Ivorie's Surprise [Golden Dolphin] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Free

jackets. I’ve had several security meetings with the stewards and ABs on my special security detail. As you know, the members of the special crew are all ex-military, and we’ve test fired, cleaned, and secured all weapons in the weapons locker below. Once all of the passengers are on board, Natasha and I will conduct a lifeboat and life jacket drill. All crew that are already aboard are wearing the blue rubber identification and GPS bracelets. Once all passengers are on board and have been introduced to the bracelets, no one will be able to get on or off the ship without one. They are fairly unobtrusive, and I don’t think anyone will object to wearing one once they know the reasoning behind them. We’ll be able to monitor the location of all crew and passengers once we boot up the system. We’ll go over that with everyone at the lifeboat drill.”
    “Good. Everything appears to be shipshape. I’m going ashore for dinner and drinks tonight. Alex, you have the bridge. See you in the morning.”

Chapter Three
     
    Ivorie sat at her desk checking e-mails after putting the finishing touches on her refitted office. Casey, the chief steward, had been very helpful in obtaining the desks and office furniture she needed to set up a fully functioning office at sea. She had shipped all of the computers, office equipment, and supplies to Key West from their main office in New York. It all looked very professional. Now all she had to do was keep it that way. What was that all about? Call me Drew? As infrequently as possible, thanks very much .
    At thirty-seven years old, Drew Blessingame was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, models and movie stars not excepted. He was also one of the most difficult. Talk about high maintenance. He is the definition of the term. And now she had to have dinner with him. What else was he expecting? She knew he had recently parted ways with his fiancée, Eugenia, and wasn’t that sad? Now there was a first-class bitch—that was for sure. Ivorie had had to deal with Eugenia too many times while she and Mr. Blessingame were still together to feel any sympathy for her. She had made Ivorie’s job a nightmare. She was spoiled, selfish, and demanding, and totally without a care for anyone else’s problems. Eugenia had been the direct cause of more than one stinging set down when, at her insistence, Ivorie had interrupted His Highness during an inopportune moment. Ivorie had finally toughened up and totally refused to put her calls through. The last time had resulted in Eugenia coming into the office at full steam to ream her out and burst into Blessingame’s office unannounced. She had interrupted an important meeting with some Japanese businessmen, who, to say the least, had been horrified. Ivorie wasn’t sure, but she thought that last instance had lit the fuse that resulted in their explosive breakup. She was sure she was not still on Ms. Cartwright’s Christmas card list! Ha! As though a lower level employee had ever been on it .
    Ivorie finished up the few remaining office tasks, forwarded several important e-mails to Mr. Blessingame’s iPhone, and prepared to return to her cabin to rest and get ready for dinner with Drew .
    Just as she was shutting down the computers, Drew stuck his head into the office and smiled at her. “Would you prefer to have dinner ashore tonight or eat on board? We’ll be at sea for a couple of days before we get to St. Bart’s.”
    Her stomach did a nervous dance. Is he actually being thoughtful and considerate? Nah, not possible . “Whatever you would prefer, sir.”
    “Ms. James, when I ask for your opinion or for your preference, I want it. If I don’t ask, assume that I don’t. Now, what would you prefer?”
    “Aboard will be just fine, sir.” That way maybe she could find a way to cut the evening short.
    “I believe I asked you to call me Drew.”
    “Aboard will be just fine, Drew.” Her stomach quivered.
    “Much better, Ivorie. I’ll