Page 7 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

“Focus, Janet,” I muttered to myself, returning to my prep work with renewed resolve.“Just do your damn job.”

Chapter3

Janet

Five days into our voyage, I’d settled into a comfortable rhythm.The kitchen had become my sanctuary of order and creativity, far removed from the chaos of my former restaurant’s closing.Each meal served to Jonathan earned appreciative nods, sometimes even rare smiles that transformed his serious face and sent my heart into an annoying flutter.

“The halibut tonight was exceptional,” Jonathan said, entering the kitchen as I finished cleaning.His sudden presence still startled me, but I was getting better at hiding it.

I wiped my hands with a towel, pleased by the compliment.“Lemon, capers, white wine, and a touch of dill.”

He moved beside me, close enough that our arms almost touched.His distinctly masculine cologne mingled with the lingering scent of dinner.“The crew says you’re the best chef they’ve ever had onboard.”

“The crew talks about me?”I stacked the last plate in the cabinet, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Among other things.”Jonathan leaned against the counter, his impressive frame casting a shadow across the gleaming surfaces.“They’re also talking about the weather.”

I glanced through the porthole.The sky had darkened since afternoon, and ominous clouds gathered on the horizon.The vibrant sunset from earlier had given way to an angry purple bruise spreading across the sky.

“Looks like rain,” I said.

“The captain mentioned a storm system developing.”

His tone remained casual, unconcerned.

The ship’s first mate appeared in the doorway, his expression tense enough to set off alarm bells in my head.“Mr.Black, may I have a word?The weather report just came in.”

Jonathan straightened, his relaxed demeanor instantly replaced with the commanding presence I’d first encountered.“Can it wait until morning, Elliot?We’re three days from Saint Barthélemy, and I need to prepare for those meetings.”

“Sir, the system’s intensified significantly.The captain strongly recommends changing course to avoid the worst of it.”

“And delay our arrival?”Jonathan’s jaw tightened visibly.“The meteorologist I spoke with yesterday said it would pass well north of us.”

“That was yesterday,” Elliot pressed, his voice tighter.“Things have changed.”

I watched Jonathan’s profile harden, the muscle in his jaw twitching slightly.“Tell the captain to maintain course but keep monitoring.If conditions worsen significantly, we’ll reevaluate.”

The first mate hesitated, clearly wanting to say more, then nodded.“Yes, sir.”

After he left, I raised an eyebrow at Jonathan.“Shouldn’t you listen to your captain about things like this?”

“We have the most sophisticated weather monitoring equipment available.”He dismissed my concern with a wave of his large hand.“These systems often look worse on radar than they actually are.”

I wasn’t convinced, but this was his yacht and his call.“If you say so.”

He checked his watch.“I should review those contracts before bed.Goodnight, Janet.”

“Goodnight, Jonathan.”

I finished in the kitchen before heading to my quarters, pausing at a porthole to study the gathering darkness.The yacht’s gentle rocking had developed a more pronounced sway that made my stomach tense.Rain began to patter against the glass, soft at first, then with increasing intensity that matched my growing concern.

Sleep came fitfully that night,punctuated by the rising sounds of wind and rain battering the yacht.I dozed off sometime after midnight, exhaustion finally overcoming my anxiety.

But somewhere between dreamless sleep, a violent jolt threw me from my bunk.My head smacked against the wall as the yacht pitched sharply sideways.

“What the hell?”Another lurch sent me rolling across the floor, with pain shooting through my shoulder.

An alarm blared throughout the vessel, its piercing wail more alarming than the howling wind outside.The overhead lights flickered once, then twice, before plunging my cabin into darkness.

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