All Hands On His Deck (Cruisin’ With Curves #4)

2. Chapter One

Chapter One

Lillian

I step out of the taxi and onto the pier, looking around at the bright blue sky. Sunshine hits my skin, burning instantly. I’m glad I layered sunscreen on before I left the motel this morning.

“Here, thanks for the ride,” I say, handing a tip to my driver. He looks down at the change I hand him, and I give a nervous giggle. “Sorry, it’s all I have.”

He looks at me like I’m crazy. To be fair, I am about to board a luxury cruise liner. The Infinity Voyager is towering above the dock behind me as I close the door. It’s enormous. Like a floating city filled with endless possibilities. Its gleaming white exterior is reflecting the sunshine so brightly I have to squint to look at it.

I did it.

I can’t believe it.

I escaped.

I tug my suitcase closer, the wheels catching on the uneven pavement. I give a frustrated yank and hope to hell that the zipper doesn’t give way. It was all a rush to get away in time. I’ve packed it so damn tight, hoping that it’ll be enough to survive. It’s heavy, my whole life jammed into it.

But as I give it another yank, it’s a timely reminder of everything I’m running from.

I glance around at the other passengers, all of them buzzing with excitement. There are groups of men and woman, all sharing this wonderful experience together. Friends, family, loved ones. Hell, I can even see a group of four pretty girls all dressed in bright pink outfits. They’ve got a sash draped over their shoulders, and although I can’t read it from where I’m standing all by myself, I get the gist of a bridal party celebration.

I swallow hard, feeling that familiar sting of insecurity and loneliness. Taking a deep breath, I try to shove that feeling away before I step up to the gangway.

I’m here to leave all the negativity behind. I’m here to rediscover myself and move on.

He can’t get me here. Get onboard and you’ll be free.

I lift my chin and join the line of the crowd gathering at the gangway. I try to focus on the thrill of the adventure ahead. Forcing a smile, I take in the amazing sight before my eyes.

I set my suitcase down, waiting for the line to move, and look up at the sprawling balconies on the upper deck. There are people hanging over them, waving at the gathering crowd, champagne in their hands as the prepare to depart.

A pang of envy grips my stomach. I should be happy with my internal cabin. Because of my situation, my budget wasn’t exactly high. I’ve booked out of desperation rather than good planning, the need to escape at any cost driving me here.

I should be happy. I was lucky to get a cabin at all.

The last few months have been a whirlwind. A series of bad decisions, each one taking me closer and closer to the edge.

It all started with him. Logan . My overbearing ex-boyfriend.

The thought of him makes my blood run cold as I wait in line. At first, he was charming, attentive, everything I thought I wanted. But it wasn’t long before the cracks started to show. The way he criticized every little thing I did. Nothing was ever good enough and everything became a full-blown argument.

It wasn’t just the verbal jabs, either. It was the control. The way he monitored my every move. The stream of texts messages: where are you? Who are you with? When will you be home? And if I didn’t respond in a ‘timely manner’, it would turn into phone calls.

I still have the voicemails. Each one of them are a reminder to never go back. Despite the desperate pleas and empty promises for change.

The day I decided to leave, the day I realized I was losing myself, bit by bit, piece by piece, was the darkest day of my life.

My spine gives a shiver as I remember the way he yelled as I raced out the door, the suitcase that’s resting at my feet right now, dragging behind me.

I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

The line moves in front of me and I’m so close to stepping onboard that I catch sight of my reflection in the ship’s gleaming surface. My heart breaks. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I look so scared, so unsure of myself. So lost.

I look around at the other passengers, their laughter and excitement such a different contrast to the feeling swarming inside me. A few of them smile at me. But they don’t know. They don’t know I’ve spent weeks looking over my shoulder, waiting for him to catch me. To reel me in and take me back to his dark cave.

The lines moves again and I’m one step away from making that impossible.

That’s why I chose a cruise ship. He can’t get to me here. Not only will he never be allowed onboard without a ticket, he couldn’t afford it either.

I’m done living in fear. It might only be 10 days until I have to face the realities of the world again, but for now, I step forward with the hope that that’ll be just enough time to plan my life.

“Good morning and welcome onboard the Infinity Voyager,” a smiling woman says the second my boots hit the ship’s shiny wooden floor. “Can I please have your passport and booking details?”

“Sure,” I say, straightening my shoulders and forcing a smile onto my lips. I gather the documents from my bag and slide them across the counter.

The woman behind the counter gives me a warm smile and starts tapping on her keyboard. She scans my documents and I force myself to take a deep breath, trying to let the soothing rhythm of the ocean calm my nerves.

“You’re all set, Ms. Anderson,” the lady says after a few silent minutes. “Welcome aboard! Your cabin is on Deck 2, just take the elevators all the way down and you’re in Cabin 2004. If you need any assistance, our crew members are here to help. Enjoy your stay on the Infinity Voyager!”

I nod, muttering a quick thank you before she greets the couple behind me. I pull my heavy suitcase behind me, a mixture of excitement and anxiety filling my chest as I look around. Everyone is moving with purpose, some drinking champagne, some laughing and enjoying themselves already.

Then there’s me. Yanking on my suitcase as it gets caught on a bump in the floor.

“Stupid thing!” I mutter, pulling on my suitcase.

A few people glance at me as they pass, some with sympathetic looks, other with pure annoyance.

“No, I’m okay,” I call out at a particularly rude older couple. “Thanks for the help!”

Frustration boiling my bones, I give one hard yank and the suitcase comes rolling forward, knocking me off balance. I stumble and panic flares as I start to fall to the floor. My knees buckle first, then my ankles, but just as about to hit the ground, a strong hand catches me, steadying me on my feet before I topple over.

“Whoa there,” a deep voice rumbles from above me. “You okay, Miss?”

I look up and my breath catches in my throat.

Holy shit.

Did I actually fall over and bump my head? Do I have concussion?

Maybe I’m knocked out and I’m living in a dream… because the man holding me looks like he’s straight out of a fairytale.

He’s tall, towering over me like some kind of God. His dark hair is cropped short, his jawline sharp and defined. He has that sexy stubble that drives me wild. I just want to run my hands all over it, feeling the prickle of the rugged edginess that might just make this man the sexiest guy I’ve ever seen.

“I’m okay,” I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper.

He grins and my heart damn near stops. “Doesn’t look like it. I’m James. I’m gonna help you, okay?”

It’s not even a question. He’s just taken my suitcase and helped me back to my feet. His hands are clasped around my wrists, and I feel a surge of heat racing around inside my body. It could be embarrassment, but I think it’s something else. Something I’ve never felt before.

“Jesus, what’s in this thing?” he asks, lifting the suitcase back to its wheels.

He flashes a look my way, smiling that devastating grin that sends a tingle across my skin. That’s it. That smile has just become my new favorite thing on this earth.

“J-just some clothes,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

I go to collect my suitcase but he shakes his head and warns me back with those deep, intense blue eyes of his. They lock on mine and the way he stares at me holds me in place. I can’t move. I don’t want to move. I could stand here all day and stare at those eyes.

He lifts my suitcase like it weighs nothing and I can’t help but notice the way his muscles ripple beneath his shirt. The fabric is stretched so tight, it’s pulling at the buttons on his chest, threatening to rip it open.

Yes, please.

“This thing needs a forklift to move it,” he chuckles. “Where’s your cabin? I’ll help you get this thing there.”

“Deck 2,” I say, a little dazed by his rugged handsomeness.

He nods and steps towards the elevator, the crowd seemingly parting for him. “Let’s get you there safely, shall we?”

He leads the way and then it hits me – he must work here! But that can’t be right… he’s wearing flip flops and navy blue shorts. Then there’s that white linen shirt that’s rolled up his thick forearms, revealing some tattoos that peek out from beneath the sleeves.

“So what brings you aboard the ship?” he asks, glancing back at me with a smile.

The doors to the elevator roll open and we step inside. He hits the button for my level and balances my suitcase on his shoulder. How the hell is he doing this?

“Just… a vacation,” I grind out, hoping he doesn’t see through my lie. “A getaway.”

He nods, almost as if he understands more than I’m letting on. “That’s good. Everyone needs a break sometimes, or so I’m told.”

I go to ask him the same thing, feeling as if there was something in his response worth diving into. But the doors slide open and he’s stepping out before me. He’s got that strong look about him, like nothing would phase him. Like he’s calm and in control at all times. I give him my cabin number and he leads the way up the corridor, broad shoulders filling the space as he takes it all in.

The air is different down here, and the bright daylight is gone. Instead, the hallway is lined with warm lighting fixtures that guide the way. It’s quiet, the gentle hum of the ship preparing to push off the port still vibrating around us.

“Ah, this is it!” James calls out. “Got your keycard?”

I nod and swipe the card to open the door, my stomach sinking with embarrassment.

“This is it,” I say, turning to face him, blocking the doorway so he doesn’t see inside. “Thank you so much for your help, really.”

“Anytime,” he says, grabbing my suitcase. “Just let me put this on your bed and I’ll be on my way.”

I swallow down, but the tone is his voice is so insistent I don’t dare argue. How could you argue with this man?

He steps inside, setting my suitcase on the bed. I can’t help but feel a pang of embarrassment. The room is small, with just enough space for a bed, a small dresser and a tiny bathroom tucked away in the corner. There’s no window, just four walls and a door that I’m trying to push James out already.

“Thanks for your help,” I say, trying to mark my discomfort. “I appreciate it.”

He goes to the door, pausing as he reaches it. “I hope to see you around sometime. I never got your name, though.”

“Oh! It’s Lillian. Or Lily, whichever you prefer.”

“ Lily …” He says my name, letting it drift off his tongue slowly, as if contemplating every letter. “What a beautiful name. It’s been a pleasure, Lily. See you around.”

Holy shit . The gravel in his voice makes my nipples tighten.

I got to say something, anything, but all I can do is smile.

And with that, he’s gone.

I stand there for a moment, staring at the door where he just stood. His cologne is still lingering in the air, and even that as a twang of masculinity that I’ve never felt before.

The silence of the room makes me realize how fast my heart is racing. There was something about him. Something that makes me feel… safe .

Perhaps this cruise will be the fresh start I’ve been hoping for after all?