by Vivi Holt
There’d been no further progress with Alton and Liliana on the beach – they’d stayed out of sight until it was time for everyone to board again, and even then kept their distance from Callum and Jessie. They were hiding something, and she wanted to find out what. If nothing else, it’d distract her from the jumble of emotions emerging from places in her heart she’d thought were buried under her baggage for good.
The ship lurched again, and Jessie’s stomach roiled. That was no good – she’d better take some seasickness medication, or any dinner they ate might come back up again. She opened her toiletries bag, pulled out the pills she’d stashed for just that purpose and popped one, hoping for the best.
Callum was still singing in the shower as another idea came to mind. She grabbed her purse, stepped out into the hall and hurried to the elevator, pressing the button to go up to Guest Services. There was something she wanted to ask her friendly front desk manager.
Jax was there behind the desk, talking – mostly listening, really – to Mr. and Mrs. Timms. She grimaced – the couple was clearly giving him a hard time, and he was working to keep his smile in place. She sighed and stood in line behind them, waiting her turn.
“As I said,” continued Jax in a pleasant voice, “the chocolates on your pillows are complimentary, but anything you use from the mini-bar is charged to your account.”
“That doesn’t seem right, does it, Sam?” Ethel grumbled. Sam just stood there scowling.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?” asked Jax.
Now Sam spoke. “Actually, yes. What religion are the people with the patches?”
Jax’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry?”
“You know, those little patches behind people’s ears. What religion are they?”
Jax coughed to mask laughter. “Um … sir, those are seasickness patches. You know, to prevent nausea.”
Jessie bit her lip. The Timmses were, as her mother would say, a piece of work.
“Oh, right, of course. Could we get some of those in our cabin, please?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll send someone right away.”
“I have a question.” Ethel adjusted her glasses back up her thin nose. “Why are there so many young folk on this cruise? Where are the oldies like us?”
Jax’s eyebrows arched high. “Well, this is a honeymoon cruise.”
“A what?”
“You know, for newlyweds.”
Ethel faced Sam with a horrified look. “Did you hear that, Sam? It’s a honeymoon cruise.”
“I heard the man – I got ears.” Sam shook his head.
“Well, you really should tell folks that when they book their tickets.”
Jax did the coughing thing again. “Of course, ma’am.”
The couple meandered off and Jessie stepped to the desk, chuckling softly. “Wow, that was funny.”
Jax grinned. “We get all kinds. How can I help you?”
“I was just being nosy, actually. My husband and I made friends with this lovely couple and I started to wonder how big their suite is. It’s just down the hall from ours, but from the way they were describing it, it sounds bigger than ours.”
Jax nodded. “Well, I can’t give out information about other guests. But I can tell you the size of a specific room, if you have the room number.”
“It’s 1332.”
He looked it up on his computer. “Okay … 1332 is a two-bedroom suite.”
She nodded. “Ah, I thought so. Thanks for that.” She turned to leave – and ran directly into Callum’s broad chest. She looked up and forced a smile. “Oh, hi! I thought you were still in the shower, sugar plum.”
He arched an eyebrow. “What are you up to?”
Before she could concoct a story, Jax answered. “She was just asking about the size of a suite a few doors down from yours.”
Callum glanced at Jax with a smile. “Is that so? Thank you.”
Jessie froze. She knew Callum didn’t want her investigating the case on her own, but surely it couldn’t hurt to check a few things without him? He was occupied, she was bored. It seemed like a good idea … all arguments she intended to use if he chose to reprimand her about it.
Jax grinned. “You’re welcome.”
“Where are you from, Jax? You look familiar.”
Jax smiled. “I’m from Athens, Georgia.”
“Athens, are you at the University of Georgia?”
Jax nodded. “I graduated last year.”
“Of course! Jax Green – you used to return kicks for the Georgia Bulldogs! Good to meet you, man.” Callum smiled and extended a hand, and Jax shook it.
Jessie leaned against the counter. This would probably take a while, seeing how Callum loved his sports.
“So things didn’t work out with the Bills?”
Jax shrugged. “Nah, but my agent says the Falcons and Rams are interested, and a couple of CFL teams have called. In the meantime I’ve got this gig, which is pretty nice. See the world and stuff.”
“Well, whichever you end up doing, I wish you the best. I still remember that 92-yard TD return against Southern Mississippi – that was a thing of beauty.”
Jax’s smile returned. “Thanks, man. Have a great cruise – anything you and your wife need, just let me know.”
“Will do.” Callum shook Jax’s hand, then put his hand on the small of Jessie’s back as they walked toward the deck.
“Are you done fanboying over Jax?” she asked with a puckish smile.
“I’m not fanboying. Jax Green is a really good running back.”
“I’m just teasing. I’m sure he’s a really big deal.”
“I hope he catches on somewhere – back at Georgia he was like greased lightning. I can’t believe you didn’t know who he was.”
“I don’t really follow college football. You forget, I never went to college.”
“Well, neither did I. That doesn’t stop me.” He grinned and Jessie’s heart skipped a beat.
The steak melted in Callum’s mouth. He was grateful Alton and Liliana had decided to dine at the steakhouse. He’d been wanting to eat there since he saw the horns mounted above the wooden door frame. His eyes shut and he softly moaned.
Jessie grinned. “Why don’t you just marry it?”
His eyes blinked open. Her eyes sparkled with humor. “I would if it were legal.”
“Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?”
He chuckled. “Yes, please. We need some quality time together, my rib-eye and I, so we can truly appreciate each other.” He swallowed and set his fork down. There was someone else he wanted quality time with too, but they had to discuss some things first. They’d kissed on the beach the day before, and largely avoided each other ever since. He’d let himself get carried away with the emotion of it all, but had no clue what to do next.
The attraction between them was something he wasn’t accustomed to – he’d known beautiful women, but he was drawn to Jessie in a different way. She was petite, feisty, vulnerable yet strong. It felt like she was always a step ahead of him. He was off-balance around her most of the time, off his game, and he had to get his focus back on the job. That’s what they were there for – to work. “Jessie …”
She popped a piece of steak in her mouth and chewed slowly. “Mm-hmm?”
“I wanted to talk to you about how the case is going.”
She nodded. “I think it’s going pretty well,” she said around her food.
“It’s progressing – I feel like we’re on the verge of a breakthrough. It’s just that we’re going to need to proceed with some … finesse.”
“I agree.” She sliced off another piece of steak.
He studied her – blue eye shadow, dark lashes, pink lipstick. Her hair was pulled back into a severe ponytail that still accentuated her pretty face. Her dress was blue, matching her eye makeup, with a high neck but a short hemline. He’d had to work to keep his eyes off her legs. He cleared his throat and adjusted the napkin in his lap. �
��I think it would be best if I took the lead.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you already were.”
He frowned. “I’m trying to, but …” He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but her doing things her own way wasn’t how he was accustomed to working. “… you have a tendency to rush ahead.”
She set her fork down as well. “I know … but I do get results.”
“True. But I think we’re close to figuring things out, and Alton and Liliana are becoming more guarded. We have to be cautious. I’d like you to hang back and follow my lead for now.”
“You’re worried I’m going to mess everything up?”
“I’m just being cautious. We have to work together. You can’t just go off on your own initiative all the time without talking to me first.”
Her eyes widened. “Is that what you think I’ve been doing?”
“That … is what you’ve been doing.”
“Well, fine. If you don’t need my help on this case anymore, you can just have it all to yourself.” She stood, letting her napkin fall to the floor. Her eyes flashed as she grabbed her purse from the back of her chair, spun on her heel and walked out of the restaurant.
Callum watched her go in disbelief. How had that happened? They’d been talking … and now she was gone. He quickly finished his steak, signed for the meal and ran out to find her.
It didn’t take long – she was at the railing just outside the restaurant, looking out over the ocean. “There you are,” he said, sidling up to her. “Are you okay?”
She faced him with a sigh. “Do you really think you’d be better off without me on the case?”
He blinked. “Where did you get that idea?”
“Isn’t that what you just said?”
“Uh … no, that’s the opposite of what I just said. I said we should talk before one of us acts. We’re a team. I should take the lead because I’m the one with the experience – this is your first case.”
She stared at the deck. “Yeah. That’s true …”
Callum frowned. What was going on in her head? Before, she’d been happy, affectionate, playful; now she was withdrawn and insecure. He wasn’t sure what was normal when it came to women and relationships – he’d never had a sister, and his mother had so much emotional baggage she needed her own luggage rack. Why had what he’d said upset her so much? He rested his hand on her arm. “I don’t want you off the case. I’m sorry if I made you feel like I did.”
She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “And I’m sorry for overreacting. You’re right – you do have the experience. I just wanted to really get this right. And …”
He traced a line along her cheek with his finger. “What is it?”
She shook her head. “And I miss home. Scott and I have never been apart this long before. He’s fine – I spoke to him earlier. He made his school’s baseball team, so he’s over the moon. But I couldn’t hold him or kiss him. It’s hard.”
“That’s great news. Good for him.”
She stepped closer and put her arms around his neck, staring up into his eyes. Her lips hovered enticingly close to his and her brown eyes were full of longing and passion. His heart pounded. “Jessie,” he whispered, then kissed her. Everything he’d told himself about holding back and being a professional and having some self-control faded from his thoughts in a flash of swirling emotions.
He pulled away and grabbed the railing, his knuckles white. “Jessie … we can’t keep doing that.”
“But … we’re supposed to be acting like we’re in love.”
His gaze met hers, his eyebrows low. “But are we still acting?”
She frowned.
He sighed. “I mean … I don’t know what I mean.” He faced her and crossed his arms. He knew the right thing to do – he was her boss, they were there to do a job, he couldn’t keep letting his feelings for her get in the way. He felt like he was taking advantage of her and confusing himself. “I think … we have to keep things professional. We have a job to do, and I’m getting distracted from that. I can’t do my job the way I need to if we … get involved …” He rubbed his face and took a deep breath. Why couldn’t he put it into words that made sense?
Her jaw clenched. “If that’s the way you feel …”
“It isn’t, but it’s the way it has to be. I’m sorry – I’m not used to working with women, and I stepped over the line. It’s my fault …”
She held up her hand. “It’s not all your fault. I’m to blame as well. But you’re right – we should be professionals and leave our feelings out of this. I mean, I really need this job. Scott and I are starting over and I’ve left behind the only career I’ve ever known. I feel a bit lost and this is the first solid ground I’ve discovered in a long time. I have to make it work, for Scott’s sake.” Her voice cracked.
His throat tightened. He felt terrible – he hadn’t thought about it from her perspective before, just worried about his own desires. Of course she didn’t want to risk losing the job – not that he’d ever do that to her, but still, she was finding her way in a new city and he was only making that harder for her. Her son came first, and he’d jeopardized that. “Absolutely. I want to assure you that I’d never fire you for something that’s my fault. I’m employing you – it’s up to me to keep things professional.”
She nodded and leaned against the railing. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Least I can do.” Callum sighed. Okay, that was resolved – great. But he still felt like someone had punched him in the gut.
10
Jessie wiped sunscreen on her nose and forehead, staring at her reflection. Her swimsuit felt a little tighter than it had when the cruise started. But then, she’d been eating at the buffet for breakfast and lunch and at a different restaurant for dinner each night. Her cheeks looked plump and her skin glowed with health after years of being too stressed or busy to eat much. Her mother often commented on how thin she was, but she wouldn’t be able to say that when Jessie made it back to Atlanta.
Callum had left earlier to tail Alton, who’d been gambling all morning. As far as they’d been able to tell, Liliana had stayed in their room, but generally went to the pool in the mornings. Jessie was counting on finding her there before lunch – Callum had asked her to follow the woman, and she intended to keep in line the rest of the trip. It couldn’t be that difficult, could it?
She grinned – before he’d left to follow Alton he’d apologized again and restated the hope that they could be friends as well as colleagues. She’d nodded and agreed, but the look on his face was priceless – as if the words were pure torture to him. He’d barely been able to make eye contact, and she couldn’t help chuckling over it even now. At least she could take comfort that he had been feeling the same passion she had, and wasn’t happy about their situation. She wasn’t either.
At first she’d been angry with him for making it seem like she’d lured him into feeling something more for her. But after their discussion last night, she realized that wasn’t the case. He wanted to be friends and colleagues, for both their sakes, and she’d agreed with him. She knew it made sense. But she also wondered if they’d be able to manage it after all that had happened between them – and if there might be a point in the future where they could take things further.
Arriving poolside, Jessie saw Liliana was already there, lounging beneath a white umbrella, her large sunglasses and scarf still in place. Jessie had noticed that she even kept them on when swimming. She didn’t put her head under water, just sailed around with it held high and dry, her makeup intact.
Jessie selected a chair close by and settled down to read in the sun until she warmed up enough to take a dip. If the previous days were any indicator, Liliana would stay where she was the rest of the morning, only going up to her room to change for lunch.
“Can I get you a drink, ma’am?” asked a waiter, an empty drinks tray balanced on his open palm.
She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Her phone buzzed – a text from Callum. Since we’re friends now, I guess we should set some boundaries.
She frowned and tapped her fingernails on the arm of the lounge before replying. What do u have in mind?
I know colleagues don’t hold hands, but friends might.
She grinned and laid back on the lounge, her pulse racing. True. Friends can hold hands.
Glad that’s settled. Holding hands is a go. If we’re friends. Are we?
I think so. At least I hope so.
Good to hear.
She laughed out loud. This whole thing was a little ridiculous.
The phone buzzed again. What about hugs, do friends do that?
Jessie shook her head – was he establishing parameters or flirting? I hug my friends.
So hugging is a go. This friendship thing is feeling better already.
Jessie stifled a laugh and glanced around. Liliana was taking tentative steps into the shallow end of the pool, her face a mask as young couples splashed close by. She turned back to her phone screen.
What about kissing?
She rolled her eyes. Thought u were anti-kissing.
No. I’m in favor of it. But do friends kiss?
Friends, maybe. Colleagues, no.
Jessie waited for his reply, but the phone sat silent. She’d figured there’d be no more flirtation after the previous evening, yet now Callum was verging on it. She should put a stop to it before it gave her an ulcer – she had her family to think of. Still, her resolve was wavering – the arguments against a relationship with Callum grew weaker each day they spent together. But why wasn’t he replying? Was he done? Did he think her response ended the conversation? Was he upset by it? She hadn’t meant it that way … had she?
Her phone buzzed. Ok then, you’re fired.
Her eyes widened and she laughed again, then quickly covered her mouth and checked on Liliana. She was swimming across the pool, her head proud and erect above the surface of the water. Still bizarre – why bother to swim if you were so concerned about getting your face wet? Just float at the edge. What was she hiding?