by Cherry Adair
Jonah held out his hand to assist her. “Where’s your brother?”
“Wait,” she instructed the robed man who’d delivered her to Stormchaser. Silently the old man bowed his head.
Anndra’s fingers tightened in Jonah’s, and she kept eye contact in an unnerving way that made him uncomfortable. Not for himself, but for her. Should he tell her she was barking up the wrong tree, or just keep his mouth shut and hope she eventually took the hint he wasn’t interested?
“Kall is taking an important business call,” she said, voice husky as she stood far too close. “He didn’t want me to wait. He’ll try and come later.”
Too bad. “Another time then. Welcome aboard Stormchaser.” Taking a step back, Jonah tried to disengage his hand, but she held on like a limpet. Other than arm wrestling with his guest, he had no choice but to relax his fingers and hope she’d let go soon.
“We’re having drinks on the third deck, and dinner will be served shortly.”
“I’d like a guided tour of this magnificent ship, may we do that before dining?”
He didn’t particularly want to be either alone with her, or in confined spaces. “Sure.” Extricating his hand from hers, he indicated she precede him up the ladder to the next deck. “Do you dive?”
“No. I never learned.” She gave a delicate shudder. “I don’t like to get my hair wet.”
Score another hundred points for Callie. “It’s an amazing and beautiful world down there, you should try it.” Shit. Now she’d ask him to teach her.
Instead she asked about the ship, the length, the tonnage, how many crew members, how many people on the dive team. Harmless questions he was happy to answer.
As they entered through the sliding door into the salon he spotted the second steward passing through on his way from the deck above, returning to the galley. “Randy? Ask Tina to hold dinner for twenty minutes, would you? Then take a plate and drink to the man waiting for Miss Spanos.”
Anndra put a hand on Jonah’s arm. “Oh, there’s no need, Christos is used to waiting. There’s no need to feed him. He is quite content.”
Randy gave Jonah an inquiring look.
“Go ahead and do it anyway. He’s as much our guest as Miss Spanos.”
He glanced back at Anndra and saw the slight crease of disapproval between her brows smooth away instantly. He held out his hand to indicate their next move. “This way. I’ll show you the pilothouse and we can work our way down.”
“I’d rather see where the artifacts you’ve unearthed are being kept.” She put her hand on his forearm, the touch light and seductive.
“Anything of any historical interest has already been sent to the Counting House on Cutter Cay. There’s nothing much to see.”
Anndra pouted. “Can we peek in anyway?”
“It’s our marine archaeologist’s domain. Why don’t I have her come down to meet us? I’m sure Dr. West would be happy to show off her toys.” He suspected Callie would be anything but. She guarded that room like a pit bull. “There might be a few small artifacts and coins to look at.”
“No. Let’s not bother her. You can show me, and save time.”
Jonah took her down the hallway and unlocked the large room set aside for Callie’s work. Her equipment and long tables were neatly and precisely placed, ready for the artifacts. White, rectangular plastic tubs were lined up on the long table, filled with small, cleaned artifacts. A large magnifying glass with built-in lighting hung from a swinging adjustable extension mount suspended from the ceiling. It allowed Callie to look at any artifact up close and personal while keeping her hands free to take notes and type in data.
One padded bar stool was placed in front of Calista’s laptop, and in the far right corner a deep sink with a commercial-kitchen-grade spraying faucet hung from the ceiling. Useful when rinsing artifacts. Soft evening light streamed in through a series of large windows along the portside wall, while the starboard side was covered in locked floor-to-ceiling white cabinets.
Anndra looked around. “Are your discoveries so valuable that the door has to be kept locked?”
Jonah shrugged. “Company procedure. And since my brothers run the company, I follow procedure. Although the more valuable treasure won’t be kept on board long. It’ll be processed here, then taken by helicopter to Heraklion, and then on to Cutter Cay. Doors on board are all locked, not only for security, but also privacy. Belowdecks we all live on top of one another, so it’s practical as well. Potentially we’ll all be together for long periods of time, and everyone needs a place to call their own, with the assurance that people won’t just come barging in unless invited.”
She hitched her butt onto one of the tables, swinging her feet in gold strappy sandals with FM heels. Perfect attire for an evening on board, Jonah thought, amused. He wouldn’t think it so damn funny if she joined Saul with a broken leg, of course, or fell overboard in the ridiculous things.
“Tell me what you found on this wreck of yours.” She leaned back on her hands, showing off her breasts. “Diamonds? A big amount of money? Oh! Did you find any kind of metal objects?”
“Sorry. No diamonds on board, but we’ve found a lot of interesting coins.” He pointed. “That’s what’s in the tubs.”
She pursed her lips in disappointment. “I thought treasure hunting was supposed to be exciting. No silver bars?”
“I’d be surprised if there were,” Jonah told her. “None were indicated on the manifest.” Just a king’s ransom in coins. The real treasures were being found in the city.
He casually shut the blank screen of Callie’s laptop. “Not much to see in here unless someone is cleaning artifacts. Ready to go?”
She slid off the table, then rubbed her shorts-clad butt with her palms as she sauntered around.
“What’s inside the cabinets?”
What was she hoping to find? Gems and gold? “Chemicals for cleaning the artifacts. Mild acids and such.”
“Anything flammable?”
Christ, was she planning to fucking blow up the ship? The woman was a pain in the ass; he hoped to hell she didn’t prove dangerous as well. “No. The most dangerous effect could be unpleasant-smelling vapors if things are mixed incorrectly. But Dr. West takes every precaution to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
“I suppose.” She ran a fingernail along the coins hanging on small wires to dry, making them clink. “What happens in case of fire, or some other kind of emergency? Like someone has a heart attack in the cabin? If they’re the only one with access how can anyone help them?”
Jonah couldn’t shove aside the creepy feeling crawling up his spine. He didn’t know what it was about Anndra, but the less time he spent alone with her, the better.
“We have contingencies for emergencies. Would you like to go up and meet the captain, and have a quick tour of the pilothouse?”
Encompassing the room with a quick sweep, she turned, then tucked her hand against his arm. “I’m hungry.”
“Great, because our chef is terrific, and I know she’s prepared a special meal for us tonight.” He had absolutely no idea what the hell was for dinner.
As he led her to the stairs to the upper deck, Jonah glanced at his watch. Only fourteen minutes had passed. It felt like fourteen days. It was going to be a long night.
* * *
Callie had seen the boat arrive with Jonah’s dinner guests, and been surprised that Anndra’s brother hadn’t come with her as he’d told the captain when he’d called earlier.
Jonah had asked her to save the seat beside her, which Callie had done. Two chairs had been open halfway down the other side of the table. Maura had opted to stay on the bridge, and Saul was in his cabin resting.
“No. Here.” Anndra sat down, then patted the empty chair beside her. “Next to me, Jonah.”
Barefoot, he walked down to the other end of the table. Kicking out the chair beside Callie, he sat down. His shirt and shorts looked like he’d slept in them, and his hair stood up as if he’d con
stantly thrust his fingers through it. His sex appeal was off the charts. Callie took a deep breath of soap and salt as his arm brushed hers. All the little hairs on her body seemed to lean over in his direction.
“I’m a creature of habit,” he said easily. “This is my usual seat. It would feel weird sitting in Saul’s chair.”
Anndra pouted. “That is too far away.”
Callie caught Jonah’s subtle gesture for Randy to remove the extra chair.
Outgoing and gregarious, Anndra didn’t sulk for long. Certainly the men found her amusing. Brody in particular couldn’t get enough of looking at her, or rather her obviously displayed breasts. She was like one of those little dogs movie stars liked to carry in their purses, Callie thought, pretty, but not very bright.
The outfit she wore was so blatant a come-on that Callie speculated which of the men the woman planned to seduce tonight. Jonah seemed the obvious choice. But then she was prejudiced. He’d be her target, too.
Callie considered Anndra Spanos a sort of artifact, and over dinner tried to figure out what the woman was about. Mentally peeling away the concretion of the heavy-handed but expertly applied makeup and trashy clothing. It wasn’t the woman’s face she was trying to see behind. It was her motivation.
What was Anndra Spanos doing on board Stormchaser? Especially without her brother in tow? And what was her role on Fire Island?
One thing the woman was not, was a girl’s girl. She was all about fixing the attention of every man in the vicinity squarely on herself.
Callie sent Leslie, seated across from her, an amused glance as the Greek woman charmed the men, ignoring the two of them as if they were invisible.
They were still seated at the table. Dinner, as usual, was fantastic. Tina made sure the divers and crew were always well fed. Tonight was no exception and they’d all enjoyed the sea bass baked in coarse sea salt, accompanied by a bottle of Moschofilero, a delicious, crisp, floral white wine from the Peloponnese. This was followed by fruit salad with a sinfully rich sauce made from Limoncello, lemon curd, and Greek yogurt.
Callie had eaten sparingly, as was her habit, but she’d cleaned the dessert off her plate and contemplated a second helping.
Leslie pushed her chair back. “That’s it for me, guys. Cal? Seven?”
“Perfect.” Callie loved diving early before the sun was high enough to cast shadows underwater. She couldn’t wait to see what else she’d discover.
Leslie plucked an apple out of the bowl in the center of the table. Saul loved apples. Callie hid a smile. “’Night. See you in the morning.”
Anndra rose, too. “I need to use the little girls’ room.”
Leslie shot Callie a look. No. Please. Anyone but me. When no one else offered to be tour guide, Leslie sucked it up and said pleasantly, “There’s a bathroom off the salon, I’ll show you on my way down.”
There was a chorus of good nights as Leslie left, Anndra, tottering on her ridiculous high-heeled gold sandals, in tow.
It was wiser to be polite and welcoming than not. They needed access to those texts. Callie was damn sure that if pissed off, Anndra would slam that door, hard. But being civil was hard for all of them. The woman was an unpleasant caricature, and impossible to like. And certainly to trust.
The conversation turned to that day’s adventures. Callie loved to talk shop, but the meal, glass of wine, and fresh air, after all the calisthenics in Jonah’s cabin earlier, made her pleasantly tired.
Not feeling like another round of Anndra, Callie yawned. “I think your friend is lost,” she told Jonah. “Want me to go and see if she fell overboard on my way down?”
“No, I’ll—Ah. I hear the pitter-patter of tiny stilettos,” he drawled moments before Anndra sashayed out on deck in a cloud of freshly applied perfume.
“The ship is so big, I got turned around,” she cooed, passing her own chair and making a beeline for Leslie’s vacated seat, on the other side of Jonah. Of course. “Oh. Is that fresh coffee? Pour for me, Jonah?”
Callie did a mental head shake as Jonah obediently filled a cup. Anndra turned her ample charms to Vaughn and Brody and at the same time scooted her chair the extra few inches so that her leg touched Jonah’s.
When Jonah replaced the coffee carafe on the table, he scooted his chair a little closer to Callie. “Chicken,” she whispered under her breath.
He was a big boy, and clearly not oblivious to his guest’s pursuit. Callie allowed her full tummy and the soft music playing to lull her into a sort of hypnotized state of peace. It had been a very long day, and she was pleasantly tired. The day was cooling off as the sun set, and the breeze felt good on her skin.
“Penny for them?” Jonah murmured.
“I’m thinking that if your guest knew where you spend your nights she’d lunge across the table and claw my eyes out.”
“I don’t think she’s that energetic,” he said drily.
“Why didn’t her brother come out?”
“Some business thing. Do you think it would be rude to excuse ourselves and go below to make out?”
“Only if you want everyone to know about us.”
His smile spoke of rumpled sheets and the slide of his damp skin against hers. “You think they don’t?”
“If they do, they’re maintaining a discreet silence. Let’s not ruin the illusion by leaving together. Besides, she’s your guest. You can’t go until she does.”
Jonah looked instantly crestfallen. “Crap. Will you wait up for me?”
Callie stifled a yawn. “I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises.”
“I know it’s been a long day. I won’t wake you.”
“I don’t like secrets,” Anndra pouted, tugging at his arm. “Share with us, Jonah.”
“Believe me, this isn’t something anyone else would be interested in.”
Before she started laughing, Callie stood. “’Night gang. I’m beat. See you tomorrow. Jonah? Walk me down and you can bring that book up for Vaughn.”
“Sure.”
The minute they were down the steps he moved up closer behind her, his breath warm on her neck. “I could come in and forget about Anndra. Brody or Vaughn will see her safely back on her boat.”
She turned, placing a hand on his chest to ward him away, when what she really wanted to do was pull him into her cabin with her and fall asleep in his arms naked as the day she was born. He should applaud her willpower, if only he knew.
“It’s been a long day.” And an even longer night. How could a man be so freaking blind? “’Night, Jonah. See you in the—”
He kissed her as if he were a starving man falling on a feast. After several minutes, when she forgot her name, let alone that she just said she was too tired, he lifted his head. His eyes gleamed wickedly. “That should hold you.” And he sauntered off.
* * *
Jonah went back on deck to have a last drink with the guys. Since Leslie had hit the sack early it was just Vaughn, Brody, and himself. He dropped into the chair he’d vacated earlier. It had been a long day; they were all tired. But he wasn’t too tired to make love to Callie. He’d been looking forward to falling asleep with her in his arms. Shit.
He nodded when Brody offered him a beer. He’d nursed one all night, and the half left was flat and warm. “Anndra gone?” he asked, popping the top and drinking a long draft of fizz. It hit the spot. Shit. As host he should’ve escorted her back to her tender. On the other hand, thank God she’d gone before he had to be that polite.
He put his crossed feet up on Callie’s vacated chair, looking out over the moonlit, choppy water illuminated by the running lights, and the small overhead white bulbs swaying gently in the balmy breeze coming off the water.
“Yeah.” Brody indicated the barely visible, disappearing wake of her speedboat in the distance. “I gotta say, man, if you aren’t going to tap that, I’m going to take a running dive at her myself.”
“Be my guest.” Anndra. Not Callie. He could be generous as hell. “Hop
e your shots are current. Better include rabies in that cocktail, buddy.”
Brody snorted, then pulled his beer away from his mouth. “Man, don’t say that kind of shit when I’m taking a drink. I snorted that beer right up my nose. I’ll risk it, she’s fucking hot!”
“Well, you better be ready to pay up, ’cause she’s clearly selling something,” Vaughn said under his breath.
They shot the breeze for another half hour, then headed down to their cabins. Jonah was looking forward to another full day of diving. So far it was working out well. Each team member spent half their time with Ji Li and the other half with Callie on the city.
She was like a kid in a candy store, he thought, smiling. He only hesitated a moment between his cabin and hers. No. If he went in he’d wake her. He’d already worn her out enough for one day. If he went in, neither of them would get any sleep for a second night in a row. Still, tempting … Turning, he inserted his key, opening the door to his dark cabin. Shouldn’t be dark. The moon shone brightly.
There was a familiar heavily musk smell …
Jonah flicked on the light beside the door.
Anndra Spanos lay sprawled naked on his turned-down bed. Her tanned, olive skin liberally covered by sparkly oil, which now covered his crisp white, Egyptian cotton sheets.
“Fucking hell, Anndra! How did you get in? And how did you know which cabin was mine?” That’s why she’d been gone so long after dinner: She’d been belowdecks breaking and entering.
“I borrowed your key when we were in the lab before dinner. I found your cabin by smell. You do smell most delicious, Jonah, there was no mistake that this was your personal space. The drawing board, all those maps and charts…”
“What do you want, Anndra?” It was obvious what she wanted him to think, but he’d bet that wasn’t the reason behind her visit. Her sexuality was merely window dressing. He cast a glance at his personal crap across the room. Drawing board with nothing on it. Rolled charts, some paperwork he needed to get around to—none of it looked disturbed. His gun and a few valuable artifacts were locked in his safe behind a painting of a sea horse he’d picked up last year in Barcelona.