Free Distracted by Madeline Sloane Page A

“Follow me,
please.”
    She ushered Spence and Erin past a row of people also
waiting for tables. Erin avoided their faces, feeling a bit guilty
that Spence’s sex appeal meant prompt seating. Once at the table,
however, she shed her remorse, picked up the menu and began to
salivate.
    After a waiter took their drink order, Erin glanced
over the top of her menu at Spence. “What are you getting?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “Want to share an appetizer? Maybe two?”
    Spence frowned. “What you are thinking?”
    “Well, I’m going to order the Queso Fundido. Mmmm,
warm cheese and toasty Cuban bread. But I also want the empanadas.
The beefy turnovers with salsa.”
    “I’ll consider sharing if we can add the jumbo
chilled shrimp.”
    “You’ve got a deal.”
    For her entrée, Erin ordered the house special, a
broiled center-cut filet mignon. Spence asked for the red
snapper.
    “Excellent choice, sir. That recipe was created by
the owner’s grandfather many years ago. It comes with our highest
recommendation.” The waiter rapidly filled his tablet and scurried
away.
    Erin sipped the red wine Spence had chosen, closing
her eyes. “This is decadent. It’s just what I needed. Sorry, I’m
not much of a sailor, am I?”
    Spence shrugged. “It’s your first voyage. It’s like
camping out. You have to get used to doing without a lot of
amenities.”
    “Hah! That’s a floating palace. You’ve even got a
washing machine, for God’s sake. You’ve got TV, the Internet and
satellite radio. You even have gallons of sunscreen so the babes
can oil you down. You’re not suffering.”
    “I didn’t say I was suffering. I enjoy sailing and I
like my toys. You want me to apologize?”
    Erin rolled her eyes and took another sip. She
wondered if she was becoming one of his “toys.”
    “What’s the problem? Why are you angry? Did I offend
you?”
    She shook her head stubbornly. “No. I’m not
upset.”
    “Are you sure? Is there anything I can do?”
    She pounced. “Yes, there is. You can buckle down and
get to work on the book. You’ve been wasting too much time the past
two days fishing.”
    “Fishing? Trolling a line isn’t fishing. And it
doesn’t waste time. I eat what I catch, don’t I?”
    “I don’t eat fish, so it isn’t making my life
convenient.”
    “Ah, I understand now. You’ve been eating your own
cooking this week and you don’t like it.”
    He wouldn’t understand, Erin thought. She didn’t even
understand. During the past few days, she had struggled with the
fact that she was attracted to him. Yet he seemed impervious. Sure,
he was considerate and easy going and he always used endearments
when he talked to her. But to a man like Stephen Spence, every
woman was a “babe” or a “honey.”
    She shrugged. “I just needed a night out. Some
not-so-fresh air, I guess.”
    The dinner ended too soon, she thought, but they took
their time walking downtown before heading back to the marina. As
the night deepened, people filled the streets. Doors to taverns
were opened, beckoning them. They stopped at a lively bar and
Spence ordered them both mojitos.
    “This is delicious,” Erin exclaimed. “What’s in
it?”
    The young, black bartender leaned on the mahogany
counter, admiring Erin. “It’s a combination of rum, simple sugar,
mint and soda.” He grinned, his teeth flashing in the darkness of
his face and the bar.
    Erin smiled at the handsome man. “It’s
wonderful.”
    “It’s on the house, pretty lady,” he replied, winking
at her.
    She thanked him and smirked at Spence.
    Spence smiled good-naturedly. He understood perfectly
well.
    She considered her flirtation with the bartender as
tit-for-tat for the Columbia’s hostess. Obviously she hadn’t seen
the twenty he had palmed and handed to the young woman at the
restaurant. He tipped the bartender generously when they
departed.
    Back aboard the boat, Erin put her leftovers in the
refrigerator and said good night. With a large hot