Page 20 of The Situation Ship
At least she hadn’t left her bracelet on purpose so he couldn’t track her. He really didn’t want to go back to the spa or the bar to search for her watch.
“We can go through my room,” he said, opening the door to his space and carefully setting Poppy down on her unsteady feet. Inside his room, he tried to open the adjoining door to hers, but it was locked from the inside.
“I don’t remember locking it before we left,” he remarked, wondering if Mina had secured it.
“Maybe Mina returned, and our smartwatches won’t let us in if the room is occupied.”
“Mina?” Isaiah called as Poppy sat on his bed, but there was no response. He walked down the hall and tried knocking on Mina’s door, but again, there was silence. Maybe she had fallen asleep listening to something again and couldn’t hear him. “She’s probably still searching for you, or has passed out in your room.”
Poppy yawned and lay back on his bed.
“I’ll call Patrice to open the door,” he began, but she shook her head.
“They’ll take too long. Just let me stay here for a bit,” she mumbled, snuggling into his pillow.
Isaiah rubbed his neck. He was tired, but he would clearly have to make do with the armchair until Mina returned.
Poppy leaned on her elbows as he pulled out the chair. “You don’t have to sleep there; there’s plenty of room for both of us on the bed.” She stared up at him as though trying to read his mind.
“It wouldn’t be professional,” he said, and she rolled her eyes.
“It’s not like you’re a real bodyguard; no one is going to report you.”
She knelt up on the bed so they were face to face, but almost lost her balance. Isaiah caught her waist to stop her from toppling over onto him.
“See, you can’t seem to keep your hands off me,” she teased, resting her hands on his shoulders. He still wasn’t sure if she was flirting or testing him.
“I don’t want you to fall off the bed,” he told her as her fingers caressed the sides of his neck and she stared at his lips.
“Most men wouldn’t think twice if I asked them to share a bed with me,” Poppy said, staring at him like he was a puzzle to be solved.
He clenched his teeth as she stroked his chest. The realisation that he definitely would not be averse to this situation under different circumstances was alarming. “Then you clearly haven’t been with decent men.”
She pouted. “Unfortunately not. But you could change that.” She inched closer, eyes half-closed, and he could almost taste the champagne on her lips. He needed to shut this down quickly.
Suddenly, Poppy’s eyes snapped open and she sprang up from the bed. Before he could ask what was wrong, she shoved him aside and ran to the bathroom with a hand over her mouth, slamming the door shut. Isaiah let out a sigh of relief. Divine intervention.
“Let me know if you need anything,” he called. “I’m right outside.” He wasn’t particularly comfortable with vomit, but he needed to make sure she was ok.
“This is so embarrassing. Please don’t come in,” Poppy pleaded through the door.
“I don’t want you to pass out in there.”
“You’re such –a pain – in the ass,” she replied between heaves.
“So is falling asleep on tile floors,” he retorted.
He couldn’t hear Poppy’s response, but he guessed she was cursing him out.
“Do you need some water?” Isaiah asked gently.
After a short silence, the bathroom door cracked open slightly, revealing a manicured hand. “Please,” she whispered.
“Here you go. Just take small sips,” he said, handing her a chilled bottle from the minibar.
“You’re so bossy,” she mumbled, before closing the door again. Thankfully, she didn’t lock it.
“Sure you don’t need me to hold your hair back?” he asked, chuckling.
