Burn (Page 88)

"Where’s Nyna?" Jenner asked. She always saw the roommates together.

"She’s with Buttons and Penny, getting drinks." Linda lifted her clipboard. "I’ve volunteered to help out with the bachelor auction." She looked significantly at Cael. "I’m afraid we don’t have many bachelors onboard."

He smoothly placed his arm around Jenner. "I’m taken," he said.

Linda sighed. "Every man onboard is taken, that’s not the point. It’s for charity. Maybe Jenner will bid on you."

"And maybe she won’t. Then what’ll I do?" Cael teased, though he had to know Jenner not bidding on him was a distinct possibility, as things stood between them.

"Then Nyna will." Linda laughed, but it was probably true enough.

"What does the winning bidder get?" Jenner asked. Cael’s arm tightened very slightly.

"The remainder of the evening with her bachelor. What you do with the evening is up to you."

"There’s no obedience clause in there? If he had to do whatever I wanted, for an entire night … that might be worth bidding on." She gave Cael a shark smile. "I might bid on you after all, honey," she said. "Wouldn’t you like to know what you’re worth?"

Linda said, "So, I can put you down …"

"No," he said flatly.

Linda was disappointed, but she didn’t give up. "Be a sport," she said. "It’s for a good cause."

Cael looked around, a flash of frustration in his expression. They were drawing attention, and that was never good. Even Larkin was looking their way, curious, listening to their exchange with Linda. Jenner wasn’t a spy, but even she knew it wasn’t a good idea for Larkin to realize that Cael had her in an iron grip and had no intention of getting more than a few feet away from her.

"Go ahead, sweetheart," she said, and then she went up on her toes to give him a quick, soft kiss that sent her head reeling. "I’ll be fine here by myself. I promise not to get jealous if someone else buys you."

Everyone in the area was watching, waiting. Cael leaned down and kissed Jenner on the cheek. He pressed his rough cheek to hers and whispered in her ear, "Come on, tell me the truth. You were hatched, weren’t you? That’s the only explanation."

Damn him. She couldn’t stop herself from laughing, a genuine laugh that went a long way toward easing her tension and worry. So much for sweet nothings! She said, "Trust me."

"Like I have a choice," he murmured, before he surrendered and followed Linda’s lead, weaving through the crowd toward the dais.

It would’ve looked suspicious if Tiffany had rushed to join Jenner, after Cael was all but dragged to the front of the room, but as soon as possible she joined Jenner by the rail. "I thought I’d keep you company while he’s occupied."

"Not to mention it’ll keep him from freaking out because I’d be standing here by myself," Jenner said.

Tiffany shrugged. "Men."

That said it all.

"You look great," Jenner said. Tiffany twirled around to show off her outfit. Fringe danced, and so did the ridiculous feather.

"So do you." Tiffany leaned against the rail and looked out on the water. "I’m surprised Cael didn’t trip over his tongue."

They both turned to face away from the crowd, facing the ocean. Jenner said, "I don’t think he’s all that interested."

"Trust me, he’s interested."

"He’s not, like, married or engaged, is he?" Even though she’d already decided he wasn’t, she had to check. No matter how attracted she was, she wasn’t going to be a home-wrecker.

"Nope," Tiffany said without hesitation. It certainly sounded like the truth. "So, what happened today? Did you make your move?"

"He made a crack about Stockholm syndrome." That was the tiniest portion of what had happened, but Tiffany didn’t need to know everything.

"Bummer."

"Yeah."

She realized that, behind them, the auction had already started. They turned to watch the handful of men who were gathered at the front of the crowd. There were a few crew members, two gray-haired guys, a blond she didn’t know, and Cael; not exactly a stellar showing, even though Cael looked mouthwateringly good. Matt must be working; if he was up there she imagined he’d fetch a pretty penny with his beach-boy good looks.

Tiffany nodded toward the bachelors. "Are you going to let Cael twist in the wind up there or are you going to save his ass?"

"I’m not worried. Some fool will bid on him."

Tiffany laughed, and so did Jenner. The possibilities were rather funny, she had to admit. What would Nyna do if she had Cael to herself for the evening?

Once her duty had been done, Linda Vale made her way back to the two girls. Jenner made introductions, watched Linda’s eyes as the older woman studied Tiffany carefully and then apparently decided that while she looked like a high-class gold digger, she was all right.

Some people were simply a good judge of character.

"I can’t believe you got Cael up there," Tiffany said to Linda. "That’s so not his kind of thing."

"It’s for a good cause," Linda responded. "I’m sure he won’t regret participating."

A man wearing one of the old-style military uniforms passed by, and Linda’s gaze followed him. She shuddered, her smile dying, and she went a little pale.

Concerned, Jenner focused on the older woman, placing a hand on her arm. "Are you all right?"

"I’m fine." Linda placed her hand over Jenner’s, squeezed. "I just wish they hadn’t included soldiers in tonight’s costumes."

"I like a man in uniform," Tiffany said, and Jenner glanced her way. From what she understood, Tiffany preferred a man in a lab coat. Still, she was playing a part, and maybe this was part of it.