“If you’re going to wear that, it’s unlikely that we’ll make it out of this villa.”
Sasha glanced down at the coral-and-black halter top she was wearing and the matching ruched high-waisted swim bottoms underneath a printed sarong. She was hardly letting it all hang out. Granted, even though the push-up bra was doing a great job of displaying some of her assets, it was all tasteful and flattered her curvy figure.
She frowned. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Not a darn thing,” Pierce said thickly. He sauntered over to her as if he had all the time in the world, his eyes never breaking contact with her gaze. “It’s sexy, and you look gorgeous…a little too gorgeous. You do see my dilemma, don’t you?”
When he reached her side, Pierce lifted his index finger and traced a slow, deliberate outline of the strap around the front where the top rested against her breasts and underneath where it rested against her ribcage. He left his hand splayed across her waist for a few moments before letting it drift down to rest between the curve of her waist and hip. Each movement had caused Sasha’s breath to catch in her throat, and by the time Pierce was finished with his impromptu exploration, she was almost giddy with desire.
“I find myself not all that motivated to leave this villa.”
The light flicker of his warm lips connecting with her collarbone seconds later only intensified Sasha’s need. She placed her hands on his shoulders to keep herself from swaying.
“I see your point.”
Moving with exaggerated slowness, Pierce took his time moving his lips from Sasha’s neck to her lips. The moment their mouths connected, Sasha was unable to stop the audible whimper of delight that escaped when they kissed.
“I don’t want to go,” Pierce confessed between kisses.
“We have to go,” came Sasha’s barely audible reply.
Before she knew it, Pierce had bent her over the back of the couch, his arm supporting her while he trailed kisses down her exposed stomach.
“Pierce,” she said throatily, “we’ll be late…and you don’t like being late.”
He gave her his signature smile. “Those things never start on time.”
Sasha pressed only halfheartedly against his chest. “It’s a charity event. You’re one of the hosts.”
“They won’t miss me.”
“You’re hard not to miss.”
His lips hovered over her belly button, and he looked up. “You think so?” he said seriously before breaking into his signature grin.
“Stop fishing for compliments,” she said shakily, “and let me up.”
He leaned up and helped Sasha get to her feet. “I guess we should put in an appearance.”
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
“Great,” Pierce muttered. “That’s our driver. I guess we’ll have to cut this short.”
Sasha smoothed her bathing suit back into place then handed him the bag that had her clothes for the football game. “Considering you’re on the clock, that might be a good idea.”
He grabbed his bag then readjusted hers in the same hand. He held out his other to take her hand. “Okay, then let’s go party, Miss Lambert, but I want a raincheck,” he quipped.
Sasha laughed. “Now, that I can do.”
Pierce escorted her out the front door and into the awaiting car.
Their yacht, The Glory, was docked in the historic waterfront town of Manteo, a short drive from Nags Head. When they arrived, they were introduced to the sponsors for the event. They would have a short pre-game sail, then go to the charity football game. While they waited to board, Pierce introduced Sasha to a few of his colleagues and friends.
When they were ready to depart, Sasha found a seat on deck and took in her surroundings.
“Is this seat taken?”
Sasha looked up to see a woman smiling down at her. “No, not at all,” she said, scooting over a little and placing her and Pierce’s bags on the other side of the seat.
The woman sat down, then turned sideways to extend her hand. “Thanks. I’m Anne Levy.”
Sasha shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Sasha Lambert.”
“You know, I’m not generally fond of sailing,” Anne confessed, “but my husband, Charles, is the director at the PR firm handling this event.”
“And it comes with the territory,” Sasha surmised.
“You got it.” She turned to Sasha. “Do you like sailing?”
For a moment, she thought about all the trips she’d taken with Milo and the breathtaking vistas she’d seen in the U.S., the Mediterranean and across Europe. “I do,” she said, smiling.
The woman tilted her head toward Pierce. “I don’t blame you. I’m sure Pierce makes it all worthwhile,” Anne said, nudging Sasha’s arm. “He’s the most wonderful man I know—next to my husband, evidently.” She laughed. “Don’t you think so?”
Watching Pierce for a moment, Sasha had to agree. As if sensing her scrutiny, he glanced up, and their eyes connected across the expanse of the deck. He winked at her, and she smiled back. “Yes,” Sasha said finally. “I think he is.”
They chatted amicably for a while. When Sasha told her about The Passport Diaries, Anne’s face lit up.
“That sounds very exciting. I’ll have to definitely buy a copy.”
“Thank you,” Sasha said humbly. “I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will. So where are you from?”
“I was born in Alexandria, but my father was in the military, so we traveled a lot. I live in London now, but my family’s in Raleigh.”
“Oh, we live in Knightdale. Not too far away.”
“True. I’ll be in Raleigh for at least another week. If you do buy a copy, I’d love to autograph it for you. No pressure, of course,” Sasha said quickly.
“Oh, thank you,” she cried excitedly. “That’s too good an offer to pass up.”
The yacht lurched a bit, and Anne immediately stood up. “That’s my cue to find my way downstairs. It’s bad enough being on boats when it’s smooth sailing, but I’m not about to be on deck when this thing is bobbing up and down.” She extended her hand toward Sasha. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Likewise,” Sasha replied sincerely.
Sasha was left alone with her thoughts for a while. Truthfully, she was relieved. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy Anne’s company, but the silence gave her a chance to think about what she planned to do next. There had been so much upheaval in her life in such a short amount of time. It was hard to fathom that in a matter of weeks, her once predictable, organized life had been turned completely on its ear, and she was in danger. Closing her eyes, Sasha tuned out the loud party going on around her. Instead, she focused on the familiar sway of the ship, the predictability of the motion lulling her into relaxation.
“Enjoying yourself?”
A warmth spread over Sasha at hearing Pierce’s voice. She opened her eyes.
“Yes, immensely. I just met a woman, Anne Levy, who made sure I knew what a wonderful guy you were.”
“I saw you talking to her. And to think, I didn’t even have to pay her,” he joked.
Sasha laughed. “She was truly dazzled by your amazingness.”
He sat down next to her and put an arm around her. “You feel up to meeting some people? Just a few friends of mine.”
“Sure,” she replied, “but you tell one person you dazzled me, and I’m going to deny it.”
Pierce let out a hearty laugh and helped Sasha to her feet. “I’ve been warned.”
During the cruise, they hung out with a few of Pierce’s close friends. Most of them were retired football players and either their spouses or girlfriends. Sasha was having a great time and was very happy she’d taken Pierce up on his offer to come. She liked seeing him in his natural element. He was a people person and had a great sense of humor.
The hired DJ began his set and encouraged everyone to “get the party started.” Waiters moved efficiently around the decks carrying platters of drinks and appetizers. Conversation was getting louder by the minute as the crowd moved around the yacht. People were at the stern of the ship either dancing, swimming or out on the jet skis. Good and relaxed, Sasha was enjoying herself. She’d danced with Pierce a few times and was eager to go swimming, but he was tied up.
She saw Anne cautiously coming her way.
“Having fun?” Anne asked once she’d made it to Sasha’s side.
“Absolutely,” Sasha replied, raising her voice to be heard over the gaiety around them. “And you?”
Giving her the thumbs up, Anne took a flute of champagne from the passing server. She offered one to Sasha.
“Thanks, but I’ll wait until after Pierce and I go swimming.”
“Okay, but it may be a while,” Anne replied. I saw him inside talking to one of the sponsors.”
A few minutes later, a server came by and handed her a glass.
Surprised, Sasha took the drink. “What’s this?”
“Oh, I was told to give this to you. It’s a rum punch. A Mr. Deveraux said you’d like it.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
“That was thoughtful.” Anne raised her glass. “Cheers. Here’s to a wonderful day with new friends.”
“Cheers.” Sasha clinked glasses with Anne, then took a sip. “This is good.”
“I’ll take your word for it. If I even think about drinking anything stronger than wine or champagne, I’ll be out like a light.”
When Sasha heard one of her favorite songs, she hopped up and pulled Anne with her to the dance floor. Someone started a conga line so they joined in. After a few rounds, Sasha was starting to feel dizzy. She broke free of the line and walked over to the railing.
Anne followed. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “I…I don’t think this drink is sitting too well. Feeling kind of dizzy.”
“See, that’s why I don’t drink anything too heavy.” When Sasha swayed on her feet, Anne reached out and grabbed her arm. “Whoa. I think we need to get you to a seat.”
“I’m fine,” Sasha slurred before wiping her brow. “Are you hot? Cause I’m hot, hot, hot.”
She laughed after singing some of the chorus of the catchy Caribbean tune.
Prying her other hand free of the railing, Anne wrapped an arm around Sasha’s waist.
“I think we’d better get you some water. I’ll get you to a seat first, then find a waiter.”
“That’d be…that’d be great,” Sasha said in a sing-song voice.
Suddenly, her eyesight darkened. She stopped walking. When her hearing started fading, Sasha turned to Anne in alarm.
“Wait. I don’t feel so goo—” was all Sasha got out before the world around her grew silent, tilted on its axis, then faded from view.
Sasha could hear her name being called repeatedly and with urgency, but she couldn’t find the energy to care, much less muster enough strength to answer. She tried to drift back into oblivion, but the muffled voice off in the distance grew more insistent by the second. Eventually, her efforts to ignore it failed, and the haze started to clear.
When she was finally able to open her eyes, she blinked a few times to focus. The scene that came into view wasn’t what she was expecting. Sasha found herself gazing up at Pierce, who was surrounded by Anne, who looked ready to faint; a stern-looking man in uniform she assumed was the captain; and two other crew members. All of them were looking concerned, especially Pierce.
“Hey,” she croaked in a voice that to her ears sounded like she hadn’t used it in years.
Relief washed over his face. He squeezed her hand. “Hey.”
Seeing clearly now, Sasha tried to sit up. “Pierce, what—” She stopped mid-sentence. “My head is killing me, and I feel queasy.”
“Take it slow, Sash,” he cautioned.
“Yes, Miss Lambert. You were out for some time. Best to take it slow and easy.”
She glanced to her left to find a concerned looking older man with piercing green eyes and salt-and-pepper hair.
As if reading her mind, he said, “I’m Dr. Kelly. It appears you had an adverse reaction to the rum punch you drank. You were unconsciousness for quite some time.”
“A what?” Sasha struggled with the effort to remember what happened. “Where am I?”
“You’re in a guest cabin,” the woman behind him replied.
Pierce and Dr. Kelly helped her sit up while Anne propped up some pillows at her back.
Sasha grimaced. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a Mack truck.”
“You took quite a fall,” Anne chimed in. “You almost fell overboard. Oh gosh, Sasha. It was awful.”
“You’re fine now,” Pierce assured her. “But we should let you rest a while.”
At those words, everyone began to clear out of the room.
“Remind me never to drink another rum punch. Next time, send me a club soda, and we can call it a day.”
Pierce frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“The drink you sent me.”
“Sasha, I never sent you a drink.”
“Yes, you did,” Anne replied. “I was with Sasha when a waitress brought it over. She said that Mr. Deveraux—you—asked that it be delivered to Sasha.”
“It wasn’t me.” He turned to Sasha. “If I wanted to give you a drink, I would’ve brought it to you myself.”
Sasha digested what she’d heard. Panic rushed through her body. Pierce hadn’t sent the drink. And if he didn’t send it, then who? Was it even rum punch she’d drank? Could she have been poisoned?”
“Pierce,” she said in a much stronger voice, “if you didn’t send it, who did? How do we know it was rum punch?”
“She’s right?” Anne whispered. “What if someone slipped her one of those date rape drugs? I’ve seen it a million times on television. Darn, I can’t remember the names, but—”
“Flunitrazepam,” Dr. Kelly replied. “Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, also known as GHB or liquid ecstasy and ketamine, or Special K.”
Sasha paled. “What are the symptoms, doctor?”
“Some of them are loss of muscle control, slurred speech, feeling drunk, nausea, dizziness, problems seeing or—”
“She had almost all of those,” Anne told them. “She was complaining about feeling hot, not being able to hear or see, feeling dizzy. She thought it was the drink, but what if someone drugged Sasha?”
The captain stepped forward. “Do you remember the name of the waitress?”
Anne and Sasha glanced at each other.
“No,” they said in unison.
“But you remember what she looks like, right?” Pierce stood and faced Anne.
“Yes,” Anne said firmly. “She had blond hair, a little taller than me, and she was wearing a uniform and…oh yeah, she had a nose ring.”
“None of my crew wears nose rings or any kind of jewelry that draws too much attention while on duty,” the captain informed them.
“We need to get Miss Lambert to a hospital,” Dr. Kelly interrupted. “She doesn’t appear to be in any immediate danger, but there’s no way of knowing if she’s been drugged, and if so, which one it was unless we can get testing done. A urinalysis is the most common screening done, but most hospitals won’t have screening available for some of the drugs I mentioned earlier.”
“So we have no way of knowing if I was drugged?”
“I suggest we err on the side of caution,” he said reassuringly. “Let’s get you checked out first and take it from there.”
Pierce turned to the captain. “We need to find the woman that gave Sasha that drink.”
“I agree. Drugs aren’t allowed on the ship, neither by crew or our guests. We take this rule very seriously. My chief steward will assist you from here. If you’ll all excuse me, I need to get back to the bridge.” He glanced at Sasha. “We’ll be back on land shortly, Miss Lambert.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “Thank you, captain.”
Pierce sat back on the bed next to Sasha. He studied her a moment before reaching over to gently squeezed her hand.
“Would you all give us a minute?” he called over his shoulder.
The moment the room was clear, Sasha lost it.
“Someone drugged me?” she cried hysterically. “I could’ve fallen overboard and drowned, and—”
The muscle on the side of Pierce’s face clenched. “Don’t say that.”
“It’s true. I thought I was safe coming here, but it doesn’t look like there’s anywhere I can go that she won’t find me—if Andromeda is the one behind this.”
Pierce gathered her up in his arms and held her close. “We’ll find whoever did this and get some answers. I promise you.”
Sasha tried not to let the terror overwhelm her, but it was getting harder by the minute. To say she feared for her life would be a total exaggeration. Pierce was right. Up until this point, she’d not taken any of this as seriously as she should have. But she did now.
“It has to be Andromeda. Who else has these kind of resources and this big of an ax to grind?” She glanced up at Pierce. “You were right. This whole time. I’ve tried to rationalize this until I’m blue in the face and bury my head in the sand, and it hasn’t gotten me any closer to this all coming to an end. If anything, it keeps getting worse. What’s next, I fall into a vat of chum and get accidentally tossed overboard and fed to the sharks?”
That visual didn’t sit well with Pierce. He took Sasha firmly by the shoulders, kissed her soundly and got up.
She held on to his shoulders. “Where are you going?”
“To help track down the woman who gave you that drink. She’s here somewhere, and I’m going to find her.”
“Then I’m going with you.”
Before Pierce could stop her, Sasha had swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She realized her mistake the moment her head began to spin and her knees buckled. He had her securely at his side before she’d hit the floor.
“You’re going to stay right here.”
“I’m fine—” she began to protest.
“Well, I’m not,” Pierce said roughly, “and I wasn’t the one that was drugged.”
He took a moment to compose himself before he spoke again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. This is all—” Pierce stopped talking and pulled Sasha into his arms. He rested his forehead against hers. Their breath co-mingled as Pierce let out a tortured sigh. “This is new to me, Sasha.”
“I know,” she murmured, her mouth inches from his lips. “You’d think I’d be used to all the mayhem around me, but I’m not.”
“Not just that. All of it.”
Confused, Sasha gazed up at him.
He ran a hand across his jaw. When he looked at her, his expression was troubled. “I’m not used to caring this much about anyone,” he replied as if she’d asked the question aloud.
“I remember hearing shouting and people heading over to see what happened. So naturally, I did the same. Sasha, when I came out and saw you lying on the deck and you weren’t moving…my heart almost stopped.” Pierce’s voice shook. Struggling with his composure, he touched her cheek with the back of his fingers before running a slow path from the side of her face across her mouth. “Do you understand? That’s how much you mean to me.”
Her sharp intake of breath tickled the skin on his hand. Pierce tilted Sasha’s face up so they were eye-to-eye. He touched her face.
“I can’t lose you, Sasha.”
“You won’t,” she choked out before she leaned forward to kiss him. “And, I can’t lose you, either.”
They held on to each other tightly, neither wanting to let go. In fact, it wasn’t until they heard a light knock at the door that they drew apart.
“Just a minute,” Pierce said, his voice shaking from his barely checked emotions.
Picking Sasha up, he buried his face in her neck before giving the sensitive skin a quick kiss. Gently, he lowered her onto the bed and covered her with a light blanket.
He took her hand and kissed the pulse point at her wrist. “I’ve got to go. Promise me you’ll stay in this room. I don’t want you leaving it until I come and get you, okay?”
She nodded, but didn’t speak. Pierce wasn’t taking any chances.
“Sasha,” he persisted.
“I promise,” she said aloud.
Pierce grunted his approval before he released her hand and stood.
“I’ll have someone posted right outside that door with instructions that no one but me, Dr. Kelly or the captain is to come through that door.”
Striding across the room, Pierce knelt in front of the mini-refrigerator and retrieved a bottled water then returned to Sasha’s side.
She took the bottle, but didn’t open it. She set it on the nightstand and settled back against the pillows.
“Thank you,” she said, stifling a yawn.
“You should try and get some sleep.”
Sasha looked away. “I’m a little afraid to,” she admitted.
Leaning over, Pierce kissed her forehead. “I’ll be here when you wake up. I promise.”
Comforted, Sasha turned over on her side. Pierce pulled the covers over her and tucked her in.
Silently, he walked across the room and opened the door. He slipped out and quietly pulled it shut.
Anne was standing in the hallway, as was the chief steward and another member of the ship’s staff.
“Mr. Deveraux, we’re ready to assist in the search. I’ve got three teams ready to simultaneously sweep the ship.”
“Great. Let’s get going. I want someone to ensure that only the captain, Dr. Kelly or myself gets past this door.”
She nodded before motioning to one of her security officers. “He’ll remain here to ensure Miss Lambert is undisturbed.”
Pierce sized him up. Satisfied, he stepped away from the door. “Then let’s get moving.”