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"I brought you some breakfast. I didn't know what you liked, but Chef gave you a variety to choose from and a pot of coffee. But if you prefer something else, please let me know." She put the tray beside me and I smiled at her as I stood. "Thank you. You're heaven-sent."
"My pleasure." She smiled and arranged the tray.
"Do you have any dietary wishes I can pass along to Chef?" she inquired.
I was desperate for the coffee and poured a healthy dollop of cream into the mug. "No, I'm an easy keeper. Thanks for asking though."
Filled to the brim I cradled the mug and smiled at her before taking a sip. She didn't look much older than me. "It was kind of you to bring me a tray." I took a drink of the steaming coffee and groaned in delight. "Mmm, delicious."
Jessica looked pleased. "I'm glad you like the coffee and it was no trouble at all. If you need anything else, just ring."
Before she left I asked, "Is Beck up yet?" The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them and I winced. She hesitated, a perplexed look on her face. "The owner? Is he still in his cabin?"
"I'm sorry, I can't say. But I haven't seen him yet."
I nodded and hid behind the coffee mug, filling my mouth with the nectar as Jessica left. What was wrong with me? That was inappropriate to ask. It was evident the man was on my mind, hiding in the deepest recesses and that's not where he should be. I turned my attention to the tray.
It was beautifully appointed with a variety of breakfast food, the silver coffee pot gleamed as did the matching pitcher of cream, and white linen was wrapped around polished silverware.
I reached for a piece of melon and the juicy flavor burst when I popped it in my mouth. I loved cantaloupe, even if it did make my tongue and throat tingle a little.
As I munched I pondered what it was about Beck I found so damn interesting. Attractive. Alluring.
Of course, it had nothing to do with his moody sexiness or his physical presence, nor the way he filled the room with his magnetism. And last night on the stairs, nope, it had nothing to do with how I felt when he was near, and wrapped in the aura of his sexuality. No, nothing at all to do with all that.
I'd been disarmingly exposed with my back against the wall. All I had to do was lean forward, just a little, and ….
Stop!
I settled on the seat welcoming the warmth and brightness of the sun streaming in the port side windows. The tray in front of me was tempting enough let alone thoughts of him. Loaded with bacon, croissants plain and chocolate, fresh fruit and juice, cheese, biscuits, eggs, and preserves there was enough to feed an army.
I selected a crispy piece of bacon and bit it.
Something blocked the sun, casting a shadow over me. I turned, bacon hanging out of my mouth and I nearly choked when I sucked in a sharp breath. A large figure in the doorway blocked a column of light and cast them into silhouette. I didn't need to be told who he was.
"I heard you were looking for me." His deep voice was hypnotic. I quickly took the bacon from my mouth and dropped it on the plate.
"Ah, er…I was?" Damn! Could I be any more of a mumbly peg?
Beck stepped from the glare of the sun and into the room. He was beside me in seconds. "Jess told me you'd asked for me." I narrowed my eyes, when he gave a small smile, what was he thinking? "I see she brought you breakfast."
"Oh, ah, yes. She did. Please, help yourself." I pushed the tray close to him with my fingertips.
"Thanks, I was going to ask you to join me for breakfast." He poured coffee, took it black, and gazed out the windows. "Are we ready for the upcoming trip?"
I was still stuck on the thought that he was going to ask me to join him for breakfast. Pull it together!
"How nice of you, breakfast I mean." I selected another piece of melon. "Yes, we're ready. I'll review the details with the team leads later, feel free to join us." I looked up at him.
Beck nodded slightly, still looking out the window and drinking the coffee. "My crew is good. Fletch trained them well."
I cringed a little when he mentioned Fletch. This whole tippy-toeing around the emotions raised in me by Beck was made even more complicated because of Fletch.
To shake off my sudden nerves, I answered, "Of course he would, that's how he rolls."
"Yep, and good thing he recommended you." He met my gaze. "I don't have to worry about a thing, right?"
And just like that Bob Marley's song popped into my head.
