The Bridal Bargain by Emma Darcy Read Free Book Online Page B

subjected to this continual inner restlessness.
    He’d even taken his mobile to the party he’d attended in Cairns last night—just in case she called— and fully intending to let her hear the party sounds in the background so she’d know he was out enjoying himself and not thinking of her. And he’d meant to enjoy himself, too. Except he couldn’t stop thinking of how she made him feel and not one woman at the party had lit the slightest spark of interest in him.
    The inescapable truth was he wanted her. Only her. It didn’t matter what his mind dictated, his body was in full rebellion against all restrictions where Hannah O’Neill was concerned. He’d barely caught himself back from kissing her on Wednesday afternoon, and he strongly suspected he wouldn’t have stopped at kissing, given they’d been in the apartment with a bed handy.
    Unless, of course, she’d said no.
    Which she might have.
    She certainly hadn’t called.
    Tony kept telling himself he should be pleased about that. It proved she did not intend to take any advantage of her power to get at him. Or maybe she was simply waiting to check out his behaviour towards her today. Which should be exemplary—treating her as he would any other staff member, making a few allowances for her newness on the job—except he wasn’t sure how far he could trust himself to act as he should.
    He could only hope she wouldn’t have such an undermining impact on him today. The surprise element was gone. When he saw her again, he might very well wonder why he’d got himself into such a twist about her. He’d probably been blowing the whole thing up in his mind because...well, he wasn’t used to being struck so strongly by any woman. It had never happened before.
    Tony decided he didn’t like it.
    A guy was supposed to be in control, knowing exactly what he was doing and why. He had to stamp his authority on this situation. Be captain of his own ship.
    This resolution burned in his mind as he parked his jeep and checked his watch. Five past eight. The whole staff should already be on board Duchess, preparing for the day ahead of them and their passengers. He strode down the wharf, feeling a swell of pride in his newest acquisition to the Kingtripper line. This cat left all the others for dead, not only in speed but in looks and amenities.
    And Hannah O’Neill had better live up to his grandmother’s judgement when it came to cooking seafood! If she didn’t dish up the best barramundi he’d ever eaten, then nothing about her could be trusted.
    He greeted the catering people who were just leaving Duchess, having delivered the day’s order of fresh salads and bread rolls. At least that much of the guaranteed sumptuous lunch was reliable, he thought, stepping on board to more greetings with the dive team who were checking equipment against a passenger list.
    “How many coming with us?” he asked.
    “Thirty-six,” Tracy answered. “Almost a full complement.”
    The limit was forty. Thirty-six meant a busy day for all hands, especially Hannah’s as people drifted in and out for lunch.
    “How’s our new chef fitting in?”
    “Hannah is amazing!” Tracy declared with a little shake of the head denoting awed admiration.
    “Doesn’t miss a trick, that girl,” Jai remarked with a nod of agreement.
    “It’s the energy she gives out,” Eric said more consideringly. “Lots of positive vibes. Gives everyone a good buzz while she gets ‘em doing what she wants.”
    Aha! Tony thought triumphantly. So that was how she’d got his grandmother in! Hannah O’Neill was a witch weaving spells and she’d caught him in her magic trap before he’d built up any objective immunity. Amazing was right. Everyone was giving her what she wanted—the job, free accommodation, approval all around, and she’d probably wanted to be kissed, too.
    “What about her cooking?’’ Tony asked.
    “Don’t know,” Jai answered. “Chris was doing it yesterday.”
    “I think she