Crew's gut clenched at her words. He'd known her for less than a week and already he was growing attached in a strange way. She was just so full of life, so full of happiness. Her enthusiasm for everything around her was contagious.
Halfway to the island, they saw the dolphins dancing on the water next to the boat, showing off for Crew and Haley as the captain slowed so they could enjoy the show a little longer.
The sun was just starting to set and Crew couldn't fight the urge to slip his arm around Haley's shoulders and pull her tightly against his side. And when she looked up, he couldn't resist bending down and capturing her lips for just the briefest of moments.
As she sighed into his mouth, he felt his wavering control snap. They would make fireworks ignite when they finally came together - it couldn't be soon enough.
Chapter Thirteen
As she walked from the elevator, Haley felt a twinge of her old insecurities. Here she was in a stunning gown with her hair piled atop her head and with her newly acquired makeup lightly applied. She'd even spritzed herself with the subtly scented bottle of perfume she'd found in the bathroom with a ribbon tied on top. This was what she wanted. She wanted to turn heads. She wanted to feel gorgeous.
So why was everything inside of her telling her to turn around and run back to her room? She wanted to hide away and slip back into a baggy T-shirt and frayed shorts.
But refusing to let her fears dictate her actions, Haley moved purposefully through the lobby toward the softly lit bar where Marlin was working. Crew had only instructed her to meet him at ten at the bar; all she knew was that he was taking her to a nice dinner. If only she could feel a little less afraid, a little more excited.
"Wowee! You look hot!" Haley looked up to find Marlin giving her an exaggerated wink. "Beautiful ladies get the first-class bar stool," he finished as he came around the bar and pulled out the seat for her.
"Why, thank you, kind sir," she replied demurely. She sat as gracefully as she could, but getting comfortable took her a few moments, what with adjusting her dress and positioning her heels just right on the rungs of the stool.
"Would you like a surprise or would a woman of your high class like a glass of champagne?"
"You may surprise me. And you can quit that flattery any time, Marlin. You're making me blush," she whispered as she looked over her shoulder. The bar was crowded, but luckily the crowd was near the new piano player and the large gas fireplace on the other side of the room, and no one was paying the two of them the least bit of attention.
"Hey, a dress that hot, covering a body that's even hotter, deserves some of my special attention."
"I'm going to tell your wife," she said. "In fact, she's right over there."
Marlin looked around in terror, causing Haley's nerves to fade away into laughter. She was glad Crew wasn't there yet - it gave her a few necessary moments to relax.
"I was just having some fun. That was downright cruel," he pouted as he began mixing her a drink.
"Don't mess with a woman in heels, Marlin. You'll lose every time," she said, still laughing.
"Don't I know it," he sighed as he placed a martini in front of her. She raised her eyebrows at the choice, but picked up the amusingly retro silver-plated cocktail stick and started moving it and its olives around in the glass. "I figure you're dressed classy, so you need a classy drink," he offered.
"I see. So when I'm in my cutoffs, I get the Bottom-Feeder Special?"
"I'd never think of doing that to you, missy. Do you want me to slip you some brazini with fennel puree? It's delicious."
"I would love some, but I'm meeting Crew here and he's taking me out to dinner." She was thinking the brazini sounded much better, though.
"That explains the new dress. I knew the boss man would get his claws into you. He has an eye for the pretty ladies."
"It's not like that. He's helping me out - and though he's a pain in the butt, I have to admit that he's doing a pretty good job so far," she admitted.
"Mmm, that's what I like to hear. You smell divine." Haley tensed all over again as Crew's mouth descended on her neck and he took a gentle bite from her skin. She instantly felt goose bumps and found herself fighting the urge to lean into the firmness of his chest when he pressed his body against her back.
"You're not supposed to eavesdrop," she said when she found her voice again.
"Haven't you heard that it's not nice to talk about people behind their backs?" he countered.
"We were just discussing my upcoming mystery date," she defended.
"Speaking of which, everything is ready. I'm sorry to keep you waiting. My sister was on the phone and no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't get her off the line. Melodrama is Brielle's middle name."