The Wrong Gentleman(14)

“Captain said it was a condition of him coming aboard. He wanted to pick his team.”

“I guess it means we all start from the same point,” August said.

“Yes, it’s better from my perspective. Fresh slate and everything.” I’d only worked a couple of seasons with an already-established team and it had been pretty miserable.

“The start of a beautiful summer.”

I’d usually be full of enthusiasm at the beginning of a season, but last night had tipped things upside down, and a little off-kilter. Maybe it was the way my legs were still weak.

“I hope so,” I said. “Let’s find the galley.”

“It’s bound to be. I mean, look how it started off. Me with Harvey. You had a night with Landon.”

I shot August a look. “We’re not talking about that. Remember?”

“Killjoy,” she muttered behind me.

“Of course I’m a killjoy. I’m chief stew. It’s my job.” I grinned.

As we got to the top of the stairs, a door marked “Galley” caught my attention. “Perfect,” I said and pushed my way through the two-way door.

“Captain!” I said, seeing the avuncular Desmond Brookes at the table, reading USA Today.

“Skylar. You’re a sight for sore eyes.” I swore if he swapped out his captain’s uniform for a red and white suit, he’d look exactly like Santa.

He greeted me with a hug.

“How is Mrs. Brookes?”

“Perfection, as always.”

I grinned. Captain and Mrs. Brookes were the ultimate love match, and I hung on every word when he talked about his wife. “It’s good to know the perfect couple does exist.”

August cleared her throat behind me. I’d almost forgotten she was there. “This is my good friend, August. Second stew. August, this is the best captain ever.”

“Well,” he said, extending his hand to August, “until you piss me off, that is.”

I slid into the banquette seating, opposite the captain. “So tell me everything. What’s the owner like? A party animal or bookworm? How are the crew? Do you know them all?”

August had disappeared around the side and it sounded like she was wrestling with the coffee machine before a crash outside the galley and the squeak of the door suggested crew were arriving early.

“Erm, Skylar,” August called.

“Black Americano for me, please,” I replied. “Double espresso for Captain Brookes.”

“Sure. But before I do that . . .” She appeared in front of us both and glanced behind her. “You know that thing you were saying about that thing we’re not talking about?”

Why was she bringing up Landon in front of the captain? It was so unlike August—she was always so protective of me. “We can talk about that later. I just have a few things to talk to the captain about.”

August jumped from foot to foot. “I understand. I just thought you’d want to know the crew has started to arrive.”

My stomach began to roil. What was the matter with her?

“Captain Brookes?” a husky, male, British voice asked.

I took a couple of seconds to focus on the figure walking around August, who looked as if she was trying to block his path.

Captain Brookes stood and held out his hand just as Landon came into view.

My breathing stopped and my heart clattered against my ribcage as I stared at that familiar face.

“Landon James, I’m your new junior deckhand,” he said as he clasped Captain Brookes’ hand.

This couldn’t be happening. My detour, my one-night stand, the man who’d given me three orgasms last night and stared into my soul couldn’t be working on this boat. It just wasn’t possible.





Seven





Skylar


Landon James.

Landon freaking James.

How had I not figured out we were on the same boat last night?

One hundred percent pure temptation, the man who’d acted like he knew me or at least wanted to, who seemed to be able to make me feel desired and protected in just a few hours of knowing him, had followed me onto the yacht. Hopefully he wouldn’t be looking for a replay of last night any more than I would be.

I would just have to ignore him.

Pretend he didn’t exist.

I sat at the internal dining table, hunched over my laptop, trying to concentrate. I was trying to do the provisioning—making sure our chef had everything he needed and the interior crew had everything the guests might want. I had to do my job and concentrate on getting this boat ready for Walt Williams. Focus on my future and not some silly decision I’d made when two tequilas in.

“Skylar?”

I snapped my head up to find August in the doorway.

“Did you know he was going to be on board?” I asked. The question had been bugging me since I’d finished my meeting with the captain.

“No! I swear, I had no idea. I thought he was on Harvey’s yacht. I can’t believe you didn’t know.”

I blew out a breath. “Nope. What are the odds?”

“How did you leave things with him?”

“It was just a hookup. We didn’t exchange promise rings.” Landon being on board was no big deal. I had to keep telling myself that.