Which I did.
Many times.
The galley, or the kitchen, is a tight space on the port side of the main salon. It's all stainless steel and top-of-the-line appliances. Windows are spaced evenly along the outside wall allowing for some sunlight to filter through illuminating the space. There’s a small walkway leading from the door to the stairs that head up to the bridge, each side blocked in with counters stocked with all types of gadgets. On the other side of the counters is the chef’s workspace complete with a sink, stove, grill… You name it, it’s there.
"Oh cheffy," I sing as I walk through the doorway of the galley. Damon's sifting through the fridges, no doubt checking the produce left over from the previous charter. Most yachts are rented out during charter seasons when the owners have no use for them and when the crew leaves, food is left behind for the next chef to sift through.
"Hello, beautiful." He leans around the door of the fridge giving me a flirtatious smile. He's going to be so much fun; I can already tell.
"Ooh, a girl could get used to that." Leaning my hip on the counter I cross my arms under my chest and smile at him giving him a playful wink. The flirting is all fun and games. He's gorgeous, but not for me. My type at the moment is the chiseled, super-sexy captain. "What did you need me for?"
"Well alright then," he grins at me as he closes the door and braces his elbows on the counter, linking his hands together. "Rumor has it you know the owners." I nod my head making an mm-hmm sound in my throat as he talks. "I was wondering if you could give me some insight into their likes and dislikes."
"Sure thing." I've already taped up their preferences on the cabinet across from me, and I scan through them, my finger tapping my chin. Glancing through the list, I share what I know about Grace and Mark while he asks me questions. Damon seems very particular and a perfectionist, so his questions are thorough.
"Thank you, that's helpful. You're a doll." He winks playfully at me before turning back to the fridge.
Pushing myself off the counter, I turn for the door, calling over my shoulder, "You bet." But as soon as the words leave my mouth, I run smack into a strong chest. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Stepping back, I look up to see Captain Pike’s blue eyes staring down at me.
He's just so...intimidating. He has this dominant, rugged air about him that makes my heart flutter uncontrollably in my chest.
His hands wrap around the top of my arms as he steps to the side to let me through. "It’s alright. Just be more careful."
I suck in a too-ragged breath, giving him a tight smile. "Yes, Captain," I mutter before stepping through the short hallway and back onto the main salon.
Now that I'm out of sight, I have to fan my too-hot face. I’ve got to pull myself together, or this charter is going to be hell.
Keeran opens the glass doors from the aft deck and eyes me suspiciously.
"What the heck happened to you?" she asks, her voice a whisper, her face practically begging for juicy gossip. We're the only two girls on board making us roommates and the only person I can girl talk with.
My eyes scan the empty room and I shake my head. There are too many places for people to overhear our conversation and the last thing I need is for a rumor to spread.
"Come here." Grabbing her arm, I drag her down the steps to the crew area and straight to our tiny room.
Yachts are amazing places for people with too much money to enjoy themselves while the crew is shoved below deck in tiny living quarters. We pass through the small crew mess that consists of a booth and kitchenette, the cabinets stocked with snacks. On either side of the crew mess is a long, skinny hallway. Down one end is the door to the engine room and laundry room where I will no doubt be spending plenty of time. The other end of the hallway has rooms for the crew bunks.
The rooms they shove us in are tiny, but if you think about it, we're all so busy working that all we do during our downtime is sleep, so they don’t have to be gigantic. Each room has a bunk bed, two tiny closets, and a small bathroom with a standing shower that feels more like a coffin that’s barely big enough to turn around in.
Once in our room, Keeran sits on my bottom bunk, and I join her, plopping down with a sigh. Grabbing my penguin Squishmallow, I hug it tight to my chest. It's the last gift my dad ever gave me and there's no way I could leave Henry behind.
"Spill." Keeran's face is eager with excitement.
"Are we in heaven? I mean, have you seen the men on this boat?" Keeran laughs and nods her head.
"Bitch, we must be because oh my god!" She's busy fanning her face and dramatically panting. "I was trying to get a feel of what the guys were thinking about us but got non-answers."
"So, who are you crushing on?" There's bound to be a ‘boat-mance’ and it's not going to be me, so my money is on Keeran.
"Robbie," she swoons, dramatically falling against the mattress. "There's just something about him."
When I think of a yachty, Robbie is who I picture. He’s got this go-with-the-flow type attitude that draws people in. I can totally see why Keeran’s crushing hard for him. I mean, Robbie is gorgeous. His jet black curly hair constantly flops over his forehead blocking his dark brown eyes that seem to always be twinkling with amusement.
"I say you should go for it. Who doesn't love a bit of drama?"
She scoffs and waves me off. “I don't know. We'll see. But now it's your turn. Who has you all hot and bothered?"
Hmmm, decisions, decisions. Do I tell Keeran about my instant attraction to Captain Pike, or do I keep my mouth shut? But now that I think about it, there's no way I'll be able to keep it hidden from her, so I might as well tell her. It’s only a crush. Nothing is going to happen.
