The Wrong Gentleman

“So how long have you known August?” he asked as we both glanced across the table as my best friend and her boyfriend tried and failed to keep their hands to themselves. Harvey was a decent enough guy. A summer fling. But then August didn’t know the consequences of succumbing to love and passion. She didn’t know what I knew.

“About two years. We met yachting. But what about you? You know all about my criteria, but I don’t know anything about you other than you were in the army with Harvey.”

“Yeah. I’ve not seen him in a while, but he doesn’t seem to have changed. He said yachting was fun, so I thought I’d give it a try.”

I laughed. Maybe my defenses wouldn’t have to be so strong. Landon was so not my type. I was attracted to serious, focused men rather than drifters. Not that I dated—but theoretically. “You thought you’d give it a try? Just like that? So since you left the army, you’ve been just going from job to job, giving stuff a try?”

Landon generously grinned at me. I was being a little provocative, but I wanted him to take the hint and find some other girl who would fall for those husky-like eyes and hard body. A strong jaw and wide, wide shoulders wasn’t enough to hold my interest. “I’ve been doing private security since leaving the army.”

“Like being a security guard and stuff?”

He shrugged. “That kind of thing.”

That would explain his body. He’d have to stay in shape for a job so physical. And it would probably mean he wouldn’t be a complete waste of time as a junior deckhand. He would likely have some common sense too.

“So your first season starts tomorrow?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m looking forward to a change of pace. Five months

floating on a luxury yacht. How hard can it be?”

“There’s a little more to do than stand around and look pretty,” I replied. Yacht work was hard, and this guy was clearly as green as they came.

Instead of getting irritated with me, Landon just chuckled. “Well, it’s good to know you think I’m pretty.”

“That’s not what I—” What was the point in denying it? The guy was gorgeous, and he clearly knew it. I took another sip of my second drink, then put it back on the tray. I didn’t want to get drunk. Not with temptation like Landon around.

“I have to pee,” August shouted across to me. “Come with me.”

I was happy to have a break from being close to Landon. It was nice a man so handsome was interested, but I needed to stay focused on my goal, and it was beginning to feel like I was on a double date.

August led the way to the restrooms and spun to face me as soon as we were inside. “So, what do you think?”

I opened my purse and pulled out my lipstick. “About what?”

“Landon, of course? Jesus, he’s hot. You two look great together.”

I popped off the top of my Maybelline SuperStay lipstick, the brand all good yacht stewardesses used, and began to needlessly reapply. “You know he’s not my type. He’s ex-army, thirty-something years old, and still hasn’t found a career?”

August hiked herself up onto the counter. “You’re so judgy. Harvey’s ex-army. I swear that guy is so good in bed, I might actually marry him.”

I smacked my lips together. “I’m not judgy. I’m practical. What’s the point in being interested in a man like Landon when he could never make me happy?”

“We could double date all season. We’d both have a reason to ditch the Sapphire’s yacht crew and get away from the boat for a little bit.”

I smiled. Having a reason not to socialize with your colleagues was good, but not worth me abandoning my strict no-man policy.

“Is Landon on Harvey’s boat?”

August shrugged. “I guess. But I’m sure we could coordinate days off.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not going to happen. I need to stay focused. Chief stew of the Sapphire is a big deal. And you never know, if we do a good job, we might land a long-term contract after this season.” For career yachties, a two- or three-year contract was always the job to get.

“What are you so focused on a two- or three-year contract for? There’s always work.”

“There’s always been work so far. If I got a two- or three-year deal . . .” Guaranteed income. The money was good in yachting, but it was never certain. I might have savings and I might not have ever spent a season jobless, but a three-year contract would give me some additional security.

“Can’t you forget about that for tonight? Surely you deserve one night of fun.”