“Maybe. Why?”
“No reason. I just saw Director Patmore wandering around out there a minute ago and figured he was looking for you.”
Axel glanced at the clock on the wall above his brother’s head and flinched. He needed to go in a few minutes, but not quite yet. “I have some time, mother hen.”
“Just trying to help you out, Bro.” Jack grabbed a bottle of water out of the case, which Axel then snatched out of his hand.
“Thanks. I needed one, too.”
Jack gave him a mock dirty look as he grabbed another bottle of water from the case and turned to Lucy. “Are you sure you want to involve yourself with a guy who treats his little brother this way?”
Lucy giggled. “I only know about sisters and how they treat each other. Trust me, you have it made.”
“Figures you’d be on his side,” Jack said and laughed.
Axel checked the clock again. “I do need to get going here pretty quick or I’ll be late, again. And we both know that Director Patmore can be rather difficult if tardiness is involved.”
“The story of our life together so far,” she said with a winsome smile. “Director Patmore running my life on the ship as well as at the stops along the way.”
“Will you meet me later today?” Axel asked, unwilling to release his arm from around her waist just yet.
“Yes. Where?” she asked with a sweet smile.
His brother stared at them in rapt attention. Axel leaned forward, inhaled a delicious breath of her perfume and whispered in her ear, “Let’s meet right here in three hours. Okay?”
She nodded.
Jack said, “Wait, I didn’t get that.”
“Exactly my plan.”
“Come on now. Where and when are you two meeting?”
“Sorry, Jack, you aren’t invited. Go find your own date.”
His brother, amused expression in place, saluted Axel with his bottle of water and moved away. Finally, they were alone.
“Will you truly meet me?” she asked.
“Can you get away?” He tilted his head in the direction of the docked cruise ship. “Is there a better time for you?”
“No. I can get away in three hours.”
“Great.” Axel looked once more at the clock on the wall. He needed to leave, but couldn’t seem to let her go.
“Until then.” She placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. The spot tingled from her lip prints. She was the one to move away and exit the store. Axel watched after her as he paid for his water, and his brother’s, too. He wasn’t sure he would have been able to leave her presence if she hadn’t been the one to depart first. He missed her the moment she left his side.
Three hours later, Axel returned to the convenience store, heartened by the communication he’d received from Director Patmore. TheRoyal Caldera Forte’s next trip was not scheduled to stop at the way station for two months and the cruise line had adjusted future trips to account for the potentially problematic volcanic activity on the route. The company had also confirmed the ship would stay for two whole days, which would help quell the resentment from the store owners.
He saw Lucy the moment he stepped inside. She was with someone. The older woman was elegantly beautiful, with silvering blonde hair swept up in a complicated and stylish arrangement. She was dressed to the nines in the latest Alpha-Prime fashion.
Lucy caught his gaze and shook her head slightly. The lady started speaking and Axel figured she was likely Lucy’s wealthy employer.
Axel winked at Lucy and went to the opposite side of the store. He pretended interest in a rack of sweet and salty snacks and waited for the other woman to leave so he could ask Lucy out for a date. He had plenty of time now that his shift was over and Cam was working. That meant his brother was back in charge of the return of the ship, not Axel. He was free. Well, he still had to help organize the refueling, but that wasn’t an issue for today.
He studied the snacks as a pang of hunger struck him. He couldn’t remember his last meal. Peanuts were a good choice. Chocolate was even better. Chocolate-covered peanuts might be the ultimate snack choice. He heard the doors slide open behind him and someone entered the store.
“Mr. Grey!” Director Patmore said in an overloud voice. “I’ve been looking for you.”
