The Wrong Gentleman(17)
I followed her up the spiral staircase, getting another view of her tight legs and generous arse. Fuck, she’d been fantastic last night. Even if she’d cut things short and thrown me out before I’d managed to catch my breath.
“I know, but with some things I’m particular.” It was true. I hadn’t had anyone do my ironing since I’d left home. I’d even cancelled the laundry service that my building used because they weren’t good enough.
“Well, don’t burn anything or leave the iron on or anything. Do you want me to show you how to use the steamer?” she asked as we entered a small room, two washing machines and two dryers on one side, the ironing set up on the other.
“No, I’m good. I know how to work an iron.” Was she going to spit out whatever it was she’d come by my cabin to talk to me about? “Good to see you again, by the way. Though I didn’t think it would be so soon.”
She folded her arms in front of her and backed away from me as much as the tiny room would allow.
“Yes, about that—you didn’t mention this was the boat you were going to be working on.”
“Neither did you.”
Her shoulders slumped slightly. “I just wouldn’t have—you know—if I’d known.”
I leaned back on the dryer and crossed one leg in front of the other, rather enjoying Skylar’s awkward side. I’d only seen confident, surprised, and . . . vulnerable. “Well, then I’m rather pleased you didn’t know. I had a great time last night.”
She glanced at my shoulder. “Working together, it’s important to be . . . professional. I think it’s better if we can just forget all about last night. Pretend it never happened.”
She was deliciously cute when awkward, but of course I couldn’t tell her so. Her presence on the boat was just as difficult for me as mine was for her. I didn’t want someone paying unnecessary attention to anything I was doing. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to totally forget any time soon, but we can agree to no repeat performances.”
She blinked rapidly. “Oh. Yes. Well, exactly.”
Had she thought it would be more difficult to convince me to keep things platonic between us? “So we’re on the same page,” I said.
She nodded. “Good.”
I raised my eyebrows at her too-wide smile.
“Good luck,” she said. “I guess I’ll see you in the all-crew briefing.”
“See you then, Skylar.”
It was a good job I had motivation to keep things platonic or I could imagine feeling her hot, naked body next to mine tonight. Maybe once the season was over and Walt Williams was in handcuffs.
Nine
Skylar
There was a distinct chill in the air as we all lined up on the dock, waiting for Mr. Williams to board the Sapphire. As usual, I’d kept my makeup natural and fresh, touched up the chips on my manicure, then dabbed some of my Hermès perfume behind my ears. Even if I was cleaning up after guests rather than a guest myself, it didn’t mean that I shouldn’t look the part.
I linked my hands in front of me and pulled my shoulders back. I stood between the captain and August, who held a tray of champagne. There were only two people missing from the lineup. The bosun and Landon. I didn’t have to turn around to know Landon was coming up behind me. In just two days, I’d figured out his footsteps sounded like the captain’s, but they tended to be spread out more, as if his strides were longer. Not that I was noticing anything about Landon. I was just keeping track of him so I could avoid him.
The deck crew seemed professional. Because August and I had worked together for a few seasons now, she could show the other members of the crew the way I liked things done, which took some of the pressure off. I wasn’t starting from scratch. If Landon hadn’t been on board, I’d say it was the start of a great season. But there was something about the man that threw me off balance. I didn’t do one-night stands but somehow he’d overrode my sense and been an exception. And the sex had been . . . unexpectedly phenomenal. Usually I found it easy to stick to my no-men rule, but there was something about Landon that was immediately compelling. I didn’t buy into the idea that men were protectors, but with him if I hadn’t known better, I might believe that he could stand between me and anything that might hurt me. And it hadn’t just been the way he’d moved me out of the way of the drunks the night we met. It was just his entire way of being. It was as if he was there to look out for danger and head it off before it came too close.
I’d never felt anything like that, and it was both completely unfamiliar and entirely alluring.
And it was another reason why him being here was so inconvenient. I didn’t want to be anywhere near the first man I’d ever felt was alluring. Landon might seem like a natural protector, but human nature was far more complicated.
So far Landon had acted like we were just familiar strangers. I hadn’t come across him other than passing him on deck or in the mess at mealtimes. He was polite, professional, and clearly relaxed in his new position. I’d just have to be the same.
August nudged my elbow and I scanned the dock to find a group of five people coming toward us. Two women in caftans and three men, cocktails in hand, following them. I recognized Walt straightaway. He was at the front of the pack, his tan a little deeper than I’d seen in his photographs. He was better looking in person, and he was handsome in the shots I’d seen. He had a dazzling smile. Unlike so many yacht guests, Walt seemed to be able to carry off casual dressing, and avoided the bad habit so many rich men fell into of thinking jewelry other than a watch was acceptable.