Page 132 of Falling Overboard

I’d never seen Hunter looking so angry while also being overprotective. And honestly? It was kind of sexy. “I know you can.”

“And if those slimeballs go to the captain, and they’re absolutely the type that would, complaining that you were being threatening toward them? He could fire you.” I couldn’t let that happen. I would miss him and I wanted him to fulfill his dreams and he had to keep this job to do so. “You have to remember that the customer is always right.”

“Even when they’re sexually harassing you? That is not okay.”

“No, it’s not. But it happens.”

He stepped closer to me and, in the calmest, most rational voice, said, “If he puts his hands on you again, I’m going to choke him out.”

Yep, definitely sexy. “No, you’re not. That’s felonious assault.”

“We’re on the ocean.” He shrugged.

“Close to the shore, so Italy’s laws apply.” We were on our way to Portofino.

He dragged his fingers through his hair and growled. “This is going to be my supervillain origin story.”

I glanced around, and when I’d made sure that we were alone, I wrapped my arms around his waist. “You can’t show your parents you’re being a responsible, hardworking adult if you kill one of their charter guests.”

He let out an exaggerated sigh and kissed me quickly. “Fine. I’ll be reasonable. But if that Brock guy touches you again, all bets are off.”

“I kind of like your Neanderthal ways,” I said.

“Oh yeah? Wait until I drag you back to my cave,” he said, making me forget that we were supposed to be working.

I leaned in, intending to kiss him for real, when I heard the sound of someone approaching. We quickly released one another and Emilie came up the stairs.

“There you are,” she said. “I’m sick.”

She looked fine. “Do you need to see the doctor?”

“No. I don’t think I’ll be able to work tomorrow.”

With these guests we definitely needed all hands on deck. “Can’t you take some medicine? We really need your help.” As little as it actually was.

“No.” Then she left without another word.

It was like we were playing a game of chicken to see who would crack first. That was it. I had to tell her uncle what she had been doing. Or, more accurately, not been doing.

As soon as this charter was over, I would go to him and say that Emilie needed to be let go. Enough was enough.

If she tried to swipe back at me by telling him about Hunter, well, I’d cross that bridge when I came to it.

“She’s sick?” Hunter asked, sounding as incredulous as I felt.

“Allergic to work, most likely,” I said. “I can’t be shorthanded with this bunch.”

“I’ll help you,” he said. “I’ll fill in for her.”

“You will?”

He nodded. “I’ll ask Thomas if it’s okay and then I’ll do whatever you tell me to do.”

Another spike of want. “Anything?”

His expression was hungry and intense. I was already burning up for him and he wasn’t even touching me. “I would say I’m lookingforward to working under you but I don’t want to sound like those scumbags in there.”

“It’s okay if you say it,” I whispered, and that intensity in his eyes somehow increased.

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