“Thanks for the ride.” She reached onto her toes and kissed his cheek. “And I mean every single one of them.”
“Quit the sexy talk.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her along the coral sandstone path toward the main four-story building. Others strolled along the nearby trails weaving in and around the thatch-roofed bures.
Inside the main building on the lower floor, the glass fronted pharmacy where she needed to make her appointment held a sign saying it opened at nine. She wandered to the clinic next door, tested the knob and found the door locked.
Ben tapped his thigh. “It opens right when you need to be winging your way to the mainland.”
“Making an appointment will have to wait then. I’m not in a huge rush anyway, not since sex with you is off the cards.” The delicious scents of cooked meats and tropical fruits floated to her on the breeze and distracted her. Her belly rumbled and she rubbed it. “Mmm, I might eat here rather than on the ship.”
The open-air restaurant held a large servery in the center, while along the perimeter chefs attended four individual cooking stations.
“It’s busy, Saria. Can you handle that kind of a crowd?”
“Hospitals hold crowds, and I need to get used to being around lots of people.” She ran her fingers through her hair, tidying it as best as she could. Her dress wasn’t too wrinkled, and Ben looked as gorgeous as ever, no matter how he was dressed. “Want to join me?”
“I’m not letting you eat alone.” He set a hand at her lower back and guided her toward the short line of people waiting to be seated.
Two children bounced eagerly on their toes and tried to peer past their mother while their father stood next to them, a baby strapped in a capsule across his back. They were seated, and then the Polynesian woman wearing a yellow ankle-length island floral dress as all the waitresses did returned and welcomed them.
Ben’s voice was firm as he asked for a table in the far corner where it appeared quietest. He gave his name and their ship’s dock number for the bill as they took their seat.
Saria clutched her hands in her lap. This was far more crowded than the bridged walkway where she’d gotten jittery, but she wasn’t boxed in here. She breathed slowly, rolled her shoulders and found her inner peace.
“We can take our time.” Ben edged his chair closer to hers then tipped her chin up so she couldn’t look anywhere but at him. His smile lit his blue eyes. “We’ll go whenever you’re ready and not before. Tell me what your favorite breakfast food is.”
A wave of warmth crashed through her. He knew just how to divert her mind. She loved it when he fired questions at her. “Cheesy omelets. What’s yours?”
“I’m extremely partial to your bacon and eggs. I love the way you fry the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy.” He tucked a loose lock of her hair behind her ear. “My favorite dinner would be your spaghetti and meatballs.”
“You always have so much fun eating that dish. I loved watching you wind the spaghetti on your fork and then try to get it into your mouth without dropping any. Almost every time you took a bite, you’d get sauce right here.” She tapped his chin. “I always wanted to lick it off. I never said, but I did, so bad.”
He groaned and fidgeted in his chair. “You’re making me hard.”
“I like—”
“Good morning, Saria.”
“Oh, Dr. Hika. I didn’t see you there.”
In casual tan pants and a crisp white button-down shirt, he leaned a hand on the back of her chair. “I booked a seat this morning on the chopper and discovered I’m heading out with you and your sister shortly.”
“That’s fantastic. You’ll get to meet Lydia.” She motioned toward Ben. “This is Ben Hammers, my bodyguard extraordinaire.”
“Nice to meet you, Ben. Saria mentioned you yesterday.” He shook Ben’s hand.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Ben stretched, settled his arm across the back of her chair and curled his fingers around her nape. “I appreciate what you did for Saria, patching up her ankle.”
“You’re welcome, although it was all in the line of duty.” He dipped his head toward her. “I’ll let you two enjoy your breakfast. See you at nine.”
“Yes, see you then.” She patted Ben’s upper leg. “I’m ready to eat if you are.”
“I’m starving.” He stood and offered her his hand. “Let’s head to the chef preparing omelets first. One favorite breakfast coming up.”
They weaved around the tables of chattering holidaymakers. At the cooking station, Ben planted her in front of him as he placed his order, his body a solid wall of warmth at her back. She loved how he made her feel so protected. She’d miss this, his continual presence. Unable to stop herself, she leaned back against him, relishing the moment.
“What would you like?” His breath tickled her cheek.