Page 22 of An Epic Voyage
“Pity.”
Griffin chuckled.“I don’t see the relationship lasting much longer.He gets bored relatively easily, and it’s already lasted longer than most of his hookups.”
“She offered me a position as her official beautician.”
Griffin looked at her as his heart skipped a beat.He didn’t plan on being with Van Houten much longer, but seeing more of Indigo sounded eminently appealing.“Did you accept?”
“Heck, no.There isn’t enough money in the world for me to take that job.”
Griffin smiled.Ah, well, there went that brief flare of hope.At least she wasn’t motivated by money.Another plus in her favor.“It would probably be a life-changing amount.”
“Nope.It was all I could do to refrain from landing a stinging haymaker on her ridiculously plumped lips.”
He would’ve loved to have seen that.And it was nice to know he wasn’t the only one who thought Jinger’s porn-star pucker was atrocious.
Indigo was looking at him funny.“What?”
She shook her head.“Oh, nothing ...just that you should smile more often.”
A bolt of lust lanced through his body.Attraction.That’s what he was feeling.It was as instantaneous as it was unwelcome.He had an important job to do.This was no time for his libido to get in the way.Still, he couldn’t look away from her purply-blue eyes.And it didn’t stop him from asking if she wanted the tour of the yacht she’d previously mentioned.
She nodded slowly.“Sure.”
Griffin almost reached for her hand.What was wrong with him?Was it because he’d seen her practically naked?Or was it that she was feisty, fit, and incredibly sexy?Probably a combination of everything he knew about her.
He led her around the yacht, pointing out the features and amenities.She asked intelligent questions, showcasing her sharp mind, which had double-majored in two demanding subjects.She even wanted to look around the lazarette, where the water toys were stored, and the engine room.Most people wouldn’t want to see the nuts and bolts, only the glittery parts.He was quickly learning that she wasn’t like most people.
It was getting late, and Griffin should be getting to bed, but he was wide awake and enjoying spending time with Indigo.When he suggested a drink, she accepted.
It felt intimate to be sitting across the table from her in a deserted bar.A candle flickered in front of them, and soft jazz drifted from the speakers.They were both drinking red wine as they discussed current events and shared memories of their childhoods.He learned that she’d lost both parents and had grown up in the foster care system.He’d experienced a similar upbringing, but he’d been fortunate to have loving grandparents raise him after his parents were killed in a car accident.
Griffin was enjoying getting to know her, so he mentally cursed when Benedict and Jinger strolled inside, hand in hand.All three of his bodyguards came in behind them and sat at the bar.Why Van Houten needed them following him around was a mystery.Did he think armed pirates were going to infiltrate the yacht and hijack it?
Van Houten raised his hand to greet them.“Griff.”He urged Jinger forward and they took the two empty chairs at their table.The bartender placed drinks in front of them.Van Houten’s glass was filled with red wine like his and Indigo’s, while Jinger’s was a frothy pink concoction with a pineapple slice, cherries, and a colorful umbrella.
“How’s it going?”Van Houten asked.
“All’s well except for the storm in the Atlantic.”
Van Houten took a sip.“Don’t worry about it, Griff.My island is immune to storms.”
Yeah?How did that work?There was no bartering with Mother Nature.
Van Houten finally seemed to notice Indigo.He straightened in his seat.“Well, hello.I don’t think we’ve met.”
Before Indigo could respond, Jinger jumped in to say, “Oh, Benny, this is the woman I was telling you about, my new makeup artist.She’s replacing Pammy.”
“Indigo Adair,” she said.
Van Houten shook her hand.“Nice to meet you, Indigo.”
Was it Griffin’s imagination, or was he holding on longer than was polite?Plus, he did not like the way Van Houten stared at her.It was almost predatory.
“Nice to meet you, and I’m only here for this trip.Pammy will resume her duties when we return.”
Jinger waved her comment away.“Nonsense.I want you, so Benny will make it happen.Right, darling?”
Apparently, Jinger hadn’t noticed the way her boyfriend was undressing Indigo with his eyes, or she’d want Indigo as far away as possible from her sugar daddy.Griffin sure did.
