Priceless Treasure(4)

When they were both back on the dock, Ashton couldn’t help but admire Savannah’s long black hair and spitting dark brown eyes. This was no wet-T-shirt contest, but her clothes were plastered to her body anyway. Yep, he could see all she had to offer, and the view was well worth that splash in the ocean.

“Are you happy now?” she growled.

Ashton stopped what he’d been about to say and looked at her in surprise. “You’re going to blame me for what happened?”#p#分页标题#e#

“You’re the one who pushed me into the water. You’re obviously nothing more than a … a … a bully,” she said, and just then her entire body began to shake.

Even though it was an unusually warm June evening, the breeze blowing in off the ocean was very cold.

“I in no way pushed you,” he gasped, but he quickly tamped down his outrage. “However, and that’s a big however, I’ll be the better person here — the better man, dammit — and hit the Pause button on this part of the conversation. Let’s wait until we get inside to continue our little spat. You need to dry off before you catch a cold.” He was telling her that as he began moving up the dock. “Looks like you’ll be able to board one of the ships after all. Try not to take it for a test ride.”

“A cold is a virus, not something you catch from a dip in water.” The woman refused to budge. “Perhaps you mean hypothermia. And there’s no way I’m going anywhere with you.”

“Then leave. I don’t really give a damn,” he said. Granted, he was bluffing. His curiosity was piqued and he had to know what this woman’s story was.

“What?”

“I’m wet and I’m cold. I’m not standing out here arguing with you. If you want to warm up, come inside. If you want to pout like a child, take off.”

“Pout? Pout?” She rolled her eyes. “Fine! Just give me a towel. I’m sure you people have something like that here on these docks.”

“You’ll have to follow me to get it,” he called back to her, not slowing. But he could hear her footsteps as she trudged reluctantly behind him.

A smile transformed his face as he continued on his way. Something about this woman’s attitude intrigued him, and he was having fun. That hadn’t happened to him lately.

Striding up to the biggest boat he had in his fleet, the one with his offices on it, he held out his hand to assist her across the ramp.

“I’m fine,” she told him, brushing past him and sending a bolt of awareness right to his groin. This wasn’t good — not good at all. He was engaged to be married, dammit. But none of that seemed to matter to his lower regions, because he found himself leaning against her. And, heaven forgive him, he began whispering into her ear.

“Yes, you are.”

She paused, but only for a millisecond, before she continued moving aboard the exquisitely decorated vessel. He pressed forward past the main dining hall, where up to two hundred and fifty passengers could enjoy meals while socializing.

Top-notch paintings from countries around the world hung on the walls above pieces of antique furniture that Ashton had personally played a part in choosing. He wanted his passengers to have an unforgettable experience, and they always did, leaving his excursions feeling refreshed, pampered, and well-traveled.

Ashton hadn’t skimped on costs — the floors were constructed of blond woods from Europe. The ship boasted the finest fabrics, all in rich colors. The fixtures were antique gold, and not a single surface dared carry any grime or even a speck of dust.

“This wasn’t what I was expecting,” the woman said with a look of awe. “It’s stunning.”

Her comment actually made him smile, which surprised him. But he was proud of all he’d accomplished in four short years. He couldn’t brush off compliments on those hard-won achievements.

“This business caters to those who don’t want to be lost in a crowd of three thousand people. The passengers who sail with us are a very exclusive crowd. These ships top out at three hundred guests, but we normally carry fewer than that. There have yet to be any complaints.”#p#分页标题#e#

“I bet the customers are completely satisfied. Man, this would be a dream come true for me. A ship big enough not to get blown over on a dark and stormy night, yet small enough to get to ports the huge ships can’t. Oh, the places you could explore.”

“Is that why you want to work here?” he asked as he moved into his office, and he began to unbutton his shirt. He was done with being wet. So why wasn’t she watching the show?