Page 23 of Obsession Under the Southern Stars

He nods. “Don’t suppose you want to get out of here and grab a drink? I’m at the Kingfisher. They’ve got a nice bar.”

He’s coming on to me. My pulse speeds up a little. He has attractive light-brown eyes and a sensual mouth. Why shouldn’t I go for a drink with him? Joel and I aren’t dating. We’re friends, that’s all.

But I know I’m kidding myself. I don’t want to go out with anyone else. I’m here with Joel, and even if it’s not romantic yet, there’s something between us that’s more than just friends.

I feel a presence behind me, and then Joel leans forward and places two opened bottles of champagne on the table. “Everything all right?” he asks as he takes his seat.

I nod, unable to stop heat creeping into my cheeks. “Fine.”

His eyes meet mine for a moment, lit with a mixture of mischief and possessiveness that sends a tingle running down my spine.

“Weather looks good tomorrow,” Clive says, oblivious to any undercurrent at the table.

“Excellent,” Joel replies. “Should be good for a nine a.m. start, then.”

Emma comes back to the table and reveals she was talking to Tim Montgomery, the CEO of MOANA. “He told me he’s only interviewing you two for the Director of Operations job,” she says to Manu and Joel.

Their eyebrows rise at the same time, and they exchange glances.

“Did you not know that?” I ask.

“I assumed there would be five or six applicants,” Joel says.

Emma shakes her head. “He said nobody came close to you two.”

“Well, that’s obvious,” Manu jokes.

Emma pours herself a glass of champagne and gestures at the award while sitting in front of Joel. “That has to help your case, surely?”

He shrugs, pouring everyone another glass of champagne. “Manu has his award, too. And he has a connection with local iwi. That’s going to be important with the upcoming relocation of the offices and the excavation of HMS Steadfast off the Wellington coast in a few months’ time.”

“I’m clearly the superior candidate,” Manu teases.

“Not really much point in having the interview,” I say, and Joel gives me a wry look.

Emma grins, then says, “Well, it’s going to be a tough decision, for sure.”

We talk for a while, discussing plans for the next day, until eventually Joel finishes off the champagne in his glass andglances at me. “How are you doing? You want to make a move yet? A boat’s about to leave.”

I finish my drink. “Yes, I’m happy to go as we have an earlyish start tomorrow.”

We get to our feet, and the others wave goodbye and say they’ll see us in the morning.

Hori stands, comes around the table to me, and takes my hand. “You sure you don’t want to take me up on my offer?” he murmurs.

I slide my hand out of his, conscious of Joel’s gaze on us. “No, thank you.”

Hori sighs. “See you tomorrow.”

I smile at the others, slide my hand through Joel’s arm, and we head for the door.

“What offer?” he asks as we go into the foyer.

“Nothing.” I concentrate on wending my way through the crowd to the doorway leading to the boat. Joel goes first down the steps, then turns to lend me a hand as I descend in my high heels and step carefully onto the boat. He joins me, and we find a seat on the bench inside.

I shiver. It’s summer, but it’s cool out here on the water.

“What offer?” Joel asks again.

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