Page 19 of The Situation Ship
“That’s the stereotype, I guess. Unfortunately, I do have a caffeine problem, and I often forget to shave when I’m engrossed in a case. But working out at home helps me think through ideas and cases and lifts my mood. I can be grumpy and sceptical, but you’d have to ask my desk partner. It probably depends on how much coffee I’ve had or which case I’m working on.”
“All work and no fun – I know the feeling,” Poppy sighed. “I bet you can’t remember the last time you smiled.”
“I do, actually. Just a moment ago, when you called me a hunky chunky detective.”
“No! I didn’t,” she gasped. The alcohol was clearly affecting her short-term memory.
“I must have heard you wrong. But thank you for not reducing me to my looks.”
“I’d never do that. I know how it feels to be judged solely by what I do and how I look. I found some peace here because I couldn’t stand the whispers at that bar after Mina left,” she said, pointing above them. “Whispers seem to follow me wherever I go. Right now, the topic of choice is my boarding breakup.”
“He’s an arsehole for leaving you like that, and you have every right to be upset,” he replied.
“Upset?” She snorted. “More like disappointed that I got involved with Joshua in the first place. Besides, with my aunt gone, I no longer need him as a buffer...” She paused, clearly realizing she might be about to reveal too much.
“Buffer?” Isaiah prompted, and she rubbed her eyes.
“Ignore me. He’s gone, and I’ve never felt better.”
Isaiah might believe she was relieved he was gone, given that he’d heard about Joshua’s plans to kill her. But that type of betrayal had to sting, even if their relationship had been some kind of arrangement.
“Can I help you up now? I don’t fancy diving in after you,” he said, changing the subject.
Poppy hesitated for a split second before offering him her hand, which he happily accepted.
“C’mon, let’s get you to bed and that milkshake.” He helped her stand so she didn’t lose her balance.
“Thank you, but just so you know, I could’ve made it back to the room myself,” she said. “I can handle myself.”
“I don’t doubt it. I’m only a helping hand,” Isaiah said, suppressing his smirk. It wasn’t her ability to take care of herself that he doubted, but more whether she could walk in a straight line.
“How about a piggyback? That way you can get to bed faster,” he offered. If he let her walk back to her suite, it would take half the day, and he didn’t have the patience to herd her to bed.
“I can’t let you do that.” She concealed a smile with her hands. “You’re here to protect me, not babysit me. It wouldn’t be appropriate,” she added, though she looked tempted.
“Like you said, you’re free to do whatever you want. Who has the right to judge?”
“Saving a damsel in distress, how chivalrous – but we have a problem,” she mused. “You need to bend down.”
He knelt on the tiles, and she squealed happily as she wrapped one leg around him, followed by the other.
“Comfortable, Princess?” he asked, standing up and gripping her thighs so she didn’t fall.
“You could do with some softening.” She massaged his shoulder muscles, and he shook his head. He hoped she would remember this when she sobered up – her mortification might make her more pliable. Sarcastic, sassy, sexy, and murderous?He was beginning to regret taking this job.
“Want to walk back to the room?” he threatened, but she shook her head and buried her face in his neck.
“Lead the way,” she mumbled, resting her hands on his chest.
“Canyou press your hand to the door?” Isaiah asked a few minutes later, struggling to open the suite while holding her.
Poppy’s soft breathing indicated she had drifted off on his shoulder. He glanced at her hands and realised she wasn’t wearing her smartwatch. Twisting toward the door, careful notto drop her, he tried his hand on the handle, but a red X appeared, barring their entry. It had worked earlier.
He shook her gently, and she groaned. “What?”
“Where’s your wristband?” he asked, hoping it was in one of the pockets on her robe.
“I had it when I came back to change into my bikini and my robe. Maybe I left it inside with my bracelet because I didn’t want to lose it in the pool,” she explained.
