The Captain’s Conquest (Celestial Odyssey #1)

1. Emma

Emma

I sink into my squeaky office chair, the fluorescent lights casting a sickly glow on the stacks of papers littering my desk. Another day, another mundane story about the local bake sale or the latest city council meeting. Sighing, I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose. This isn't why I became a journalist. I want to uncover the truth, fight injustices and corruption. Make a real difference in people's lives.

A gruff shout startles me from my thoughts."Emma! My office, now!"It's James Parker, my editor.

The Gulf humidity is at war with my curly hair and I make an attempt at smoothing it down before heading to his office. James sits behind his desk, his salt-and-pepper hair perfectly oiled and coiffed, his suit impeccably pressed. He gestures for me to sit.

"Emma, I have an assignment for you,"he begins, sliding a magazine across the desk."We need a piece on the captain of the Celestial Odyssey, that new mega cruise ship from Odyssey Cruiseline. It's their inaugural sailing out of Galveston this week."

I glance at the magazine cover, my brows furrowing. The glossy image features a man in a crisp white naval uniform. His dark hair is tousled by the sea breeze and his unbuttoned shirt blows open wide, exposing his tight abs. He has his thumbs hooked casually in his front pockets and looks up at the camera with piercing blue eyes framed by thick, dark lashes. A confident smirk plays on his lips that says he knows exactly what he's doing with that sultry look. The headline reads:"Captain Leo Maxwell: Heartthrob of the High Seas."

"Mr. Parker, with all due respect, I don't think a fluff piece on some playboy captain is the kind of hard-hitting journalism I—"

"Emma,"James interrupts, his voice sharp."This is a big opportunity for you. We need this story."He leans back in his chair and hollers out the door,"Simmons! Get in here!"

Paul Simmons, my best friend and the Gazette's top investigative photographer, struts into the office with a flourish. His vibrant personality fills the room as he perches on the edge of James's desk, crossing his legs."What's up, boss man?"

James points to the magazine."You and Emma are going on that ship. The Celestial Odyssey. We need the scoop on this Captain Maxwell character. He's young, handsome, and the cruise line is marketing him as some sort of playboy. We want all the salacious details."

My jaw drops."Wait, you want us to go on the cruise?"

Paul claps his hands, his eyes sparkling with excitement."A free cruise? Sign me up!"

I shoot daggers with my eyes at him before turning back to James."I really don't think this is the kind of story I should be—"

Paul cuts me off, waving his hand dismissively."Girl, hello? Free cruise! Don't you dare ruin this for me. We're going, and that's final."

I grumble under my breath, snatching the magazine from the desk. Paul links his arm with mine, practically dragging me out of the office. As the door closes behind us, I'm overwhelmed with frustration and resignation. So much for hard-hitting journalism. Looks like I'm stuck writing a gossip piece on some cruise ship captain.

I flop down in a heap into my chair and it lets out a groan. I'll never graduate to a real office with furniture that doesn't talk back if I keep getting these stupid assignments. Before I can even open the magazine in my hands, Paul snatches it from my grasp, his eyes widening as he flips through the glossy pages.

"Oh my god, Emma, have you seen this Captain Maxwell?"Paul gushes, shoving the magazine back in my face."They're calling him 'Captain Dreamy,' and I can see why!"

I roll my eyes, pushing the magazine away."Paul, we're supposed to be investigating this guy, not drooling over him."

"Investigate? More like appreciate!"Paul laughs, pointing to a particularly sexy photo of the captain surrounded by bikini-clad models."Look at this! He's like a modern-day Poseidon, ruling the seas with his chiseled abs and smoldering gaze."

I scoff, disgust evident on my face."This is exactly the kind of superficial nonsense I want to avoid. We should be focusing on real stories, not some playboy captain's exploits. He looks like a hired model who only knows how to navigate into ladies' pants! And you want to trust this guy to keep us alive in the middle of the ocean!?"

"Oh, come on, Emma. Those ships practically drive themselves…I think."He ponders with a dramatic tap on his cheek and pursed lips, then continues,"Don't pretend you're not the least bit intrigued. Deep down, beneath that studious, aspiring journalist exterior, there's a part of you that dreams of a little adventure and romance. And. Look. At. These. Pecs!"He shoves the magazine in my face.

I snatch the magazine back, tossing it onto my desk."We'll see about that. I'm not some starry-eyed groupie, Paul. I'm not going to fall for some carefully crafted playboy image."

Suddenly, an idea strikes me like a bolt of lightning. I spin around to face Paul, my eyes wide with excitement.

"Paul, there's got to be an actual story here, and I'm going to find it. And you're going to help me."

Paul raises an eyebrow, intrigued."Oh? Do tell."

I grab the magazine, flipping to the spread featuring Captain Maxwell. It is a visual feast, showcasing the young, handsome captain in various poses that seem designed to make hearts flutter.

In one photo, he stands at the helm of the ship, gazing out at the horizon with intensity and fire in his eyes. It's like something out of a romance novel, and I roll my eyes at the blatant pandering. Do they even use ship wheels now? That's got to be a prop.

Another image shows him surrounded by a gaggle of bikini-clad models, their sun-kissed skin glistening as they drape themselves over him. He flashes a dazzling smile at the camera, his arm casually slung around one of the women's waists. It's the epitome of a playboy image. I scoff at the ridiculousness of it all.

"Hubba Hubba! Ahoyyyy matey! Am I right?"he teases, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"No, Paul! Look at those bleached white teeth. And 100% that's a spray tan."

"And…?"Paul's eyebrows soar, and he looks at me like I have three heads.

"That's oil. He's literally shirtless and oiled up."I'm incredulous as I look closer at the pictures."He goes swimming and sea otters die, I swear it."

"Stahhppp,"Paul laughs."No, keep going- you're hilarious all fired up."

"Who is he, really?"I tap the glossy photo of the captain, my mind whirring with possibilities."He's too young. He's too handsome. Maybe he's unfit to captain the ship. Maybe he's not even a real captain. Maybe… it's all for show, huh?"

Paul leans in, his interest piqued."What are you thinking, Em?"

"Parker wants drool-worthy pictures and a play-by-play of who he's taking to his quarters at night? I'll give him that and more. The man behind the hype. The REAL captain."

Paul's eyes widen, a grin spreading across his face."Emma Hart, are you suggesting an exposé?"

I nod, a determined glint in my eye."Exactly. We'll pose as regular passengers and blend in with the crowd. Leave your press pass at home, Paulie. We'll dig up the truth about Captain Leo and expose him for the fraud he might be."

Paul claps his hands, bouncing on the balls of his feet."I love it! An investigation and exploration into the uncharted waters of Captain Dreamy."

I smile at his enthusiasm."You're in, then?"

"Are you kidding? Of course, I'm in! This is the kind of adventure I live for."Paul exclaims, holding up his hand for a high five. I slap my palm against his, a grin spreading across my face despite my previous reservations about the assignment.

"But first things first,"Paul says, looking me up and down with a critical eye."We need to get you some clothes for the trip."

I groan. The idea of shopping takes the wind out of my sails."What's wrong with the clothes I have? I've got plenty of options."

Paul raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips."Girl, I've seen your entire wardrobe. Multiple times, actually, thanks to your two-week outfit rotation schedule. It's not exactly cruise-worthy."

I cross my arms defensively."I am a minimalist."I say proudly."It's called a capsule wardrobe, Paul. I don't need a bunch of fancy clothes."

"It's not minimalist, it's dull-ist, monotonous-ist... lifeless-ist?"Paul retorts, waving his hand in the air as he searches for the right word.

I roll my eyes."That's not even a thing. And I definitely have clothes to wear on the ship."

"Tell me you've never cruised before without telling me you've never cruised before."He pulls out his phone and types quickly, then flips it around to show me the screen.

My eyes widen as I scroll through the images from his search on cruise ship attire and formal nights. Women in elegant gowns and men in tuxedos grace the screen, posing on grand staircases and in opulent dining rooms.

"Oh,"I say softly, realization dawning on me."I guess I didn't realize how 'extra' these cruises can be."

Paul has a triumphant smile on his face."If we're going to blend in and get the scoop on Captain Dreamy, we need to look the part."

I sigh, knowing he's right."Fine, I'll go shopping. But nothing too over-the-top, okay?"

Paul claps his hands, bouncing on his toes with excitement."Oh, honey, you're in for a treat. We're going to turn you into a regular cruise ship diva! You'll need cocktail attire, nightclub-worthy dresses…. then there's island wear, of course…"

Paul trails off and I chuckle at his enthusiasm, even as a sense of dread settles in my stomach at the thought of a shopping spree with Paul. But if it means getting the story and proving myself as a journalist, I'll endure whatever fashion torture he has in store for me.

This is my big break.