Page 37 of An Epic Voyage
Griffin chuckled.“I’m still not sure why they invited us to eat with them.”
“It’s Jinger’s way of matchmaking.She’s trying to get me to work for her, and she thinks that if we get together, I’ll change my mind.”
“Ah, well, that makes sense in Jinger’s world, I guess.”
“What a scary place that must be,” she mumbled.
Griffin smiled down at her, and she stumbled.Those doggone dimples would be her undoing.
When they arrived at the private dining room, Jinger fluttered over to welcome them, playing the cheerful, attentive hostess.She air-kissed each of their cheeks as if she were European royalty.They joined Benedict at the table.He shook Griffin’s hand and then Indigo’s.He held on longer than necessary as his gaze raked her body, lingering too long on her chest.Jerk.She cursed her lack of a bra, even though there was built-in support that covered her nipples.
“How are you feeling today?”Her caring tone belied her true feelings.
“Much better.I must’ve had a case of food poisoning or something.”
Or something.
“I almost fired the chef, but Jinger talked me out of it.”
Thank goodness.Indigo didn’t want the man to lose his job because of her.
A server came over to take their drink orders and to inform them that the choices for the night were filet mignon or grilled salmon.Griffin and Benedict chose the steak, while Indigo and Jinger opted for the fish.
Whereas she and Griffin chatted easily, this dialogue was shallow and uninteresting.Van Houten tried to play footsie with her under the table, while Jinger was doing her best to talk Indy’s ear off.Several times, Indy glanced toward the kitchen.How long did it take to grill a couple of steaks and two pieces of fish?It wasn’t as if there was a full house and the chef had to divide time between multiple orders.They were the only ones in the entire restaurant.Did he have to butcher the cow, or what?Thankfully, after what seemed like hours, the meals arrived, preventing further conversational torture.
The salmon was divine, as was the roasted asparagus that came with it.The chef’s Michelin stars were well deserved.Jinger picked at her food and barely ate two bites.What a waste of a delicious meal.
Indy had hoped to make a polite exit, but that dream was dashed when Van Houten instructed the server to crack open a bottle of Rémy Martin Louis XIII.
They sat in leather chairs in front of a gas fireplace and spent the evening sipping cognac while Van Houten pontificated about his wealth and the privileges that came with it.Indy considered grabbing the fire stoker and stabbing it into her ear canal to end the suffering.At least she was far enough away from Van Houten that he couldn’t fondle her.Bright side.
She almost declared her love to Griffin when he stood and held out a hand for her.
“It’s late, and we should get to bed.We’ll arrive at the island early in the morning.”
They said their goodbyes.As soon as they stepped into the hallway, Indy relaxed for the first time that evening.Between acting interested in the mind-numbingly boring fluff Jinger prattled about and avoiding Van Houten’s roaming hands—and feet—she was exhausted.Her mission would start in earnest tomorrow.She needed to be rested for it.
Griffin walked her to her door.In another circumstance, she’d invite him in and act on the scorching chemistry that sizzled between them.As horrible as Benedict and Jinger had been, the evening had been bearable because of Griffin.All she had to do was look at him and calmness would overcome her, along with a healthy dose of lust.
“Do you expect any nocturnal visits from Van Houten tonight?”
“I didn’t last night,” she countered.“I don’t plan on opening the door if he comes knocking.”
“By the way he was staring at you tonight, I’d say that’s a pretty good bet.”
She sighed.Griffin was right.Those looks had been downright lecherous.
“If you want, there’s an empty crew room next to mine.You could sleep there tonight.”
That would allow her to rest without worrying that Van Houten would accost her while she was unconscious.“I’ll take it.Come on in, and I’ll grab a few things.”
Indigo picked up her suitcase and disappeared into the bathroom.With one last wistful look at the beautiful dress, she removed it and replaced it on the hanger.Jordy could have it dry cleaned, and it’d be as good as new.She pulled on a T-shirt and shorts that were comfortable enough to sleep in and removed her makeup.Griffin was staring out the window when she emerged.It was too dark to see anything, yet he seemed mesmerized.Indigo took the opportunity to ogle his behind.Oh my.
When he turned, she averted her gaze and picked up her computer bag with her SIG Sauer in a hidden compartment.“I’m ready.”
Griffin waited for her to exit and then placed a small piece of paper against the frame while closing the door.
“Great idea,” Indigo praised.It was a rudimentary, foolproof method of knowing if Van Houten had visited.
