“I get bored on vacation, you know that. That’s why I’m always wanting to do stuff, go for a hike, go sightsee or whatever.”

“Grr. I know. And I can think of nothing better than lying around with a good book and nothing else to do. So why don’t you do stuff, then?”

“I’m stuck on a boat. If I didn’t have cabin fever before, I sure as heck do now.” But an idea began to form in my head. “Actually, maybe that’s the problem. I’m antsy. You’re right though. I think I need to tell him I need to do some field trips with Dauphine.” And ask him what I was doing wrong.

“Perfect. And I’m always right.”

I rolled my eyes as if she could see me. “Whatever.” I smiled.

“And I’ll bet I’m right that the attraction is probably mutual. But relationships between rich privileged billionaires and the girls who work for them … I don’t think they normally end well. Pretty Woman not included. The power dynamic is whack. Plus his history, you know? It screams baggage. And there’s Tabitha. So be very, very careful, okay?”

My throat felt tight. “I know. I am.” I forced out a slow breath. “I will. I promise.”

I didn’t want to hang up, but after a long goodbye, I groaned in frustration and mashed the end button before I rolled my face into my pillow and screamed.

Xavier sat in a lounge chair with a laptop, two phones, and a tray that held a large glass of iced water. Or vodka. Who knew?

“Oh.” I stopped. “Hi.”

He watched me from over the top of a sheaf of papers.

I guess now was as good a time as any to have that talk with him I’d said I was going to have.

“Um, do you have a few minutes?” I asked before digging my teeth into my lower lip.

He set down the papers and removed his sunglasses, and for a second I saw his gaze slide down to my attire. Or lack thereof. Dammit. I felt exposed in my swimsuit and not full of the confidence and bravado I’d armed myself with leaving my cabin. What did I want to discuss exactly?

“Well?” he asked when my silence grew awkward. His tone had gentled, as if he knew I was struggling.

“Dauphine,” I said, latching onto a safe topic. “I was thinking she and I should do more field trips. When you go to shore, perhaps she and I can do something in town sometimes.”

He cocked his head to the side. “We can ask Evan, of course. He would have to accompany you.”

“C-could you accompany us sometimes? I mean, I think Dauphine would like to do more things with you. But only if it’s safe obviously.”

“What did you have in mind?”