Page 75 of Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness

“Poor you! There will be a small flat-screen TV, though. I had my grandmother buy them for the three completed units while we were gone.”

“That’s great, although I don’t watch much television. Give me Wi-Fi and I’m good to go.”

“Not even the Andy Griffith Show?”

He laughed. “You know about Geek’s Mayberry obsession, huh? Once he made us watch a marathon of the show when we were stuck in a safe house in Kuwait. After three days of utter boredom, F.U. swore he developed a thing for Aunt Bee.”

“F.U.?”

“Frank Uxley. The most politically incorrect, obnoxious frogman to ride the seas, but the guy you want covering your six when you go down range.”

“Do you think you’ll miss the SEALs?” she asked, though what she really wanted to know was whether Merrill would get bored with civilian life eventually and want to go back in the military.

“Probably, but, with this week’s action here, treasure hunting comes close to the adrenaline rush of bang-bang ops in foreign countries.”

Merrill came down then, and, after exchanging a few words about last-minute details, K-4 went back up.

“We should dock in about fifteen minutes,” he said, a slow grin tugging at his lips.

Like K-4, he was looking a bit scruffy with week-old whiskers and very tan skin. He wore a ratty gray T-shirt and faded black running shorts, long legs leading to sockless running shoes, that had also seen better days. In other words, six foot three of yummy sexiness.

She realized belatedly that he was heading directly for her with that mischievous, I’ve-got-you-in-my-crosshairs gleam in his eyes. She stood and backed up a bit. “Not again,” she said.

“Again what?” he asked with the innocence of a cobra about to strike as he strolled to her side of the table.

She moved, putting the table between them. “You know what? Someone could come down here at any minute.”

“Not to worry!” He sidled closer, to the end of the table. Pretending to be looking over her notes, but knowing exactly where his target was. Target being her. “I told everyone to stay above so I could have a quickie with my honey.”

“You did not!”

He winked at her. “Just kidding.”

And just like that, he vaulted over the table and had her backed up, face against the wall.

He nuzzled her neck and said, “Actually, I came down to tell you that I was able to get cell coverage and talk to Harry. No one unusual hanging around. So, the news hasn’t leaked out yet.”

She sighed and turned in his arms, giving his whiskers a tug. “Any plans when you’ll announce the discovery?”

“Hopefully, we’ll have a few days to prepare. Bonita and Famosa will do more research on the Falcon to go with the news releases. Maybe a press conference on Thursday or Friday.”

Her heart skipped a beat at that news—and because he was tracing the outline of her lips with a forefinger. She nipped at his finger and ended up sucking on the tip.

He groaned and ground his lower body against hers.

She groaned then and pushed him away. “Stop it! I can’t concentrate when you do that.”

He grinned.

Putting some space between them, she went back to the table and began to gather her papers. “I won’t have to be involved in a press conference, will I?”

“Probably not. But they might want pictures of the full crew.” He was at the open fridge now, scanning the contents, then shut the door for lack of interest.

“I’d rather not, Merrill.”

He turned to look at her. “Aren’t you proud of our work?”

“Sure, but I like my privacy.”