Four
Fray
I sat on the edge of the bed and gripped my head in my hands as I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
Her parents died in a boating accident, and she’s afraid of water. Well done, Fray. You moron.
How the hell was I supposed to fix this?
Shooting to my feet, I pulled the box with the engagement ring from my pocket. I could ask her to marry me right now. Maybe, that would prove I wasn’t a total jerk.
No. No, it wasn’t time yet. I went back into the living area and tucked the box deep in the tree branches, where it would live until Christmas morning. Much like sleeping together, I didn’t want to jump the gun with her.
I heard Luke laughing in my head. Yeah, laugh his ass off at this for sure. Of course, six days wasn’t long to wait, and it would still be considered jumping the gun, but whatever. I knew I wanted to spend forever with Emerson, and I wanted that time to start immediately.
Touching my cheek, I thought back to the small kiss she’d given before going to get ready for dinner. Did she sense we were destined, too? She hadn’t seemed scared or angry with me, just mildly annoyed. Even a little amused. That was a good sign. Her stalker comments sounded as teasing as if they’d come from my brother.
Wait… They were both teasing, right?
“Emerson?” I called out. I could hear her moving around the bedroom area but didn’t want to interrupt her privacy if she needed it.
“Yes?”
“Can I come back there?”
“It’s your room,” she said.
“Our room,” I countered as I walked in.
When I saw her, I lost all ability to think or speak for several moments. She was absolutely stunning. Her long, dark locks were twisted into some fancy hairdo and pinned up to show off her graceful neck and throat. Her black dress hugged every delicious curve of her body, ending with a little flair just below the knee, drawing attention to her supple calves. Her heels were low, sensible, but strappy, and cute pink-painted toenails peeked through.
“Fine, our room,” she huffed. She slid dangling silver earrings into her ears then looked back at me. “Did you need something? Are you okay?”
Her eyes narrowed in concern as she stared at me.
“You’re gorgeous,” I said, unable to come up with any other words.
I stalked quickly across the room and pulled her into my arms. Her gaze widened, but she didn’t pull away.
“May I kiss you?” My voice was a rasp, as she’d stolen my voice, too. The fact I resisted claiming her mouth like a caveman showed I had more restraint than I felt. I wanted nothing more than to throw her onto the mattress, rip that dress off her body and never let her go. But in this situation, I needed to be more careful than with the trickiest billion-dollar negotiation I’d ever handled. She had to know I respected and valued her, that I loved her, not just that I desired her.
“On the forehead like a good brother,” she said, a weird twang in her voice.
“What?” I stared down at her in confusion. The words sounded familiar, but I had no idea what she was talking about.
“I’m sorry. You startled me, and you look so much like Clark Gable. That quote’s from Gone with the Wind . I’m a movie geek, one of the reasons I’d planned to haunt the ship’s theaters—while I avoided water.” She shook her head then stared toward the floor.
I lifted her chin with my finger, hiding my inner wince at the reminder of my gaff. When her gaze locked on mine, I searched for hesitation, and when I found none, I leaned forward and softly pressed my lips to hers.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” I whispered against her mouth before pulling away. “And I better get ready for dinner before I forget myself.”
She nodded and stepped away. I mourned the loss of her in my arms already, but it was the truth. If I didn’t change, we’d be late—or we’d never make it to the dining room, at all.
I snagged a suit from the closet and headed into the bathroom, glad Marco had gotten most of my things put away before Emerson had arrived.
After dressing, I stepped back into the bedroom and pulled open one of the top dresser drawers. As requested, there were multiple jewelry boxes stowed away there. Pulling out the wide, flat necklace box, I took it with me to find Emerson in the front room.
She sat on the sofa, her legs tucked under her, while she stared out the wall of windows. Her gaze looked calm, but her tension was hard to miss. The ocean view agitated her.
“Em?” I asked softly, not wanting to startle her.
“Are you ready to head down?” she asked, uncurling herself and getting to her feet.
“Almost,” I said. “I thought you might like to wear this tonight.”
I opened the box, and her sharp intake of breath was exactly what I’d hoped for. When I’d seen the necklace at Harry Winston in New York, the chocolate diamond pendant had reminded me of Em’s eyes. It was the first of many purchases I’d made over the past three months as I found things that had made me think of her.
“Is that a chocolate diamond?” she asked, running a finger over the stone.
“Yes,” I said. “Do you like it?”
“It’s lovely,” she said, her tone almost grudging. “But you know chocolate diamonds are just imperfect stones marked up as special to unsuspecting customers.” Her eyes opened wide, and her lips clamped shut for a moment. Her delicate hand covered her mouth. “Oh my God, I’m sorry. That was incredibly rude.”
I laughed so hard my head actually rocked back.
“You’re completely right, love. But usually, beauty is found because of imperfection, not despite it.” Still chuckling, I freed the necklace from its box then clasped it behind Em’s neck. “Besides, I didn’t purchase it to be passed onto our children for future wealth. I bought it simply because it reminds me of your eyes, and that made me smile. There are times that spending money is a chore, and there are times that spending money is the best thing in the world because it’s for someone you care about. Don’t ever apologize for your intelligence or your savvy.”
I lifted her hand and placed a kiss to the center of her soft palm, inhaling the delicate floral fragrance she must have dabbed on her inner wrist. “Let’s go to dinner. We’re at the captain’s table, and I’m afraid people will notice if we’re late.”
* * * *
“Mr. Cassel, Ms. Blake.” The ma?tre d’ smiled warmly when we entered the dining room. “My name is Devon, and I’ll be your dining host throughout your travel with us. The captain sends his apologies, but he’s running late tonight. He requests that you start without him, and he will join you when he can.”
“No worries,” I assured Devon.
We followed him to the table, and I noticed it was only set for four. Usually, the captain dined at a larger table, so multiple VIP guests could be appeased at once. Maybe, he didn’t plan to join us at all.
An ice bucket was stationed near the seat I was directed to, and Devon popped the cork of the champagne before returning the bottle to the ice and heading back to his station.
“I thought cruises served food on buffets,” Emerson whispered, as she looked over the night’s menu. “Isn’t that what everyone always says? They gain a ton of weight on cruises?”
“Would you prefer a buffet?” I asked, concerned I hadn’t taken that into consideration. “I apologize. I should have asked what you wanted to do for dinner. We can leave.”
“Fraser,” she said, a small smile playing at the corner of her luscious mouth. “It’s fine. I was just making an observation. Besides, apparently, the captain will be coming to eat with us. It would be rude to abandon him.”
“He’s late,” I pointed out. “So really, who’s being rude here?”
“That would be me,” a voice said from behind me. “Fray, at least, allow me to apologize before you ruin my reputation with a beautiful woman.”
I stood and shook hands with Captain Jacob Pryor. He’d grayed quite a bit since I’d seen him last, and I’d have to remember to tease him about it later. I introduced Emerson, and we all sat.
“So, you two know each other?” she asked.
“Yes,” Jacob said. “We met a few years ago when Fray helped with the ship’s design. He wanted the captain to have input— which is smart but pretty much unheard of. That’s why he’s the best.”
“The best what, exactly?” she asked. “I thought you and your family built high rises.”
“Among other things. High rises aren’t our only business. Specifically, I’m an architect,” I told her. “Lately, I’ve done a lot of the business stuff for the firm, but design is where I started and where my heart lies.” I poured her a glass of champagne. “Enough talk about my job. Let’s not bore Emerson, Jacob. Besides, it’s Christmas, and we’re on holiday.”
Jacob nodded, but before he could say anything, the waiter came to take our orders. After the white-coated server departed, Jacob pulled Emerson into a conversation.
“Sir?” I heard from my left.
I turned, surprised to find the porter had come to find me in the dining room.
“Yes, Marco?”
“There’s a problem with the bed.” He crouched beside me and shot a quick glance toward the captain who’d noticed the porter’s arrival. Jacob’s eyes narrowed slightly at the breach in protocol.
“The brackets appear to be broken,” Marco continued. “We’re unable to separate them.”
“That’s unacceptable,” I hissed. “This will look orchestrated.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry. There are no vacant rooms on the ship. I contacted maintenance. They took a look, but they can’t fix it without making the situation worse.”
Worse? What would be worse? No bed at all? Damn it.
“So I’m not sure how you’d like me to proceed.” He looked worried, and he should be. I’d sworn not to force Emerson to share a bed with me.
“Can you supply a cot?” I glanced over to see Emerson laughing at something Jacob had said to her, and I couldn’t help smiling, despite my frustration.
“Well, no, sir. There’s no way to secure a cot.”
I turned back to him and sighed.
“Fine. Please provide extra bedding, and I’ll sleep on the sofa.” Somehow. It wasn’t exactly man-sized for sleeping. Maybe Em and I should depart the ship at the first port and I could fly her someplace romantic—and water-free.
“I truly am sorry,” he said, standing back upright.
“It’s not your fault,” I assured him. There was no point in getting angry with the young man. He wasn’t in control of these things. But I did worry about Emerson’s reaction. I’d promised her separate beds, and now, instead of being apart but close to her at night, I’d be in a completely different room. I’d spent a small fortune on this cruise, only to sleep on a couch. So far, this scheme wasn’t going well. So much for best laid plans and all that.
“Is there anything else, sir?” Marco asked.
“Yes, actually.” I stood, taking a few steps from the table where I slid a fifty into his palm. “Thank you for ensuring the gifts were deposited where I requested. Did the wrapped parcels make it aboard?”
“They did,” Marco assured me. “On Christmas morning, we’ll have them arranged beneath the tree while you and Ms. Blake are at the sunrise breakfast.”
Right. The Christmas morning breakfast on a balcony practically hanging over the ocean. The one I absolutely wouldn’t force her to attend.
“There may be a change to our morning activities that day,” I told him. “Can you have them delivered while we’re on the excursion Christmas Eve instead?”
“Of course.” He nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you.”
I returned to my seat, and Emerson turned to me.
“What did Marco need?” she asked.
“He was informing me the sleeping arrangements were—are—being taken care of.”
She gave me an odd look, but I just shook my head, indicating we’d talk about it later. No need to bring the captain into our strange arrangement.
Dinner was superb, the multiple courses a feast to all the senses, and the three of us managed to keep the conversation light and fun. Jacob regaled us with stories of sailing around the world on the city-sized ship where he reigned, Emerson shared her shock at winning a trip from her company, and I did my best not to stare at her. But it was difficult to tear my gaze away while I marveled at my good fortune.
She was really here. And by the end of the week, I knew without a doubt, she’d really and truly be mine. Forever.
After dinner, Jacob excused himself, kissing Emerson on the cheek and shaking my hand before heading off. I offered Em drinks, but she declined. Her visible exhaustion was taking its toll on her, so I led her back to our room.
She toed off her shoes then scooped them up and went to deposit them in the bedroom closet. When she returned, the heels were still in her hand and her eyebrow was cocked.
“There’s still one bed,” she said.
“Right,” I agreed. “Well, that’s what Marco came to tell me. They can’t separate them, after all.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “You promised—”
“I know,” I defended, holding up a hand. “And I’m sticking to it. I’ll sleep on the sofa.” I closed the space between us, removed the shoes from her grasp, dropping them to the floor, then took her hands in mine. “Emerson, I’m not here to push, persuade or force anything on you. I’d sleep on the floor if it were necessary to protect your feelings and your honor. This was an honest mistake and a mechanical snafu. Please, believe me.”
She blinked, studying my face with narrowed eyes. Whatever she saw seemed to ease her mind.
“Okay,” she conceded. “I believe you.”
“Thank you.” I leaned forward and kissed her cheek, wanting to do so much more, but now definitely wasn’t the time. “You look positively done in. Allow me a moment in the bedroom, then I’ll let you get to sleep.”
She nodded, and I excused myself to get ready for bed. I was glad I’d packed sleep pants, since I usually slept in boxers. But I knew the more covered I was, the more she might believe I wasn’t after her body on this trip…well, not only her body.
When I returned to the living room, she was still standing there, her gaze locked on the couch and her arms crossed over her middle, so deep in thought I didn’t think she heard me approach.
“Are you okay?” I asked, stopping behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist, unable to resist touching her. She shifted her hands to slid over my forearms.
“I feel bad making you sleep on that tiny sofa,” she said. I felt her take a fortifying breath, and she tapped my arm. “We’re adults. I think we can handle sharing the bed.”
I turned her around, so I could peer into her eyes. She looked as if she really believed that.
“Emerson, I pride myself on being a gentleman. However, I don’t know if I have the willpower to sleep next to you and keep my hands to myself. It’s difficult enough not to devour your beautiful mouth right now. I don’t want to put us in a situation that could lead to something you’re not ready for.”
Her gaze darkened as I spoke of kissing her, her pupils blowing wide as she sank her teeth into bottom lip I wanted to taste again. I had to step back to avoid her feeling my body’s reaction. I half-hoped, half-dreaded she’d push the issue, that she’d ask me to the bed again, because I was two seconds from being completely undone.
When her tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip, I actually groaned aloud. And her soft smile told me she knew exactly what she was doing.
“I’m sure we can handle this, Fray.”
It was practically an invitation to release my tight control, but I wasn’t so sure she meant it to be. This woman… She’d definitely be the death of me.