The Ruthless Gentleman(32)

We trailed down the stairs and everyone piled onto the tender. I untied the bowline and threw the rope to Eric then waved them off. It was good to see everyone in such high spirits.

Giving them the night off was a nice thing for Hayden to have done. I glanced up to the main deck, still smiling at all their excitement, and locked eyes with Hayden. He looked far from happy, his face was like thunder and fury burned in his eyes. Was it his work that had caused that or was he mad I hadn’t gone with them? My stomach churned and my skin prickled with heat. I hated the thought that he might be angry with me.





Sixteen





Hayden


I wasn’t used to my instructions being ignored. I’d had money and power for long enough that people rarely said no to me. I’d been clear when I’d spoken to Moss that the crew should have the night off. I accepted he’d have to stay on board, but I’d told him I wouldn’t need anything from anyone. I threw my pen across my desk. My concentration was shot. I didn’t know if it was the lack of sleep, or the overnight working, or just the irritation of being ignored by Avery, but tonight, I couldn’t focus. It was Saturday night and I’d just dismissed the lawyers. At least they’d have the afternoon and evening with their families.

I knew I was working too hard. And I knew I was working my team too hard. I just wanted this deal done as soon as possible.

I leaned back in my chair and glanced out the window—just blackness with slivers of silver when the water caught the lights of the boat. It was almost nine and I was hungry. And I could do with a whiskey. If I couldn’t work, then perhaps a drink would send me to sleep.

As I entered the formal dining room, Avery appeared from the galley, her professional smile fixed to her face. “Can I get you anything?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why didn’t you go with them?”

She blinked several times, as if riffling through possible answers. “I just didn’t—”

“Did the captain say you had to stay?”

She placed her hand up to her throat. “No. Not at all. I just wasn’t feeling too well . . .”

I stepped toward her. “Then you should rest.”

She exhaled and her shoulders dropped. “That’s not true.”

I crooked my head. She’d lied? And if so why had she immediately confessed? “What about? That the captain didn’t stop you from going ashore or that you’re not feeling well?”

“I feel perfectly fine.”

“I like the truth, Avery.”

“I’m sorry.” Her shoulders drooped a little, as if her professional veneer was slipping. “The guys gave me a really hard time about staying. And I just don’t want to go through it again. Can we drop this, and can I get you something?”

“The whole point of me giving the crew the night off was so you didn’t have to fetch and carry for me.” I stepped closer, and she had to tip her head back to still look at me. Her delicious throat, temptingly exposed, trailed down to her full breasts. “And I’m not dropping anything. Tell me why you didn’t go ashore.”

“I . . . I . . . I don’t know. I just . . .” Her cheeks bloomed pink and I realized. She was embarrassed because she’d wanted to stay.

I just wasn’t sure if it was the pull of me or her job that kept her on board tonight.

“I’m hungry,” I said, half whisper, half growl. Hungry to taste her.

Her eyes widened and her eyelids fluttered in confusion before she gasped. “I’ll get you something.” She spun around, headed back to the interior.

I’d been a tenth of a second away from pulling her into my arms and exploring that polite mouth of hers. Had she not scurried away, I wouldn’t have been able to hold myself back. Maybe that’s why she’d disappeared inside. Something was holding her back.

I followed her into the galley, watching her skate around the kitchen as I leaned on the doorjamb. She worked quickly, uncovering dishes of various meats, cheeses, pickles, bread, fruit, and then carefully rearranging any that weren’t exactly perfect. Picking up two dishes, she smiled and nodded toward the door.

“Can I take those?” I reached for the dishes but she stepped back.

“Please let me. This is what I do. This is what I’m good at. You’re happy to eat outside?”

I nodded and waited for her to leave. She hesitated, presumably expecting me to go with her but I didn’t. As soon as she was out of sight, I picked up two more platters and made my way upstairs.

When she saw me, her expression was unguarded. I wasn’t sure if it was anger or hurt I could see in her eyes.

“I’m just trying to help. It’s senseless for you to make an additional trip while I follow you with nothing.” I wanted to tell her how she was good at more than carrying plates, how I imagined she could be good at anything she wanted to be.

She pressed her lips together before taking the plates from me and placing them on the table. “Can I kindly ask you to take a seat?”

I pushed down my smile. It was more than a little satisfying to see her so frustrated with me but trying to hide it. “I will take a seat if—when you’ve collected whatever other accoutrements you need—you’ll join me.”

She paused before straightening the platter. “I want you to enjoy your meal in peace.”