“I can’t wait.”
“That makes two of us.”
5
Five
Rowan dressed in a simple shift dress, blue and white tie dye with spaghetti straps and a flowy skirt that stopped at mid-thigh, and tugged her hair back in a loose bun before meeting Quinn in front of the dining room later that night. The temperature was still oppressive so she was happy for some clothing that shifted and moved. One look at Quinn when he saw her in the dress told her she’d made the right choice.
“I’ve never seen that before.” Quinn’s hand automatically went to Rowan’s sculpted shoulders so he could run his fingers over her soft skin. “The blue is a nice color on you.”
“Thank you.”
“It should also make it easy to find you in the crowd.”
“Why?”
Quinn jerked his thumb over his shoulder and when Rowan looked she couldn’t help but smile when she saw the sea of black-dressed people winding their way through the buffet line.
“Oh. Do you think they’re allergic to color?”
Quinn shrugged, his eyes never leaving her face. “I have no idea. I like color on you, though.”
Rowan’s cheeks burned under his pointed stare. “I think maybe you just like me.”
“I know that’s true.” Quinn leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips. “We’re technically off duty. I can do that without being reprimanded.”
“Would someone actually reprimand you if you did it during working hours?”
“I don’t know. I have every intention of finding out, though.” He kissed her again. “You smell good, too. What is that?” He lowered his nose to her neck, briefly wondering if passing guests would think he was about to mount her in front of everyone. He knew he looked ridiculous and yet he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “It’s coconut, isn’t it?”
“It’s a coconut and pineapple body spray,” Rowan replied, her voice dreamy. She didn’t pull away from him, but she was starting to feel uncomfortable. “Quinn?”
“Hmm.”
“There’s a woman staring at us?”
“I can’t muster the energy to care,” Quinn said, inhaling deeply. “Seriously, I think I might be losing my head.”
“I think so, too.” Rowan’s grin was quirky. “I kind of like it but … there really is a woman staring at you.”
“Ugh.” Quinn made a growling noise as he took a step back and shifted his gaze over his shoulder, finding a pretty blonde with big green eyes staring at him. He recognized her from earlier in the day – had genuinely liked her when they met – but that didn’t stop him from hating that fact that she was interrupting his romantic interlude. “Hello, Drusilla.”
“Hello.” The woman beamed as she glanced between Quinn and Rowan. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Please continue doing … whatever it was you were doing.”
Quinn squared his shoulders. “I was hugging her.”
“It looked like you were about to eat her, but if that’s the story you want to go with, knock yourself out.” The woman extended her hand in Rowan’s direction. “I’m Drusilla Wakefield.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Rowan looked the woman up and down, trying to place her from a horror movie before coming up short. “I’m sorry, what movie were you in?”
Drusilla chuckled, amusement evident. “I’m not an actress, although I’m mildly flattered you would think that.”
“You’re very pretty,” Rowan said, gesturing toward the woman’s hair. “You look like the other actresses.”
“That’s definitely flattering. What’s not flattering is assuming that I act like the other actresses.”
Rowan realized what she was referring to and scrambled to make up for her earlier statement. “I didn’t mean anything bad by that. I just … I assumed you were an actress. You’re not upset, are you?”
Drusilla snorted. “I’m not.” She flicked her eyes to Quinn. “You weren’t lying about her being cute. You’re both cute. In fact … you’re both adorable.” The look she sent Quinn was so flirty it set Rowan’s teeth on edge. “You’re also two big balls of hormones. I find that … interesting. I would love to paint you.”
“Paint us?” Rowan was understandably confused. “What’s going on?”
Quinn linked their fingers as he forced a smile. He liked Drusilla, although her flirty energy was somewhat overwhelming. Still, she was intelligent and didn’t take the horror industry too seriously. She was an oasis of sanity in a sea full of annoying people and he didn’t want to alienate her. “Drusilla is an artist,” he supplied. “She’s taking over the gallery for the week.”
“Oh.” Rowan brightened considerably. “I didn’t know that we were having an exhibit on the ship this week. I guess I’ll probably be taking photographs when the exhibit opens, although I haven’t received a notice for that.”
“The show was last minute,” Drusilla explained. “I didn’t think I would be able to make the cruise, but my schedule freed up at the last minute. I’m really glad about that.” She lobbed a pointed smile at Quinn. “They wanted me from the beginning because I do a lot of custom work for the industry – I had three pieces in different nominated films, for example – but I had to go where the money was. When I had the opening I jumped on this opportunity, though. It’s great for networking.”
“It sounds like it.” Rowan smiled. “I can’t wait to see what you have.”
“Stop by whenever you want,” Drusilla offered, following Quinn as he led Rowan to the buffet line. “I honestly mean that. You’re a photographer, right? I think that’s what Quinn told me this afternoon. That means you probably have a good eye. I would love to hear what you think.”
“I plan on taking her to the gallery tonight when we’re done with dinner,” Quinn supplied. “I thought it would be something fun for us to do.”
“The show isn’t open until tomorrow,” Drusilla pointed out.
“Yes, but we work for the cruise company and I have unlimited security clearance,” Quinn said. “I can take her wherever I want.”
“Ooh, that sounds fun,” Drusilla enthused, her eyes lighting up as Quinn handed Rowan two plates. “Two? How much food are you going to eat?”
“One plate for regular food and one for crab legs,” Quinn replied, grinning. “She has a healthy appetite and loves crab.”
“Oh, I understand. That makes perfect sense.” Drusilla’s tone didn’t match her words. “How long have you been together?”
“Not long,” Rowan said, dishing potatoes onto her plate before moving down the line. She didn’t miss the fact that Drusilla kept pace with Quinn. “A couple of weeks.”
“Really?” Drusilla was intrigued. “I would’ve guessed longer. You’re very … free … with your affection.”
Something about the woman’s tone made Quinn uneasy. Earlier in the day she’d been friendly and comfortable to be around. Now she was somehow edgier. The only difference was Rowan, and Quinn was fairly certain that talk of his girlfriend didn’t bother Drusilla as much as seeing her. Seeing her made Rowan real. “Is there a reason we shouldn’t be?”
Drusilla immediately started shaking her head. “No. I didn’t mean that. It’s just … honestly? I thought you were only pretending to have a girlfriend.”
“Why would I do that?” Quinn pointed at the sea scallops. “You like those, too.”
Rowan bobbed her head in thanks, but she could sense the air of unease washing over Quinn. He seemed uncomfortable with Drusilla’s attention. That made her feel a bit better. She didn’t suspect him of flirting behind her back or anything, but she knew he would hide someone else flirting with him to spare her feelings. He was oversensitive that way.
“Why would I pretend to have a girlfriend?’ Quinn asked, legitimately curious.
“I figured it was a defense mechanism,” Drusilla explained. “You’re a good-looking guy and a new crop of people come in every week. I assumed you probably got burned so many times with short flings that you didn�
��t want to risk another.”
“I don’t do short flings,” Quinn said. “That’s not my way.”
“Well, that makes you even more handsome.” Drusilla let loose with a wistful sigh. “Ah, well. You’re taken. I see that clearly.”
“I’m definitely taken,” Quinn agreed, smirking when he saw the huge mound of crab legs on Rowan’s plate. “Go to our regular table, Ro. I’ll grab extra lemon butter and be right behind you.”
“Okay.” Rowan was secretly glad to get away from Drusilla, but she felt the need to say something to the woman before she escaped. “I’m looking forward to seeing your work later.”
“I’ll be looking forward to hearing your feedback.” Drusilla kept her smile in place until Rowan was out of earshot. Then she adopted a rueful smile and resembled the woman Quinn met earlier in the afternoon. It was as if a switch flipped and she became a different person. “She seems … nice.”
“She’s great.” Quinn ladled butter sauce into two bowls. “She’s my favorite person on this ship.”
“That’s great for you guys.” Drusilla’s smile was warm. “If you want me to go with you to the gallery tonight so I can explain my work, I’d be more than happy.”
“I’m sure we’ll do fine on our own,” Quinn said. “It’s not much of a date if we invite someone else to join us.”
“Oh, right. Okay then.” Drusilla offered up a halfhearted wave as Quinn headed toward Rowan. The photographer was already halfway through her plate when he sat.
“Hungry?”
Rowan nodded, accepting the butter sauce with a loopy grin. “So, you didn’t mention hanging out with her earlier.”
Quinn knew Rowan was curious but trying to refrain from coming across as a jealous girlfriend. That wasn’t in her nature. “I didn’t think it was a big deal. She seemed more … normal … when we talked this afternoon. She was different just now.”
“I guess she was wrong about not being an actress, huh?” Rowan cracked a crab leg and enthusiastically dunked the meat in the butter sauce. “She seems to like you.”
“I have that effect on women.”
Rowan snorted. “You do indeed.”
Quinn squeezed her hand before sobering. “She really was different earlier. You know, friendly but all business. She seemed serious about her work and I liked that. Everyone else running around this ship right now is … .”
“Fun and horror obsessed?”
“I was going to say odd and annoying,” Quinn replied. “It’s okay, though. I want you to have fun and you seem to like everyone doing their horror movie thing … even if they are annoying.”
“I think it’s more that they’re different and seem enthusiastic about things,” Rowan clarified. “I understand that you’re not having a good time, though. That kind of bums me out.”
“Sweetheart, it’s not that I’m not having a good time. It’s just … I find these people aggravating on a level I didn’t know existed. The fact that you’re having a good time means that I’m automatically having a good time.”
Rowan wasn’t sure she believed that. “You don’t have to put on a show for me. If you’re unhappy, I would rather know than have you fake something.”
“I never want either of us to fake anything.” Quinn realized there was a double meaning to his words when it was too late to take them back. “I think that came out wrong.”
Rowan’s giggle was enough to warm his heart. “That’s okay. I get what you’re saying. I am looking forward to seeing Drusilla’s artwork. I Googled her before you sat down and she has some interesting paintings and sculptures out there.”
“It’s all blood, guts, and serial killers.” Quinn didn’t look thrilled with the prospect. “I figured it would make you want to hold my hand and kiss me until I forget where I am.”
Rowan’s eyebrows flew up her forehead as she barked out a laugh. “Well, at least you’re honest about your intentions.”
“Always. Now eat your crab legs before they get cold.” Quinn tapped her plate for emphasis, digging into his prime rib and potatoes and letting the conversation lapse. The only sound for the next few minutes consisted of silverware clanking against plates. The mellow atmosphere evaporated the moment Drusilla approached their table and sat without asking if she could join them.
“So, this is your regular table?” Drusilla asked, unfolding her napkin and resting it in her lap. Rowan couldn’t help but notice that Drusilla’s plate consisted of half the food Rowan was presently shoveling into her mouth.
“Generally,” Quinn replied, his agitation flaring. The fact that Drusilla had positioned herself between him and Rowan hadn’t escaped his attention. “We don’t always eat in the main dining room. Sometimes we eat in the employee mess hall and sometimes we eat on deck. Rowan loves crab legs, though, so we eat in here several times a week.”
“That sounds like a nice rotation.” Drusilla’s smile rang false as she glanced between faces. “So, do you have any favorites for the awards?”
“I do,” Rowan answered, clearly taking Drusilla by surprise. “I thought at first it would be Carrie Hannigan for Vampire in My Closet because that movie was so funny, but now I think it’s going to be Callisto Collins for The Bite in the Vein. She was fantastic.”
Drusilla arched an eyebrow, surprised. “You know your horror movies.”
“You seem surprised.” Rowan cracked another crab leg, ignoring the way Drusilla wrinkled her nose as she dunked the meat in butter sauce.
“You just don’t look the type.”
“What type do I look like?” Rowan asked, her tone dark enough to worry Quinn a smidge.
“I would’ve pegged you as the romantic comedy type,” Drusilla admitted, sheepish. “I’m sorry. I’m just used to true horror fans looking like … well … them.” She gestured toward the busy room and the sea of black. “Sometimes perspective is influenced by those you surround yourself with. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“It’s fine.” Rowan waved off Drusilla’s apology. The woman didn’t especially bother her. Okay, she wasn’t thrilled that Drusilla was practically drooling over Quinn, but she was hardly the type to start yanking hair or throwing drinks. Besides, Quinn was ridiculously attractive. If she got herself worked up over every woman who threw herself at him it was going to taint their relationship at some point. No man wanted to deal with crazed jealousy. “I’m sure your world is very different from our world.”
“Yeah, but sometimes it’s not a real world,” Drusilla noted. “For example, you mentioned Callisto. She is the front-runner for the best actress award. She’s sitting over there with her fan club. Those are all young actresses not up for awards who hope to get cast in a movie with Callisto so they pretend to like her even though she’s kind of intolerable.”
Rowan and Quinn followed Drusilla’s finger and focused on the bottle blonde holding court amongst a bevy of younger women.
“It really is her.” Rowan was almost reverent, causing Quinn’s lips to curve. “She’s even prettier in person.”
“That’s because she has so much makeup caked on that you can’t see her real face,” Drusilla supplied. “Wait … that probably came out cattier than I meant. Sorry about that but … no, I’m really not sorry.”
Drusilla’s hilarious expression was enough to make Rowan chuckle.
“Do you think she’ll win?” Rowan asked. “She’s been in like fifty horror movies, right? Isn’t she about due?”
“That seems to be the general consensus,” Drusilla confirmed. “I’ve been hearing whispers that Rebecca Madden might come out of nowhere to steal the award, though.”
“Oh, she was in Buxom Belladonnas,” Rowan said, nodding. “That movie was even too bad for me to watch.”
“Buxom Belladonnas?” Quinn couldn’t help but be intrigued. “I’ll watch that one with you.”
“Somehow I knew you would,” Rowan said dryly, causing Drusilla to snicker.
“She’s not nominated for Buxom Belladonnas,
” Drusilla explained. “She’s up for The Night Everyone Died … and Came Back. It came out late in the season and she’s getting terrific buzz for it. Buxom Belladonnas was so bad that it might work against her, though.
“Anyway, since I don’t get a vote, everyone eligible to vote has been telling me gossip and word on the street is that Callisto has made so many enemies in the movie world that Rebecca is going to upset her,” she continued. “If it happens, everyone swears up and down that Callisto will melt down and cause a scene. Since it will garner big headlines, a lot of people are hoping for it and voting for Rebecca for that reason alone.”
“That doesn’t sound fair,” Quinn said, grabbing a cluster of crab legs from Rowan’s plate. “I guess you’re used to all of the drama because you run in this circle, though.”
“I think you have drama in every circle.” Drusilla seemed much more relaxed than she had when approaching them in the line. Quinn found himself liking her again and Rowan seemed fine with their dinner guest. “I’m sure you guys have drama in your circle, too. You can’t have a workplace that’s entirely drama free. You guys are simply used to the drama in your circle so it doesn’t seem weird.”
“That makes sense,” Rowan said, breaking a roll in half. “Do you get to hear all of the awards drama because of your position?”
“I’m slightly outside the circle so everyone assumes that no one else talks to me,” Drusilla replied. “I actually like it because I hear all of the gossip first.”
“That sounds terrible.” Rowan made sympathetic clucking sounds. “I bet it will make you feel better to share the gossip with someone else. I’m available and have no one else to gossip with, for the record. I just want to help.”
Quinn pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “Oh, geez.”
“I have gossip.” Drusilla looked pleased to share her burden with Rowan. “Who do you want to hear about first?”
Stormy Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 3) Page 5
