by C. M. Steele
“Certainly, sir. I’m so pleased to have you aboard the ship. I understand you’re not interested in keeping the ship, but I believe it’s the best cruise ship in the Caribbean. Also, I happen to be a little bias.”
“I’ll take your opinion on it.”
He picks up a binder and pass card, handing it to me. “You might need these. It’s important information about the cruise that we provide in every cabin.”
“Thanks.” I follow Phillipe down the hall and around the corner. This ship is so massive, it’s an innovative marvel. Even still, I’m not interested in keeping the cruise line.
We arrive at my cabin, and Phillipe asks, “Mr. Hamilton, I wanted to know if you’d like to dine with the passengers, or should we bring your food to your room?”
“Actually bring it to the room. In fact, give me some variety. I’ll be having a guest joining me. A special guest,” I confess, inching toward the door. I’m anxious to acquaint myself with the room and freshen up before I go looking for my woman.
“A guest?” I smile, and a dawning appears in his expression. “Yes, sir. In fact, we’ll make it very special.”
“Great. How long?”
“The dinner will be served in twenty minutes for all guests. We’ll have it brought in before the rest of the guests.”
I roll my wrist and check the time. “Fantastic.” I clap his shoulder and nod. He hurries to meet my needs. As soon as he’s out of sight, I enter the cabin, quickly closing the door, dropping back against it and exhaling a harsh sigh. The brief encounters with her have left me completely confused and thrilled all in one. Never have I wanted anyone the way I want her. With one look, with one touch, I became obsessed. I have to have her.
I push off the door and walk toward the bedroom. Emptying my pockets onto the nightstand, I head into the bathroom and turn on the shower. My phone buzzes, forcing me to turn off the water and step back into the bedroom just in case it’s from Christakos anxious to buy the property. I tap the screen, and it’s a text from my mother. Where are you? Did your meeting run late?
Shit. I was supposed to call her back and let her know when I was headed back. I reply. Something came up. I’m going to be away for a couple of days. I’m safe. Love you.
Is everything okay? She’s quick to respond. She must have been sitting by her phone, waiting. Damn, I can’t make her worry. She’s been through so much for the past year and a half.
Yes, everything is great. I reply, taking my phone with me to the bathroom. I’m too anxious to get back to my woman.
Damn, I need to learn her name. I send a text to Phillipe. I need to know the name of the passenger in room 2005.
Okay, I love you, Graham. My mother responds.
I love you too. I’m quick to respond back.
I place the phone away from any water and turn on the shower again. I need to freshen up and try to get her out of my mind for a whole five seconds, but my sweet woman whose name I don’t know won’t give me a break. I carefully strip down and set the clothes aside. I’m going to have to wear them again until we dock at the port in Isla Nubia. Then I have to buy some clothes. A lot of them to be exact. Unless I stay in Nubia and fly back to the states. Shit. The ship rocks a little, and I feel my stomach roll. I look for my meds and something to take it with. After popping one in my mouth, swallowing it with a glass of water, I head into the shower.
The spray hits me from every angle, and it feels so good, but the drops of water beading down my chest sends visions of her into my head. dragging her in here with me. I lean on the shower wall and fist my cock. The throbbing ache feels ready to burst. My mind is fucked up as I picture the sweet innocent-looking beauty down on her knees, her lips parted, begging to suck my cock. With round pleading eyes, she whispers, “Please, Graham, I want to taste my man.”
With a growl, I thrust my hips forward, imagining her mouth swallowing me inch by inch until she gags and pulls back only to slide me down her little throat. I grasp her wet hair and cup the back of her head, pumping my cock into her until I come all over my hand.
I drop my head back onto the wall and think about my plan of attack. I want her, and that’s undeniable, but how can I get her to see that before it’s too late? Washing up, I think of the way to do it. After a minute of frustration, I mutter, “Fuck it, I’m just going to come out with it.”
I dry off and get myself dressed again. I really wish I grabbed my duffel from my hotel. Shit, I wonder if someone will realize that I won’t be there for the next couple of days. I booked it for the week just in case Christakos wanted to negotiate a deal. I’ll just have to take a flight from the first island we arrive on. Now to find my woman before I lose her to one of these single dickheads on the ship.
My phone pings with a text from Phillipe. Miss Gia Tyler, twenty-one years old.
“Ah, Gia.” I say her name over and over, letting it roll off my tongue. Damn, my dick is stiff again. I adjust it and walk out of my room.
Stalking through the corridors like a mad man, I go to her room and knock. I pace back and forth, waiting for her to answer, but she doesn’t. I knock a little harder. I’m so close that my pass card in my pocket hits her lock and it turns green. Unable to stop myself, I check the handle. “I have a master pass,” I mutter to myself. I peek inside the small but beautiful cabin and don’t see any sign of her. Shit. Maybe she’s on the deck. This ship is huge. Summoning the staff to find her seems like a great idea.
I return to my mission, but I’m waylaid by a group of people taking a photo. As soon as they part, I see her sitting down with this blond asshole smiling at her. Her body language gives me hope as she seems to look around for someone. Time to claim my woman. I march my way over and notice her discomfort. I hoped to be civil, but he forced my hand.
Chapter Four
Gia
Finally surrendering to this infatuation, I hurry out of my room after tossing on some lip gloss and a quick brushing of my hair. The main deck is already filled with guests watching the port get smaller and smaller. My eyes search the groups of people, hoping to find him, but he’s not out there. I don’t even know his name, but I want to. “Aunt Bee,” I grumble so no one else can hear me.
“Hey, Gia. It’s great seeing you out here. Did you get all settled in?”
I turn around and give a half-hearted smile. It’s the guy from earlier, but I can’t remember his name. “Hi, um. Yes, I did.”
Catching on quickly, he helps me out. “It’s Dex.”
I flush with embarrassment. It’s not like me to forget, but all I can think about is the demanding man in the suit. “Sorry, I was distracted earlier.” I’m still distracted because of Mr. “Come-with-me” left me all hot and bothered, even though I asked him to leave.
“So this Aunt Bee? Did she make you come on this cruise?” he asks.
He heard me? Damn, he must have been standing pretty close. “How did you know?”
“Ah…because I’ve been cursing out my mother since I got on the ship.” He smiles, revealing those bleached white perfect teeth, reminding me that I need to schedule a dentist appointment.
In an effort to make conversation, I ask, “She thinks you’ve been single too long?” He looks like a player. I can see it in his demeanor. If he thinks he’s fooling me, he’s got another thing coming. I may have spent my life avoiding the opposite sex for this exact reason. Somehow, I bet this isn’t his first cruise, and I’m probably not the first chick he’s hit on since we boarded.
“Yes, and that I need to relax.” He looks like he knows how to relax very well.
“Oh yeah. Do you work too much?” I ask, wanting to know if I’m right about him. Does he work as hard as he plays?
“Yes, I do.” I see his tan and mentally question if he works or plays outside.
“I own a construction company.” Yep, I don’t believe it. Something about that doesn’t ring true to me. I’m getting tired of this pointless conversation. I scan the deck, looking for my mystery man, but he
’s nowhere to be found.
“Are you waiting for someone else?” he asks. I turn to catch him looking in the other direction, not even waiting for an answer. His attention is caught by two women walking past in shorts and bikini tops.
Yep, he’s not that interested and the need to be kind flies out the window. “Actually, I am.”
“Oh, you met someone else after we met?” He narrows his eyes at me playfully, but there’s more to it. A sinking feeling hits me. This man thought he could score with me easily. It’s written all over his conceited, arrogant face.
A short but pointed laugh escapes my lips. “No, actually, I met him before I met you,” I inform him with enough attitude to remind him that he’s not special.
His smirk grows unfazed by my words. “It explains your indifference. I usually don’t have to try that hard.” He moves closer, trapping my legs between his, then grabs my hands. “But I will.”
I yank them from his, and push back in the chair, nearly falling over. “He’s not the only reason I’m not interested in you. You’re slimy—and it’s obvious.” As I’m about to stand up, I see a large shadow appear behind me and that feeling I got earlier returns. A pair of strong hands wrap around my biceps, lifting me up out of my seat and against his chest.
“If you touch her again, I’ll break your fucking bones and toss your ass overboard.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Dex challenges, reaching for me, but I press my body closer to my protector who slides his arms around my middle, holding me firmly. I can’t miss the feel of his cock burrowing into my back. Damn, he’s freaking huge if that’s what I think it is.
“Her man, and if you know what’s best for you, you’ll keep your hands to yourself.” The low rumble in his chest reminded me of Lion ready to attack. Every syllable out of his sexy lips is menacing. I look up at Dex who seems to be annoyed as my captor’s hands caress my waist.
“Come on, Gia, we have dinner reservations.” He spins me around in his arms, leans down, and kisses me. At first, I’m shocked and not sure what to do then I relax and deepen our kiss. We only break apart to come up for air. He looks around to see if Dex is there, but he’s gone.
“What’s your name?” I ask when he drags his eyes back to me. The look in them is fierce, possessive, and something else that I can’t make out.
“Graham.”
Good, I just wanted to know who I was surrendering my life to. “Graham, kiss me again.”
“Always.” He slides his tongue along the seam of my lips, pushing past them and inside to dance with my tongue. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’m loving every single moment of it. I cling to him—this stranger who has claimed me in a way I can’t even understand.
His strong hands hold me close. One tightens around my waist, lifting and pressing me against his body. Hell, I moan as his cock digs into the V between my legs. It should frighten me, but it doesn’t. I’m more turned on than I should be.
A cough behind us interrupts our spontaneous, passionate moment.
“Mr. Hamilton, your table is ready.” Table?
He takes a deep breath like he’s annoyed and says, “Thank you.”
“Ms. Tyler and I will be there in just a moment.” He takes my hand, and with his voice shaking, he asks, “Will you join me for dinner?”
For a moment, I feel like I have the upper hand, so I tease him. “I don’t suppose I have a choice, do I?” Not that I want to say no. In fact, I don’t want to lose him again. It’s nuts how my heart’s speed racing in my chest. I’m doing my best to hold myself together, but I’m so overwhelmed by this new and instant attraction to him.
“You do, but I can’t promise I won’t try to convince you…if needed.”
Why? I think
“Why what?” Oops.
Taking a deep breath, I confess, “Why am I so captivated by you?”
“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be on this trip if it wasn’t for you, so I’m glad we’re on the same page.” He smiles, and I twist my lips, wondering if there’s more to that, but he shakes his head and leads the way back inside. We travel down to the corridor until we reach the end of a hall. He presses his keycard, and it lets us into a different area that is even more opulent than the lavish room I have.
“Is this the way to the dining area?” I’m pretty sure it isn’t, but I’d gotten turned about twice since I arrived.
“No, we have a private dining space.” We reach another dead end, but this time, Graham taps his card again, and we enter a suite.
As I step inside, I see a small foyer that opens into a seating area with a round table to the left. It’s not an actual dining area. It has the appearance of a lavish hotel suite. “Is this your room?”
“Yes, it is.”
A feeling of being conned hits me. Why does he have such a huge and expensive-looking suite for a guy supposedly not sailing? I pump the brakes until I get some answers. I let go of his hand and lean against the door. “Wow, okay. That doesn’t make any sense. If you weren’t going to attend this cruise, then why do you have the fanciest room in the place?”
He ducks his head, hiding his mouth from me before letting out a muffled answer. “Because I own the ship.”
“What!”
With a sigh, he meets my eyes and comes clean. “I own the Hamilton Cruise Line company. Although I am trying to sell it.”
I might not be the first girl in here. “So this isn’t your first singles’ cruise.” It’s not a question. More like an instant jealous response.
Graham reaches out, cupping my chin, and says, “Actually it is. I’ve never been on the ship before today.”
“Really? Why not?” How do you own a business and not visited the company once?
He lets go and shrugs. “I don’t like boats of any size.” There’s a reason behind that, but I’m not going to press. Maybe a bad past experience?
“Oh. Then why?” His back stiffens, and he sighs heavily. “Sorry. I can tell I’m getting too nosy.”
“Not at all. I don’t mind telling you. It’s all new to me. My father owned the ship until his death four months ago.”
Wow. The weight of his words hit me. He’s in the middle of grieving like I am. A part of me regrets asking the question, but I couldn’t stop myself. I grab his hand and say, “I’m so sorry to hear that. I understand how difficult it must be for you. My aunt, the one who signed me up for this cruise, died two months ago.” Immediately tears well up in my eyes as I think about how wonderful she was to me.
“I’m sorry for your loss, babe.” He pulls me into his arms and hugs me. We stand like that for a long time, fitting so perfectly together as if we’ve always been this way. It feels so natural and welcoming that I regret that we separate to sit. “Come on I have to feed you before you blow away in the breeze.”
“I’m not that small,” I argue as he holds the chair out for me.
After he pushes it in, he leans down and kisses the top of my head. A tingle of pleasure runs from that spot down my back.
“You are small to me.” He undoes his suit jacket and sets it on the back of his chair. I watch him sit, and every single muscle it takes for him to do that. My pussy clenches as I watch his biceps flex while he rolls up his sleeves one at a time. It’s like a hypnotic dance, luring me, tempting me.
“A lot of people are small compared to you.” My body is well aware of the fact that he’s large everywhere, and I can barely hide my body’s reaction to him.
“I don’t care about a lot of people—only you.” I gasp, feeling the weight of his lusty words. Aware of how flustered he’s making me, he adds, “Now, let us eat before all of this food gets cold.”
Chapter Five
Graham
“Wow, they really outdid themselves,” she says, looking at the table. I must have freaked her out with my intensity, so I decide to back off and focus on our meal. The team outdid themselves. I know I asked for a large spread, but this could feed ten people. We ta
ke turns lifting them off to see what they brought.
She opens one of the last trays to reveal a half dozen chocolate covered strawberries. A moan slips past her pretty pink lips. A groan rips from my own mouth because I don’t know how I’m going to make it through this meal without stripping her and burying my cock deep inside her. “I think they were trying to help me impress you.”
“Well, that’s one way to a girl’s heart,” she sasses me. It’s fucking sexy to watch her try and play it cool.
I move to her side and whisper, “Good to know. I want to know all the ways.”
She looks up at me with suspicion in her light eyes. “You’re working on it, smooth talker.”
“Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment even if it’s not meant as one.”
“I’m not sure yet. I’m letting my desire cloud my judgment, so I’ll let you know.”
“Do that. I promise your judgment couldn’t be sounder.”
“Who are you?”
“I told you. Graham Hamilton, but I’m assuming you want to know more. That’s fine as long as we talk and eat.”
“Great.” We take turns serving the dishes closest to each of us then dig in.
Wanting to know more about her, I give her the answers I think she might want. “So I’m thirty, single, no kids, and I work behind a computer screen all day and night in my condo in Chicago.”
“I’m twenty-one, single, no kids. I work at a local diner outside of Miami. We are totally worlds apart.” I hear the regret in her voice as if somehow I care that she isn’t as successful as me. The only thing that bothers me is living in Miami. That isn’t going to work. I’m going to have to kidnap her pretty ass if she forces that issue. I’m crazy, and I know it, but I have no fucks to give at this point.
“Not that far apart and we can easily fix where you live. As for the only other factor, did you go to college?”
“Yes, for two years for teaching, but then my aunt got sick. It got too hard to work full time and go to school while caring for her.”
