Page 19 of Under the Radar

11

The minute the door shut, Mo jumped into the shower.

Whatever Mac had been doing for the past three weeks, it was a big deal. The man looked exhausted. She hadn’t noticed at first, but as they’d continued talking, she’d seen the bloodshot weariness in his eyes. The only time his face eased was when she’d commented about being lovesick and waiting for his call. A dazzling smile swept across his handsome features for a few brief seconds.

What was going on with him? And why hadn’t she received the calls and texts he swore he sent?

She’d give him a chance to clear things up tonight, but she couldn’t be foolish. No. Tonight was just dinner. And for goodness’ sake, she’d find out what Commander Mac Mackenzie really did for a living. Besides being retired military.

She was pretty sure Mac didn’t know her background. He’d certainly never brought it up. What a liberating, incognito experience it was to enjoy Mac’s company without needing to protect or open her checkbook.

Maybe he installed security systems? Come to think of it, he had a uniform on earlier. He couldn’t be the cruise director. No. That kind of job would interfere with his work with Sanctuary, Inc.

She thought back a few weeks. The connection she and Mac made during the wedding weekend was instantaneous. They’d laughed so hard tears ran down their faces. He’d been a prince in every way. Well, you know, publicly. She’d been mesmerized by his deep brown eyes and electrified by his casual caresses. He awakened something deep within her. Was it trust? Or just a sensual stirring?

Because when he’d kissed her, she’d yearned for the taste of him. Her heart leaped when it recognized that he was different, special. But the past two weeks, she’d done everything in her power to squash her attraction to him, thinking he’d ghosted her. And yet, here she was looking forward to spending time with him. Again. What is wrong with me?

Mo rolled her eyes. Here she was thinking about the nuances of romance when outside of this ship, her life was in shambles. She had to stay grounded.

Her mood sank a few points as she remembered the phone in the safe. She wouldn’t leave it on for long. What if the police or the dealers were tracking it? Could criminals really do that? She’d keep it on for a few minutes, long enough to prove to Mac that she hadn’t received his texts or phone calls. Then she’d shut it down. Immediately.

And really, her paranoia was unnecessary. Here she was, hundreds of miles away from Baltimore, on a ship the size of a small city, and out of harm’s way. Mo searched for the credit card that unlocked the room safe, grabbed her phone and tossed it on the bed.

What if tonight meant nothing to Mac? What if dinner was a simple comparison of their phones? Mo heaved a deep breath. Yeah, that would be disappointing. And what if all he wanted was another one-night stand? Well, in that case—she’d come right back to her room.

She fluffed and sprayed her hair one last time, forcing herself to slow down and breathe. Just breathe.

She slipped into the flip flops. They’d have to do. The only other footwear with her was last year’s running shoes. Some women didn’t leave home without lipstick. She’d never left home without heels. But her toes had little painted stars and rhinestone chips in them. The flip flops looked good, casual, and beachy.

The door clicked shut, and Mo ran her clammy hands down the sides of her favorite sundress. She wound her way to the elevator and waited a minute or two.She didn’t want to appear too eager, anyway. Was it too much to hope that they could pick up right where they left off a few weeks ago?

Oh. My. Goodness. She had to stop this. He was just a man. He put his pants on one leg at a time. She inhaled sharply. Don’t think about anything having to do with his pants. She’d really try to look at him from the waist up.

The door to the elevator slid open. It was packed. The lift stopped at every floor to load and unload people. Finally, third floor. Mo squeezed out between a mom with a double stroller and a heavy-set man. Suite 317 was at the end of a long hallway.

She pasted a smile on her face and knocked. A gorgeous, dark-skinned woman with the shiniest hair she’d ever seen opened the door right away.

“Good evening, Miss Reardon?”

Mo nodded mutely. The woman was a Polynesian beauty. Had Mac been occupying himself with her for the last three weeks?

“My name is Dominica, and I will be your server tonight. Mr. Mackenzie is handling a situation, but he’ll be here shortly.” She gestured with an elegant arm for Mo to come in. “I’ve placed the drinks on the bar over there, and the hors d’oeuvres are on the round table. Mr. Mackenzie asked me to tell you to help yourself. May I fix you a cocktail?”

The suite was easily twenty times the size of her stateroom. It must’ve cost him half a year’s salary. Mo cleared her throat. “I’d love a margarita. No salt, please.” She eyed the spacious accommodations, strolled to the veranda door, and admired the ocean view. In the distance, a school of dolphins leaped in the water. Quite a contrast from her balcony, which had a lifeboat hanging in front of it. It had been the only room available at the last minute.

“Here you are, Miss Reardon.” Dominica handed her a napkin and her drink. “I’m leaving now. Please make yourself at home and enjoy.”

“Thank you, Dominica.” Mo wandered to the table with food. She’d been famished for hours before the run-in with Chaz’s wife, and her stomach grumbled loudly. There were canapes. She popped one that looked like spinach and feta into her mouth. So good. How long had it been since she’d really eaten a meal? Maybe dinner with Emily two days ago? Mo inhaled another canape and sampled a delectable bruschetta with fresh basil leaves.

Every time she’d left her room, Chaz had been right behind her or located her shortly after. It was uncanny. His presence was so annoying that today she’d put the do not disturb sign on her door and read a book until the incident in the Lido dining room.

Mo grinned while contemplating the tray of miniature cupcakes on the bar. Her heart did a loopy thing. He remembered how much she loved them. She tried the mini carrot with cream cheese icing cupcake, devouring it in two bites. It was an interesting blend when followed by a sip of margarita, but hands down the best she’d ever tasted.

She strolled onto the veranda and set her drink on the teak table. It was already a lovely evening and Mac hadn’t even arrived. Mo leaned against the railing, closing her eyes and basking in the glorious scent of the salty ocean breeze and late day warmth.

Now this was a vacation.

“Aren’t I the lucky one?” A velvet, sexy voice drawled. “There’s a beautiful mermaid on my balcony tonight.”