Page 21 of Captain's Orders
Gerald pulled Patricia's chair out and took the chair opposite. Dani uncorked the Krug and poured two flutes, watching the bubbles climb. Lindsay set the first course in front of them with a quietbon appétitand stepped back.
They retreated down the beach to the spot they'd set up earlier—two folding chairs in the shade of a low palm, a small cooler between them, far enough away that they couldn't hear the conversation but close enough to see Patricia raise a hand if they needed anything. Lindsay dropped into her chair and pulled a bottle of San Pellegrino from the cooler. Dani sat down beside her.
"I miss bunking with you," Lindsay said. "It's only been a few days and I already feel like I'm missing all the gossip now that I don't see you after work."
Dani laughed and shook her head. "You haven't missed much. There's been relatively little drama with the family. Are you alright with Grace in our cabin?"
"Honestly? She's a saint," Lindsay said. "The girl is pulled in four directions all day long and I have not once heard her complain. Not even a sigh. She actually loves those kids. The family are lucky to have her, and they don't have a clue." She unscrewed the bottle and took a long sip. "She's also extremely tidy, which I appreciate after you and your hairbands."
"Hey, I'm not that bad."
"Are you kidding me? There were sixteen of them on the floor when I cleaned before Grace came in. Do you leave your hairbands on the floor in the captain's quarters?" She raised a brow when Dani didn't answer. "That's what I thought. How's it going with the captain?"
Heat flared in Dani's cheeks as she made a vague gesture she hoped read as nothing-much. "It's okay. We talked a little last night."
Lindsay's eyes widened. "Captain Jordan does small talk?" Her eyes dropped to Dani's face and she grinned. "And what’s happening with your face right now? Your face is on fire."
"It's the sun."
"Whatever. So what did you talk about? Favorite sex positions? Whether she's a top or a bottom? I bet she’s a top." Lindsay threw her head back and laughed. "Whether she'd wear her uniform while she spanks you?"
"Lindsay!" Dani gave her a nudge and she nearly tipped out of the chair. "Just normal stuff. Boring stuff."
"Mm. Boring stuff." She let it go.
Dani looked at the water. Last night was still right there, ready to surge up the second she stopped concentrating. The way Jordan's hand had migrated under her tank top by morning, palm flat against the bare skin of her stomach. The way she'dlain there, wanting so badly to turn over that she'd had to clench her fists under the duvet. A flash of arousal shot between her thighs.Not now. Now is not the time.She shifted in the folding chair and crossed her ankles the other way.
But Lindsay had planted something else in her head, because suddenly she was picturing Jordan in nothing but her captain's hat, leaning over her in the berth, that low voice telling her to?—
"Mains?"
Dani jolted. Lindsay was sitting up, gesturing down the beach. Patricia had finished her starter and was dabbing the corner of her mouth with a napkin. Gerald was leaning back in his chair, one arm slung over the back of it.
"Yeah," Dani said. "Yeah. I'll do a top-up while you plate."
14
JORDAN
Zoe stepped onto the bridge at 21:25 with a coffee. Five minutes early.
"Captain. You ready to hand over?"
"I was thinking I'd take another two hours," Jordan said, leaning back in her chair.
"Why?" Zoe blinked at her, the coffee pausing halfway to her mouth. "I've just had five hours of sleep. I'm fresh, it makes no sense."
"Just want to keep an eye on conditions a bit longer."
"Conditions are fine, Captain." Zoe hesitated. "With all due respect, get some rest. You know I'm perfectly capable."
She was right; the weather forecast was perfect. Jordan had been willing the wind to pick up so she'd have a reason to stay there until Dani had gone to sleep. Another two hours and she could slip into the cabin in the dark.
"I know," Jordan said, pushing up out of the chair. "She's all yours. Course is laid in, autopilot's engaged, weather's holding. Call me if anything changes."
"Will do. Goodnight, Captain."
Jordan took the corridor slowly, rehearsing the conversation she'd been rehearsing all day.
