“Chocolate is as necessary as oxygen and water,” Stevie said. “I bake this amazing triple-layer devil’s food cake with fudge icing.”
“Okay, you’re my new best friend.” Kayla winked. “But I’m going to have to start working out or my appetite and your awesome cooking are going to get the best of me.”
Stevie’s smile widened. “A woman after my own heart.”
“Why don’t you take your heart and get back to work?” Ben said.
“Sure thing, boss.” Stevie headed to another table.
Kayla looked up. Ben towered over her. His harsh gaze made her self-conscious. Still, she smiled. “Stevie seems nice.”
Ben frowned. “Don’t flirt with the crew.”
Flirt? The idea was ludicrous. She rarely had time to date let alone perfect the art of flirting. Her life revolved around two things: researching shipwrecks and trying to find answers about her past. There wasn’t room for anything more, especially a man. “I was only making conversation.”
“You really don’t get it.”
What a shame he didn’t treat everyone the way he treated Madison. Ben was attractive when he wasn’t snarling like a caged tiger. “Get what?” Kayla asked.
“Stevie won’t realize the difference.”
“Stevie and I discussed food. Nothing else.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Ben said. “He’ll think you’re interested in him.”
She wasn’t an idiot. And from what she’d seen so far, neither was his crew, despite the belching, bad manners and not-so-subtle stares. “I know how to deal with men.”
“Not these men.”
Kayla didn’t like Ben’s attitude. “What if I’m interested in Stevie?”
“What?”
She tried not to smile at his shocked tone. “It’s not every day a woman finds a man who can cook like that,” she whispered. “Is he married?”
“Stevie married?” Ben’s frown turned into a scowl. The pirate was back. Dark and dangerous and more than a little peeved. “He’s only twenty-four.”
“I’m only twenty-seven. Besides, he might like older women.” Kayla was enjoying herself, especially since Ben wasn’t. “And what does age have to do with being married?”
Ben stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Are you…serious about this?”
She let him stew for a minute. She had the upper hand and she liked it. Liked it a lot. “That’s none of your business.”
His eyes darkened to an inky black. His lips narrowed until they almost disappeared. “Whatever happens on this ship is my business. Do you understand?”
She was playing with fire. Something she never did. But she’d never been on a ship with a band of pirates before. Time to take chances even if it meant getting burned. The crew and Madison were staring at them. Too late to back down now.
“Do you?” Ben repeated.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Kayla saluted him. “I read you loud and clear.”
Chapter Three
Standing on the bow, Ben took comfort in the scents of saltwater and sunscreen and oil in the air. The familiar smells and daily routines gave the appearance of normalcy. But nothing was normal with Kayla Waterton aboard.
He wanted to know how her first shift had gone last night, but she was still asleep. She might sleep until her next shift. He didn’t know. He knew nothing about her. Ben told himself he didn’t care. He didn’t. He was just getting…curious. And that bothered him. More than he wanted to admit.
Madison raced ahead of him in her Tweetybird sandals and pink life jacket. “Hurry, Daddy.”
“The deck is wet,” he said. “Don’t run.”
Beneath a cloudless blue sky, Madison kicked off her shoes. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
Thanks to Kayla, Ben had heard that phrase a hundred times since last night. Even Madison had joined in.
“Who am I?” he asked.
“My daddy.”
“That’s right.” He knew she was a smart kid. “I’m Daddy. Don’t forget that.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
Maybe she was a little too smart, Ben realized.
Madison saluted him though her hand was at nose level. “Is this the right way, Daddy?”
He’d put his navy days behind him and wanted to keep it that way. “That’s perfect, princess.”
“Let’s play.” She plopped down in her plastic kiddie pool and kicked. The pool had been Wolf’s idea and a great one at that. It kept Madison entertained for hours. The entire crew had gotten involved. Stevie set up a cooler and filled it with drinks and snacks. Monk put together a pump device to fill the pool with seawater. “You be the monster and splash me.”
Ben did as ordered. Her squeal of laughter brought a welcome smile to his face. He needed to spend more time with Madison and less time thinking about the expedition and Kayla. He raised his arms and growled. “I’m going to get you.”
“No, I’m going to get you.” Madison splashed until he was soaking wet. She giggled. “You’re all wet, Daddy.”
“Yes, I am.” He removed his shirt and tossed it on a nearby chair. “You got the best of the monster.”
“Real monsters don’t admit defeat so easily.”
At the sound of Kayla’s voice, he turned. “They do when facing a beautiful fairy princess,” he said.
Kayla stood a few feet away from him at the top of the staircase leading to the bow. She wore a navy T-shirt with a schooner on the front and a pair of khaki shorts that showed off her long, tanned legs. Legs that went on forever. A dull ache spread through him.
A no-shorts-allowed rule would come in handy. No, the boys wouldn’t go for that. Not in this great weather and with Kayla on board. Nothing was wrong with looking as long as everything else stayed professional. Yeah, Ben could live with that.
“I’m the princess and Daddy’s the monster,” Madison said. “Wanna be a princess, too?”
Playing did not constitute professional behavior in Ben’s opinion. Nor did the urge to run his fingers through Kayla’s hair. Each strand glistened like gold. No doubt he was catching treasure fever like the rest of the crew. He needed to stay focused. “Miss Waterton has work to do, princess.”
“I have a few minutes to spare.” Kayla walked toward him. Her hips swayed seductively. “And I’d love to be a princess, if I’m not intruding.”
She was a siren. She had to be. Ben knew it wasn’t his smartest move, but the expectant looks on both Kayla’s and Madison’s faces made it impossible for him to say no. At least they weren’t playing house. Or doctor. “You’re not intruding.”
“Thanks,” Kayla said.
Her soft smile tugged at his heart. Ben didn’t like it. His heart was off limits to everyone but Madison. She pulled at his heartstrings enough. There wasn’t room for anyone else.
“All princesses have to get in the water,” Madison ordered. “Otherwise the monster will get you.”
“Wouldn’t want that to happen.” Kayla kicked off her deck shoes and stepped into the pool. The water hit mid-calf. “Am I safe now, princess?”