The minute the words left her mouth, Kennedy regretted them. She held her breath, waiting for the smart-ass comment she knew was coming.
“Darlin’, if I’d known you wanted a chase, I’d have been happy to oblige.”
Kennedy raked him with the sharp edge of her gaze. “I don’t chase.”
Asher’s lips tugged up at the edges. “No, I can’t imagine you would, baby girl.”
God, she hated when he called her that. But she’d given up reprimanding him for the slight a long time ago.
She needed to pull this conversation—and the entire trip—back to center. And the fastest method for that was reminding him—and herself—just what their purpose was.
Reaching into her bag, Kennedy pulled out the glossy dossier she’d prepared for Asher and handed it to him.
He took it, his big fingers tangling with hers for a moment before finally letting go. Asher stared at her for several seconds and then glanced down, flipping through the papers.
She’d taken the time to write up a detailed agenda for the trip and included that along with a draft script. She’d thrown in some background information on the production team and even included a copy of the proposal she’d submitted when pitching them the idea for the show.
He studied it, silent and still. And yet, Kennedy could practically feel the energy vibrating beneath his skin. Or was that just her imagination?
Closing the cover, Asher let out a low whistle. “You need a hobby.”
“No, I don’t.”
His eyes cut to her above the frosted edge of the plastic she’d placed on the front and back of the document. He held her gaze, to the point where she wanted to squirm beneath the pressure of his scrutiny. But she wouldn’t.
That was the thing about Asher that she’d learned early on...he was excellent at spotting and exploiting weaknesses while keeping any he might possess firmly under wraps. She worked damn hard at making sure not to reveal any to him. Or any more.
It was bad enough that he’d been an unwanted part of the most humiliating night of her life.
No matter how hard she worked or how competent she was, she didn’t think she’d ever live down that night. At least not with Asher.
“Look, this shouldn’t be difficult for you. You’re charming and gorgeous.”
“Thanks.”
Kennedy ignored the self-confident grin that curled his lips. “The camera will love you. You’ve got the script. Do me a favor and look over it on the plane.”
Maybe that would keep him occupied for a while and out of her personal space.
His gaze raked across her body, lingering on the low V-cut neckline of the T-shirt she’d thrown on this morning. It was unremarkable and not her normal office attire. But they were heading for Nassau where they’d meet up with the Amphitrite before sailing out to open sea.
She would not apologize for dressing comfortably, even if the way he was watching her made her regret not putting on the business clothes she typically used as armor.
His chest rose and fell as he leaned farther into her. Kennedy wanted to move away, but her body wouldn’t listen to the commands her brain was screaming.
God, he smelled good. That was the only clear thought running through her overwhelmed brain.
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do on the plane, Kennedy? I’m sure we can think of...more pleasant ways to pass the time.”
She blinked. Her body swayed. Somehow her hand ended up planted in the center of his chest. His wide, strong, hard chest.
A jangling sound startled her, breaking the spell. She jerked back, realizing it was the ringtone on her phone.
A smirk tugged at the edges of Asher’s lips even as a single, wicked eyebrow crooked up. The man knew exactly what kind of effect he had on women. Any woman with a pulse.
Irritation flaming through her, Kennedy snatched up her phone and said, “Hello,” without even looking at her screen.
“Ms. Duchane? This is Simone from Masters, Dillon and Cooper.”
Kennedy’s eyes widened. Her heart leaped into her throat and then immediately dropped to her toes.
This was the phone call she’d been waiting weeks to receive.
Pushing to her feet, she cut Asher a quick glance and then walked away. She really didn’t want him to hear her side of this conversation.
Crossing to the other side of the busy terminal, Kennedy tried to find a quiet corner.
“Hi, Simone. It’s great to hear from you. I’m sorry about the noise, but I’m at the airport waiting to board a plane for work.”
“Well then, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to let you know that everyone at the firm was very impressed with your résumé and your Skype interview. If you’re still interested, we’d like to offer you a position.”
“Yes. Absolutely.” She really needed to try a complete sentence. “I’m thrilled to get this opportunity.”
Masters, Dillon and Cooper was one of the premier advertising agencies in the Pacific Northwest. They handled major corporate clients with ties in the area, including an international coffee chain, a well-known airline, an adventure vacation company and many more. This was the chance of a lifetime. Exactly the kind of position she’d envisioned when she’d chosen marketing as her major.
She’d been working her ass off the past five years to earn this kind of opportunity and couldn’t believe she’d succeeded in landing it almost immediately after graduation.
Her hands started trembling, so much that Kennedy had to press the phone tight against her ear in order to hear the rest of what Simone said.
“Excellent. We’re excited to have you on board. But we need you here in three weeks. Is that doable?”
Kennedy began pacing, her restless energy and excitement needing an outlet so she wouldn’t squeal into the phone and scare the poor woman on the other end.
But that was a mistake, because when she turned, her gaze collided with Asher’s from across the terminal. He was watching her, that intense stare sending another shot of adrenaline through her body.
His presence was a reminder of the hurdles she still had to jump in order to make this work.
“As I mentioned in my interview, I’m in the middle of a major project that I can’t simply walk away from, but it should be complete by then.”
“Excellent, because your start date is important. Mr. Masters, Ms. Dillon and Mr. Cooper are forming a new division of the company and plan to make you part of that team. The kickoff meeting is in three weeks, and they require everyone present then.”
Kennedy swallowed, anxiety twisting in her belly. Three weeks wasn’t a very long time to get her life ready to move across the country, especially when she would be spending the majority of that on a ship in the middle of the Caribbean. But this was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Wonderful. I’ll send you an email with more details and some paperwork we’ll need you to complete. Safe travels and we’ll speak soon.”
Kennedy murmured her goodbyes.
In an ideal world she’d have taken the time to make lists, sift through details and plan. But she was about to board a plane and then hop immediately onto a ship heading for the open sea. She didn’t have the luxury of time.
And if making a handful of phone calls saved her the torture