working order.” He raised a brow. “But you know red tape: The machine may not be delivered for an hour or so. Why don't you come back to bed and keep me from being bored?”
Good God, she was actually tempted.
The dolphins.
She shook her head. “I don't want to wear you out, Kelby. I may have use for you later.”
“You're looking good, Melis,” Gary said as she came down the gangplank. “More relaxed.”
She felt the warmth flood her face. Were he and the other crew members aware how she had become that relaxed? She had the weird feeling everyone must know, that she still wore the imprint of Kelby's body.
“I was worried about you when I put you on that plane in Athens. I've never seen you that tense.”
She was jumping to conclusions. Gary hadn't seen her since that awful day in Athens. Naturally he'd comment. “I'm better. How have you been, Gary?”
“Good.” He smiled. “It's a fine crew. Kelby hired Terry, and Charlie Collins, the first mate, is top-notch. Karl Brecht doesn't talk much, but that's not bad. I'd rather have quiet than a chatterbox. And I'm going to like working for Kelby. Everyone says he's a hell-raiser but a straight shooter.”
“I'm sure he's both.”
“I'm glad you gave in about the search.” He strolled beside her down the dock. “I never did understand why you were so set against it. Phil really wanted to find Marinth.”
“I never stood in his way. I just refused to help him.”
“It made him hot as a firecracker. Particularly those last months before he died.”
“You're not going to make me feel guilty, Gary. I made the right choice for me and the dolphins.”
“I didn't mean you were wrong, Melis. You had to do what you had to do. I'm just glad that you're going ahead with it now. It'll mean a fat bonus for the crew if we find it. Kelby's very generous.”
“Don't get your hopes up. There are a lot of variables.”
“Phil thought you could find it if you tried. He talked about it all the time. Toward the last it was all he could think about.”
“I know, Gary.” A sudden thought occurred to her. “Phil was trying to get funding for an expedition. Did you meet the man who was negotiating with him?”
He shook his head. “I knew there was someone. He went ashore five or six nights in a row to meet with him. The first few times he came back higher than a kite. But then I could tell it had fizzled out. The last time he came back in a hurry, weighed anchor, and we took off right away.”
“And he started getting rid of the crew.