by Ryan Michele
“Scout’s honor.” I held two fingers up together in mock solute.
“Were you ever even in the scouts?” She burst out laughing.
“I swore an oath of secrecy. I can neither confirm nor deny this information.”
“Now who’s the bullshitter here,” she teased back.
“Dessert?”
She looked down at her body. A sexy body, I might add. “Hmm … not in this dress. I may bust out of it.”
Oh, the visions that played through my head went rapid. “At least wait ’til we get to the room. I don’t see any oars nearby to beat the men off with, and I’d hate to stab someone with my steak knife.”
“Ha. Ha. Funny.” While she thought it was funny, it was damn true. All the male eyes on her did not go unnoticed. She garnered their full attention. I noticed a few wives or girlfriends getting annoyed with the way their man stared after Everly.
“Come on; let’s take a walk. The night is young and full of possibilities.”
“You flirting with me?” she asked, rising from her chair, and I followed suit.
“Maybe I am. Just don’t go telling your big brother on me.” She smiled, the vision nearly knocking me on my ass.
“I think it’s a bit late for that. I did invite you on this cruise and to his wedding, after all.” Her voice dropped low to a whisper. “I think he’s on to us. Just saying.”
Taking her hand in mine, we laced our fingers together. I escorted her to one of the observation decks to take in the night ocean air.
Everly stood next to me, the moonlight shining bright. The full moon held hope that anything was possible. Maybe I’d get my chance to kiss her once and for all. She smiled at me, lips full of promise.
Everly
PSYCHOLOGICALLY, HUMANS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF BEING JUST FRIENDS WITH MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. THIS SHOULD BE FUN…
After dinner and exploring the different amenities offered by the ship, Mason and I returned to our cabin. Once we were back in the privacy of our room, it hit me once again that we’d be sharing a bed—for the week. I didn’t believe I had fully thought this whole bring Mason Jones along for the ride through.
Sure, hanging out with him was one thing, but sleeping next to him night after night would be pure torture, and not to mention awkward. What if I snored or talked in my sleep, or worse—tried to spoon him or something.
I escaped to the privacy for the bathroom to change only to realize I didn’t have any pajamas. All I had were clean undies. I folded the dress I’d borrowed from Jess to return to her tomorrow. Thankfully there were robes provided for us, but I couldn’t sleep in a bathrobe. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, slipping the fluffy white robe on, and then padded into the stateroom.
Mason had made himself comfortable, his large frame taking up most of the bed. Kicked back with his hands behind his head, he laid there in nothing but his boxer briefs. Mercy. The sight did things to my libido. Pulse ringing in my ears, my blood hummed as I took him in. Hair tousled, he smiled devilishly like he could read my mind or something.
“Hi.” His lips stretched wider, showing off his perfectly angular cheekbones that should be illegal for any man to have. It might sounded silly, but Mason Jones was the most beautiful man, and for the next week he belonged to me. Even if it was pretend. A girl could fantasize it was something more even if it wasn’t.
I swallowed hard, feeling my breath catch in my throat. Mason’s body was made to be admired and appreciated. Muscular but not overly beefy, he had the perfect proportion of lean but muscled and toned appearance. My fingers ached to trace the hard planes of his muscles and explore the deep V plunging into his boxers.
“Hi,” I parroted him. “Um, question.”
“Shoot.”
“Do you have a t-shirt I can borrow to sleep in? I forgot to nab something from Jess, but knowing her she sleeps naked.”
Mason chuckled. “Yeah. Sure.” He shifted and stood. “I’m sure I have something.” He maneuvered past me, his hard body pressing into my side as he went. Sweet lord. The man was fine. The back of him was just as sexy. Heat licked up the back of my neck and fanned down my sides, spreading like wildfire through my veins. I would combust before the night was through.
Mason dug through his bag and handed me a black fitted tee. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” His gaze met mine as he rubbed his chin. “Though.” His tongue darted out to lick his lips. “If you want to sleep in the nude, I won’t complain.”
“Ha. Ha.”
“I’m going to get ready for bed.” He capped a palm over his fist and turned away, strutting to the bathroom.
This arrangement was a dangerous idea full of trouble. The bathroom door closed, and I discarded the robe for his tee. The soft cotton swallowed me, but it smelled of his Dior cologne, and it hit me. This was the tee he wore on the plane. I wasn’t about to complain. Turning down the covers, I got into bed then flipped the lights off.
Light glowed from underneath the bathroom door. I paused for a minute and smiled before stealing the remote control from his claimed side of the bed. I stole his spot and snuggled down in the white covers, wondering if Mason would slide under the sheets too. Sure, he’d stayed over at my house plenty of times growing up, but this was different, and we weren’t kids any longer. Now we were two attractive, successful adults with no restrictions. There wasn’t anything to hold us back. No work. No older brother close by. Well, okay, Drake was on the same ship, but he was off in his own cabin with Kelsey. I was sure we were the last thing on his mind. He was getting married this week, after all. It was the reason any of us were there.
The bathroom door opened, and the light spilled into the room surrounding Mason, glowing around him as though he was an angel in disguise, hiding behind that rugged and sexy smirk painted on his face.
“What?” I persisted.
“You are aware of the fact you stole my side of the bed.” He folded his thick arms over his chest after switching off the bathroom light. A vein pulsed in his neck, visible from the TV flickering as I navigated through the channel selection.
“I don’t see your name on it. Move your meat, lose your seat.”
“Alright. Tonight I’ll give you the left side, but tomorrow we switch. That is … unless you prefer I sleep on the floor.”
I balked. “No. We’re adults. We can sleep next to each other, unless you think it’d be weird. I mean, there’s the sofa, I guess, but it doesn’t look very big or all that comfortable. I guess I could take the couch tonight and you have it tomorrow. But you’re my guest, and I’d feel awful making you sleep on the floor or anywhere other than a bed. Does the idea of us sharing the bed make you uncomfortable? We really didn’t discuss how all this would work beforehand. I’m kind of winging this whole scenario.” Rambling. My damn mouth was getting away from me, spewing stupid shit. Lord save me.
“So you don’t treat your fake boyfriends to lavish family vacations every year?” He winked, coming to stand at the end of the bed.
“Okay, smartass.”
“Why don’t we not worry about anything and let things happen as they come, yeah?”
That was a perfect idea. No expectations. Just being together. “I think I can do that.”
“Good. And just think, this isn’t the first time we’ve ever slept in the same space.” The bed dipped with his weight as he slid under the covers. His thigh pressed against mine, his warmth pouring into me, and there was nowhere for me to go.
If I rolled his way, I’d be on him; the other way, and I’d fall to the floor. Memories flickered as he continued. “We camped out in the treehouse a few times and slept in the basement.” The minty scent of his toothpaste washed over me along with the intoxicating scent of his cologne. It was all so manly. When toothpaste became manly I didn’t know, but it was. I had a feeling anything when mixed with Mason became manly and sexy.
Everything that encompassed Mason Jones. I couldn’t escape his presence, but part of me
—
a big part of me—didn’t want to.
I rolled to my side and faced him, only leaving a sliver of space between us, and I watched him fluff his pillows and shift around in the covers, trying to find a comfortable position. On his side, hand propped under his pillows, his nose nearly touched mine. Mason’s breath fanned over my lips. I could practically taste his toothpaste and felt my tongue dart out to my bottom lip.
Tension crackled between us. We were so damn close. If I flicked my tongue out any further I could lick his lips, and it was a damn fine idea.
We stared at each other for a few minutes or seconds. Time stood still as his minty fresh breath mingled with mine. Mason broke away first, moving to his back, and I felt the loss immediately.
“Would you mind if I watched a movie just until I’m ready to fall asleep? I know you used to prefer a quiet, dark room when you were younger,” he asked.
“I still do, but I can’t sleep either.” I handed him the remote, and he put on some silly science fiction show about talking zombies. Great. Did he want me to have nightmares all night?
“No, stop,” I grumbled, swiping at my face. Zombies were chasing me through a tropical jungle paradise, arms extended and weird noises coming from their mouths.
“Brains. Braiinnsss…” the rotted corpse called after me as I tried to get my legs to move faster.
Tossing and turning, I knew any second I’d be zombie kibble. Would I turn into one of those things? Run!
“Ev, wake up. You’re having a bad dream.”
“Hmm?” I struggled to get awake. Sweat clung to my body as the dream still had a hold on me. A heavy leg held mine captive as I tried to get away. My chest squeezed tight as the nightmare ripped through me. Zombies chasing me. They were chasing me.
“Hey.” My body shook and jostled.
I blinked, the light shining in as I came to. Mason stroked my jaw and caressed my cheek with his large hand. The first thought that sprang to mind was I wondered if him having big hands and big feet meant he’d have a big package. What a way to wipe the zombies away.
“Morning, sleepyhead. You tossed and turned all night. Only way to keep you still was to spoon you.” Mason grinned at me. He moved, and I scooted up, pushing my back against the headboard. I prayed I didn’t do or say anything too embarrassing in my sleep. I’d been known to mumble in my sleep.
Knock. Knock. A fist pounded on the door of our cabin, jolting the both of us.
“I’ve got it.” Mason rolled off the bed and stumbled toward the door, rubbing the creases of his eyes. It was utterly adorable.
“Good morning.” I heard my sister’s singsong, all too chipper for first thing in the morning. Part of me wanted to hide under the covers.
“Glad to see you’ve found your sea legs,” he greeted her, and she moved past him to enter the room, carrying a stack of clothes. Yes!
“Mom wants everyone to meet up for breakfast in like twenty. I brought you some clothes.” She smirked at the tee I borrowed from Mason, but I didn’t care. He and I were dating. Of course I’d wear his shirt. “You two seem cozy,” she mused, coming to the side of the bed.
“Thank you for these.” I grabbed the clothes from her and scooted off the edge of the bed and then darted into the bathroom. Jess had given me a pair of denim cutoff shorts that would show my butt cheeks, no doubt. Beggars couldn’t be choosers; though, I did appreciate that she gave me a choice of three shirts. Even if all of them showed more than I’d bargained for. Mason would sure be getting his eyes full along with the rest of the passengers aboard our cruise.
I pulled a brush through my hair, shimmied the booty shorts over my ass, and went with the yellow tank top.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Mason’s gaze roamed my curves. My sister had left. My breasts were practically popping out the scoop neck of my tank top, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. I needed to survive bumming clothes from my little sister until we stopped off at St. Kitts. There I could get some clothes.
Mason and I met up with my family at the breakfast buffet. We were the last to arrive, and all eyes fell on us. I knew they had questions. However, I didn’t have any answers to give. Lying to the people I loved felt all wrong. My stomach sunk at the thought, but what choice did I have?
There was no turning back. I started this trip on a lie, and I would continue the charade until we returned to Idaho. I vowed to myself to keep as close to the truth as possible, so I wouldn’t go straight to hell.
The buffet was enormous, and my stomach rumbled. I stacked my plate full of pancakes, fruit toppings, and whipped cream. Mason downed black coffee and had eggs, hash browns, bacon, and sausage.
“What are you guys planning for the day?” Mom questioned as we sat down.
“I think Mason and I are going to check out the zipline,” I answered quickly, knowing Jess hated heights and Mom would never go for it. That left getting rid of Drake and Kelsey, but who knew what they’d choose. Mason squeezed my knee under the table.
“Well, Herbert and I are thinking of doing a couples massage.”
“Casey wants to watch the magic show.” Jess shoveled oatmeal between her lips as she talked, and I closed my eyes. I hated when she talked with her mouth full.
“Don’t you girls forget tomorrow is our day. We planned a little something for Kelsey since she didn’t have a proper bachelorette back home.”
I completely forgot that the party hats were in my lost luggage, but maybe they’d have something in the gift shop. We weren’t doing anything fancy. Dinner and cocktails, and I had no doubt Kelsey would sneak off the first chance she got to be with Drake. They were attached at the hip always. Part of me envied that they had found their someone, then the other half of me was terrified at the thought of being dependent on anyone for bringing me happiness.
“To Kelsey,” Jess shouted, her mixed drink sloshing over the brim as she pumped her arm in the air.
Kelsey raised her water in the air. She said no to any liquor. Said she wanted to stay hydrated and fresh for the wedding.
“I’m so happy to get to do this with you,” Mom gushed over her. “Who knows if either of my girls will ever say I do. I’ll be dead and gone before they decide to settle down and grow up.”
Jess was too buzzed to notice or care, but those words stung.
“I keep trying to set Everly up with nice men, but she keeps turning the offers down.”
I bit my tongue, but I wanted to yell at her. She had been drinking wine, but it was no excuse to be a jerk, and she was being awful. Mason might not have truly been my boyfriend, but she didn’t know that. For all she knew, I’d been seeing him at least a few weeks; no matter what the truth might be.
I stomped off to the bar to get another drink before I was tempted to say things I would regret later. I loved and respected my mother, but in that moment, part of me wished I’d never come on this cruise. I understood she wanted the best for me, but she wasn’t even giving Mason a chance. Fake boyfriend or not. I slurped on my drink through the tiny red straw. Jess collapsed on the stool next to me, bumping her shoulder into mine.
“Okay. What crawled up your butt?”
“Did you not hear anything that just came out of our mother’s mouth?”
“You gotta ignore her; it’s what I do. She is always on my case. ‘Why don’t you find a better job. Why haven’t you and Casey bought a real house? Why do you rent?’ Blah. Blah. Blah. You just gotta do what you want. Besides, wait ’til she sees what I bought Kelsey for her wedding night.”
Jess wiggled her brows. “Crotchless panties and sex dice.”
My hand flew to my mouth. “Shut up. You did not.”
Her tongue rolled around her straw as she tried to get a hold of it. “I so did.”
Our mother, love her heart, was one of the world’s biggest prudes on the planet. She didn’t want to allow us to watch PG-13 movies growing up. I can only imagine how red her face is going to get when she sees those dang panties.
<
br /> I sucked down the rest of my drink and rejoined Mom and Kelsey.
“Open my gift first, dear.” Mom handed her a gift box.
Kelsey gave her a smile and ripped the bow off then lifted the lid to reveal a thick brown leather photo album.
Mom grabbed it from her and started flipping through the pages. “This book has all our family history in it. Pictures of Drake through the years. There’s a space for you to add yours, and then for the wedding and when you start a family. It’s something you can pass on to your children some day.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you, Jane Lynn.”
“Please call me Mom.”
“Okay. Thanks, Mom.”
“Me next.” Jess thrusted her gift bag toward her.
Kelsey excitedly tore away the tissue paper and held up the skimpy white lace. “What’s this?” she mused, turning them every which way.
“Crotchless panties. You know, easy access for tomorrow night.”
Mom’s face turned thirty shades of red, then all the color drained from her cheeks. “Jess,” she hissed. “That is so inappropriate.”
“Oh come on, Mom. We all know you’ve had sex, or else none of us would be here.” My sister slapped her knee and cackled.
Kelsey looked away, biting her lip in an attempt to stop from laughing, but it was no use. The three of us were in a fit of giggles.
“I don’t know why you find it necessary to embarrass me, Jess.” She started cleaning up and muttering to herself about her terrible daughters.
“That includes you,” I teased Kelsey. “Welcome to the family.” Then I handed her my gift. A sister necklace, because she was like the older sister I’d always needed.
“Oh, Ev. Thank you. I’m touched. Honest.” A tear trickled down her cheek. Kelsey was an only child and didn’t speak of her family often. It was all good, though. We had adopted her into our fold, and she fit in seamlessly.
Mason
