Page 17 of Below Deck Billionaire
She was wearing the more formal white shirt with black epilates embellished with gold embroidery as Kelly had been, in line with protocol. Crew were required to wear different uniforms for different tasks: whites for greeting new arrivals and for sendoffs, and their everyday uniform – navy branded T-shirt, black shorts – throughout except for night-time dining, when the steward staff wore black, be it a dress or a shirt/skirt/trousers combo.
This was the first time he’d seen her in her whites, and fuck if he didn’t want to take her somewhere private and pop every single one of those brass buttons. And wrap her high ponytail around his hand and tug. And no matter how much he told himself this was the result of two months without the company of a woman, he knew that was bullshit.
This was about her. It was Tiffany.
‘Gentlemen.’ She beamed at his friends, and Theo wanted to tell her to stop. Which he imagined would go down like a lead balloon. She was supposed to be friendly and charming. She was doing her goddamn job! ‘I’m Tiff. If you’re done, I’ll show you to your suites. Please, follow me.’
Turning slightly, she gestured to the door, which set her ponytail in motion, swinging back and forth like a fucking magician’s watch, deepening the spell she seemed to have cast over Theo’s goddamn libido.
Rufus, as quick and pompously charming as ever, bowed deeply. ‘My lady, I’d follow you to the ends of the earth. Unless’ – he paused for dramatic effect – ‘you also have a big Scottish guy who might punch me in the face?’
A white-hot flare of possession drove a hot spike through Theo’s brain.Hewanted to punch Rufus in the face. And Fabian. They were both smiling at Tiffany like she was the best thing that had happened to them today, and he wanted to growl,back off, she’s mine.
Watching Simon flirt with her yesterday had been irritating, but some of his closest friends? That was pure fucking torture.
‘Me?’ Tiffany laughed. ‘I don’t need a big guy, Scottish or otherwise. I grew up with four brothers and a bunch of tough old cowboys as uncles. I have a pretty mean right hook.’
‘A woman who can take care of herself.’ Rufus clutched his chest. ‘Where have you been all my life?’
Red mist swirled in front of Theo’s face, his stomach a tight knot. ‘Jesus, Rufus,’ he snarled. ‘Save it for the tourists on the islands and lay off my staff.’
That ponytail swung again as a startled Tiffany stared at him. Then, one by one, his five friends glanced from him to her and back to him again, speculation rife in their eyes, and Theo gave himself a mental kick. He might as well have lifted his leg and pissed at her feet.
Rufus, not at all chastised, saluted, a smug grin on his face. ‘Aye aye, Captain.’ Then he turned to Tiffany and said, ‘Lead on, sweet lady, and do tell us all about yourself.’
Theo ground his teeth. It was going to be a long fucking week.
* * *
Still brooding several hours later, anchored off Naxos, Theo took a guzzle of his beer as he stood at the rail on the main deck, his foot on the middle rung, and watched Rufus and Fabian chase each other on the jet skis. Irving and Ben were lazing on the floating pontoons off the back of the boat after spending the last couple of hours throwing themselves down the large inflatable slide that was anchored on the main deck and hung off the side of the boat.
He watched as Tiffany, barefoot, navigated the floating surface, which bobbed as she walked to bring them an ice bucket jammed with beers. It was a tricky balancing act but she was managing more than admirably, that damn ponytail swinging.
‘Thanks, Tiff,’ they said in unison as she put it between them.
‘You are a goddess,’ Ben added.
She laughed. ‘I bet you say that to all the women bringing you beer on a superyacht.’
‘Of course,’ he deadpanned. ‘My wife would kill me if I didn’t.’
They all laughed then, Tiffany tossing her head, the ponytail a-swinging once more as she turned and made her way back to the boat. Theo’s mouth tightened, stupidly jealous of his friends able to enjoy the September ambience of the Aegean while his stomach was tied in knots, his thoughts churning.
Hugo, who sat on the board of several renowned financial institutions and had made a fortune on the stock market, sidled up beside Theo and they both watched Tiffany cross the last few metres of pontoon. Glancing up, she noticed them, giving a sunny wave, which Hugo returned and Theo did not.
‘Tiff seems nice,’ he said conversationally.
Of the five guys who’d boarded this morning, Hugo had known Theo the longest, which he used for good and for ill. Like now. Theo shot him a doleful look. ‘There’s nothing going on if that’s what you’re thinking,’ he said, his voice not inviting any further inquiry.
But what were friends for if not to stomp all over the keep out signs? ‘Okay.’ Hugo shrugged. ‘Sure.’
Which was irritating AF. ‘Her best friend is married to Ari.’
‘Ah.’ Hugo nodded sagely.
Theo’s foot slid from the rung as he turned to face his friend, leaning his hip into the railing. ‘What doesahmean?’
‘Nothing.’ Hugo shook his head as he took a chug of his water. ‘Just interesting that she’s working on your boat.’
