Priceless Treasure(41)

She retreated if just a step. “Don’t you dare,” she whispered. “The rest of the crew most likely already thinks of me as a homewrecker, and you know my sentiments about that.”

“I guarantee you that if they think you’re the reason that Kalli and I broke up, then they’re planning a party in your honor, with balloons and confetti. She wasn’t particularly well-liked around here. Or so I’ve been told recently.”

“That’s a terrible thing to say, Ashton, absolutely terrible. She was obviously hurting from your breakup to have come down here.”

“Um, she did just push you into the water. And you’re defending her? I don’t think I’ll ever understand the way women think.”

“That wasn’t particularly kind of the woman — downright mean, to tell the truth. But she’s not thinking straight. She’s in pain,” Savvy said, making his mouth drop open.

“That’s the difference between the two of you, Savvy,” he said. “You have a heart. She doesn’t. She’s pissed because she loses access to my bank accounts and the megabucks in them.”

That stopped whatever she’d been about to say — she stood there gaping at him. Her eyes widened at his comment about money, but it wasn’t a look of greed he saw, but a look of fear. She took another step away from him. Interesting. Everything about her was interesting.

“Come on. I’ll get you a towel,” he said, holding out his hand.

She took another step back. “I sooo don’t think so. That’s how this whole disaster got started.”

It took him a moment and then he was smiling again. Damn if she hadn’t pulled him out of that grouchy mood of his. He really was falling for this woman.

“Aw, come on, angel face. Maybe this time when we fall, I’ll actually get to complete the kiss,” he said with a wink.

“Oh my gosh, Ash, I can’t believe you just said that,” she whispered before looking around. Of course everyone was staring at them, and her cheeks glowed with the brightest of reds. “I’m out of here.” She wheeled around and scurried away from him.

He thought for a few seconds about pursuing her. After all, she would be rushing to her bathroom and stripping off her sodden clothes. Dammit! Just like that he was growing a raging hard-on. Yeah, maybe it was best if he let her warm up and cool off at the same time.#p#分页标题#e#

Still, he ignored the knowing glances of his crew members as he walked past them whistling. His day had gone from crap to pretty great in a matter of minutes. There was just something amazing about Savvy that did that to him.

He was more than looking forward to the next ten days. Savvy couldn’t run from him in the middle of the sea.





Chapter Nineteen


Savvy watched a crowd form at the departure docks, located about a mile away from where she normally worked on the boats. True, she was going to be working like mad on this cruise, but she couldn’t help but feel the rush of excitement from the obviously upscale folks getting ready to board.

It was a red-carpet ride all the way from the get-go. Tents were set up so Ashton’s guests didn’t have to swelter in the sun. Refreshments were out, and there wasn’t a single person there who didn’t seem to be smiling.

Ashton was nowhere to be found, and Savvy was now confident he wasn’t a part of this voyage. She felt as if a twenty-pound weight had been taken off her shoulders. Ten days at sea was just what the doctor had ordered for her to get over her fascination with this man.

Yep, she would be healed for sure.

Despite the crush of people, the process went smoothly, as guests were each handed a packet that included their itinerary, dining options, room keys, and the layout of the ship — including how to get to their rooms or suites. Savvy sure as heck hoped they enjoyed their rooms. She and a lot of other staff members had left roses on the pillows along with a tote bag filled with essentials that a lot of passengers tended to forget, such as sunscreen, lip balm, and makeup remover wipes.

Savannah hadn’t ever been on a real cruise — she’d never even been to a resort, nice or not so nice — but she was told that Ashton insisted that the Storm adventures be VIP for every single passenger. They were paying for it, and he wasn’t about to rip anyone off. So as much as Savvy didn’t want to like or appreciate the guy, she had to respect him as a business owner.

In each cabin, she and others had also set out a bottle of champagne on ice, and a tray with cheese, crackers and fruit, so passengers could get settled in and have a snack before they began searching for an early dinner.