Chapter 6

Pippa left Rosie’s apartment early, with all of her belongings in the backpack slung on her back. Her hostess for the evening, had been very gracious, but Pippa couldn’t impose upon her again.

On her way to Crazy Drinks she wondered why River had told her to come this early. The bars on the beach didn’t usually open before ten or eleven in the morning. But maybe he wanted to train her before the first customer arrived.

He hadn’t even asked whether she had any experience serving or tending a bar. Strange. But that’s probably the way those expat nomads were. And how hard could serving a beach bar be? It’s not that people expected fancy service and exquisite preparation like in the restaurants she used to go with Daniel…

A shiver rolled down her spine despite the warm tropical air. Daniel had drug her name through the mud during their divorce, so much so, that Pippa had fled the United States the same day she’d signed on the dotted line.

That awful time in her life was over. For good. Even if it meant being penniless. Everything was better than being constantly cheated on and ridiculed. She knew now that Daniel Larue had never loved her. He’d only used her for her name and connections.

Not for her money, because her father had disowned her the moment she’d eloped with Daniel. I told you so. That’s what her father said when she made an attempt to reconcile after filing for divorce. Get out of this mess on your own. I’m not ruining my reputation to help you. You’re not my daughter anymore.

Deep in thought, she shuffled her feet across the sand, still cool from the previous night, until she saw the first of the palmleaf-roofed huts appear further down. Then she remembered. River said to meet him at the entrance marina. Why on earth would that be?

Pippa shrugged and changed direction. Thankfully nothing was far away on Aruba. The marina was still closed, but a guard sat in a shack at the entrance gate. She tapped on his window, getting his attention. “I’m looking for a man called River?” I don’t even know his last name.

“River’s down there. White motorboat called Moana.” The guard indicated the direction and opened the gate for her.

“Does he live on a boat?”

“Sure does.” The guard gave a friendly nod and closed the gate behind her again.

But Pippa didn’t notice. The boats bobbing up and down on the swell blurred and a slight tremble took over her body. She inhaled deeply and counted to ten, telling herself she was fine and this was the pier, not an actual boat.

Under the scrutiny of the guard, she walked down the road until she reached the pier where River’s ship lay. She took a hesitant step onto the pier. Her heart tripped and her breathing became erratic, but she forced herself to take another step, and then another one. You need this job. You can walk on a pier. Just pretend it’s solid ground.

Pippa used all of her courage to continue. Since her mother’s death six years ago, she had avoided stepping inside a marina, let alone on an actual boat. Her palms became sweaty, but she trained her eyes on the ground and took step after step.  See? It’s not that difficult. You can do it.

River’s boat was the third one on the pier and she recognized it even before she could read the name on the stern, because he hung off the side, with a screwdriver in his hands.  

Her mouth went dry as she admired him in all his glory, wearing nothing more than swim trunks and white sneakers. A few of his sun-bleached strands of otherwise dark hair hung into his forehead. He moved to the side and her dried up mouth gaped open as she watched the spectacle of his muscles jumping beneath his tan skin.

He moved like a cat alongside the rail, doing whatever damn sexy thing he did with the screwdriver. She’d never seen a more gorgeous man in her life. Shivers wracked her body, but this time it wasn’t from anxiety.

 She stood frozen in place, until River turned and spied her. “Hey! Right on time.”

“I try to be.”

“Great! Come on aboard.” He swung himself back onto the deck and dropped the screwdriver in a toolbox sitting close by.

Pippa followed his pointing finger to the small gangway leading from the pier aboard. The shivering increased. No way she could step onto his boat. For a moment she considered bolting, but then she’d be out of her new job before she’d even started.

If her new boss wanted to speak to her on his boat, she’d do it. She blew out a breath and then placed one foot on the gangway, grabbing the handles for support. If she didn’t look down into the brooding, dark water, she’d be okay.

River had moved to the stern of the boat and sent her a panty-melting smile that captivated her and took her attention off of the dangerously swaying gangway.

“Looks like you’re all packed. Hand me your bag and follow me. Then we’ll finish the paperwork,” he said, eyeing her huge backpack.

His voice was deep, soft, and warm. It enveloped her like a woolen blanket. Pippa nodded and slipped the heavy backpack from her shoulders. River reached out and took it from her hand. Their fingers touched and energy passed between them. She glanced up into his sky blue eyes, warm and welcoming.

But then his words registered in her brain. I’ll show you your cabin. Memories of her mother’s death assailed her. Pippa desperately tried to pull in a breath, but her lungs wouldn’t work. Help! I’m drowning. Black spots appeared in her vision, and her head spun…she tried to steady herself by taking a step forward, and then she fell. Fully expecting her face to hit the hard wooden deck, or worse, the soft blackness of the water, she couldn’t comprehend why she was still upright, her fear dissipating within seconds.

A clean woodsy scent mixed with salty sweat and pure sex overpowered her senses as she inhaled. Strong arms wrapped around her. She opened her eyes to find her face pressed against River’s bare chest. She nestled her cheek against his warm and soft skin covering the hard muscle beneath. For several moments she stayed motionless, soaking up the confidence River’s presence provided.

This was the way she had yearned to feel since her mother had died. Protected. Loved. Valued. Daniel had never made her feel like this in their four years together. In hindsight she knew that she’d only fallen in love with him because her mind had been so clouded with grief over her mother’s death. So desperate for someone to guide her out of the black hole she’d fallen into.

Anger surged to the surface and she shoved River away. She would not fall for another guy out of neediness. The time for male comfort had passed. Forever. But the moment she didn’t feel his arms wrapped around her, the fear returned.

“Are you okay?” Confusion was written all over his face, but his voice conveyed sincere concern.

Pippa nodded. Now that she was no longer in the safety of his arms, her breathing came erratically again.

“Let me show you around.” He gave her an encouraging smile and then stepped back.

“No.”

“No?” He narrowed his eyes at her, looking even more confused.

Pippa shook her head, trying to keep the fear at bay. She wanted to run as fast as she could back to the safety of the land, but the desperate need for a job kept her rooted to the spot while an internal war raged.

River crossed his arms over his sculpted chest, a welcome distraction from her fears. As soon as she focused on his chiseled muscles, his mere presence managed to calm her.

“Don’t you want to see where your cabin is?” he asked.

Pippa stared at him and she felt her eyes widen in abject horror. “My cabin?” That was the second time he’d said something similar. Did he actually expect her to stay on this…death trap? No way! No freaking way!