The Wrong Gentleman(7)

August led the way to the restrooms and spun to face me as soon as we were inside. “So, what do you think?”

I opened my purse and pulled out my lipstick. “About what?”

“Landon, of course? Jesus, he’s hot. You two look great together.”

I popped off the top of my Maybelline SuperStay lipstick, the brand all good yacht stewardesses used, and began to needlessly reapply. “You know he’s not my type. He’s ex-army, thirty-something years old, and still hasn’t found a career?”

August hiked herself up onto the counter. “You’re so judgy. Harvey’s ex-army. I swear that guy is so good in bed, I might actually marry him.”

I smacked my lips together. “I’m not judgy. I’m practical. What’s the point in being interested in a man like Landon when he could never make me happy?”

“We could double date all season. We’d both have a reason to ditch the Sapphire’s yacht crew and get away from the boat for a little bit.”

I smiled. Having a reason not to socialize with your colleagues was good, but not worth me abandoning my strict no-man policy.

“Is Landon on Harvey’s boat?”

August shrugged. “I guess. But I’m sure we could coordinate days off.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not going to happen. I need to stay focused. Chief stew of the Sapphire is a big deal. And you never know, if we do a good job, we might land a long-term contract after this season.” For career yachties, a two-or three-year contract was always the job to get.

“What are you so focused on a two-or three-year contract for? There’s always work.”

“There’s always been work so far. If I got a two-or three-year deal . . .” Guaranteed income. The money was good in yachting, but it was never certain. I might have savings and I might not have ever spent a season jobless, but a three-year contract would give me some additional security.

“Can’t you forget about that for tonight? Surely you deserve one night of fun.”

Landon was definitely the kind of guy who could over deliver on a single night of fun, if that was what I wanted. “You know I’m not capable of picking fun over sensible, and you’re friends with me anyway. You have to put up with me.”

August groaned and slid off the counter. “Just enjoy your last day of freedom. A kiss with Landon might take the edge off the thought of all that hard work that the season has in store for us.”

August had struck my Achilles’ heel. I loved a good kiss, and with my no-man rule firmly in place I couldn’t remember the last kiss I’d had. Landon’s full lips and defined cupid’s bow probably meant he would be one of the best kissers I’d ever met.

Another reason not to go near him.

“You clearly don’t want to pee. Let’s go,” I said.

August shrugged and followed me out, circling her arms around Harvey’s neck when we arrived back at our table. “Have you missed me?” she asked as we both sat.

“No.” Harvey laughed. “Drink your drink.”

“Anyone want to go for some food?” Landon asked as August began to kiss Harvey’s neck and paw at his clothes. “August seems hungry.”

“Not for food,” August said, turning to Harvey. “Take me to bed or lose me forever, you big stud.”

“If she’s going to quote Top Gun, she could at least get it right.” I shook my head.

Landon’s eyes lit up. “Right?”

I smiled and patted him on the leg, instantly regretting it as I caught his scent as soon as I touched him—clean and masculine—and his thigh? It was like I was hitting the trunk of a tree. I wondered if the rest of his body was that hard.

I glanced up at him and found him staring at my mouth.

“You wanna grab some dinner?” he asked. “I’m hungry and don’t like eating alone. I’ll pay if it tips the balance.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need a man to pay for dinner.”

“Let’s get out of here and you can explain what you do need a man for.”

Was I really going to agree to breaking bread with a perfect stranger? It wasn’t as if I had anything else to do. It was the last night before what would be a back-breaking season, and I was in no rush to go back to my hotel room.

“Sure. Why not.”

I leaned over to August. “We’re going to go.”

August’s eyes lit up. “That was a fast change of heart, but I’m happy.”

“We’re just getting something to eat.” As I said it, I wondered if it was the truth. Landon was good looking and attracted to me. I was playing with fire.

We said our goodbyes and headed out into cool, May air. In just a few hours, August and I would be in uniforms, cleaning, serving, and blending into the background. At least this year we were on a private yacht so although the client would no doubt invite their friends aboard, there would be less variation, which would make it easier to learn likes and dislikes and give the client what they wanted.

Occasionally I let myself fantasize about what life would be like to have my every whim anticipated. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be able to spend an entire summer aboard a yacht as a guest, worrying about nothing but tan lines and whether my pedicure had chipped.

I wasn’t sure it would suit me.