He’d told her that he didn’t want the trip to go to waste. And that his brother had paid for two. She nodded as that fact settled over her.
Relax, Camila. He’s just being nice.She could do this.
She’d go along for the ride, bring a few good books, and just stay out of the way. When their three days was up, she’d go back to cooking for him and all would go back to normal. But that left one question even still. Which normal would they go back to? The kind where James spoke to her, invited her to eat with him, and joked about marrying her while tasting the beet kraut? Or the norm of him taking his meals in the office and not giving her a second glance?
Camila had no idea which it would be, but one thing was sure—she was anxious to find out.
* * *
Camila tucked her last few items into the dresser drawer and slid it closed. She took a step back to eye the walk-in closet. She hadn’t expected to find such posh conditions, even if itwasa yacht. Further, she hadn’t expected James to insist she take the master suite. He assured her that he wouldn’t take the room either way, and that she would get more use out of the extras it came with; a night and day bathroom, as well as the walk-in closet and generous ocean view. Besides, the other option was a room directly across from James with the use of a shared bathroom.
This seemed like the safer bet.
Camila walked back through the marble-floored bathroom and up the five-step staircase to take in the suite’s view once more. Since they hadn’t left the port just yet, an impressive array of boats bobbed alongside the boardwalk. Many boasted names likePlayin’ Hard,or the one she spotted three boats down calledCheri Baby.
The particular yacht they were on had a name of its own—The Midnight Express.A mysterious name, really. One that had her imagining what it might be like to lounge on the deck with James in the midnight hour.
Camila could hardly believe the way such thoughts crept into her mind. She barely knew the guy. Beyond that, James Benton had been—in her mind—closer to enemy than friend just days ago.
But there was something about him that made her want to see what else he had to offer. The fact that he’d made billions in his life—that alone said he was smart, savvy, and, she dared say, even powerful. Money went a long way, after all. But that only made the other sides of him all the more interesting. Every normal thing he did made her swoon. Pumping iron in the villa’s gym. Snatching a cinnamon roll off the hot pan and eating it right in front of her. Not to mention the way he’d opened up to her at breakfast.
Her heart still twirled each time she thought of it. It seemed as if he wanted to get to know her, before he’d shut himself in the office for two days. And now this…
She shook her head, stepped over to the mirror, and tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. She’d opted for a sleeveless button-up blouse with a pair of navy high-waist shorts. The cream colored top would keep her cool despite the heat; she liked that, but she also liked the way it complimented her skin tone.
Two small taps sounded behind her, pulling Camila from her musings. She spun around to see James standing in the doorway. Dressed in a pair of charcoal gray shorts and a black V-neck shirt, he looked cover-ready for a spread in GQ magazine. His blue eyes locked on hers, and a dose of heat stirred around her still-whirling heart.
“We’re about to take off. Would you like to come upstairs and watch as we pull away?”
She nodded, charmed by the idea. “I’d love that.” Camila followed him to the main level where a set of winding steps led them up to the top deck. The one with the open bough. They headed to the front of the boat and watched as crew members unfastened the buoys. She’d met a few upon entering the yacht. Ethan, the one with the man bun, was the captain’s son. And Karson with the impressive tattoos—he was Ethan’s best friend. She guessed they were close to Kyler’s age, just barely into their twenties.
“Would you two like to toast the occasion?” a woman asked from behind. It was Jill, the crew’s chef. Camila had met her earlier as well. She stood beside a wet bar, two tall glasses in hand.
“Sure,” James answered. “Thank you.”
Warmth filled Camila’s cheeks at his response, but she tried very hard to ignore it.
The yacht was a new model, the crew had told them that much, but even still the boat creaked and groaned as it pushed its way into new depths, free from the harbor.
Camila couldn’t help but feel that a similar thing was happening inside of her. She was stepping away from her job as James Benton’s personal chef and joining him on one of the finest yachts as his personalguest. A platonic one, but a guest all the same.
Still, a growing part of her assured Camila that things might not be soplatonicafter all. She knew chemistry when she felt it. And if James was up for exploring what lay between them—and only time would tell—then she could be open to it as well.
Don’t fool yourself, Camila. You’ll never let him get close to you.
“Here you are,” Jill said, distracting her from the doubts in her head. Jill handed a half-filled glass to Camila and James in turn. She motioned to the tray resting on the nearby cocktail table where the bottle rested. “Help yourself if you’d like some more. I’ll give you two some privacy.” And then she was gone.
James lifted a dark brow once they were alone. “Privacy?” he said in a sinister tone. “Trust me, I didn’t ask her to do that.”
Camila laughed, anxious to prove the doubts in her head wrong. “I know,” she assured, “butIdid.” She couldn’t help but giggle as his eyes went wide.
“Well, well…” He drifted off there, his face softening as he lifted his glass. “To the both of us relaxing for the next few days, and enjoying…whatever it was my brother planned and is now missing out on.”
That earned another giggle. A relieved one. She could do this.And if she wanted to let James in, she would. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” James gave her a nod before tipping back his glass. He leaned a bent arm along the railing and looked out over the water. “I’m hoping we can talk about something,” he said, setting his eyes back on her.
The construction crew was back, clanking inside of her chest as she nodded. What if he’d already discovered it? Maybe Adel had found out and called him or something. “Okay.”
