“If you want, Mr. Worthington, you can follow one of us to the nearest island,” one of the engineers said.
“Is it the small one my father just built that airstrip on?” Ash asked as he picked up the radio.
“Is it. We’re about thirty minutes off its coastline.”
“That’ll be fine. Lead us there, then you guys can go home. We’ll be fine once we dock.”
Ash turned the boat around and began following the officers back to the island. The lead ship pulled out in front and Ash followed it, allowing the yacht to be surrounded by the rest of the boats. Protecting them as they made their way back to the nearest shore. A part of Ash didn’t want the weekend to end. He had every intention of asking Kallie to stay on the boat with him the entire week. But after the storm they’d just weathered, he figured it was the safe bet to get them back to the island.
Especially since Kallie seemed distant.
With the path the lead boat was taking, Ash figured they were making their way to the nearest island for the night. Which was good, because there was a small, private airpad on that island. And a bungalow where they could clean up. They had plenty enough supplies to spend a few nights on the island, and the prospect excited him. More time with Kallie in his arms without the hustle and bustle of St. Barts and its traffic. And if he could convince Kallie, maybe she would stay longer with him. Give him more time with her to spoil her and enjoy her the way she deserved. Ash could accept something like that, and he figured Kallie could as well.
But when she approached his side, he saw her hands shaking.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“Ashly Worthington.”
“And you’re not a bartender?” she asked.
He shrugged, his eyes trained on the small island finally emerging into view.
“A friend of mine tends the bar and lets me use the blender to make drinks on occasion,” Ash said.
“So, you don’t work at that bar.”
“I don’t.”
“Do you even live on the island?” she asked. “Like you said?”
His eyes glanced down to hers and he could see the hurt filling her eyes.
“I have a private bungalow at the resort,” Ash said.
“A private bungalow,” Kallie said with a snicker. “What are you really doing here, Ash?”
“I live on St. Barts for most of the year because I prefer it to New York City.”
“So you live in the city too?” she asked.
“My family does. I don’t frequent there too often. Do you live in the city?”
“Does it even matter?”
“It matters to me,” Ash said.
“Do you even travel like you said?”
“I do.”
“What do you do for work?” she asked.
“I don’t. My f
amily and I have enough money to where I can live anywhere and not have to worry about a thing. I took my inheritance at thirty and invested it wisely, then slowly pulled away from my family.”
“Why?” she asked.