Chapter 5
ANDREW
I sat on a lounger on the sun deck, mesmerized by the blanket of shimmering stars that hovered in the darkening sky.
We’d traveled to St. Thomas and dropped anchor for a few days.
I was looking forward to exploring the island when I had time off, but for now, I was taking in the peace and quiet of another hazy tropical night.
Rowan was having dinner with Dylan and the other guests at the resort, but I had requested to stay behind.
The idea of watching my boss flirt and pick up some rando made me feel awkward as fuck.
Normally I didn’t care what the hell my boss was up to, so long as it was legal.
But ever since I stepped aboard this ship, I was off-kilter.
I didn’t have my sea legs whenever Rowan was around, and it unsettled me.
Besides, being on board meant I could focus on what I was supposed to be doing - work.
Rowan requested that I research Owen’s recent business deals in greater detail, so I’d done just that.
The meeting yesterday had been brief, the tug-of-war between Owen and Rowan amusing to watch.
Owen dangled his resort properties under Rowan’s nose but kept haggling on the offer price, and they left the meeting a half hour later with no deal.
Owen continued to eye me up like I was his next meal.
His obvious manner made my inner eye roll since I pretty much guessed he was just coming on to me to provoke Rowan.
Maybe it was a bit of pride too since I’d turned Owen down.
The multimillionaire was probably never used to hearing the word “no” from anyone.
Whatever the reason, I was happy to have that meeting over with.
But I still couldn’t figure out why Owen kept refusing the offer, which was fifteen percent more than the combined appraisal value.
Rowan’s reasoning had been persuasive, but Owen shrugged it off.
After the meeting, Rowan had dictated a long list of additional notes.
I could tell by the passionate way he spoke that he was determined to win this deal and refused to give up.
What else did I expect? Rowan had taken his family’s business and turned it into a global empire.
Suddenly, I felt like a total underachiever.
Then again, I guess 99% of the world would feel the same way in comparison.
My priority was getting rid of my insane credit card debt and building my own business, and this job would bring in enough for me to do just that. Then my independence would be won. Or at least, it was a start.
I finished my research, emailed Rowan the notes and then reviewed the daily press packet from his media team.
There were highlights from several celebrity gossip sites about who Rowan was dating and questions about whether he would get back together with his celebrity ex.
I may have envied his wealth, but this kind of invasive attention had to be unnerving.
I opened an email marked confidential . It was a photo of Rowan and Dylan on the sundeck that was now circulating on social media.
Shit. The accompanying note instructed me to remind everyone on board that photos were prohibited.
I tried to recall the afternoon, but I didn’t remember seeing anyone taking pictures.
But I had been running around a lot with drink orders and checking on the status of the next meal service, so my memory wasn’t complete.
I read through the rest of the emails Ravi forwarded for action and lost track of time until I heard the rumble of the tender motor down below. Minutes later, a familiar voice rang out.
“Hey, Andrew!” Dylan yelled from the top of the stairs.
“Hey yourself, how was dinner?” I asked as I shut the laptop.
“Real nice but nowhere near as good as Lisette’s cooking.” Dylan sauntered over and plunked himself down on the opposite lounger.
“Is everyone back on board?”
“Just me. The others headed to a club, but that’s not my scene anymore. How’s the new job going?”
“Good. I was doing some research on Owen. The guy’s been telling Rowan for over a year that he wants to deal but then refuses to close. I don’t know much about real estate, but it’s clear there’s a story behind all their back and forth. My curiosity needs answers.”
“Better you than me,” Dylan joked as he stared up at the night sky.
“You should be aware that I got an email from Rowan’s media team. Someone on board took a picture of you and him yesterday when you were up here, and it’s now circulating online.”
“Are you kidding?” Dylan growled as he ran a hand down over his face and gripped the back of his neck. “I’m used to this shit, but it fucking pisses me off that someone violated the one place where Rowan should have privacy.”
“I’ll discuss it with the captain and remind everyone. We’ll do our best to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Maybe it’s Owen. That guy gives me the creeps.”
“Has he said anything to you?” I asked.
“He’s barely spoken to me. I’m just a lowly actor.” Dylan shook his head. “After working in Hollywood for so many years, you learn to size up who the predators are right quick. I hope Rowan knows who he’s dealing with.”
A gentle breeze wafted over us, and I took a deep breath of the briny air. I heard the rumble of the tender again.
“I bet Charlie’s going back to pick up Ro and his guest. There was some guy chatting him up at the restaurant.”
My entire body stiffened at that bit of news. “That’s nice. I’ll have the Rowan Carter ‘thank you for coming’ gift bag ready for his departure tomorrow morning.”
“And what would be included?” Dylan smiled at me.
“Mouthwash, wet wipes, and the number of the nearest sexual health clinic. Just in case. I’m sure Rowan is careful, but accidents happen.”
Dylan’s loud laughter rang out. “I’ll give you fifty bucks to say that to Rowan’s face.”
“I’m not taking that bet, Dylan.” I shook my head. “All jokes aside, I need this job. And I can’t let Ravi down. He really came through for me when I needed work and I couldn’t get a reference from my last employer.”
Glancing up, my troubles were set aside as my gaze caught on a shooting star dancing across the skyline. I made a wish. Strange, I hadn’t done that since I was a kid.
“And with this gig, I’ll be able to launch my own concierge service. It’ll mean seven days a week and no vacations for a while, but I’m willing to make the sacrifice.”
“Good for you. It’ll be tough on your personal life though. You got a girlfriend or boyfriend back home?” Dylan asked.
“Nope.” I wondered how much I should reveal to someone I’d only known for a brief time.
Then I realized that Dylan would respect my privacy given his history with the Hollywood press.
“I had a boyfriend, but we broke up a year ago. We lived and worked together at his parent’s hotel in Atlanta, so the breakup was life changing for me. ”
I’d spent the past year outrunning my heartache, but the pain grew duller as time went on.
We’d been together for nine years until one day Anton locked me out of our apartment, then sent me a text telling me I was fired.
He refused to give me a reference. He’d also gone on a shopping spree before he kicked me out, using the credit cards under my name and racking up tens of thousands of dollars in charges.
Dumped, fired, and in debt, I’d hit the trifecta of bad luck.
“I’m sorry,” Dylan replied as he stretched out on the lounger. “I’ve been married twice and had too many girlfriends to count. I’ve taken a break from all that since I got sober. Sometimes you need breathing room to figure out what you want. To figure out your truth.”
Dylan’s expression was haunted again, and I wondered what other secrets the man was dealing with. There was something weighing heavily on his mind.
“Has Rowan had many boyfriends?” I asked, my mouth overriding my brain.
Dylan turned and faced me. “Not for a long time. You may have noticed that Rowan’s not your typical douchebag billionaire.
He’s good people. But he’s had his privacy violated, and he doesn’t trust easily.
Everyone envies him, but his life is far from perfect.
Especially when you suspect most people just want to be near you because of your money.
They don’t really care about Rowan the person. ”
“That’s a damn shame.”
“That’s reality.” Dylan paused. “He had one relationship that made front page headlines two years ago.”
“I’ve read about it.”
“It was the same for me in Hollywood. I had people that I thought were true friends, but as soon as my star power waned, bam, they were gone. Goodbye. And then they ran to the press with all kinds of half-truths… You think that there’s no one you can ever trust, including yourself.
And that is a dark and terrifying place to be. ”
“Except for Rowan? He’s always been there for you?” I got up and wandered over to the railing, looking out to the island in the distance, the twinkling lights on the shoreline the only visible sign of life.
“I wouldn’t have made it through rehab the last time if I hadn’t had his support, his kindness. He called me every day when things were bad, got me referrals for treatment. I wish more people could see beyond his money to what an awesome guy he is.”
I turned to face Dylan, a question on the edge of my tongue.
“Have you…” Then I stopped. It was ridiculous the way my mind wandered. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”
“Ask the question, Drew.”
I smiled at the nickname.
“Your bond with Rowan is strong. I wondered if you and Rowan ever…”
“Nope. He’s like a brother to me. He feels the same.” Dylan smiled back at me, and I blushed, my cheeks flaming in the cool night air. Thank God for the darkness. “Besides, I’m partial to the ladies, and he already has his eye on one particular man.”
My body tensed, and I bit my lip. “You mean the man he met tonight? That’s good. I might look for someone of my own on my day off tomorrow.”
My phone pinged with a new message from Rowan.
Rowan: On my way back, no disruptions until 7 a.m.
Andrew: You got it boss, enjoy
My stomach flipped over in the worst way. Did I really tell Rowan to “enjoy”? Jesus, I needed a swift kick to the ass, because apparently that’s where my brain was now located.
“Rowan’s headed back, so I’m off to bed. Have a good night, Dylan.”
“Night, Andrew.”
I couldn’t look Dylan in the eye as I stood up.
Why was I on edge? Rowan was my boss. Still, the thought of witnessing Rowan screwing around with this guy made me want to punch something, and the man Rowan was screwing around with would be my first choice.
My reaction was flat-out ridiculous. I could admit that I found Rowan attractive, but there was no goddamn way I would go there.
Not with someone I worked with. Never again.
I scurried down the stairs and headed inside until I reached my bunk.
After taking a quick shower, I plunked down on my bed, and downloaded an book on my tablet.
Lost in the mystery of the paranormal novel, I jumped when my phone pinged.
Glancing at the time, I noticed it was just past one o’clock in the morning.
Rowan: My guest has to leave. Can you organize the tender?
Right now? It wasn’t my place to question the boss since he was paying for round the clock service, but shit.
I’d have to face his fuck friend, and I wasn’t sure I was fully prepared.
It had never been a problem for me in the past year to deal with these things, so why now?
Why him? Stop analyzing and do your job.
Andrew: On it. Do you need me to come to your cabin and escort him?
Rowan: he’s waiting on the bridge deck.
Thank God for that, I didn’t need to witness their goodbyes. I threw on shorts and a clean T-shirt, grabbed my radio, and quietly made my way down the hall to the bunk where the lead deckhand, a young man named Charlie, slept. I knocked twice and entered.
“Sorry to wake you, but Rowan’s guest wants to leave.”
Charlie groaned and grabbed his phone. “It’s one in the morning. Is this a joke?”
“Nope. The boss man texted and told me this guy is waiting.”
“Fucking hell,” Charlie muttered as he sat up on the bottom bunk and ran a hand through his curly hair. “I’ll be ready in five minutes.”
“Thanks.”
I headed up to the main level and walked through the lounge to the deck, spotting the stranger sitting at the outdoor dining table in the dark.
Rowan’s guest wore white shorts and a red button-down with the sleeves rolled up, his long dark hair falling in waves to his shoulders.
When I opened the door, he turned his head.
I wasn’t surprised at how handsome the man was, like model gorgeous.
But if I was reading his expression and body language correctly, he was also pissed off. Interesting.
I stepped out onto the deck. “Hello, I’m Andrew, Rowan’s assistant. I’ve organized a tender to take you back to St. Thomas. Can I get you anything to drink while you’re waiting?”
“No. I just need to leave. This has been a total waste of my time.”
“All right then.” I wasn’t sure what else to say, but before I could ask any further questions, my earpiece buzzed.
“It’s Charlie. Send him down in five.”
“Copy.”
I turned back to the man, who was busy typing away on his phone.
“The tender will be ready in a few minutes.”
He finally looked at me. “These mega-rich assholes are the worst, eh?”
“I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” I replied, wishing I were anywhere but here. I took a deep breath and let the cool, salty air calm my nerves.
“Rowan flirts with me at the restaurant, he’s all over me at the club and then we come back here and nothing. The guy can barely get it up. Then he tells me he’s overtired, and I need to go. Fucking cocktease!”
I had a mind to toss this asshole overboard without a life jacket.
“That’s none of my business, and I would prefer to keep it that way. And please lower your voice,” I replied calmly.
He eyed me up, despite my returning glare. “I prefer bulkier men, but you’re cute.”
I shook my head at his audacity. This guy was fucking unreal. “The tender is ready to take you back. Charlie will ensure you get to shore safely. Have a good morning.”
“You’re just like your boss, so uptight. You need a good hard fuck to loosen you up,” he sneered.
The sooner I got rid of this dickhead, the better.
“Thanks for the unnecessary advice, but it’s time for you to leave. Now.” I motioned to the stairway, and he finally relented, stomping down the stairs.
I watched as he boarded the tender, and Charlie smoothly guided them out to sea. I turned to head back inside when a voice echoed behind me.
“I guess we both dodged a bullet with that one.”