Thankfully, the men fall into more quiet conversation after that, no longer staring at me. I focus on the task at hand, going through the motions of the recipe. I feel the sweat beading up on my forehead, and I use my forearm to wipe it away for the next forty-five minutes, until I’m finally setting three plates out on the counter.
“Dinner,” I call out breathlessly.
All three men are on their feet at the sound of my voice, and I stand back, my arms folded across my chest. I havenoidea if the food I made is even good, given that I haven’t tried any of it yet.
I’m such a dumbass. I forgot to makemyselfa piece of salmon. Hopefully, there will be some couscous and vegetables left over for me. I don’t know with these guys though—they look like they can put some food away.
Brody is the first to take a bite of the salmon. He chews it, his eyes widening. “You’re good,” he says through a mouthful. “Really good.”
“Agreed,” Miles chimes in, swallowing a bite of the couscous. “And I don’t even usually like couscous.”
“But fuck, this salmon,” Emmett groans, and when I look over to him, he’s already devoured half the food on his plate, just standing there like a human vacuum.
My shoulders drop with relief, and I swear I could cry. “I’m glad you’re all happy.”
“Very,” Brody smiles that genuine, comforting grin. “I think you’re the perfect addition to the trip, Georgie, and awaybetter cook than Dimitri ever was.”
“Agreed,” Emmett nods his head, still shoving food into his face. “I think we should hire her full-time. I’ll just gorge myself on a boat for the rest of my life.”
“That’s a bit dramatic,” Miles snips, rolls his eyes, but then looks at me. “It is really good though, Georgia.”
Heat flushes my cheeks at the intense look in his eyes. “Thanks,” I reply, a little breathless.
“Maybe next meal, you’ll make yourself a plate and join us.” Brody shoots me a wink as they head to the dining room.
My heart flips in my chest. “Yeah, good idea.”
I turn to clean up and let out a heavy exhale.
What the hell did I agree to?
Chapter 4
Brody
“Atlantic City in a day and a half,” Emmett slaps my back as we stand in the captain’s area. “That’s not bad. I forgot how good you are at this.”
I shake my head. “The wind was just in our favor. That’s all it was.”
“Yeah?” Emmett shrugs. “Considering you were in the Navy, I find it hard to believe it wasjustthe wind. I’m just along for the ride though—and the fun.”
“Yeah, which is why this isyouridea tonight,” I grumble, already dreading the casino trip. I’m not one to gamble, but I do enjoy watching Miles and Emmett try their hand at it.
The two of them are about as entertaining as it gets.
“I think we should take Georgia, too,” I say aloud, not even really thinking. “It only seems fair. I don’t want to leave her on the boat.” I shift on my feet, hoping Emmett can’t see the bulge growing in my pants at the thought of her in a tight black dress.
Fucking hell. Get your shit together. She’s Robert’s daughter.
“I mean, it would be way more fun to take her,” Emmett admits with a gleam in his eye that makes me want to deck him in the goddamn face. I see the way he looks at her while she’scooking, the way he gushes over the food she makes, and the way he’s always pressing her for more conversation.
It’s just who he is.
And maybe it’s harmless, but it bothers me.
“I’ll go talk to her,” I tell Emmett, before he can suggest doing it himself. After all, she’smyemployee. “You and Miles go ahead and head to the casino. We’ll meet you there.”
Emmett narrows his eyes at me but doesn’t openly protest. “I guess we’ll see you there. I’ll be ordering myself a big fucking steak. Give her the night off from cooking.”
