“Impossible. I’ll have something brought to you or you can wait until about midnight when Chef is out of the kitchen. But I don’t recommend it. He’s totally OCD and counts the grains of rice left over.”

“Wow. Okay.” I swallowed. “I don’t want to … rock the boat, so to speak.”

Evan erupted in a new round of laughter, mumbling something about how I killed him.

“Perhaps I’ll just quickly pack and get off the boat and get something in town,” I continued and headed into my room. I would have slammed the door on his craziness if it didn’t mean it would set off all my claustrophobic alarms to be closed inside the cabin while my heart was pounding. I stared at the bed and let out a big sigh. I’d miss being able to sleep a night on that comfy bed after being crammed into a tiny airplane seat all night. I’d just unpacked and now I was leaving. I’d have to call Tabs and break the news. A heavy dose of guilt thudded in my belly. I hated I was letting her down already. But it couldn’t be helped now. God knew where I’d stay in town while I tried to get home. But I’d figure it out. I grabbed my bag I’d stashed under the side table shelf, then turned to the dresser.

“You know you can’t leave, right?” Evan said from the doorway, finally sobering.

I scowled at him. “Excuse me?”

“You can’t leave. We don’t allow anyone on or off the boat twelve hours before we move. As his security detail, I have to advise you that you are required to stay put.”

I stared at him for any hint that he wasn’t serious. “You’re joking.”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

“I can’t leave?”

“Affirmative. Not tonight, anyway.”

“So, you’ll keep me against my will? I’m a prisoner?” I opened a drawer and pulled out pajamas, bras, and underwear, dumping them onto the bed.

Evan’s eyes stayed on me. “I wouldn’t call it that.”

I folded my arms. “What would you call it?”

“A chance to cool off. And a contracted employment period.”

“For a jerk?” Who I just totally went off on?

“I guess if you see him that way, then yes. But something tells me that won’t last long.”

“Have I told you how much I fucking hate boats?” I looked around before catching his eye again. “I don’t care how luxurious it is.”

His attention seemed to go somewhere, then his wrist came up to his mouth. “Yes, she is.”

I frowned and realized his attention had gone to his earpiece. “I’m what?” I asked.

Evan cleared his throat and stepped out of the doorway to my room.