My spine straightened. “I am.”
“Wilder, we gotta go,” Little John said, handing him a mess of black straps.
“That’s not okay,” Wilder said.
“Dude, we have a schedule, and the crew is already set up and ready.”
He waved off Little John. “No, we’re cool, I’m talking to Leah. You can’t give back the suite. It’s yours.”
“No.” I shook my head.
He stepped between the straps and twisted himself through the contraption until he had it on, clipping what was apparently a harness over his chest with a final snap. “Leah, it’s paid for.”
Wait. What?
I blinked rapidly, knowing that my anti-capitalist parents would be groaning if they heard my hesitation. “Mr. Wilder, that’s…that’s way too much. All I needed was my room and board; even the shore excursions were too much.” What did he expect from me with that kind of “gift”? What kind of access was he looking for?
“It’s Paxton to you, or Pax, whichever you prefer, and you’re keeping the suite.”
“Wilder, we have to go,” Little John shouted over the music, the brunette next to him impatiently glaring our way.
“Right. Leah, if we can finish this later?”
I shook my head. I was only getting this courage up once. Anything more and I’d be basking in the glory of that room, the view, the bed, and the way that tub would soothe my sore muscles. “No. We’re finishing this now.”
He cocked his head to the side exactly like he had out on the deck, but the pensive guy wasn’t here. No, this man was sure, confident, and oozed a blatant and obvious sexuality that made me glad I had my jeans on. “Are you ready for an adventure?”
“What? I came on the cruise, right? And what does that have to do with the mini-mansion my suitcase is currently camped in?”
He studied me carefully, and I shifted my weight. Being around this guy threw me off my hard-earned balance, and I couldn’t afford that, not when I was barely back to standing on my own as it was.
“Okay, well, if you want to keep up this discussion, you’ll have to come with me. Is that okay?”
“Fine,” I answered.
“After you.” He motioned toward the doors, and I walked in front of him through the party. Once we reached Little John and the brunette, who shot me snotty looks like it was her day job, Paxton stopped.
“Zoe, how about you sit this one out. I’ll get you another time.”
Her jaw dropped. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not.” He dismissed her without another look, calling out to his guests, “Let’s continue this on deck, shall we? I’ll meet you guys at the pool!”
They all cheered as we left the room. “International frat party,” I mumbled as I followed Little John’s massive back down the hallway.
“I’m not in a frat.” Paxton laughed behind me as we dodged a couple of students moving into their rooms. “Now could you please tell me what it is you have against that room? It’s nice. I checked it out to make sure.”
I looked back over my shoulder. “Did you know that my scholarship includes my best friend, too? It’s already too much.”
He shook his head like I was nuts. “But you’re earning it as part of your compensation. Trust me, you’ll more than earn it.”
Compensation? He’d better not think— I stopped dead in my tracks and he bumped into me, the metal on his chest strap hitting me in the head.
“Oh man, you okay?” he asked and reached for my head, but I stepped away before he could make contact. Once had been more than enough.
“I’m your tutor. You know that, right? Only your tutor. Just studying. There’s no need for me to have a giant suite with a”—I swallowed—“separate bedroom.”
“Is that what you think?” he asked with an incredulous laugh. “Leah, get in the elevator.”
We moved into the small space, and Little John pretended to ignore us, fiddling with the straps of another harness in his hands to give us privacy.
“What am I supposed to think?” I asked as we descended. “I was already told that you’d need easy access to me. I just want to make sure we start out with a crystal-clear understanding of what we both expect.” I’m sure as hell not your beck-and-call girl. Especially not the call-girl part.
“I can’t escape people even in my own suite,” he answered simply, watching the numbers light with each floor we passed. The doors dinged, and I followed him out through the crew deck to the exit ramp.
“What does that have to do with my suite? And why are we leaving the ship? We’re supposed to sail”—I checked my watch—“in exactly fifteen minutes. I’d kind of like to be on board when that happens.”
“Don’t worry. The ship isn’t leaving without me, and I’ll get you on board.” His smile deepened, revealing two dimples. Damn. I had to find a way to not be affected by this guy if I was going to successfully tutor him for the year. I wouldn’t exactly be effective with mush brain, and then where would I be? He had to pass, or my scholarship was gone. Rachel’s scholarship was gone. The amazing experience for grad school was gone. That was the deal. Besides, he was just a pretty face, and it took a lot more than that to turn my head.
Fine, then as of this moment, you are not attracted to Paxton Wilder. Nope. Not at all.