Free Sleep With Me (Be With Me) by Jamie DeBree Page A

it to her. Now she can go home to what sounds like a pretty boring life, and I can go back to harassing island girls. Win-win.”
    He happened to glance toward the door and felt his heart drop into his stomach at the expression on Kat’s face. Hurt and dismay followed quickly by that mask of cold indifference he’d seen too many times before. He tried to remember why it had been so important to hide his true feelings from Amy, but couldn’t think of a single good reason in that instant.
    It didn’t matter now though, judging by the ice in Kat’s eyes. He’d just lost her.
    At the sudden silence, Amy turned to look at him, and then followed his gaze to Kat. “Oh wow. I’m...we didn’t know you were there. Is there something you need?”
    Kat gave the Captain a wan smile. “I was just wondering if you had any bottled water. I woke up kind of thirsty. It’s okay if you don’t - I’d hate to be a bother.”
    Amy scowled at David. “You’re not a bother, and there’s water in the cooler to your right. Help yourself to anything you want.”
    “Thank you.” Kat walked away without another word.
    “You are such an idiot,” Amy said, turning back to watch as they sailed closer to the docks. David stepped closer and lowered his voice.
    “You didn’t even like her yesterday, so what do you care? Besides, you’re the one who started it.”
    She shook her head. “Whatever. I need to dock this thing, and you need to go talk to her, since we both know you were lying through your damn teeth and she’s obviously not just messing around. Get out of the cockpit. That’s an order.”
     
    ***
     
    Katherine quickly blinked back the tears as she saw David approach out of the corner of her eye. She picked up the towels she’d used and tossed them in a hamper, then gathered her things while he watched.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, keeping his distance. “You know how guys are. They always say stupid stuff to their buddies about girls. It’s just a thing we do. And Amy’s more like a guy friend, you know?”
    Katherine forced herself to look up at him and smile.
    “Nothing to be sorry about,” she said, taking care to use a chipper tone. “Everything you said was the truth. I wanted to get laid so I could sleep. Mission accomplished, and I appreciate you helping me out.” The boat bumped against the dock and she saw David look at the moorings, and then back at her.
    “Are you going to secure the boat? I’d better start checking on things like my hotel room and a flight home. I just hope the airline will understand and change my ticket. Flying is just so expensive, don’t you think?” She knew she was rambling, but couldn’t seem to help it. He knew too, judging by the look he was giving her, but he said nothing.
    He finally nodded and turned away, jumping down onto the dock to tie the ropes to the moorings. Just as well.
    She put her bag over her shoulder and waved to Amy as she opened the gate in the railing and hopped down to the wooden deck below. Stifling the urge for one more glance over her shoulder, she walked up the dock to the beach and headed for the hotel.
    The next few hours were a nightmare.
    Her little beach hut had been cleaned out and given to someone else, so she had to pay for a small room within the hotel proper, all they had available on short notice. At least they still had her suitcase and clothes. She’d write David’s scuba tours company for a refund later.
    After a shower and a change of clothes, she called the airline only to be told that her non-refundable return ticket couldn’t be transferred, and that she’d have to book another flight home at full price. It took some wrangling, but she was finally able to reserve a seat the next afternoon, maxing out her credit card.
    Head hurting and beaten down, she lay on the bed and tried to sleep. Tossing and turning, she finally gave in to the tears simmering just below the surface. How had everything gotten so messed up?
    Half an hour