The rest of the passengers were filing off the bus, casting a few anxious glances in his direction. He sent up a silent prayer that one of them would be a doctor or nurse and offer to help. But it seemed like everyone was in the same boat as him. No medical expertise at all.
He could see some commotion on the dockside. Lara was talking anxiously to someone who was nodding and talking into a radio.
He kept his voice low and steady, sliding his other hand over to reassure himself she did actually still have the rapid pulse. Poor Daisy. The two old ladies had kept them entertained for days—even though he and Lara had been the butt of most of their jokes. The last thing he wanted was for something bad to happen.
A few minutes later the white-uniformed ship’s doctor appeared with a whole host of equipment. Reuben was relieved to slide out of the way—and, when asked to assist carry Daisy in a stretcher a few minutes later—he was only too happy to help.
She was sped back to the ship on one of the golf-type buggies they used on the dockside.
Lara was standing outside the bus, waiting for him, wringing her hands in front of her, lines of worry etching her face.
He slung his arm around her shoulder. ‘Let’s forget about the sleep. I need a drink and so do you. Something long and cold.’
She nodded and slipped her arm around his waist. ‘Absolutely,’ she agreed, as she watched the golf buggy pull up next to the ship.
* * *
Three hours later they’d found out that Daisy had suffered a mild case of sunstroke. She’d be monitored in the cruise medical centre overnight and even though they’d invited Doris to join them for dinner she’d insisted on staying with her friend.
Reuben was waiting in the sports bar for Lara. She’d asked him to give her a little time and space to get ready and he’d been happy to agree. He’d wanted to make a few calls to some of his clients and watch a Spanish football game to monitor another client.
It was odd how her stomach kept fluttering round and round. They’d already spent ten nights on this cruise ship. Ten nights sleeping in the same cabin.
But tonight felt different. Their relationship was changing. It was beginning to actually look like a relationship as opposed to two strangers just sharing a room. And she wasn’t quite sure what that meant.
She put the finishing touches to her lipstick and hung some dangly earrings from her ears. Done. She opened the wardrobe door for a quick check in the full-length mirror, putting her hands on her hips and swinging from side to side.
The electric-blue dress was gorgeous. The slinky material hugged her skin without clinging, the fuller skirt swinging out as she moved from side to side. The wraparound style suited her. The tiny beads around the V-shaped neckline caught the light as she moved in her silver sandals.
She picked up her silver bag and headed to the door. The ship was busy tonight, with more passengers having boarded in Livorno. She threaded her way through the crowd to the sports bar. It was packed. It seemed that every male on the ship had headed here to watch the game between two of the main Spanish football clubs. She spotted Reuben easily. He was sitting—no, almost standing—on a bar stool next to the main bar, his eyes fixed on a big screen. A deafening roar erupted around her as one of the teams scored and Reuben punched the air.
She couldn’t hide her smile as she started to weave her way through the crowd.
It was hard to ignore the appreciative stares around her. It gave her confidence, confidence that had disappeared in the weeks since Josh had cheated on her.
She loved this holiday. She loved this ship. And she loved being in Reuben’s company. He’d helped her realise that none of this was down to her. When she allowed herself to think back she knew things would never have worked with Josh. With hindsight, it was obvious he’d been using her. And even though she hated acknowledging it, she had to in order to move forward.
And that was exactly how she felt now—as if she was moving forward.
Reuben was wearing a pale blue shirt and dark trousers. She could see the outline of his muscles and defined waist beneath the fine fabric of his shirt. He’d caught her gaze and was watching her weave her way through the crowd. And this time there was something different in his look. It had always been there—simmering just beneath the surface—but now his gaze was full of pure unadulterated lust.
Her stomach muscles clenched and she could feel her heartbeat starting to quicken. His eyes seemed to caress her as she moved towards him, skimming the way the dress clung to her curves. She lifted her chin, enjoying his gaze.
His brown eyes met hers. Unspoken words passed between them. None of this had been a figment of her imagination. Reuben Tyler, sports agents and a man with an income she couldn’t even comprehend, was interested in her, Lara Callaway, nanny.
In any other lifetime she wouldn’t have believed it.
But she wasn’t interested in Reuben Tyler, sports agent.
She was interested in Reuben Tyler, the guy with a sexy accent that made her knees tremble and who was happy to eat cake and drink coffee with her. The guy had even taken her shopping—she hadn’t met a guy like that before.
And she didn’t have a fancy job title. She didn’t even have anywhere to stay right now. And he certainly wasn’t after her for her money. Here’s hoping he just liked her for herself.
Her footsteps faltered, even though the floor was smooth and even. Recognition dawned in her. She’d been annoyed by Reuben’s questions before. But he’d asked her the things she should have asked herself. She loved working for Addison and Caleb. She loved looking after Tristan. But was it really the job of her dreams, or had she just temporarily landed on her feet?
A tiny little part of her had always wanted to go back to university. She had the qualifications—all she had to do was reapply and save some money. She could do that. She could. Her footsteps started again with renewed confidence. Part of her felt guilty. She’d have to tell Addison her plans, and Addison had been good to her. But in a few years Tristan would be grown and wouldn’t need her any more. He was due to start school after the summer. Her role would be reduced. It made sense to plan ahead now.
Reuben’s brow had creased as her steps had slowed but now she gave him another smile. A smile of assurance. A smile of determination.
The momentum of her footsteps carried her onward, even though her stomach was still clenching a little. Confidence was a wonderful thing. But it could also be a curse.
She knew the attraction between her and Reuben was off the charts. But what next? She didn’t want to be the next girl he was photographed with in the press. She wasn’t interested in a fling or short-term thing. She wanted to be good enough for Reuben on a permanent basis. Not just a temporary one.
And tonight that’s what she intended to find out.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
REUBEN HAD LOST all interest in the football game the second he’d spotted Lara across the room. It was impossible—he knew it but it was almost as if he could spot her sparkling blue eyes from the doorway and kept fixed on them as she moved towards him.
He didn’t want to miss a single moment. The dress was perfect, hugging her curves and giving more than a hint of what lay beneath.
He sucked in a breath as for a few seconds her footsteps faltered. But it was only temporary. She met his gaze again and took the final steps towards him, coming closer than he would ever have expected, placing her hands firmly on his chest.
‘So, what about this dinner, then?’
It was so direct. Straight to the point. And every cell in his body loved that.
But there was still that tiny part of him that was holding back. He liked this woman so much that he didn’t want to do anything to hurt her. The surge of hormones was overwhelming. And they all gave one clear, direct message. Those blue, unblinking eyes were staring strai
ght into his soul. Asking the question What is this? all over again.
Was he really brave enough to answer?
Her eyes were bewitching. Pulling him in. Making him feel as if things were really out of his control. Their flirtation had been going on from that first direct hit over his head. From the second he’d had his first view of the giant pink teddy bear. But that teddy bear had morphed into a real-life siren.
A siren that he couldn’t even have imagined. Couldn’t even have dreamed of.
He licked his lips and she unconsciously mimicked his act. He bent a little lower—more for him than for her. Now he could suck in her scent—the smell of shampoo, floral perfume and soap. Delicious. Now he could brush his lips against her ear and push back her silky soft hair. ‘We’ve got seven to choose from. Which would you like to try?’
She turned her head slightly and fixed him with her gaze. ‘Surprise me.’
There was a rush of blood around his body and a roaring in his ears. There was no way he could last the night. It was inevitable. Things had been building to this point from the very first moment. Tonight they were heading straight into the eye of the storm—straight into the climax.
He crooked his elbow towards her. ‘Well, Ms Callaway, let’s see where the night takes us.’
She raised her eyebrows as she tucked her arm into his elbow. ‘Let’s see indeed.’
* * *
They finally decided on the French restaurant. It had a quiet ambience with candlelit tables and a view of the ocean, a pianist on a grand piano in the corner and waiters who seemed to move without making a sound.
The plates of succulent food appeared and disappeared like moves in a carefully choreographed dance. She hardly tasted a thing. All she could think about was the main event.
Reuben appeared much calmer than she was. He spent the evening specialising in small talk, asking about her job, her plans and if she’d heard anything from the agent in London trying to find her a flat.
She’d almost forgotten about that.
She stared down at the trio of desserts in front of her. Every one of them she loved. But her stomach was too busy doing flip-flops to eat. ‘I’ll need to email her back. I’ll do it tomorrow. I’m sure she’s found me somewhere.’
‘Hasn’t she already sent you an email with some rentals?’
Lara sighed. ‘Yeah, but one was too far away, another way too expensive and the other one was a shared flat with three other people. I’m not sure about that one.’
He gave a wicked smile. ‘Are you worried they’ll complain about your snoring?’