Recognizing the voice, she spun around to see Alexei looking stunning in nothing more than a fresh pair of jeans and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up.He was leaning back against the door watching her with a faintly amused look in his eyes.
“We’ll leave most of the crew in the Canary Islands,” he explained, pulling away from the wall.“A skeleton crew will take us the rest of the way to Isla Celeste, our home port.”Alexei paused before adding, “I’m here because I need you on deck right away, Ms.Smith.”
Everyone in the kitchen was suddenly too busy to look up.
“Of course, sir,” Amber said.
“Keep that up,” Alexei murmured as he held the door for her and she walked past him.“You can call me sir, and I might even ask you to salute me next time.”
“Don’t push it,” she warned.
“You look great in uniform, by the way.”
She gave him a look as Alexei stood back at the elevator, allowing her to enter before him.They stood facing each other in silence as the small cabin rose.The tension rose too.It was only when the doors finally opened that Amber realized how on edge she had become.
Alexei steered her in front of him onto the deck.“What do you think?”he asked as he turned her to face the view.
“Wow,” Amber breathed.The cliffs looming out of the sea as they sailed past were ivory, while the land beyond was emerald green.The sea was a tranquil aquamarine speckled with diamond light, and the sky was a cloudless cobalt blue.
“Beautiful, huh?’Alexei murmured.
“You are a master of understatement.”
“Late lunch?”he suggested
“In my uniform?”
“You must be hungry.I know I am.”
She loved him even more for the dismissive gesture and the way his lips pressed down, as if whatever she wore was fine by him so long as they were together.
I love him?
Fantasies were one thing, but believing they were true was a short road to disaster.
The beautifully dressed dining table, glittering with silver and crystal, took her mind elsewhere for a while, if only because it reminded her how hungry she was.She hadn’t eaten for hours—and not properly for days.“I’m starving,” she admitted, her mouth watering as she looked at the food.
“I’m glad you agree it’s time to eat,” Alexei told her as he held her chair.“It’s important for you to keep your strength up.”
The look in his eyes was wicked, and she had to rejig her thoughts quickly when the waiter asked if she would like a glass of water as well as champagne.
“Are you comfortable on board?”Alexei asked, confining his questions to the mundane while there was crew about, she thought.
“My cabin’s got everything I need,” she confirmed.“It’s very comfortable, thank you.”
“I’m pleased to hear it, but you won’t be needing it for the rest of the trip.”
A sliver of ice coursed through her.It was time to forget romance and remember she was seated at a table with a ruthless man.
Seeing the alarm in her eyes, Alexei laughed and settled back in his chair.“You mustn’t believe everything you read about me.”
“I’ve seen you in action, remember?”
“You won’t be needing your cabin,” Alexei explained, “because this is now your suite.I hope you like it.This entire deck is your private preserve.”
“My…?That’s quite an upgrade from stewardess and occasional chef,” Amber observed, frowning.
Alexei shrugged.“Just accept that you passed the audition.”
