Page 35 of Redemption

She leaned her hip against the captain’s chair, her gaze skeptical. “Do you do that with your other clients?”

“Not usually. But this is different.”

“Because of our past.”

“Well, yes. But I was referring more to our present circumstances. I’m not typically alone with a client for such an extended period of time. There are usually other staff present. Other members of my team. Family or friends, even.”

I wasn’t trying to make her uncomfortable. In fact, the opposite was true. We sat in silence for a while before she asked, “Do you like being a bodyguard?”

“Technically, I’m an executive protection agent. But, yes, most people refer to us as bodyguards.”

“Okay,” she said, dragging out the word, annoyance bleeding into her tone. “Do you like being an executive protection agent?”

I lifted a shoulder. “It definitely has its perks at times.” I gestured to the view. We were nearing the edge of the breakwater, and I knew the wind would likely pick up as soon as we were past it. The waves too.

“Here.” I handed her a life vest. She thanked me, and I watched as she secured it before putting on my own.

“I’m sure it’s not all fun and games. Just like everyone assumes my life is full of ease and luxury. And a lot of it is,” she said, her expression darkening. “But it’s also a lot of hard work.”

“Exactly.” I nodded. “There’s a lot of prep work. A lot of things that go on behind the scenes.”

“Like what?” Her curiosity encouraged me to continue. There were many other things I’d rather discuss with Sloan, but at this point, I was just grateful she was talking to me. Maybe she was finally beginning to thaw.

“Like our trip, for instance. I have to check potential locations where we’ll stop. Evaluate the circumstances on each island—if they are recovering from a recent hurricane or what the current political climate is. And those are the big-picture pieces. There are other considerations, such as marina safety and security. The location of the hotels and their placement. Transportation. Availability of medical facilities. I could go on and on.”

“That’s definitely a lot more detail than I take into account.”

“That’s part of the reason why I moved to a res team.”

She glanced at me. “Res team?”

“Residential,” I explained. “The team stays with the principal and concentrates on the security of the principal’s home. As opposed to a movement team that’s formed solely for the purpose of a trip.”

“So what would this assignment be considered?” she asked. “The boat is currently my home—so it’s residential. But we’re traveling. So, movement?”

I chuckled. “This…” Like everything with this woman. “…is unique.”

“That’s one word for it,” she muttered. Or at least, that was what it sounded like. The wind had picked up now that we were past the breakwater. I didn’t know what she was more upset about—someone encroaching on her trip or the fact that I was that someone.

We fell silent, watching as the sail unfurled. I waited until it had caught the wind, and then I tightened it around the winch. The sun beat down on me, and I tried to adjust to the idea that this would be my life for the next two months. Glancing over at Sloan, I had to admit, I didn’t hate it.

The rest of the day had been pleasant, but spending the day in the sun had sapped the energy from me. Despite my exhaustion, I tossed and turned, plagued with thoughts of Sloan. Snippets from today and memories from the past.

“What would you name your boat if you had one?” she asked, running her hand over my chest. With Greer at Logan’s, Sloan and I were spending a lazy morning in bed. She didn’t have class until eleven, and I was off until Thursday.

“Hm.” I was too distracted by her touch to think of much else. “Hydrotherapy.”

She laughed, her body vibrating against mine. It was intoxicating—her happiness, and the idea that I’d caused it.

“Mm. How about Fantasea but spelled s-e-a?”

She smacked my chest playfully. “Too cheesy.”

“What about you?” I trailed my fingers up and down her back. “What would you name your boat?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Liquid Asset.”

“Very punny,” I joked.

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