Free Bonded (The Raegan Mason Trilogy) by Cheryl Courtney Page A

were people waiting in line to be seated.  Julie walked up to the hostess and whispered in her ear.  She looked up at me and smiled welcomingly and picked up two menus and led the way to a booth.
    The hostess smiled again warmly at me and waited until we sat before speaking. “Welcome to the Captain’s Quarters.  Our lunch special today is steamed lobster tails with garlic butter sauce served with fresh vegetables and rice pilaf.  Your server will be with you shortly to take your order.”  She looked at Julie and winked before walking away.
    “What was that about?” I questioned as I picked up the menu.
    “Oh, I dated her brother for a while.  I told her you were a super model friend of mine visiting from Paris and that you were scouting for new talent.  She’s been dying to leave the island and move to New York to pursue modeling.  Places like this always have an open booth for dignitaries and such.  Why not us?”  She grinned as she returned her menu to the table and waited for our server.
    As I was looking through the menu, a familiar buzzing vibration began to tickle at the back of my neck.  Before I could turn around, Julie squealed, “Kyler!  Did you already eat?  Want to join us?” 
    My heart started galloping at an unhealthy speed and my face began to flush.  I couldn’t move out of fear.  Julie began scooting over to allow room for him to sit next to her.
    “I was just going to wash my hands.  My mother and some of the lab techs came to eat lunch.”  He was still behind me and I forced myself to turn around and face him trying to compose the emotions on my face.  When I turned, my lips formed a smile, remembering the kiss and the touches in the water.  I tried to look natural but I don’t think I pulled it off.  “Hey Raegan.  I told you I’d see you soon.”  He winked and my eyes bulged with shock.  “I’ll be back in a few.”  He walked away toward the restrooms before I could turn around to face Julie.
    “Did I miss something?” Julie had crossed her arms over her chest waiting like a parent for an excuse.  “I thought you said nothing happened yesterday.”
    “Nothing did, yesterday.”  I tried to hide my excitement, but I did want to tell her some parts of last night.  “He asked me to dance last night while I was dancing with Jaxon.  He said he couldn’t stand to see me so uncomfortable in his arms.”  My crazy grin was hard to contain.  “Then after I got home, I went to the beach and, well, he showed up.” 
    “And that’s it?” I could tell she was waiting for the juicy part but I didn’t want to get caught talking about Kyler when he returned.
    “More or less.”  I raised my eyebrows and smirked.  She narrowed her eyes at me fully aware that I was withholding vital information from her.
    “Be that way.  I’ll get the details from…” Kyler was coming. “Kyler.  I’m so glad you’re here.  Here, sit by me.”  She patted the empty spot on her side of the booth and I waited patiently for my humiliating punishment for not spilling every detail.
    He slid in next to her and smiled that heart breaking sideways grin.  “Have you ordered yet?”  He asked Julie and then aimed those sapphires at me.
    “Oh not yet.” Julie replied.  “We just got here right before you showed up.  Did you call your mom from the restroom?  I didn’t see you walk over there.” 
    “You can say that.  She knows I’m over here.”  He smirked.
    “Did you have fun last night?” She smiled in that “I-know-what-you-did-last-night” way. 
    He smiled and wrinkled his forehead in wonder.  “It was one of the best nights I’ve had in a while.”  He glanced in my direction and winked again.
    “Is that right?  Tell me, when did it become the best night?  Before or after you hooked up with my girl Raegan on the beach.”  I subtly kicked my best friend under the table hoping to shut her up.
    “Ouch!” Kyler yelled as he reached down to rub