9. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
James
The gentle sway of the ship beneath my feet feels like a lullaby as I lay out on the massage table, the scent of lavender and cedarwood practically forcing me to relax.
Oh well. That’s what I’m here for, right?
The last few days have been incredible. So much more than I ever could have imagined. It's been five days since Lillian and I met. Five short days. That’s all it’s taken me to fall head over heels in love with the most beautiful woman on board this cruise liner.
We’ve been exploring the ship together, from down in the depths of her cabin, right up to the bar overlooking the never-ending ocean. I haven’t left her side, taking her hand every step of the way as I watch her smile grow bigger, more beautiful than anything I’ve witnessed before.
The Infinity Day Spa is exactly what we need after the morning we’ve had.
We woke up, had a steamy shower together and ate at the buffet breakfast. I’ve never been so stuffed, and Lily is surprised at how much one man can eat. So we ventured to the gym and tried another one of those hot yoga sessions.
I’m just there for the sexy girl in black leggings, and I’m pretty sure Lily knows I’m staring at her the entire time.
Now, we’re here and all I can do is watch Lily, her face calm and peaceful, as the masseuse works her magic on her shoulders. She looks like she’s floating in a sea of tranquility, her body draped in soft white towels. I can’t help but think how much I want to keep her in that state—safe, happy, and without worry.
As for me?
I’m content just being near her.
“Your shoulders are stiff, sir,” my masseuse whispers in my ear. “Lay your head down and try to relax.”
I stick my head in that hole and stare down at the floor. I’m totally not used to treatments like this. I’ve spent most of my life ready for the next mission, never allowing myself to relax.
But Lily? She’s become my peace. My calm. I didn’t expect this and I’m trying to make damn sure I take it all in.
When we finish at the spa, we make our way to the Golden Sunset Sushi Bar. The restaurant is perched on the edge of the ship, glass walls giving us an uninterrupted view of the beaming sunshine reflecting on the gentle waves way down beneath the ship.
Lily’s eyes light up as she looks out at the horizon, the colors dancing in her hazel-colored gaze. She reaches for her glass of wine, her fingers brushing mine as she does. She’s wearing her hair up today, and she’s got this long, black dress on. I can only smile as I watch her lips, so soft and pink and delicious.
“I never thought I’d enjoy sushi so much on a cruise ship,” she says with a laugh, her smile wide as she grabs another piece of sashimi with her chopsticks.
I chuckle. “You haven’t lived until you’ve had sushi at sea. This place has some of the best I’ve ever had.”
She tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve been on a lot of ships, huh?”
I nod, feeling that familiar tug in my chest whenever the Navy comes up. It’s been my life for so long, but now... something about the week I’ve had away from it all, I’m not so sure.
“Yeah, I’ve seen my fair share of the world from the deck of a ship.”
Lily leans in, her gaze soft but curious. “Do you ever think about what comes next? You know... after all of this?”
Her question catches me off guard, and for a second, I just stare at her. Truth is, I’ve been avoiding that thought for a while now.
I take a few deep breaths, maybe just to calm myself, but I think it’s something more than that.
I gaze into her big eyes and let all my thoughts just stream out.
“I’ve thought about it, yeah,” I admit, taking a sip of my drink. “I used to think I’d stay in until they kicked me out, but lately...I’m not so sure.”
“Really?” Her brows lift in surprise. “What changed?”
“You,” I say without hesitation. “Meeting you changed everything, Lily.”
She blinks, her cheeks flushing pink under the dim lights of the sushi bar. “Me? What did I do?”
I lean forward, my hand finding hers on the table. “You made me realize there’s more to life than duty and service. For the first time in a long time, I’m thinking about what I want, not what I have to do.”
She bites her lip, her fingers tightening around mine. “And what do you want, James?”
God, the way she says my name, soft and full of meaning, sends a shiver down my spine.
“I want a life that’s more than just missions and deployments. I want something real. A family. A wife and a home that’s ours. Something I can hold onto when the storms come.”
“You can have all that, James. You’re an amazing man, and I know you’ll get whatever you want one day.”
She glances down at the table, but I make a point to lift her chin with the tip of my finger. I meet her gaze, those shy eyes slowly making their way up to mine. When they do, my body stills as I prepare to lay it all out on the line.
“You, Lily,” I say, offering a smile. “You’re that something I want to hold onto.”
Her eyes shine with unshed tears, but she doesn’t pull away. The waiter comes at the worst fucking time and refills our drinks.
“I feel the same way,” she whispers when he leaves. “I never thought I’d find this. I never thought I’d find someone like you.”
She swallows hard, but I give her hand a squeeze, urging her to go on.
“But now that I have, I don’t want to lose it. Lose you.”
We sit there for a moment, the words between us hanging heavy in the air. It’s not just a conversation—it’s a promise. I can feel it in my bones.
I’ve fallen hard for her, harder than I ever thought possible, and for the first time, I’m starting to think that maybe...just maybe...we could have a future together.
We both just sit there for a moment, smiling like awkward, goofy teenagers who’ve just said ‘I love you’ for the first time. This is what it’s all about though. This is falling in love, isn’t it?
It sure as hell feels like it.
“What’s it like in Misty Peaks?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood, though my heart is still pounding in my chest. “I know what you said, that you didn’t want to go back, but I’ve been thinking before I’m due back, I could visit. I’ll come with you. See what all the fuss is about.”
Her face lights up, and I swear I see her imagining it too.
“You’d love it,” she says with a grin. “It’s quiet, peaceful...nothing like this.” She gestures around at the staff who are all wearing squid hats. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone wear a squid hat in Misty Peaks. I think you’d fit right in.”
I smile, picturing myself in Misty Peaks. I don’t have to think too hard to imagine standing next to her, the mountains in the distance, the quiet wrapping around us like a warm blanket.
Yeah, I can see that. I want it.
We finish our meal and make our way back to the penthouse suite, ready to head out for the evening, but just as I’m about to open the door, my phone buzzes.
I pull it out, my stomach dropping when I see the name flashing on the screen: Commander Ellis. My superior.
I swipe to read the message, my heart sinking with every word.
James, your leave ends next week. I’m cutting it short, something has come up. We need you.
I stare at the message, the words blurring as a wave of dread crashes over me.
It’s a reminder of the life I left behind, the responsibilities that still wait for me on the other side of this cruise. It’s fucked. For the first time in years, I’ve allowed myself to feel something beyond duty, beyond the call of the Navy.
But now?
Now, I’m being ordered back to the life I’ve made for myself.
A life I was happy with before I met-
“What’s wrong?” Lily’s voice is soft, but I can hear the concern in it. She steps closer, placing a hand on my arm.
I don’t answer right away. I can’t. The weight of the decision looming over me is too heavy. It’s fucking suffocating and I feel like my chest is about to give way from the weight of the message.
Fuck!
How do I choose between the life I’ve always known and the woman who’s made me want something more?
“I...” I finally manage to say, but my voice cracks.
I shake my head, trying to find the words, but they won’t come. How do I explain to her that this might be the end? That I might have to walk away from everything we’ve just started building?
“James?” she whispers, her fingers tightening on my arm.
Her perfect, beautiful eyes search mine, begging for answers.
“I got a message,” I say, my throat tight. “From my commanding officer. My leave is ending. Sooner than I thought.”
“How soon?”
I gulp down, trying my hardest to dodge her eyes. “They want me back as soon as we dock.”
Her face falls, the light in her eyes dimming as she processes my words. “So... what does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” I say quietly, my voice breaking. “I don’t know, Lily.”
I don’t have an answer for her. All I know is that I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, torn between the two worlds I’ve come to know: duty and love.