The Ruthless Gentleman

He nodded, and I stared out over the water, as he focused on something that wasn’t the view. For a moment I wondered if I was the only one who felt the link between us. It was as if we were being drawn toward each other by an invisible current—I wanted to stop swimming against the pull and let myself drift toward him, but I knew that wasn’t an option. And anyway, he’d be gone soon enough.

“I’d need someone to share those sunrises with,” he said.

Before I had the chance to respond or to analyze what he’d said, a crash in the kitchen brought me back to the moment. I straightened and checked my watch. It was a few minutes after seven, which meant Neill had started to prepare breakfast. It also meant Hayden and I had been admiring the Med for almost an hour. “I’m officially on shift,” I said, taking a deep breath as if it would magically transform me from tourist to waitress. “What would you like for breakfast?” I asked, knowing the answer would be eggs.

Hayden stood and ran his fingers through his unruly hair. I pulled my hair into a ponytail while Hayden watched, his gaze flitting from my face to my hands, down my body and up.

“You’ve been up all night,” I said. “Maybe you should sleep rather than eat.”

“You’re probably right.” He stretched, the edge of his shirt lifting past his waistband to reveal a bronzed ribbon of skin—my own personal sunrise.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block him out. “I’ll ask Neill for some eggs.” I turned and headed toward the sliding doors.

“Thank you,” he called after me.

I turned my head to smile. He was watching me, and the warmth that rose in my belly shouldn’t have been there. Perhaps I shouldn’t have suggested he catch the sunrise. I definitely shouldn’t have stayed to watch it with him, and I was certain that this feeling of connection I had to him was one-sided.

And it needed to end. Fast.

Hayden

The squawk of seagulls pulled me from my nap and as I opened my eyes, even though I had my sunglasses on, I had to shield myself from the glare of the sun. I checked my watch. I’d been asleep four hours, ever since I’d slumped on my lounger after breakfast. I glanced at my laptop, which was firmly closed beside me. It was just coming up to one local time, so the U.S. wasn’t even at their desks yet. I’d not missed anything.

“Mr. Wolf,” the captain said as he came through the sliding doors of the main living space.

I stood to shake his hand. He checked in with me daily to ensure everything was okay and to ask if I wanted to pull up the anchor to go somewhere else. I’d always insisted I was fine where I was, but now I was in the mood for a change of scene. Avery had been right about so many things. She’d helped me set the Phoenix acquisition back on track, after all, so how could she be wrong about changing up the scenery? And if she liked Italy, then Italy was where we were taking this boat.

“I was thinking we could make our way down the Italian coast over the next week.”

Captain Moss nodded, probably relieved he was going to get to do something. “Absolutely. Do you want to leave today?”

“At your convenience,” I replied.

“We can get going this afternoon. The weather is good, and the winds are low.”

“I thought we could end up in Taormina.”

“That’s a great spot. No problem at all.”

He turned to leave, but I added, “I’m aware that this is a longer charter than most, Captain.”

“Yes, but we’re delighted you’re on board.” I was used to recruiting people for their skills, not their charm. I wasn’t a man who reveled in pleasantries and small talk. I preferred to cut to the chase. Captain Moss had a similar temperament, but I appreciated the effort he made.

I nodded. “But I am here alone and require very little looking after. I appreciate that the crew might need to blow off some steam, after all, I’ve already been on board two weeks. I’d like to drop anchor somewhere and give the crew the night off.” I got the impression I was less demanding than most, but the crew shouldn’t be expected to work eight weeks without some time off. I might have been betrayed by a senior employee, but I still believed treating people with respect produced their best work. And their loyalty. Most of the time. People labeled me a generous employer, but I was motivated by self-interest—you got what you deserved most of the time.

“That’s not necessary, Mr. Wolf. The crew are assigned enough free time.”

Of course he’d push back, but my mind was set. “I appreciate when we’re not in dock I can’t be the only one left onboard, but I’m sure most of the crew can be given the evening off. Shall we say tomorrow from six?”