“Thanks.” He shifted her in a way that prompted her to push to her feet, and he was free to stand and dust the sand off his pants, politely handing her the panties he’d pulled off just a few minutes before.
Maybe after the trial, Jenn would consider joining the Catholic church. You probably had to be a member to become a nun. But it would be worth it just to ensure that she’d never find herself in this situation again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
NOT ONE HINT OF WHITE capped the dark waves as they cut through the water toward the mainland. It was smooth and safe on the ocean today.
And not one photographer had spotted Jenn and Chloe sneaking out of their cabin that morning. Chloe felt light with relief, and Jenn should be happy, too, so why was she staring out at the water as if they were being chased by ghosts?
Chloe spared a nervous glance at the fluffy white clouds above. Was there an old mariner’s rhyme about white clouds? White clouds at night, sailors’ delight. White clouds at eight…sailors die a horrible death?
She jogged across the deck to lean against the rail next to Jenn. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Is it a storm? Are we in trouble?”
Her pale eyebrows drew together and she turned her glare on Chloe. “There is something seriously wrong with you. It’s a gorgeous day.”
“Yes, it is a gorgeous day, and we escaped the mob, so what the heck is making you so gloomy?”
Jenn’s gaze slid to the side and she turned back to the water. “Nothing.”
“Spill it.”
“I…”
“What?”
When Jenn clenched her eyes tightly shut, Chloe thought she was trying to ignore her, but then she spoke. “I had sex with Elliott.”
“Oh my God! Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I was.”
“Oh. Ouch. Was it that bad?” Was it possible that one brother could be awesome in bed and the other could be a fumbling troglodyte? Yeah. Bedroom skills probably weren’t passed on in the genes.
“No, it wasn’t bad. It was good. Really good.”
“Omigod!” Chloe squealed, grabbing Jenn’s arm to jump up and down. Jenn didn’t budge. “You did it! So what’s wrong? Are you mad that I wanted to leave the island? I’m so sorry. You could’ve stayed. You can go back! Just don’t get off the ferry.”
“The last thing I want to do is go back. I’d rather gouge my eyes out.”
Realizing there was something really wrong, Chloe gave up her grip on Jenn’s arm and let her smile fall away. “Jenn?”
“It was perfect. He’s so sweet. He saw me walking on the beach and came to find me, and then…”
“Then?”
“We did it. Or we started to. And in the middle of it…I started crying.”
Chloe’s jaw dropped. She wanted to say something supportive, something insightful, but she just found herself staring at Jenn’s blushing cheek. “Er…”
“I know.”
Okay, maybe it wasn’t that bad. “So you got a little choked up?”
“No, I was crying. Sobbing, like I’m sure I got snot all over his chest. He had to stop what he was doing and pat me on the back like a child.”