‘And you think it may have been Erika?’
‘How many redheads have you seen since we arrived?’
‘To be fair, I only got off the plane from Sydney via Singapore just over a week ago. Before that, I flew to London and Newcastle to oversee the interviewing process. I’ve barely been here.’
Oh. My. Word.
I try to act casual as though he hasn’t done more travelling in the last two weeks than I’ve done in my entire life. It’s mind-bogglingly impressive.
Jackson shifts in his seat and leans towards me, dropping his voice. ‘Speaking of Emir. Can you trust him? He’s very clever but he’s just a child.’
‘He’s very astute for such a young age and incredibly articulate. I wasn’t playing chess like that until I was at least six,’ I say, causing Jackson to chuckle. ‘Seriously though, he says he followed Garry because he thought he was smuggling Rolex watches.’
Jackson’s eyes pop with surprise. ‘Sorry, did you say smuggling?’
‘Uh-huh, because he reckons Garry’s Rolex isn’t a fake but the genuine deal. Worth over a hundred and five thousand dollars. I mean, it can’t be true, can it? Garry doesn’t look clever enough to be running a scam like that. He’s more interested in showing off and being the centre of attention.’
‘There’s something off about that guy.’ Jackson gives me a pensive look as he drains his wine glass. ‘Be careful around him.’
‘I’ll try but he doesn’t make it easy. He’s got me run ragged while he swans around taking money off the guests for things they haven’t had.’
Jackson puts his glass down with a thump and suddenly the energy between us changes to something infinitely more serious. ‘Like I said, I’ll do some digging back at HQ. Don’t say anything to him. And… I’ll organise for you to disembark at the next stop before Marmaris. Again, I’m sorry. I made a poor judgement call.’ He runs his hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. ‘That was some night, wasn’t it?’
‘Uh-huh.’He’s so easy to forgive. Shocking really.‘I mean, what was even in that last shisha?’
‘Hell knows.’ He pauses. ‘So, do you want me to reassign you back to head office?’
‘That would be great.’ I relax a little, relieved. ‘I’m not sure how long I can bear Astrid being seasick and arguing with Tiffany over whose turn it is to shag Shaun in the cupboard.’
Too much information.
‘Um. Did you say shagging in the cupboard?’
His words seem to hang in the air…Shagging… Shagging… Shagging. Until they sound more like a suggestion.
We lock eyes with a level of intensity that sends a bolt of electricity through my veins. Surely he must be feeling it too. I search his face for clues. He really does have angel eyes. My gaze slips to his mouth. His full lips, skilful in the art of kissing. Images of us on the beach rolling around together flash into my mind: his feather-light touch, hands wandering my hot flesh, the feel of his lean body against mine, our legs entwined, him grinding against me, my legs wrapping around him to press against his hard…
Jackson clears his throat, snapping me back to attention.
‘I’ll get going,’ he says, slightly flustered. ‘I’ll swing by Akmars before I go.’ He stands up as though to put some distance between us. ‘And then, when you dock at Selimiye Bay in two days, I’ll wait for you and let the team know we need you at head office. Be packed and ready to go, yeah? They’re bound to kick off.’
I nod, hiding my disappointment at him not staying to shag me in the cupboard. ‘Absolutely. And it may be best not to mention it to Erika, just in case.’
‘Agreed.’
20
I finish my wine and stand up, following Jackson’s lead. I’m a little tipsy so when he hesitates and then goes in for an awkward handshake, I lean in for a kiss (only because he’s ridiculously handsomeandwe did almost shag for God’s sake). It results in him patting my shoulder and me patting his cheek. Don’t ask, it’s mortifying.Why? Why am I like this?
Jackson stares at me for a second too long before he bursts out laughing. ‘Struth. What in the name of fuck was that?’
I collapse into giggles. ‘I have no idea.’
‘Dear God, woman. Are you going to be this weird when we’re working at a desk together?’
I snigger. ‘’Fraid so.’
Jackson shrugs his shoulders. ‘I’m sure I can handle it.’
