Maid for the Rock Star (15 page)

"The island, yes. The lagoon, no. They get a dredger in there every year to keep it that shape or it becomes more of a teardrop than a heart as it silts up. I have it on good authority that the architect who designed the resort drew the jetties that way as a joke, but the owner liked it so much he chose that design over the ones that were closer to his original specifications."

He pointed out the various sights along the way, naming each island and building with the ease of a tour guide, for that's what he was, flying tourists to and from the resort. There were two major pearl farms on the way, along with the fabled Cable Beach, bordered by more expensive resorts. Teal waters and creamy sand gave way to pindan red as they headed inland to the airport. The town seemed so small, surrounded by red desert as it huddled close to the coast.

"Beautiful," Audra breathed, sighing as they started their descent.

"Cheer up. As soon as we have your boy aboard, we'll be back in the air and you can see the whole trip in reverse." He skimmed over the tarmac, avoiding the other helicopters and choosing a spot near a building marked with Flying Doctor and ambulance signs. His landing was a barely perceptible bump; a far cry from the rough jet landing when she'd arrived in Broome.

No wonder rich people preferred helicopters to flying in commercial aircraft. If she ever won the lottery, Audra swore she'd set aside a little of the money to charter a helicopter every now and again. Ha, if she ever bought a ticket. She'd leave the gambling to her mother and save her money instead. And enjoy this amazing experience while it lasted. She'd be cleaning floors again, soon enough.

Shou cracked open the door. "Right, let's go inside and get your boy."

Reluctantly, Audra climbed out after him. Despite Shou's reassurances, dread still crept in. How badly was Jay injured? Just because he was conscious and capable of talking, it didn't mean he was okay. What if he was confined to a wheelchair?

TWENTY-EIGHT

Jason let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding as the helicopter's landing skids touched the tarmac. He wanted to run out to meet it, but his rock star reputation was at stake here. She had to come to him. The pilot jumped down, offering a hand to someone inside the cockpit, hidden from him by the reflective glass.

Audra emerged slowly, smiling slightly as she made her cautious descent. Jason grinned. Yep, that was the only woman in his head since he left the pub. Thank fuck she hadn't worn that horrible, shapeless bag of a maid's uniform. Instead, her t-shirt revealed her curves without clinging to them and her shorts showed plenty of leg. He longed to have her legs wrapped around him, nothing else between them, but not with these onlookers. No, he performed best with an intimate audience. As soon as they were at the hotel, away from the matron and police, then he'd offer her the private performance of her life.

The airside door opened with a sucking sound as if the air-conditioned interior didn't want to allow any more hot bodies inside. Audra stepped through, pausing to let her eyes adjust to the dimly lit waiting room after the bright afternoon sun outside. Jason waited for her to notice him.

Audra blinked, then scanned the room. Her glance landed on him and her eyes widened. Her mouth rounded in shock and he thought she whispered something, but he couldn't read her lips. He looked down and realised what had made her blanch.

Ripping off the hospital gown, he shoved the wheelchair back and strode to meet her. Dismissing the raised voices behind him as white noise, he reached for Audra, crushing her against his chest in a desperate hug. "Get me out of here," he whispered, feeling her stiffen against him. She nodded and pulled away. Needing the contact, he seized her hand and brought it to his lips. "Thank you." He didn't want to let her go and she appeared to understand, allowing him to keep her hand in his.

"You're Audrey, the girl I talked to earlier?" The matron marched to Jason's side, not willing to surrender him that easily.

Audra's eyes hardened as she seemed to grow in stature. "Helen, I presume?" Her tone matched Madam Matron's authority, to Jason's delight. "You spoke, but didn't listen. My name is Audra and I'm here at Mr Felix's request. I understood he needed my help."

Jason squeezed her fingers and was relieved to feel her return the pressure.

"Do you have any medical training, Audra?" The matron's eyes flashed. "I'm not sure if I can release him into your care if you don't. He must be under constant observation for at least the next forty-eight hours before we can be sure he's out of danger."

Jason felt an incredible urge to run screaming as far away from the predatory matron as possible. Couldn't anyone else see this was the start of a horror movie?

Audra shrugged. "First aid training, as I've already told you. I'm pretty good with a defibrillator, too."

The matron launched into a long list of things Audra had to watch out for. It was Jason's second time hearing the lecture, so his eyes glazed over only a few seconds in. He hoped Audra had a better memory than he did. Not to mention a longer attention span. He wondered whether she'd be as good in bed as in his fantasies. He couldn't wait to find out. He found his mind drifting back to the present at the sound of Audra's voice.

"Drowsiness, blackouts, pain, numbness, seizures, nausea, discharge, fever...all pretty standard. Believe me, I've been on medical watch before."

She had? Jason made a note to ask her about it. Or maybe she didn't want to talk about it. He definitely didn't want to talk about his accident. Mistaking the policewoman for an angel...

The matron opened her mouth to say something else, but Jason had had enough.

"Everyone done talking about my health as if my gorgeous body isn't standing here in front of you?" He waved a hand to indicate the perfect physical specimen under discussion. "Because I'm taking my fine arse back to my hotel."

Audra tried to withdraw her hand, but he tightened his fingers around hers. For all his bravado, he hurt like hell and all he wanted was to get the fuck out of there. And they weren't going to let him go without her. He heard her sigh and her hand relaxed again.

The pilot grinned and held the door open. Just as Jason stepped through, he heard the police inspector call, "Stay out of trouble now."

Every cell in Jason's body wanted to flip the cop the finger and tell him to get fucked, but he didn't have the energy. Instead, he hunched his shoulders and followed Audra and the pilot out to the helicopter. They paused at the door, but he just kept going, climbing into the cockpit and sinking into one of the seats before he slumped against the glass bubble between him and the world outside. "For fuck's sake, get me out of here."

Something landed in his lap as Audra took the seat beside him. "You need a lifejacket." She tapped the yellow pack fastened to a belt around her waist, then jerked her thumb at the pack in his lap.

He thought about not bothering, but she just sat there, looking expectantly at him until he finally gave in and clipped the belt around his bare abs. He grinned when he realised that her eyes had stayed on his muscles. "Like what you see? You can touch them, if you like."

Audra shook her head. "Those bruises must hurt like hell. You really took a beating. By the look of it, you're lucky to be alive. Were you even wearing a seatbelt?"

"Yes," he snapped. "Yes, I was wearing a seatbelt, and no, I wasn't speeding. A fucking huge cow came right at me out of nowhere and it was swerve or die. I like living. But I clipped another car and then rolled mine, so I got all banged up. Not in a good way, either. Woke up in hospital. Don't want to talk about it unless that matron's been arrested." He clamped his mouth shut.

"All right."

Her reply took him by surprise. Any other girl would be berating him for being stupid, asking more questions or cooing over his hurts. No wonder she was special enough for him to remember her name.

He reached for her hand again. "Thank you, Audra. Like I said, I owe you."

She nodded. "Shou? Can we lift off, please? Mr Felix needs rest and the sooner we get him back to the hotel, the better."

TWENTY-NINE

Audra settled Jay on one of the couches in the foyer. He'd found a pair of sunglasses in the helicopter and the mirrored lenses lent an air of mystery to the man as they hid his eyes and his soul from public view. He seemed to straighten from his exhausted slump as he noticed everyone's eyes on him. Well, if Audra didn't have other things to worry about, she'd certainly spare more than a glance at Jay Felix wearing nothing but a pair of board shorts, ripped abdominal muscles guiding the eye downward to a tempting trail of hair leading into those shorts, hinting at the impressive package they concealed. The last of the glowing evening light darkened shadows and gave a rosy glow to the ripples of muscle, making him look even more impressive, while hiding some of the bruising. She felt an overwhelming urge to lick something.

"I need to speak to my supervisor about my schedule, Mr Felix. Maybe – " Audra scanned the foyer and thanked whatever deity favoured her as Hana walked in. " – Hana, could you walk with Mr Felix back to his villa? You don't need to wait for me. I'll see you back at Villa Maxima."

Hana flashed an impish smile and greeted Jay. "Welcome to Romance Island Resort, Mr Felix. Have you come for some snorkelling and diving? Heli-fishing? Once you've met some of the resort sealife, you'll never want to holiday anywhere else again."

Jay's mirrored lenses turned to Hana and Audra breathed a sigh of relief. She hurried out of Reception to the corridor of offices behind it. She prayed her luck would hold and it did – Annette still sat in her office.

Annette greeted her with a smile. "How'd it go? Everything taken care of?" When Audra stared in puzzlement, Annette explained, "Heloise told me one of the VIPs requested maid service on the mainland and sent a helicopter for you." She rubbed her hands together. "Nice work. He'll pay a premium for that. He even requested you by name, Heloise said. We'll have to keep you on in the wet season if the VIPs like you that much. How was your first helicopter flight?"

"Wonderful," Audra admitted. "I only wish it'd been for longer."

"See if you can persuade the guests to charter a helicopter for a day trip with catering. The price includes a member of staff to take care of the catering and you get first preference if you made the guest's booking." Annette winked. "So, is everything taken care of to your guest's satisfaction? I have you rostered for two days off, I think." She scanned the roster sheet and nodded.

Audra swallowed. "About that. The guest was hospitalised and released early on the condition that someone keep him under observation for two days. Forty-eight hours."

"Perfect, then. You'll have no other duties for the next two days, so he's all yours." Annette rose. "Are you coming to dinner now?"

Her job application. Scrubbing toilets for another year while her degree went to waste? Audra felt her whole life slipping through her fingers. "But...my days off..."

"Postpone them. After the two days playing nurse, then you can have your time off." Annette eyed her. "I expect flexibility in my permanent staff, especially those who have to cater to the whims of the VIPs in the Pearls."

Audra's heart sank and she nodded silently. The deadline was four days away – even if her days off were delayed, she'd still get the job application in on time. Next year, she'd be reading rain gauges, not cleaning rosters. All she had to do was last forty-eight hours as a self-proclaimed rock god's babysitter. How hard could it be?