“There’s a pool and spa on the top floor, and you’ll be given a full tour as soon as you’re settled.” At the bottom of the stairs, Tyler stilled. “This dinner you say we enjoyed. I want you to know, I wish I recalled it.”
“I understand about the memory loss.” Okay, enough of the non-dinner. “Oh, nice decor down here.”
It truly was. Halogen lights showcased vivid blue underwater ocean scenes adorning the length of the passageway. Caramel-cream walls and plush carpet of the same color became the sandy base for all the blue.
“Thanks.” Tyler moved her along. “The crew’s cabins are double-bunked, but as you’re the only female on board, you’ll have one to yourself.”
He directed her inside a small, efficient room with two bunks bolted to a blue wall. White furnishings and a built-in set of drawers completed the room.
“This is nice.” She grinned, for she would love the area simply because it was all hers and totally Ben-free.
“There’s a bathroom, but it connects with the cabin next door. There’s a lock on each side, although the other room’s empty.”
Inside the compact area, she shuffled around the shower cubicle, toilet and tidy vanity, all in basic white. No frills, but she didn’t need any. She met his gaze as he leaned against the doorjamb. “It’s perfect.”
“You seem happy.” He frowned. “You appeared apprehensive to start with.”
“I was nervous.” She squeezed past him and returned to her room. “First day on the job and all.”
She twirled in the center of her cabin. Ben was right. She needed this break.
Taken by the round portal window, she skipped toward it and peered outside. Another super-yacht of similar size to The Idle Dream came into berth, the name Star Gazer emblazoned along its side.
“It’s one of ours.” Tyler edged in behind her, so close.
Unable to stop, she leaned back and came up against him. Oh wow. His solid presence was like a safety blanket of warmth she’d never forget. She wanted to tip her head back, rest it on his shoulder and tell him everything, to extinguish the lie she’d told and lay out their past. Only that would never happen. Knocking that idea out of her head, she straightened. “Does Whitehall Shipping have a big fleet?”
“Twelve ships in total, but The Idle Dream was my mother’s baby. It’s reserved for family holidays each year. She passed away two years ago, and my father four. I don’t usually speak of them, but—” He slid his fingers through her long hair. “Are you sure we didn’t have more than a single date? I feel a level of comfort I can’t explain.”
Her thoughts swirled to the past, to those last moments she’d had with him a year ago. He’d been dressed all in black, shirt and jeans, and her heart had fluttered in her chest. They’d become so close over the ten days they’d been together, but now he was leaving. Tyler had dropped his bag in the trunk of his car and sauntered toward her.
She’d moved in his direction, and Jay had raced past and wrapped his arms around his legs. Tyler had hunkered down and hugged the boy. “I’m sorry buddy, but the rules are the rules. I can only do a ten-day rotation, but Brigs is here to look after you and Lee now.”
Jay’s jaw had quivered. “Could you push me on the swing one last time?”
“Sure.” Tyler was such a sucker for Jay.
“But after Lee does.” Jay shot a mischievous look her way.
Yeah, Jay would draw Tyler’s departure out, and she understood why. Jeffrey Lawntree, his busy politician father, paid him so little attention. Tyler was a breath of fresh air for Jay, and had never left their side since his arrival. Jay loved that. She did too.
She led Jay to the old oak tree where his grandfather had knotted a tire over a high, sturdy branch.
Jay wriggled into the tire and dangled his legs over the rim, ready to go. He giggled, barely sitting still. “Go, Lee, push.” Lee was his nickname for her, one she adored. Even Tyler had adopted it. Only the two of them had ever done that. So special.
Pulling both Jay and the tire, she backed up and let go when she was certain the tire would swing nice and high as Jay liked.
“It’s wet, Lee,” Jay yelled and laughed as he flew.
She clapped a hand against her mouth as water sloshed inside the rim. Oh no. She’d forgotten to check it first. It had rained the night before and she should have tipped it out.
“There’s water in Poppa’s tire and my bottom’s getting wet.” Jay sailed through the air, giggles exploding from him as his red shorts stained darker.
She laughed at his silly grin. “I’m so sorry.”
“I can’t believe you forgot.” Tyler’s blue eyes sparkled as he beckoned her to him. “Come and say goodbye to me.”
Such husky words she couldn’t ignore. “Are you finally off the clock?”
“Yes, but you’re still a client.”
“And a bodyguard doesn’t get physical with his client?”
“It goes against the rules, Lee. It obscures our point of view.”