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He stepped back. Was she making fun of him?
Who was this slip of a girl who looked no more than 18 or 19? Maybe she was homeless and he softened knowing what that was like. Still, stowing away on someone's boat was not right.
He looked her over. Maybe she was afraid to talk, but he doubted that by the confidence that she exuded. The big army bag was next to her feet, khaki pants rolled up to her calves, and toes painted a bright orange contrasted against the thin leather straps of her flat sandals.
Her bright red tank top was vivid against her deep tan and a sweater that had seen better days was pulled between the handles of the multicolored sack she'd slung around her neck. Beck was struck by the color of her hair, reminding him of the moon reflecting off the ocean in the dark of the night. It was bundled up on her head with wispy strands floating around her face.
It was her eyes though. Shades of amber. Vibrant and bright. Never had he seen anyone so perfect.
She still hadn't said a word and continued to look at him without an ounce of concern. What was she waiting for? Why didn't she speak?
He cleared his throat. "OK, so spill. What are you doing on the boat?"
She held her palms facing him. "Are you finished now? Your tirade over?"
Her voice trickled down his spine like liquid heat and settled in his hips. Holy shit. Beck stepped back, a deep sensation he hadn't felt before grew and unsettled him. He couldn't be attracted to this slip of a thing! He could be her father for fuck’s sake.
But he was attracted to her.
She delicately wiped the crumbs off her fingertips over the sink. Took one last sip of water, and washed both cup and plate, placing them on the drying rack. He watched her every move, so precise and perfect.
She turned and leaned her hip against the counter. Those eyes of hers bore deep into him, stealing away the words he was about to say.
His phone pinged and he grabbed it. "I have to take this. Don't you move."
He pointed at her and answered the phone. He did his best to hurry the call and turned to her when finished.
She was gone.
4
Beck was stunned and unable to move. He'd told her to stay put! Where'd she go? He messaged security to keep a lookout.
There's this girl on the boat, and I don't know why she's here. Find her.
What does she look like?
Short, long hair pulled on the top of her head. khaki pants rolled up, sandals, red tank top carrying a big green army sack, and a purse thing. She might be homeless. Looks about nineteen. How did she get on Intrepid?
We're on it, there's a lot of places to hide.
I'll go below, and you take the above decks.
On it, boss.
Beck checked the crew cabins as he made his way to the bow. He didn't like barging into the crew’s quarters and he knocked on each door before opening it. Finishing with the crew’s quarters, he entered another section where the cabins were more lavish for guests and the captain. Fletch may be the captain, but he was also his business partner and deserved an owner's cabin.
Beck spoke into the radio, "Any sign of her? Nothing in the crew quarters or guest deck. Heading to the captain's cabin.”
"No, boss, not sighting yet," was the reply.
The captain's cabin door was closed but this time he didn't knock. No one should be inside but he should check anyway.
Beck pushed the door open and stopped dead just inside the threshold, the door closing behind him. The girl's bag was on the floor and clothes were tossed on the bed, but there was no sign of her. He walked over to the closet and was about to check inside when the bathroom door opened and she emerged in a cloud of citrusy-scented steam.
Fully naked.
The moment froze. She stared at him, her hair wet and hanging over her shoulders and down to touch the tip of her breasts. Drops of water glistened along the ends of her hair like silver. He swallowed the lump in his throat, completely taken aback. Her tan shimmered under a sheen of moisture as if painted in gold, and there were no tan lines. He couldn't stop himself from looking at her. She was lean and muscular, her breasts were perfection, and her nipples hard. Further down, her belly was firm, her waist curved, and when his gaze fell upon the neat strip of blond hair between her thighs he had to bite back a groan. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
