Evan threw back his head and barked out a laugh.
“It’s not funny.”
“It kind of is. Did you tell him that?”
I folded my arms. “Along those lines. Now, can you get me off this boat or what?”
“Nope.”
“No?” I cried. “I just lost my temper at my boss and quit. I have to leave the building. Like now. You’re security, help me box up my shit and escort me the hell out of here. Now.” Especially as I began to suspect I may have slightly overreacted. “He’d fire me for how I reacted if I hadn’t already quit.”
Evan laughed harder, his face crinkling and his eyes tearing up. “This … this is perfect.”
I stomped my foot. “Okay, move. I need to pack. I’ll find my own way back.”
He moved but didn’t stop laughing.
I glared at him as I passed. “What pray tell is ‘perfect’ about this situation?”
He shook his head. “Nothing you’d understand. Just, uh, I’ll tell Andrea you aren’t eating with Mister P.”
“You do that.” I was really hungry, though. “Any chance of making myself a sandwich or something without getting in the chef’s way?”
“Impossible. I’ll have something brought to you or you can wait until about midnight when Chef is out of the kitchen. But I don’t recommend it. He’s totally OCD and counts the grains of rice left over.”
“Wow. Okay.” I swallowed. “I don’t want to … rock the boat, so to speak.”
Evan erupted in a new round of laughter, mumbling something about how I killed him.
“Perhaps I’ll just quickly pack and get off the boat and get something in town,” I continued and headed into my room. I would have slammed the door on his craziness if it didn’t mean it would set off all my claustrophobic alarms to be closed inside the cabin while my heart was pounding. I stared at the bed and let out a big sigh. I’d miss being able to sleep a night on that comfy bed after being crammed into a tiny airplane seat all night. I’d just unpacked and now I was leaving. I’d have to call Tabs and break the news. A heavy dose of guilt thudded in my belly. I hated I was letting her down already. But it couldn’t be helped now. God knew where I’d stay in town while I tried to get home. But I’d figure it out. I grabbed my bag I’d stashed under the side table shelf, then turned to the dresser.
“You know you can’t leave, right?” Evan said from the doorway, finally sobering.
I scowled at him. “Excuse me?”
“You can’t leave. We don’t allow anyone on or off the boat twelve hours before we move. As his security detail, I have to advise you that you are required to stay put.”
I stared at him for any hint that he wasn’t serious. “You’re joking.”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
“I can’t leave?”
“Affirmative. Not tonight, anyway.”
“So, you’ll keep me against my will? I’m a prisoner?” I opened a drawer and pulled out pajamas, bras, and underwear, dumping them onto the bed.
Evan’s eyes stayed on me. “I wouldn’t call it that.”
I folded my arms. “What would you call it?”
“A chance to cool off. And a contracted employment period.”
“For a jerk?” Who I just totally went off on?
“I guess if you see him that way, then yes. But something tells me that won’t last long.”
“Have I told you how much I fucking hate boats?” I looked around before catching his eye again. “I don’t care how luxurious it is.”
His attention seemed to go somewhere, then his wrist came up to his mouth. “Yes, she is.”
I frowned and realized his attention had gone to his earpiece. “I’m what?” I asked.
Evan cleared his throat and stepped out of the doorway to my room.
In his place, and in no way less of a virile and commanding presence, appeared the object of my outrage—Xavier Pascale.
Chapter Ten
I unfolded my arms, glaring at the looming figure in the doorway of my cabin. Xavier Pascale’s sheer presence could shrink a room into a fraction of its size.
His eyes raked over me and settled on the suitcase I’d set on the bed between us. Behind him a small face with wide eyes appeared then ducked away. I had no doubt she’d be listening to every word. At the sight of Dauphine, I felt another twinge of guilt. Crap. I ground down the thought. I didn’t even know these people.
“Can I help you?” I asked, embarrassment crawling over my skin.
“I … I would like you to take dinner with me and Dauphine. Have.” He shook his head. “Have dinner.”
“Why?” I cocked my head to the side.
“You need to eat. And also, you did not stay to hear the rest of the details about taking care of my daughter.”
“I quit. Remember?”
“And I do not accept.”
I barked out a confused laugh. “You don’t accept?”
“No.” He didn’t return my amusement. After a beat, he looked at the heavy watch on his wrist. “Dinner will be served in five minutes,” he said impassively. “I will see you at the table.”
Then he turned and, unlatching the cabin door where it was being held open against the wall, closed it behind him. I had a feeling he’d felt like slamming it.
Well. Me too.
“Ugh!” I picked up a swimsuit, wadded it up and threw it at the closed door with all my might. The weightless scrap of material made it only a few feet before wafting impotently onto the bed.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I took a deep breath. If he was still willing to employ me after my outburst upstairs, I guessed I should hear him out. Especially since I had nowhere to go tonight. He wouldn’t apologize, that much I knew. Then again, why apologize? He’d stated a fact—I was attracted to him. Had been, I quickly corrected myself. It was upsetting that he’d accused me of using Dauphine to get to him, but both he and Evan
