Ben swept Saria’s silky brown hair over her shoulder as she nestled against his chest at the office desk. She’d fallen asleep and not wanting to wake her, he’d continued with his work. One bank account had now been canceled, and one request for a marriage license, via Gilchrist, revoked.
Holding her safe in his arms brought such peace to his soul. There might be a madwoman out there, but he’d never allow her to get to his woman. He pressed his lips to her forehead then drifted down and kissed each closed eyelid. “I wish I could strike a new deal with you.”
“Ben?” Saria yawned and stretched.
“I’m here. You fell asleep on me.”
“Oh, sorry.” Her lids lifted and she smiled, so sweetly he wanted to spill everything he felt for her in his heart. “I didn’t get as much sleep last night as I should have. I missed having my bodyguard at my back.”
“I missed you too.” Damn. He shouldn’t have said that.
“Yes, but I missed you in ways you probably don’t want to know about.” She slid a finger between two of his shirt buttons and he almost purred at the delicious touch. “I can’t believe I lost the first job I ever got.”
“You can get back to work once Mia Taita’s taken care of. Until then, you should relax and enjoy this extended break in the islands, compliments of the Whitehall family.”
“I hope Tyler’s brothers don’t mind the change in plans.”
“They’d do anything to ensure you two remained safe.” So would he, and getting the girls to the other side of the island, was his priority. Yes, even should Mia Taita manage to unearth the information he’d now buried and discover their location, it was unlikely she’d consider they’d moved only a short distance away.
“Hey, you’re worrying again.” She popped a button and spread her hand wider over his chest. “I could help with releasing that tension if you’d like. There’s one physical activity in particular which works a real treat.”
“If it’s one of those ways I don’t want to know about, don’t mention it.” He stood and set her on her feet. “It’s getting late. I’ll take you downstairs to your room.”
“Great,” she grunted. “I’m a prisoner in my own room again.”
Saria leaned against her bedroom window as the setting sun sent a wash of red and gold blazing over the beach and the sweeping canopy of palm and coconut trees. Along the wharf, a crewmember freed the coiled mooring rope and the ship’s motor rumbled and they moved out of their berth. Her reality had well and truly sunk in and sent her mood spiraling further downhill. “I can’t believe we’re going into hiding again. This is the pits.”
“It’s a temporary measure. Think of it only that way.” Ben stood like as shadow behind her. “Why don’t you get ready for dinner?”
“I’m not hungry.” The last thing she wanted was food on her anxious stomach, and that short nap she’d taken earlier on Ben’s lap hadn’t been nearly long enough. “I might take a shower then call it a day.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. You can go and boss someone else around for the night.” She strode toward the bathroom then stopped and sent him a small smile over her shoulder. “I’ll catch you later.”
“I want to make sure you’re settled. I’ll change and come back.”
Ben would never leave her, not if he thought she needed him. “Okay.” She nodded and closed the bathroom door.
Under the hot spray, she washed her hair then let the jets work their wonder on her tense shoulders. Finished, she dried herself and dressed in pink sleep-shorts and a white camisole. She left the bathroom and found Ben had already returned. He’d changed into black pants and a striped black and gold shirt only partially buttoned and leaving half his glorious chest on display.
His blue gaze followed her from the couch where he lay sprawled on top of a borrowed beige blanket from the end of her bed. He set his unopened book down and crossed his arms behind his pillowed head. “I ordered a dinner tray from the chef. The food should be here soon.”
“I’m still not hungry.” She swept her bedcovers aside and crawled in under the thin cotton sheet. “What’s the book you’ve got?”
“A crime mystery. I grabbed it from the entertainment room upstairs. I figured I’d need something to do since the last time I hit the sack at seven would’ve been when I was seven.”
A knock sounded.
“Great. That’ll be dinner.” Ben strode to door, opened it and took the tray from Henry who was decked as professionally as always in his crew whites. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir. Enjoy your evening.”