Chapter 4
Brody
“Atlantic City in a day and a half,” Emmett slaps my back as we stand in the captain’s area. “That’s not bad. I forgot how good you are at this.”
I shake my head. “The wind was just in our favor. That’s all it was.”
“Yeah?” Emmett shrugs. “Considering you were in the Navy, I find it hard to believe it was just the wind. I’m just along for the ride though—and the fun.”
“Yeah, which is why this is your idea tonight,” I grumble, already dreading the casino trip. I’m not one to gamble, but I do enjoy watching Miles and Emmett try their hand at it.
The two of them are about as entertaining as it gets.
“I think we should take Georgia, too,” I say aloud, not even really thinking. “It only seems fair. I don’t want to leave her on the boat.” I shift on my feet, hoping Emmett can’t see the bulge growing in my pants at the thought of her in a tight black dress.
Fucking hell. Get your shit together. She’s Robert’s daughter.
“I mean, it would be way more fun to take her,” Emmett admits with a gleam in his eye that makes me want to deck him in the goddamn face. I see the way he looks at her while she’s cooking, the way he gushes over the food she makes, and the way he’s always pressing her for more conversation.
It’s just who he is.
And maybe it’s harmless, but it bothers me.
“I’ll go talk to her,” I tell Emmett, before he can suggest doing it himself. After all, she’s my employee. “You and Miles go ahead and head to the casino. We’ll meet you there.”
Emmett narrows his eyes at me but doesn’t openly protest. “I guess we’ll see you there. I’ll be ordering myself a big fucking steak. Give her the night off from cooking.”
“Sounds good. We’ll see you there.” I slip past him and head for the stairwell. We’ve only been docked for about a half-hour, and I haven’t seen Georgia since lunch.
She’s such a professional little thing.
And for some reason, that only makes her more attractive to me. I push away the thought of her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders, and the way she wears those tight black leggings.
I swear, I’d pay a hundred grand just to watch her bend over in those things.
I head down the stairs and push the door in, stepping into the hallway. I can hear music coming from her room, though it’s not clear enough for me to make out what it is. I give two solid knocks against the steel door.
It opens seconds later, and the breeze of the door swing blows Georgia’s wavy hair in a way that’s almost picturesque. She purses her plump lips as she peers up at me.
“I’m going to get started on dinner in a few minutes,” she says, as if I’m here to chide her about the time.
“Actually,” I clear my throat. “You’re getting the night off. We’re all going inland tonight. We’d love for you to join us. The night’s on me.”
She bites down on her bottom lip in the most fucking alluring way. “Where to?” Her eyes flicker nervously to the closet behind her. “If it’s somewhere nice…”
“It’s one of the high-end casinos,” I explain.
“Oh…” Her voice trails off as she brushes some of her hair behind her ear. “I don’t think I can go. I probably don’t have anything that fits the dress code.”
My throat tightens at the way her cheeks flush. “No worries about the dress code. Just get ready, and I’ll take you somewhere to get what you need beforehand.”
“Well, but—”
“It’s on me,” I finish, already knowing she’s not comfortable spending the money. “Consider it a small bonus.”
Her lips turn up into a smile. “Deal.”
“Good,” I nod. “I’ll meet you on the main deck in twenty minutes.”
“This is insane,” Georgia looks at me as she steps out of a dressing room, wearing a tight little black dress with a plunging neckline. The hem stops at mid-upper thigh. She’s paired it with four-inch red heels that make her legs look like they go on for days.
And my cock is rock solid at the sight of her.
“Do a one-eighty for us,” the associate, a young woman, gestures for Georgia to spin. “You look incredible.”
I want to agree, but I keep my mouth shut. You know, being professional. But as she spins and I catch sight of her ass, I have to bite my cheek to keep from letting out a groan.
This woman is the epitome of sexy.
And I have to pretend I don’t think so. Because she’s my best friend’s daughter. Who just happens to be twenty-fucking-five.
“How do you feel about it?” I ask coolly, as Georgia looks at me.
“I love it, but um…” She looks at the tag and then frowns. “I can probably find something else.”
“We’ll take it,” I tell the associate. “The shoes, too. Also, she’ll be leaving in it.” I reach inside the jacket of my suit and pull out my wallet. I hand the woman my card and she scampers off to charge it.
Georgia and I are alone in the back dressing room area now.
“You really didn’t have to do this,” she says, her voice soft. “If I had been thinking, I would’ve brought the proper clothes. I should’ve asked you about it. I’m really sorry for that.”
I shake my head. “It’s not your fault, and as far as I’m concerned, this should just be part of the perks for the job.” I give her a smile and then step forward. I reach for the tag attached to the shoulder of the dress and carefully undo the safety pin, ignoring the way her breath catches.
I get to her. And it fuels the raging hard-on I have hidden in my pants. But also, it only makes this all the fucking worse. Robert would murder me and toss my body in the ocean.
“All ready.” I pocket the tag and step away from the alluring scent of her perfume. Her blonde hair is in careful waves, her eyes are smokey, and her lips are painted the same red as her shoes.
And I want nothing more than to tell her how beautiful she looks.
“Thank you for this,” she murmurs. “I really appreciate it.”
“You deserve a night out.” Before I can say anything more, the associate returns with my card and the receipt. I take it from her and extend my arm to Georgia. “Shall we?”
She blushes and takes my arm. “We shall.”
I lead her out of the store and down the street. The nightlife crowd has already emerged, and they’re filling the space quickly. I keep a protective eye out around us, determined not to let anyone bump into Georgia.
“Here we are,” I gesture to the dark glass doors. “Let’s go have some fun. Emmett and Miles are here somewhere.”
She nods, though I see the distinct look of unease in her eyes. “Okay, but just for the record, I have no idea what I’m doing.”
I squeeze her arm in mine gently. “You don’t have to know what you’re doing, Georgie. The goal is to just have fun.”
“Right,” she breathes out, as we step through the doors. “I mean, I’ve been to a casino before, just not like this.” I watch as she takes in the rows of tables and machines, wealthy men and women in cocktail attire laughing, drinking, and gambling.
“Ah,” I spot Miles and Emmett at a Blackjack table. “There they are.”
My heart is in my throat as we approach, and I force myself to drop Georgia’s arm. I don’t want anyone to think this is more than what it is—especially not close friends of her father’s. That would be bad.
Really fucking bad.
“Well, look who the cat dragged in,” Emmett looks at me and then to Georgia, his eyes darkening in a way that makes me feel a pang of jealousy in my chest. “You look stunning, m’lady.”
“Thank you.” She blushes, and I suddenly wish my arm were still draped around her.
“Is this your usual style?” Miles chimes in. “If it is, I like it.”
“I mean, maybe on my Pinterest board,” she laughs dryly. “I rarely have a reason to dress like this in real life.”
“Well, here’s real life,” Emmett drawls, offering her his hand. “Let me teach you how to play some Blackjack while Brody gets you something to drink?” He eyes me, and I shrug.
It’s probably for the best I keep my distance.
“What would you like?” I ask Georgia, tempted to melt into her ocean blue eyes as she bats her lashes at me.
“Um…” she takes Emmett’s hand, sits down beside him, and then shrugs her shoulders. “I could go for a vodka cran?”
“Got it,” I give her the most awkward thumbs up, and then disappear to the bar, angling my body so I can get a good view of Georgia and the guys.
I don’t know what it is about the men doting on her, but the sight of Emmett’s hand on her upper back sends a shockwave of lust and jealousy through me.
This is bad. I need to get a hold on this.
I turn to the bartender and order her drink, forcing myself to focus on the guy making the cocktail rather than my best friends fawning over Georgia. I can’t blame them—she’s got this innocent, sexy aura about her.
And I can’t stop thinking about it.
“Here you go,” the bartender slides her drink and my bourbon across the bar top, and I pick them both up, swallowing the raging lust I feel toward Georgia. I’m a forty-seven-year-old man for Christ’s sake.
“For you,” I hold out her drink to her. “Hopefully up to par.”
Her red lips turn upward into a smile. “Thank you. It’s so nice of you to bring me along. I’m learning a lot.” She gazes over at Emmett, who meets her expression with a wicked grin.
“I think she’s going to be a hell of a Blackjack player.”
She bursts into giggles, while Miles rolls his eyes at the exchange.
“I think it’s more a game of luck, unless you’re counting cards, which we both know that Emmett isn’t capable of doing.” He chuckles and tips his drink back, downing the rest of it.
“I’ll be right back,” Georgia slides out of her seat and holds out her drink to me. “I need to use the restroom.”
I take her drink from her, my fingers brushing hers and sending a spark shooting down my spine. “I’ll hold it for you.”
“Thank you,” she gives me this sweet little smile and then saunters off to the bathroom. Part of me wants to follow her, just to ensure she’s safe, but I know how overbearing that would be.
“You got the eyes for her,” Miles says, and at first, I think he’s talking to me.
But nope, he’s directing it to Emmett.
“I do not.” Emmett chuckles. “She’s a gorgeous woman. I’m a flirt. It’s just what happens. She does make some damn good food, too.”
“True,” I mutter, looking back in the direction of the bathroom.
And my heart sinks.
“What the fuck,” I snap, seeing a tall, young man leaning over Georgie. He’s got his arm above her, her back against the wall.
And I don’t like that at all.
“Guys,” I break into their conversation, gesturing to the sight. “We have a problem.”
Both of my buddies turn their heads in the direction that I’m looking.
“Yeah, this isn’t going to happen,” Emmett joins me, abandoning the game.
Miles sets down his glass and joins. “The guy is clearly drunk off his ass.”
“Let’s go fix this then,” I lead the way toward the man, and I can already see the discomfort on Georgia’s face. “Hey!” I call out to him, catching his attention.
The guy’s head whips around, his eyes bloodshot and reddened. “Hey man… what’s up?”
“Brody,” Georgia breathes out, and I see the relief on her face.
“Get the fuck back,” Emmett snarls, taking a step toward him. “You’re clearly making this lady uncomfortable.”
“No, no…” The drunk guy stammers, reaching for Georgia’s hand. “We’re just talking, aren’t we, honey?” He pulls at Georgia’s arm, but she resists, wincing as she tries to break free.
“Let the fuck go. Right now.” I step forward, meeting the guy eye-to-eye.
His pupils dilate, and for a second, I think he might take a swing. But then he stumbles back, letting her go. “Whatever, man.” He throws up his hands in surrender and then steps away, disappearing down the hallway.
Georgia lets out a heavy sigh. “Thank you so much, guys.” Her eyes bounce between us all. “You literally saved my ass.”
I give her a nod, but I know it came from an entirely selfish place.
And now, I’m not so sure that having her here on the boat is a good thing.
I’m in dangerous seas.