4. Barrett
Chapter four
Barrett
There are too many people here. I'm not sure this is what I would consider a vacation, but I promised Sean I would try it. Honestly, I would've rather been in the woods with no one around, but beggars can't be choosers. I cross my arms over my chest, giving me a better sense of armor while I watch people flitter around me from the back corner of the deck. Mingling with each other. Just watching everyone makes my chest feel tight. I just hope the rest of the trip isn't like this and I'll be able to get a moment of peace. The need to go to my room and hideaway is strong. Unfortunately, the crew isn't letting anyone go to their rooms until this meeting is done and over with. Something about being a requirement, and as someone who is an adrenaline junkie, I understand the need to make sure everyone stays safe.
"I need a fucking drink, if I'm going to get through this shit," I mutter to myself as I make my way to the bar situated in the corner of the boat. Leaning my back against the bar, I wait my turn to order, looking out at the sea of people. A familiar figure appears in the crowd. Holy shit, am I on the same cruise as Sarah? I mean, I knew she was going on vacation, from the email she sent, but I never thought it would be the same one as me. Now that I think about it though, this cruise is through Sean's work, the same firm that Sarah works for. I'm a moron.
My cock hardens as I take in her curvy body. She's in tight black joggers that show off her beautiful ass. An ass that I wouldn't mind taking for a ride. A messy bun sits on the top of her dark hair, with a few pieces framing her face. I've never seen her so casual, and this version of her is just as gorgeous. Blinking my eyes a few times, I lose sight of her. Could I have been imagining her? I would be too much of a lucky bastard to have the girl I've been secretly pining for over the last three years to be here with me.
"Can I help you?" A masculine voice from behind draws me away from my thoughts of Sarah.
"Yes. A Bud light," I grunt as the bartender leaves to retrieve the beer bottle from the fridge. Using his bottle opener, he places it down in front of me. "Room number?"
"Room 414," I respond as I turn back to the crowd, hoping to see another glimpse of Sarah. Unfortunately, I'm not so lucky. The safety meeting begins, but my mind isn't listening to anyone as I can't keep myself from hoping that I'm able to find my dream girl once again before the cruise ends. Glancing around the deck and seeing how many people are on this gigantic ship, I know the odds are against me. But if anything can get me out of my room and walking around, it would be her.
One hour later, the captain allows the crew members to release everyone, telling us we can retreat to our rooms or any of the other rooms on the ship. My hands twitch. Being around so many people for so long is too much.
I need to get to my room.
Making my way through the crowd, I head to what appears to be the interior of the ship. I try to take in the decor, but I can't seem to focus. My brain only wants to worry about how to get to my room, reminding myself the bags should already be there.
Entering the ship, I see a few members of the crew standing at different entry points, so I just take a guess and head toward one of them.
"Excuse me. Can you tell me which way room 414 is?" I ask, hoping that they can get me to my room quicker.
"Head down this hall and take the elevator up three more floors and then the signs will lead you to your room."
Nodding, I listen and head down the hallway, quickly maneuvering around others who are also trying to find their own rooms. When I see the elevator, I send up a thank you to the higher power for helping me make sure I get to my room in one piece. Stepping on the elevator, I click the button for level four and try not to lose my patience when the elevator stops for a few other patrons to climb on. Gosh, I thought this vacation thing was supposed to be relaxing. So far, it hasn’t been.
Finally, I reach my floor and can navigate to my room easily. Opening the door, I let out a breath of relief when the room is empty and silent. Closing the door behind me, I take note that you can't hear anything that's happening outside the cabin the first thing I've found that I actually like about this vacation.
Glancing around, I see that the king size bed takes up most of the room, though there are some good-sized cabinets stashed around the room to hold anything you might need. I should unpack, so I don't have my suitcases all over the room. Reaching for my bag, I notice two bags that aren't mine. Hmm…weird, I bet they accidentally put someone else's bag in here. Once I'm done unpacking, I'll call down and make sure they get to the right room.
Quickly unpacking, I place my clothes in the cabinets, putting my toiletries in the closet sized bathroom. Once done, I lie down on the bed and dial Sean. He's going to want to know how it's going.
He picks up on the first ring. "How is it so far?"
"I get no hello. Just right down to it, huh?"
"Man, I just need to know that you're going to relax and live a little."
"Don't be smug. It doesn't suit you. It's fine. Too many people, but the room is fine, and it's where I'll be spending most of my time anyway."
Sean lets out a groan. "Barrett. Do not stay in your room the whole time. You need to get out and meet people. Maybe even get laid, so you won't be so uptight when you get back."
My shoulders tense up with the suggestion of being with someone else. Someone who isn't Sarah. That idea doesn't appeal to me, but that's not something I can tell him. He would have too many thoughts on that whole fiasco. Actually, I’ve told no one about how I feel about her, and I plan on keeping it that way. The closest I'll get to her is being her client. That's something I accepted a while ago.
"Sean, I don't need to get laid," I grunt out when I hear the closing of a door.
Sean answers, but I don't hear him because the curvy brunette in front of me captures my attention. I can hear him talking in my ear, but process nothing he's saying as I continue to stare at the woman in front of me. Both of us seem to be locked in a trance.
Suddenly she seems to come to her senses sooner than me. She narrows her eyes when she asks, "Barrett?"
I can't help but smirk. "Hey, darling."
"What are you doing in my room, Barrett?" she asks
While I'm trying to figure out the best way to answer. I hear Sean ask, "What's going on Barrett? Why do I hear a woman's voice?"
I don't answer his question. I just say abruptly, "I'll call you back," and hang up before he can get any more words out. A second later, it buzzes in my hand, and I can see it's a text from Sean. I don't look at it. Whatever it is, I can get to it later. Besides, I'd bet my left nut that it's him demanding that I call him back.
"I'm not in your room, sweetheart. You're in mine," I say with a smirk. Man, this is turning out to be better than I could expect. Here I was just hoping that I could see her again, before the cruise was over. But now she's in my room.
"Nope. Nope. This isn't happening," she says as she drops her head in her hands.
Looking over at the luggage that's been sitting in my room, it clicks. Oh, she's not in my room. We are sharing a room. I must've done something good recently to get this. "Is that your luggage, Sarah?"
She looks over to where I'm pointing. "Yes. That's mine. Are you sure you're in the right room?" she breathes out.
"Yes. Room 414," I say, my eyes never leaving hers.
"Mine too," she says as she looks down at the key in her hand. "It must be a mistake. I'm going to call down and see if we can get this taken care of," she states as she picks up the phone in the room, dialing down to customer service.
Closing my eyes I hear Sarah's voice as she talks to whoever is on the other line. Deep down, I hope this is a mistake that can't be fixed. It feels like the universe is telling us something by having us share a room.
Sarah would be mine. Completely at my mercy.