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“You have no idea,” I replied with a smirk as I walked over to the bar to pour more champagne.
“Time to pull anchor,” Jamie commented.
“In about ten minutes, sir,” Charlie replied.
“Quicker if we can, lad,” Jamie replied as he stared out over the port side. Charlie and I walked over and followed his line of vision. I noticed two people on a nearby dock with cameras aimed our way. Charlie looked at me and nodded, then silently headed up the stairs to the wheelhouse.
Being on board a ship for weeks at a time, sometimes I forgot that the outside world existed. Jamie’s alert was a shot of reality. Most of my anger at Rowan’s behavior in the sauna washed away. At least one of us was still thinking clearly.
THIRTEEN
ROWAN
I was having a heart attack.
That must be the explanation for my racing pulse, sweaty palms, and the tightness in my chest. Or I was in withdrawal and needed another sexual fix from my dark-haired, dark-eyed assistant. Why the fuck hadn’t I kissed Andrew when I’d had the chance? Now it was too late, and just the thought that I’d never get to taste his lips or see Andrew’s orgasm face again made me ragey. Add to that, I’d nearly drowned in my champagne earlier. I was a total mess. I rubbed my chest again. Maybe I should call my doctor.
“Tell me, Andrew,” Da said as we sat around the dining table on the bridge deck enjoy an early dinner. “Are you enjoying your work here so far? Are you interested in entering the real estate business?”
Andrew circled the table, refilling water and wine glasses. “Working alongside Rowan has definitely broadened my education,” he replied as he paused at my glass, his hand slightly trembling. I guess we were both still reeling from our first lesson together. “But I prefer to work independently. I’ve started up my own concierge service and will fully launch in March. I’ll leave the real estate business in your and your son’s capable hands.”
There was only one fucking thing I wanted in my hands, and that was Andrew.
“An entrepreneur, a man after my own heart. Tis good to see young people with ambition,” Jamie grinned and cleared his throat. “Did you hear me, Rafe? I said ambition.”
Rafe rolled his eyes and shook his head as he stuffed in the last crab appetizer. “Da, we’ve been over this topic twenty thousand times. I like my job. When I get sick of it – or they don’t want to photograph me anymore – I’ll do something else. But I do not, repeat, do not wish to enter the family business. No offense.”
I kept quiet and focused on Andrew’s form as he walked around the deck, picking up platters and setting down the next course, silently imploring him to look my way.
“Wasting good brains, you are, smiling in fancy clothes or no clothes at all. When I was growing up in Belfast, I didn’t stand around. I moved to London at eighteen and built a business. I don’t understand this modeling nonsense at all,” my father complained.
“You don’t need to understand it, just accept it. And don’t worry, I’ve looked into going back to school.”
“Really?” Rebecca piped up softly. “What would you study?”
“Photography. I’d like to be on the other side of the lens for a change. That way I can still work in the industry I love and travel. I talked to a few photographers that do work with my agency and there’s a school in Miami they recommend. I’d move there for two years, then I can crash on Ro’s yacht here on weekends and when I’m between classes.”
My father groaned as mum waved her hand around, her rings sparkling in the late daylight. “Let’s talk about something else. Something fun and light,” Mum demanded in her usual effort to ensure familial peace. My brother and sister and I all rolled our eyes.
“I’m working on a new book, and I’m so excited,” Cara pronounced loudly as she grabbed my arm. “It’s about a tough but sensitive CEO who falls for his irresistible assistant. I just love the boss-employee trope, and the sex in this one is the steamiest stuff I’ve written to date.”
My cheeks heated and I was thankful I didn’t have anything in my mouth this time to choke on. Before I could change the topic, a loud clatter erupted. I half expected someone to ask me what was wrong until I realize the sound wasn’t my heart exploding. Turning my head, I found Andrew bent over, picking up large pieces of a broken platter.
“My apologies.” Andrew murmured.
I tracked Andrew’s form until he disappeared inside.
Christ, Cara’s romantic imaginings were the type of outlandish stuff I normally found amusing but, in this instance, could do without. A sudden fit of panic had me wondering if Cara had noticed how I was looking at Andrew but then I decided I was acting ridiculous. No one suspected anything. Turning to the other side of the table to speak directly with Rafe, I was confronted by a knowing smirk.
“What?” I bit out.
“Maybe you could give Cara some realistic background for her work in progress,” Rafe whispered as he leaned forward.
“Maybe you could stop acting the fucking eejit and shut up,” I growled, rubbing my chest.
“You dirty dog, Ro.”
“Don’t, Rafe,” I whispered angrily. I quickly scanned the table, but every other family member was still focused on Cara, who continued to go on about her latest manuscript.
