Heat Wave by Kate J. Squires Read Free Book Online

I landed heavily on top, jarring my wrists and already sore knees. A thousand items scattered across the deck, clattering and tumbling in an endless extension to my embarrassment.
    The poor olive-skinned makeup girl ran over shrieking, trying to grab as many foundation pots and eye-shadow tubs as possible, while everyone else rushed to help. A fluffy brush rolled swiftly towards the edge, and the girl cried, ‘Not my favourite! No!’
    It vanished over the side and into the ocean without a sound.
    Meanwhile, I lay still entangled with the trolley, my right arm trapped beneath the wheels and my knee wedged between two trays. I couldn’t release one without the other, so I just lay sprawled there, hoping that a very selective tidal wave would wash on board and carry only me away.
    Gentle hands wrapped around my waist and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. ‘Hang in there, Miss Maddie, I’ll get you free in jiffy.’ Tanner’s voice was soft against my ear, his warm words sending shooting waves of liquid desire roaring through me.
    Stop that! I told my body. It didn’t listen.
    Finally, I was loose. I stood shaking, while the makeup lady narrowed her dark eyes at me and the other assorted women scowled. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I said tragically, but the evil greasies continued.
    What the hell is their problem? A flutter of fingers from around my waist gave me the answer; Tanner still had his arm around me, and it felt so natural, so right, that I hadn’t even noticed.
    Coughing and awkward, I slipped out of his grasp and tried to bluff my way through. ‘Thanks for your help, Beau. Let’s try that again, hey?’
    There was a twinkle back in his eye. He wasn’t the smug TV star, but the man I’d seen the night before. ‘Lead the way, Miss Maddie. Thanks, Maxine, everyone. See y’all later!’
    With the balance restored and Tanner’s arms safely off my bod, everyone seemed to relax. The ladies tittered and waved as we left, but as I turned to dart a quick glance at Maxine, her face was twisted in suspicion. Shit …
    I led Tanner back into the cool of the ship interior and headed for the lifts. We were silent as we entered the elevator, neither of us willing to go first as Tanner hit the button for the top passenger deck.
    When the doors slid open, I followed him along a corridor with only a handful of doors. The one at the end read ‘Home Range Suite.’ The door opened onto yet another stunning room, not unlike the one we’d enjoyed the night before.
    For a cruise ship suite, it was expansive, with full windows displaying the sapphire blue ocean and a long balcony snaking around the outside. Inside, comfortable couches and rustic furniture posed artfully in earthy tones of red and pale blue, much like the Texan palette.
    â€˜Another amazing room,’ I said, unable to help the cold feeling of indifference I was feeling towards the excessive luxury. ‘They certainly know how to look after a star around here.’
    â€˜Maddie …’
    Tanner’s voice was filled with sadness. My chest constricted and I pushed through, trying to override the emotion with professionalism. Dropping my bag on the floor, I said, ‘Right, where’s that cameraman? We’ll set up in the corner near the window. The lighting will be—’
    â€˜ Maddie. ’ He stepped in front of me, his mocha eyes pained. ‘What … what are you doin’ here? What happened to you?’
    For some reason, my temper flared, a combination of grief and lack of sleep with a shock coating. ‘What happened to me? What happened to you, Tanner? You’re a reality star? On a dating show? Why would you want to prostitute yourself on TV? Twice!’
    His face coloured with shame and rage. ‘Only God can judge me, Maddie. But since you asked, I did it for the money the first time, to save my land. And I wouldn’t change a damn thing.