His Reluctant Bodyguard Read Online Free

cow. Not that it made any difference to me."
    "Same as always," he observed and flashed that devastating smile again.
    Leading the way, she took him into the shop that featured all things related to Adventure Cruise Line. Clothes, toys, and knick-knacks all bore the ship's name or company insignia. Rip was like a kid in a candy store, playing with stuffed animals and making her laugh with silly comments about some of the cheesy merchandise. Finally, he settled on a pair of swim trunks, some cargo shorts, gym shorts, a polo shirt and two T-shirts. Everything was in the company colors, blue and white, with the ACL logo. The cashier flirted outrageously with him when he went to pay, and he threw in a deck of playing cards with a photo of Valiant on the back.
    "These are for Smith to entertain himself playing solitaire," he whispered conspiratorially to Avery. "His agency is picking up the tab."
    "Agency?" Avery started to ask, but Rip wasn't listening. He'd spotted the more exclusive shop across the way and headed there like a bloodhound on the scent.
    " Suu-weet ! Oakley's." He stopped in front of the locked case of sunglasses and called the clerk over. In less than two minutes, he decided on a wire-framed pair with mirror lenses, not the most expensive pair but definitely not cheap. "And a pair for the lady." He told the clerk, who gave Avery a meaningful look.
    She shook her head. "Thanks, but I really can't. You're a passenger, and the company frowns on that sort of thing."
    Rip got that stubborn glint in his eye and set his jaw just like she'd seen him do dozens of times during those long-ago physical therapy sessions. "I'll take them anyway, and if they happen to be lying around my suite and you need some shades... "
    Shaking her head again, Avery muttered under her breath, "Same as always," in a perfect imitation of him.
    He winked at her. "I'm half-starved. How 'bout lunch?"
    "Passengers in concierge class have their own private dining room." She informed him as he picked up his purchases and they walked out of the store.
    "Don't tell me you're not allowed to eat there with me. After all, you're my bodyguard and I might need you to taste my food or defend me against an aggressive waiter."
    Avery opened her mouth but before she could say anything a familiar screech rang out. "Woo hoo ! Avery!"
    "I've been looking all over --" Ginger Judd came rushing up, but stopped short when she saw Rip.
    Mouth agape like a beached mackerel, she took a long look from his shiny black shoes all the way up to his gleaming shaved head while Avery crossed her arms and watched. Ginger's eyes lingered just a moment on his broad shoulders and again on his high, sculpted cheekbones.
    Rip quirked one eyebrow ever so slightly as he offered his hand. "James Brown."
    For the only time in the three days Avery had known her, Ginger appeared to be struck dumb. But she did grasp his hand and pump it vigorously.
    "Sorry," Avery interceded. "Mr. Brown, this is my roommate Ginger Judd. Ginger, the Chief Officer asked me to personally escort Mr. Brown around the ship."
    At the mention of the Chief Officer, Ginger seemed to snap out of her stupor and let go of her hold on Rip's hand. But her expression remained stunned as she looked from Avery to Rip, then back to Avery again. "Bu--but I need you to handle the bingo tournament at one o'clock. Everyone else is busy."
    "Sorry," Avery repeated. "But Chief Officer Gustafson was very clear that Mr. Brown is my top priority."
    Ginger's bottom lip stuck out like the five-year-old who got the lollipop instead of the luscious chocolate malt. "I've asked everyone," she whined.
    Much to Avery's chagrin, Rip cleared his throat. "If Miss Knox and I finish our lunch in time, I might be able to spare her for a short while. But just this once."
    "Oh, thank you, Mr. Brown!" Ginger gushed, her pout instantly gone. "I'm so very grateful."
    "Just this once," Rip repeated, and shifted his bags so that she couldn't grab his hand