S1 E3 - You Should Sleep Naked
"You should sleep naked. I do."
Right. He turns to face her, "That is an inappropriate remark and I insist that you respect my rank if not me personally. Look, I know you're angry. I didn't ask to be here. I don't want to be here. I'm as much a prisoner of circumstance as you are."
She has the grace to look slightly contrite but not by much.
"Now, I am going to shower and get ready for work. You, out onto the veranda."
"Why?"
"Because this bloody saltine box of a bathroom has no privacy! Now, out!"
She huffs but leaves as ordered.
Standing under the tepid dribble of the sorry excuse for a shower, his anger and frustration slowly ebb. It is just so damn hot! All the time! Surely his banishment isn't permanent? England calls and he will return. That banshee will be off his back and he will be a free man again.
His mind wanders back to meeting her the first time. She'd played the innocent little island girl to perfection. He'd been totally taken in. In fact, he is ashamed to remember his attraction to her. He'd gone all over paternal and protective when she (mock) cried. He wanted so badly to put his arm around her, pat her hand, be the big strong man but… she'd been sitting on his bed. A gentleman simply does NOT comfort a distraught young woman on his bed no matter how comely she is. He'd almost asked her out on a date just to have some company before he went home. Lord help him!
But then! She'd become a suspect. And that swimsuit! Call that a suit?! The innocent island girl vanished in that moment. He had almost heard the sound of his heart breaking but he did his job and brought her in. She'd confounded him at every turn of her questioning. He felt flummoxed, out-manoeuvred and slightly silly. She'd tricked him. The island girl was now an enigma.
And then! She'd become his Sergeant! Call that justice?! Forced to work with and depend upon someone who hates him? Blames him for her abrupt career change? And she is STILL an enigma. These blatant innuendos. The sly looks. The odd smiles. She is trying to put something over on him, he is sure of it... but his guard is up now. He won't fall for any more tricks. Not like he had with Lily. It will take more than a smile and kind word to fool him now! Camille is up to something. She has to be. She's trouble. He will do his duty and get off this island as soon as possible.
Coming out of the shower, he is startled to see her standing in the veranda doorway.
"Aren't you done yet?"
He grits his teeth and makes fists to keep his hands from automatically grabbing at the towel around his waist. She will NOT get the better of him. Why is she staring like that? He would have expected laughter but, instead, she looks surprised. Well, OK, he'd be surprised too to find her in a towel… that thought is quashed immediately.
"Sergeant!" he barks, "Since I cannot trust you to stay out of my bedroom, please go back to the truck and await me there." She hesitates. He claps his hands, "Chop, chop!" That gets her moving. What an annoying woman... person… the most annoying person he's met here. Not the most annoying person back home. That is a long LONG list.
He dresses.
At the truck, she paces. What the hell? Somehow he has turned the tables. She'd been needling him and he'd called her on it. Then she'd made the mistake of checking on him instead of just calling. Bad enough he was damp and almost naked... that the fine hair on his chest arrowed down, drawing the eye. No. The worst of it was… she'd felt a sudden stab of desire that had totally shocked her. No way! No how! Not HIM! Man up, Bordey. This is NOT the way to handle the situation! She has to get her guard up. He is up to something. He has to be. He's trouble. She'd better do her duty and get him off the island as soon as possible.
He came out. They drove to the station.
One more day in Paradise.
END – S1 E3 – You Should Sleep Naked