Docked (27 page)

“And why is that?”

One of the men clears his throat and begins rolling the cart away, leaving his coworker to deal with Tanner. I feel sorry for them both. Right now, Mr. Christensen is an angry bear being lured from his cave, and I would not want to be on the receiving end of that exchange. The remaining steward glances past Tanner and at me, his eyes bouncing nervously back to his boss immediately. “I really can’t say, sir. I was just told to deliver the message.”

“Tell Heidi she can call me herself if it’s that urgent.”

“She said she tried, sir, but you haven’t answered. She said you don’t have long.”

Tanner begins to shut the door, but pauses. “Don’t have long for what?”

“I’m very sorry, sir, but I’m not to say.”

Tanner eyes the man’s name tag. “Jerry, would you mind telling me why you’re talking in code?”

I’m on my feet before I can stop myself. “Jerry,” I join Tanner’s side and extend my hand to the man, “I’m Anya Banks. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He gives my hand a wary glance but accepts the shake, keeping an eye on Tanner as he does. “Mr. Christensen will be right there. You can tell Heidi not to worry.” I smile kindly and look to Tanner, who’s glaring down at me in disbelief.

“Thank you, Miss Banks,” Jerry says with a grateful nod. He hurries off and Tanner shuts the door.

“Just what do you think you’re doing? I’m not going to the office right now.”

“That poor guy thought you were about to lynch him. Cut him a break. And Heidi already has enough on her plate. No need to stress her out any further. There’s no rush, you have me for the next fourteen days.” I shrug and begin an easy gait back to the chaise, but Tanner stops me, turning me to take me in his arms.

“I was very happy with where I was, Miss Banks. I have zero interest in leaving this cabin.”

“Well, it seems you have business to attend to, so go do what you have to do.” I kiss his nose. “You can take care of me later.”

His gaze drops to my lips and he squeezes me for a moment. “I suppose I should see what’s got Heidi all worked up, and I do have some phone calls I can make while I’m there. I can get them out of the way now, so I’m free the rest of the day. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” I give him a little push. “Go.”

He lifts his wrist to peer at his watch. “We’ll be leaving port any minute. Enjoy the launch, and we’ll pick up where we left off when I return. Sound good?”

“Sounds perfect.”

He nods briskly and grabs his tie from the dining room chair.

“Let me,” I say, stepping in front of him. He slips the baby blue silk around his neck and drops his arms to his sides, allowing me to fix it for him. He watches as I adjust the silk, smoothing it down the center of his chest when I’m done. He studies me as I step back to eye my handiwork.

“I could get used to this.”

“Ha. What, a woman dressing you?”

“No.” He leans forward and brings his mouth to mine, speaking over my lips, causing my skin to tingle. “Watching a woman like you dress a man like me.” He quickly releases me and exits the cabin, leaving me with another one of those stupid pangs jumping around in my chest. It’s sharp and swift, and it steals my breath.

I decide to slip back into my heels and collect my purse, intent to head back out to celebrate setting sail, but as the ship begins to move, I find myself stuck watching from Tanner’s living room window. I’m enraptured, caught up in the moment, and I don’t want to move. Seagulls and pelicans scatter from the dock and take flight, and the slight trace of movement becomes noticeable beneath my feet. This launch, just like the last, is so graceful, so smooth, all I can do is stand still in awe at its beauty.

I give myself a few more moments to take it in and then resume my stroll to the cabin door, stepping out into the hall. Familiar excitement buzzes all around me. Teenagers chat animatedly with their families, girlfriends laugh as they hurry down the hall together, and young singles check out other young singles as they pass one another, all hyped up and ready to party. All of it makes me miss Lana and Brie.

Once I arrive to the deck, I wander toward the Marais Lounge, soaking up the afternoon sunshine and reveling in the festive atmosphere. Everything about this cruise feels different somehow. More intimate, less hectic. Part of it is because I now know what it feels like to step foot on a ship and face the ocean since the accident, and the other part is undoubtedly linked to Tanner. Despite my reservations, I don’t regret accepting his invitation. In fact, I’m hell bent on taking Lana’s advice and enjoying the hell out of it.

I feel my phone vibrate in my purse, but I don’t bother answering. I don’t want anything to distract me from being in the moment right now. It’s too good to pass up. Instead, I stroll along the deck and take in the view, letting the music from the lounge drift out the doors and inside of me, where it takes hold and sends me into full-on relaxation mode. When I reach the lounge doors, I wander inside and press the elevator button. I know exactly where I’m going.

I’m an addict. I simply cannot help myself.

A few minutes later, I find myself in front of Tanner’s office. I don’t want to disturb him, especially after I’ve encouraged him to get his work done so he can play for the afternoon, but wandering around his deck alone makes me miss him, and suddenly all I want to do is surprise him. I pause before entering, biting my lip. This will either brand me that needy, tag-along girlfriend—well, in this case, not-so-girlfriend—or a woman who is in serious need of a Tanner fix. I stand there a moment more, questioning myself.

Yup, definitely the latter. And I’m not even sorry.

I’m channeling my inner islander as I stroll up to Heidi’s desk to say hello, all calm, cool, and casual, still entranced by the breathtaking view and the tropical breeze gracing the deck. Heidi’s head is down as she types away. She jumps up from her chair the moment she sees me, and my inner islander instantly vanishes.

My eyes widen. “Hey, Heidi. Is everything okay?”

“Miss Banks, I didn’t know you were sailing with us this week.”

My gaze drops to her empty chair. “Oh, it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing. I’m sorry if I spooked you.”

She hurries around the reception desk to stand next to me. She’s clicking her pen, glancing over at Tanner’s office doors. “Well, we’re certainly happy to have you on board again. I’m sorry to say Mr. Christensen’s busy at the moment, but I can have him phone you as soon as he wraps things up.”

“No problem. He mentioned he had some phone calls to take care of, so I’ve just been killing time around the ship until he’s free. I won’t disturb him. Please just let him know I came by to see if he wanted me to get started organizing his office. I’ll be back at his cabin.” I turn to leave, but something in Heidi’s expression stalls me in my tracks. Her face is tense, and she’s fidgeting, still obsessively clicking her pen.

“Miss Banks, I’m not quite sure how to say this, but I think it’s best if we place you in your own private suite for the remainder of the sailing. Something’s come up and I’m not sure if—”

Before she can finish, Tanner’s office doors swing open and a woman snaps at Heidi, giving her a dismissive wave. “Take a late lunch,” she says, eyeing Heidi up and down. Her demeanor is fierce, just like her intimidating, statuesque figure and flawless ensemble. She briefly glances at me. “Hi. Can we help you?”

Heidi jumps to action, high-tailing it back around the reception desk to snatch her purse, then zips past me, gaze downcast as she exits. I stand there awkwardly, wondering what the hell that little exchange was all about, and who this woman is, dismissing Heidi like a child.

“Yes, I’m just here to see Tanner.”

“He’s busy at the moment. You’ll have to come back.” She turns and starts for his office, but I step forward. I can’t place her, but I feel as if I’ve seen her somewhere before. She certainly has a face you wouldn’t forget. This woman is unique. An exotic, bronze-skinned beauty with hair as dark as midnight, sleek and straight, hitting the tips of her shoulders. I gawk at her composed, elegant manner. Everything about her screams that she’s in charge.

“I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met.” I stop her in her tracks. She turns around, rolling her eyes impatiently. “I’m Anya Banks of Four Corners Elite. I’m working with Mr. Christensen this week.”

“Ah!” She shakes the irritation and plasters on a fake smile, rushing forward to shake my hand. “Yes, of course. Tanner mentioned something about a review feature of some sort. So glad you could join us. Were you able to catch the launch celebration at the Marais Lounge?”

“Not this time around, but I did on the last sailing. It was lovely.”

“Oh, this isn’t your first sailing?”

“Today marks the second. Tanner invited me back for another sailing. The view from his cabin is just too hard to resist.”

The woman’s nostrils flare.

“I don’t believe I caught your name,” I say. “Please forgive me if we’ve already met.” My eyes narrow as I continue trying to recall her face. Her features are so striking, I’m almost 100 percent certain I haven’t met her before. I’d remember.

A faint giggle trails from her lips. “Where are my manners?” The sound is phony and rehearsed, but I smile genuinely regardless, wanting to make an impression. Whoever she is, she seems to be tied to the ship somehow. Perhaps a staff member. “I’m Jade Simmons, of Simmons International. Tanner Christensen’s fiancée.”

A punch to my gut sends me off balance.

“Sorry, did you say fiancée?”

“Yes.” She watches me for a moment, extending her hand to showcase a massive rock on her left finger, as if that explains everything.

It does.

My stomach twists into knots, and all of the air leaves my lungs. I stand there like a gaping fish, staring at this powerful, beautiful woman, and the shell shock levels me, leaving me dazed.

A venomous flash ripples over her face, and she takes a guarded step back. Her chin raises a hair. Her voice is even and collected. “So you’ve had a tour of Tanner’s cabin, I see. How is it you two became acquainted, exactly? I didn’t see anything on the schedule for a meeting with an Anya Banks from Four Corners Elite. Tanner mentioned a woman named Lana Crawley.”

“Yes,” I stutter, still incapable of moving, “that’s my good friend. She’s the assistant editor of the publication.”

“I see.”

There’s a trace of movement behind her, Tanner barreling out through the doors, his phone to his ear. His gaze lands on me, and he lowers his cell. It’s left dangling there, cradled in his hand.

His mouth hangs open.

Jade senses his presence behind her and steps in front of him, blocking me from his view. “You haven’t answered my question, Miss Banks. How is it you and my fiancé are acquainted?”

“I—we…” I look to Tanner, as if he can throw me some sort of lifeline, but he can’t. How could he? He needs a lifesaver of his own. His almost-wife is standing here in front of him, meeting the woman he’s been fucking for the past two weeks.

I drag in a shallow breath. “Lana Crawley introduced us and I took over the review feature. Excuse me, but I think I’d better be going.” My brain tells my feet to move, and I don’t argue with it, just let it do its job. Gravity pulls me down, tearing at me like quicksand. I did not just meet Tanner’s soon-to-be wife. I did not just step foot on this ship for a second time, like a completely smitten teenager. This Anya Banks isn’t me. She couldn’t be. The Anya Banks I know listens to her instincts. She doesn’t chase after deceitful, billionaire playboys who own cruise ships. This is not light and fun. This is not a simple fling.

This is bullshit.

My body moves, snapping into action. Tanner’s voice calls out to me, but the sound is distant, as if it’s slipping through funneled glass.

“Anya, why haven’t you answered your phone?” he insists, walking up behind me to touch my elbow. Before my brain can even register the contact, my arm recoils from his hand. I stop, looking over my shoulder. I refuse to turn and face him. I cannot look at him. And I don’t need to look at Jade. I can feel her eyes drilling hot, scorching holes into my back as some sort of discovery begins to sink in. I so do not want to be here for this conversation.

“Would it really have mattered?” I snap, yanking my elbow far from his grasp. There’s a rustling behind me and Jade swings around to step in front of me, blocking me from exiting the reception area.

“Tanner,” she says, looking at me instead of her fiancé, “would you like to tell me about your business with Miss Banks and why she’s been to our cabin?”

Their cabin? I’m going to be sick.

“No, Jade. I wouldn’t. This isn’t any concern of yours. Just give me a moment.” He bristles and steps in front of her, reaching for me again, expression etched with sheer panic. “Anya, please come with me. We can go somewhere and talk about this. I can explain everything.”

“Excuse me,” Jade weasels her way between us, glancing back and forth in contempt, “but any strange woman who comes to visit my husband and claims to have seen the view from our cabin without my knowledge is very much my concern. Tanner, I’d like to speak to you in your office. Right now. Miss Banks, I suggest you leave.” She moves aside and points to the exit.

Tanner shifts, turning his body toward her, blue eyes furious. “I am not your husband yet, Jade. Do not involve Anya in this, or the deal is off.”