He glanced toward the closed door at the end of the passageway. Bonnie Rimmer definitely had a way about her. She hadn’t seemed fazed by the close quarters on the vessel as he had thought she would have been. Regardless, she was way out of his league.
That necklace she wore around her neck, the fancy rings on her fingers…the pretty earrings. Obviously she lived in a world he couldn’t begin to fathom. He was perfectly content living his life. However, nothing about Bonnie Rimmer said “simple.” At least after they separated, he’d have an entertaining story to tell once he saw George again. He’d leave out how his heart beat double time when he’d touched her or how he’d inhaled the scent threading through her hair. Or how soft her skin had felt beneath his touch.
He had to stop thinking so much about her. She wasn't and would never be his… eventually, she'd miss her old life and want to go back. The earlier he got her out of his mind, the better for him. When he finished tidying up, he ducked into the cabin, headed down the hall and quietly opened the door wide enough to check on Bonnie. She was wrapped up in the blankets on one of the twin beds, her dress lying on the floor. She was sound asleep.
David stared at her for a few seconds, then quietly backed out of the room.
—-----------------
When Bonnie woke up, it took her a few moments to remember where she was. The small, dank cabin-type room. The tarnished brass lamp-shade near the door. The high narrow windows on either side of the pair of beds told her she’d slept most of the morning away.
Her stomach pitched as if she’d been thrown into a storm-tossed sea. She sat up, dislodging the blankets, and stared at her dress on the floor by her feet. “Had no idea I was that tired” she mumbled.
She waited for the guilt she had always felt every morning since she left her wedding to surface, but as she sat there, the boat swaying gently in its moored state, the faint sound of water lapping against the hull, the emotion made no appearance.
The more she thought about what she’d done, the more she realized her unsettled state had more to do with ambiguity about her future rather than the choice she’d made to abandon her wedding. Somehow she’d launched herself from a safe, predictable life into a typhoon of uncertainty, and yet… And yet.
She chewed on her manicured thumbnail, thoughts racing at peak speed. Throughout her life, she had done what her father asked her to… everything her family wanted because it was easier than making a scene, easier than being a problem. Easier than living her own life.
“Well, you’re certainly living it now.” She murmured. She carefully planted her feet on the floor, then breathed a sigh of relief when there was barely a twinge of pain. She put on a pair of shorts and a top, and her nose twitched as she sniffed the air.
Her stomach rumbled and her blood began to pound. Oh, thank heavens. Food. Whatever David was cooking smelled deliciously caloric. Bonnie angled her head, a smile spreading across her lips at the sound of David humming on the other side of the door. Just being around him made her feel more at ease. Happier.
Bonnie’s smile brightened as she thought about him. He was entirely too good to be true.
Still…she bit the inside of her cheek as she reminded herself that she was alone in this. She wasn't his type, and after that time they kissed, he seemed to be doing everything possible to let her know that he couldn't be anything more than her Bodyguard.
She pushed to her feet and walked to the door, getting used to the dull throbbing in her ankle. Bonnie found David where she expected to, puttering around the galley, keeping one eye on the juicy hamburgers cooking on the stove.
“I had a feeling these might wake you up.” David said as he took her appearance in stride. “How’s your ankle?”
“Better, thanks.” She tucked a disobedient curl behind her ear. “The burgers smell great.”
“One of my prelaunch traditions. I guess you're very hungry?”
“Very.” Bonnie agreed. Heck, she was hungry enough to eat a full cow.
“Great.” he replied.
She leaned against the table and watched as he stacked lettuce, tomato and other fixings onto a paper plate. He really was so handsome, Bonnie thought. Maybe it was his kindness affecting her judgment. Or maybe it was the stunning combination of dark eyes and hair overwhelming her. Now, in the cabin, watching him move so gracefully in the small space, she was definitely appreciating more than his generosity. Gentle hands, a caring touch, an easy smile… Was there anything more appealing in a man?
She cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably . Definitely not the track she needed to be on.
“I take it you slept okay?” he asked her.
“Honestly, better than I have in a while.” She hugged her arms around her torso, then thought better of it and let her arms drop. “Thank you for bringing me here, David. It's so calming and I love it.”
“You are welcome.” He said, and grinned at her. "I'm glad you feel that way"
David flipped the burgers, then after she nodded, poured them each a mug of fresh-brewed coffee. He motioned for her to sit.
“You probably don’t want to hear this, but your dad called last night.”
“He did?”
Bonnie swallowed the wonderfully hot coffee and nearly swooned. It was perfection, with the slightest hint of… She sipped again, frowned, and sent him a quizzical look.
“Cardamom. Just a little.” He drank. “Tones down the bitterness.”
“It’s lovely. Reminds me of a drink I liked in India.” She said, Despite the scalding temperature, she eagerly sipped again. “What did he want? You got the sense he's waiting me out? Waiting for me to get tired and come home”
“If he wasn’t, wouldn’t you be worried? I mean, he is still your father”
Bonnie winced. “I guess so…”
She could understand her father’s concern about her, but this was taking things too far. “I’m so sorry that he is worried, but I’m a grown woman, after all, and in charge of my life.” All evidence to the contrary. She nearly snorted into her coffee.