Page 24 of Undercover Billionaire

God… What was it with this guy?

She’d sworn after Eric she wasn’t going to be distracted by a guy ever again. She had plans and commitments on the other side of the world. Very soon her mother’s health was going to command all her attention – inAustralia.

She didn’t need this kind of distraction. They were supposed to be one and done, damn it.

But there was a hum in her blood and a buzz low in her belly that was hard to ignore and despite how tired she was, Kelsey didn’t hold out much hope for a restful sleep.

Deciding to go for a turn around the ship to try and blow away some of the sexual frustration, Kelsey stepped out onto the top deck, the cocktail umbrella still in hand. It was deserted out here after midnight, nothing but the light breeze and the moon playing across the Med.

She walked for a bit, following the running track that circled the top deck before pocketing the umbrella and stopping to lean on the railing, staring out over the dark expanse of water disappearing into the inky night.

Kelsey loved working on cruise ships. She loved that every day – as she’d told Ari when they’d first met – she had a view of the ocean, which was as essential to her as breathing. She loved chatting with passengers and she adored the friendships and the sense of community amongst the staff.

But she needed to go home every now and then. Get her land legs. See her mother. And, after seven years in the industry, she was looking forward to the day she could call it quits. She certainly couldn’t go for three years without a break as Ari had confessed to this afternoon.

Who even did that? Surely no one loved spreadsheets that much?

In fact, Ari didn’t look like the kind of guy who was into spreadsheets at all. He looked like he sailed yachts and played polo and was the face of some expensive male cologne.

‘A penny for them.’

Kelsey’s breath cut out just above her vocal cords as the dark, rich voice so achingly familiar reached her in the night. As if she’d conjured him, Ari slid in beside her, leaning on the rail, also looking out to sea. His arm brushed hers, his hip mere inches away, and he smelled like whisky and maple syrup and forbidden freaking fruit.

Her pulse tripped. The nerve endings buried deep between her hips quivered.

‘Santorini’s out there somewhere,’ Kelsey said, her voice husky because no way in hell was she admitting to thinking about him.

‘Sea day tomorrow.’

‘Yep.’ Kelsey didn’t look at him, too aware of his closeness and his heat and the way his voice wrapped around her. ‘All hands on deck tomorrow.’

Even the thought of it made her weary. Sea days were crazy busy for the crew. Passengers loved the idea of relaxing all day but that didn’t mean they didn’t want to be constantly fed and watered and entertained. If she thought she was exhausted now, that would go double this time tomorrow night.

‘You sound tired,’ he said.

Kelsey swore he leaned into her a little more, the sweet intoxication of his scent filling her nostrils and going straight to her head. ‘It’s been a long day.’

‘It has.’

‘My feet are aching, I need a shower and I have to be up in five hours. I should be in my bed.’

She should not be out here with Ari George – with apassenger.Her heart fluttering like crazy, her fingers gripping the railing for fear she might shove them through his hair and yank him into a kiss.

‘I have a shower.’ His voice was a low rumble, just a touch louder than the muffled rumble of the ship’s engines.

Kelsey’s breath hitched and she braved a glance at him. His profile was strongly etched despite the night, the waves of his dark hair ruffling in the breeze. ‘Ari.’

She didn’t know if it was warning or encouragement. She didn’t know jack any more.

‘I’ve also been known to give excellent foot rubs.’ His head turned and their gazes met, his as inky and deep as the Med at night. ‘With or without a happy ending.’

‘Ari…’Damn it, why must he be so damn irresistible? Why must he even be here at all? ‘Were you waiting for me out here, for this?’

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘I came out here to cool my heels. Trying to ignore this compulsion I seem to have around you.’

Kelsey’s ovaries jettisoned a surge of oestrogen at the ragged admission. He didn’t seem to be particularly happy about it, his mouth a tight line, but it curled Kelsey’s toes nonetheless.

‘And then… here you were.’

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