Not above deck in this glorious weather! Was that true? Lexi was flabbergasted and appalled at the model’s attitude in equal measure. ‘Excuse me, but that’s no way to speak to anybody,’ she reproved, not caring if this woman was Leo’s latest mistress.
The model’s eyes widened at her tone. ‘And who are you to speak to me like that?’ She regarded Lexi as if she were an ugly bug—which was exactly how she felt, standing beside the couture-clad model wearing a chain store white vest top and khaki shorts. ‘Aren’t you some sort of servant yourself? You shouldn’t be up here either.’
Lexi ignored the comment and was about to offer to take the towels and leave the model to her own horrible company when Leo’s deep voice cracked through the air like a whip.
‘Katya.’
Lexi noticed the model curve her body into a provocative pose as Leo approached. He looked fit and utterly male in navy trousers and a crisp white dress shirt. ‘If I ever catch you speaking to my staff like that again it will be your last time on one of my yachts.’
‘Leo, darling,’ the model cooed, ‘I was just informing these girls of the rules and they got upset.’
‘You were being a bitch. Leave us.’
‘Leo!’ She tried to hook her arm through his but he cast her a look that would have turned mortals into stone.
She sniffed and blinked a sexy glance from beneath her thickly coated lashes. ‘I’ll be by the pool.’
They all watched her saunter out of the room and Leo turned to the laundress. ‘I apologise, Stella, for any offence my guest may have caused you. Here, let me take those.’
He knew the laundress’s name? Lexi wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t heard it with her own ears. And he was going to carry towels?
‘Thank you, Mr Aleksandrov.’ Stella handed over her bundle and all but curtsied before scurrying out of the room.
‘Nice company you keep,’ Lexi said.
‘Not everyone behaves like that.’
They stared at each other for a moment too long and then Lexi remembered that she’d been looking for him. ‘I wanted to ask why you assigned Carolina to assist me.’
He hesitated before answering. ‘You have a problem with my decision?’
How did he know she had a problem with it when she’d tried to keep her query light? ‘No. Well, yes. I’m a qualified childcare provider. I can look after one child with my hands tied behind my back.’
‘Ah, you think I’m questioning your professional integrity.’
‘Aren’t you?’
‘No, Lexi. I’ve seen how good you are with Ty. But I don’t expect you to be on call for him twenty-four seven. Carolina is to relieve you while he sleeps.’ He looked down at the monitor in her hand and his brows drew together. ‘Is that what he’s doing now?’
‘Yes. He usually has a midday nap at the centre and I thought the consistent rhythm would help him adjust.’
‘Then shouldn’t Carolina have this device?’
‘Carolina is sitting in with him and I’ll return once I hear him wake up.’
He nodded. ‘Even better. Have you had lunch?’
Lexi paused, something in his expression when she had said Carolina was in with Ty sparking an instinctive knowledge deep inside her. ‘You do care about him, don’t you?’
Leo blinked slowly, his expression inscrutable. ‘I repeat—have you had lunch?’
Lexi sighed, realising her comment had completely ruined the brief moment of accord between them.
‘No, I haven’t had lunch.’
‘Come. It is being served on the pool deck today.’
Lexi shook her head. Having decided that she needed to keep her distance from him, the last thing she should do was sit down to lunch at his table. ‘I can eat in the mess hall with the other staff.’