“I like the way you challenged me when you first arrived. Right away, it set you apart from a lot of people I encounter. Showed that you don’t…gage the way you treat someone based on their status, I guess you’d say.”
She had no idea where he was going with this, but another nod would at least show that she was listening. So she managed one that hopefully didn’t look as anxious as she felt inside.
“Plus, I’m not exactly your boss in this situation. I mean, it’s not like you’re my secretary or PA or anything. ” He shrugged and turned his gaze back to the glistening ocean once more.
Camila tried to pull her eyes off his face and do the same, but it took effort; his piercing blue eyes and chiseled jaw, combined with the mystery of the one and only James Benton, created one powerful pull. But at last, she managed.
“The truth is, I’m intrigued by you.” He’d set his focus back on her, she could see it in her periphery. Feel it by the warmth of his gaze. She gulped, willed herself to set her eyes back on him. There was no stopping that heat that shot into her cheeks. Or the pounding of her heart as he elaborated.
“I considered not saying anything, since I don’t want to make this awkward for you. And if you’re not interested, I’ll give you your space and, of course, put a good word out about your services as a personal chef. But if you’re open to it, I’d like to get to know you, on a personal level, during our time here.”
Camila was a pretty reserved woman when it came to gushing over a guy. At least, she thought she was. But the uninhibited thrill that shot through her at his words said otherwise. It was her turn to talk, but she was too busy keeping her swooning heart in check to even think.
Say something, Camila!
“I…” She nodded like a fool while searching for the right words. “I would like that,” she said.
That was enough. She shouldn’t add anything to it. So why was another assurance about to stumble off her tongue? “I’m definitely interested in that too.”
An inward groan cried out.Shut up, Camila.But the smile on James’ face said he liked hearing it.
“Great.” And with that, he lifted his glass once more. “To getting to know each other better.”
Camila lifted her glass, clanked it against his, and vowed to keep her wayward fears silent during her trip. She lifted her drink, then paused before taking another sip. “Cheers.”
Chapter 10
James blew out a pursed breath as he eyed the watercraft before him. Paddleboats, canoes, and surfboards too. He glanced up to the deckhands. “This is what Duke had on the agenda?”
The captain’s son, Ethan spoke up first. “Yep. We’ve got this, and a few other watercrafts onboard.”
He motioned to Karson, who was walking toward the side of the yacht. He stopped beside a small compartment James hadn’t realized was there. With a few taps to the keypad, a retracting door slid open to reveal an entirely different sort of watercraft.
“Jet skis?” James asked with a grin.
“Wave runners,” Karson said. “Even better since you can fit two on one.”
“Thatiseven better,” James agreed. “Let’s just take one of them out for now then.” He glanced behind his shoulder to see if Camila had made it down there yet. “She doesn’t have to know there are two, right?”
Ethan chuckled. “I’m sure she’d want to share even if she did.”
“So long as you’re willing to let her drive,” Karson added. “Women might not like to steer the ship when they get a chance, but they seem to want to take charge on these babies.”
“Go ahead and grab Ms. Lopez,” Ethan said. “We’ll have this ready for you guys to hit the waves.”
At the mere mention, James’ pulse rushed. He thanked the deckhands and headed toward the swim deck, wondering if she’d gotten lost trying to find it. Yet just as he glanced up the short flight of steps to the upper deck, Camila appeared at the top.
Hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, cheeks flushed the most gorgeous shade of pink, and baby browns set directly on him. He let his eyes wander over the swimsuit she wore, but warned himself to not let his gaze linger. A red one piece hugged her in all the right places.
“You um…ready?” The rev of an engine sounded, and James felt a similar thing happening low in his belly. That hum of anticipation like a force all its own.
“I think so,” she said with a nod. Suddenly her hand went to her throat, her fingers toying with the gold necklace she wore. “Oh, do you think this will come off in the water? I probably should have removed it.”
“That’s a good idea,” James said as she came down the steps. “Here, why don’t you spin around and I’ll unlatch it for you?”
Sure, he’d seen this on movies more times than he could count, but James wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass. Camila turned her back to him. He reached up, looped a hand around her silky looking ponytail, and draped it over the front of her shoulder.
James breathed in that tangy sweet scent of her as he reached for the tiny latch. The tips of his fingers grazed her neck as he worked to secure the latch, but the appearance of goosebumps forming along her arms said she might not mind.
