Curves and Courage (Cruisin’ With Curves #1)

2. Chapter One

Chapter One

Stella

T here’s a salty ocean breeze that greets me as I step onto the gangway of the Infinity Voyager, the massive cruise ship that will be my home for the next two weeks.

I can’t help but smile as I take in the sight before me.

Backed by bright blue skies, the ship is a gleaming behemoth of luxury and elegance, its white hull shimmering under the midday sun. Hundreds of guests surround me, all snapping selfies with their phones, laughing and chatting with their friends and families. A bubble in my tummy makes me all giddy inside, the energy around me making me extra excited.

I pull my phone out and join the crowd, taking photos of the cruise ship. Towering glass windows reflect the endless blue of the ocean, and lush greenery decorates the exterior where I’m about to embark upon, adding a touch of nature to the sleek, modern design.

“This is incredible!” Freya, my best friend, exclaims beside me, her eyes wide with excitement. “I can’t believe we’re actually here!”

“I know, right?” I reply, excitement bubbling over as the line moves quickly ahead of us. “Such a good idea. I need this break.”

Freya nods and gives me that knowing look that only a best friend can give. “Oh, hell yeah, girl. We’re going to own this vacation.”

We’ve been planning this trip for months. Working nonstop, both trying to climb that stupid corporate ladder in our respective fields, this vacation is our chance to finally unwind and let loose. Freya is a realty agent back in LA, and her bubbly, adventurous spirit complements my more laid-back vibe. She’s the perfect travel companion and, as she bounces up and down beside me, I know there’s no one else I’d rather share this experience with.

We hand our boarding passes to the attendant, who’s dressed all fancy and proper. She scans them with a friendly smile and hands them back to us. “Welcome aboard the Infinity Voyager, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Harris. Your suite is on Deck 10, Room 1002. Your luggage will arrive shortly after we depart. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you,” Freya and I reply in unison, exchanging grins as we step onto the ship.

My heart leaps as I look around, the entire ship opening up before my eyes. The interior is even more breathtaking than the outside. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and soft ambient lighting that creates an atmosphere of pure opulence.

I’ve stepped into another world. A majestic oasis that I get to call home for two weeks.

“Ahhhh…” I breathe, letting my shoulders relax. The tension that’s been living there slowly starts to melt away. “Stunning. So beautiful.”

Freya nods. “Oh yeah. This is next-level luxury. I feel like we’re on a movie set or something.”

“Not the Titanic, I hope,” I laugh, my eyes darting from one stunning feature to the next.

“No way. Babe, this is exactly what we need.”

We move through the crowd and check out the giant cascading water feature in the lobby. There is plush seating everywhere where dozens of couples stand arm-in-arm, all happily in love. I notice there aren’t many people standing alone, and I start to wonder if there will be any singles on this cruise.

Eventually, we navigate our way through the grand lobby and find the elevators. Everything is so perfectly curated, from the color arrangements of the flowers right down to the art decorating the walls.

Damn… I can see myself getting lost. A lot.

We ride the elevators to Deck 10 and roam the corridor looking for our room. Freya is racing ahead of me and shouts out at the end of the corridor when she finds Suite 1002. I tap the keycard and the door slides open with a soft whoosh, Freya and I both gasping at what’s behind the door.

“Oh my god!” Freya shouts, rushing into the room. “Look at this! It’s like something from my wildest dreams!”

The suite is a luxurious sanctuary, with rich wood accents, soft ambient lighting, and a king-sized bed that looks like it was made for sinking into after a long day of doing absolutely nothing.

But it’s the view that steals my breath and I race to the balcony to push the doors open.

Panoramic windows offer a stunning vista of endless ocean, stretching out as far as the eye can see. We’re still docked and the buzz around the harbor is electric, even from all the way up on Deck 10. I can’t stop fucking smiling as the sunlight dances on the waves, casting shimmering patterns of light across the water.

“This is insane,” I whisper, completely mesmerized by the view.

I breathe in the sea air and let it flow into our cabin. For the first time in a long time, I feel… free.

No deadlines, no meetings, no endless to-do lists.

Just me, the ocean, and whatever adventures I can find on this ship.

Freya flops onto the bed with a contented sigh. “I could get used to this. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wake up to this view every morning?”

I laugh, dropping onto the bed beside her. “Right? I might never leave.”

After a few moments of soaking it all in, we decide it’s time to explore. I change into something more comfortable—an easy, breezy sundress that flatters my curves—while Freya opts for a chic romper that shows off her long legs. We grab our room keys and head back out, eager to see what else the ship has to offer.

As we wander through the various decks, we’re given complimentary glasses of champagne. The bubbles fizz on my tongue as we roam, and I’m struck by the sheer variety of amenities available.

There’s the Aqua Aura Pool Bar, with its vibrant blue and turquoise decor and cascading water features. Then, the Stellar Sky Lounge is perched high atop the ship, offering panoramic views of the ocean and the starlit sky. And just as we clutch our third glass of bubbles, we find the Sapphire Seas Steakhouse, where the scent of sizzling steak makes my stomach growl in anticipation.

“We are definitely trying that steakhouse,” Freya says, her eyes lighting up as we pass by the restaurant where we see chefs with tall white hats preparing meals for the new guests. “It smells amazing.”

“Agreed,” I say, my mouth watering at the incredible smells. “And we have to check out the Sky Lounge at some point. The view from up there must be incredible.”

Freya nods enthusiastically. “Oh, absolutely. Cocktails with a view? Count me in.”

As the Voyager pushes away from dock, we continue our exploration, taking in the party atmosphere and all the sights and sounds of the ship. As we move towards the never-ending depths of the deep blue ocean, the gentle sway of the vessel beneath our feet is soothing.

I close my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the sun wash over me.

This is bliss.

As I soak in the warmth of the sun, and the champagne starts to give me a real buzz, I can’t help but let my mind wander to my love life—or rather, the lack of it.

It’s not that I’ve been avoiding love; I’ve just never really gone looking for it. My career has always taken center stage, and I’ve been content with the occasional fling to satisfy my needs. No strings, no drama, just fun.

But here, on this luxurious ship surrounded by endless possibilities, I can’t help but hope for something a little more… exciting . A sexy sailor, a budding chef or even just some old-fashioned hot, steamy, passionate sex. You know, the kind that leaves me breathless and wanting more.

After all, what’s a vacation without a little adventure?

Just as I’m beginning to imagine all the casual nights I might encounter in the next two weeks, I feel my foot slip on the decking boards. As I try to steady myself, making damn sure not to spill a drop of my champagne, I feel a sudden, solid presence in front of me.

My face collides with something. Something hard. Something that squashes my nose and nearly knocks me off balance. Instinctively, I reach out, my hands landing on what feels like a wall of solid muscle. I blink, trying to regain my composure, and as my vision clears, I realize what—or rather, who—I’ve just crashed into.

“Oof!” I stumble backwards. I blink up, my gaze traveling up, and up, and up… until it meets the most intense pair of blue eyes I’ve ever seen.

Oh. Wow.

Standing before me is a man who looks like he’s been carved out of stone. He’s tall—towering over my tiny frame by at least a foot—and built like a warrior, with broad shoulders and muscles that strain against the fabric of his shirt. His dark hair is shaved on the sides, longer on top, and his chiseled jaw is set in a hard line, as if he’s used to keeping people at a distance. But it’s his eyes that hold me captive—deep, stormy blue, and filled with a mixture of surprise and something else… something darker.

“I’m so sorry!” I blurt out, feeling my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

He doesn’t say anything at first, just looks down at me with those intense eyes, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I think he’s going to brush me off and walk away, but then he speaks, his voice low and rough, like gravel. “It’s fine. Just… watch where you’re going next time.”

There’s no malice in his tone, but there’s a guardedness that makes me think he’s not used to casual interactions.

I nod quickly, stepping back to put some distance between us. “Right. I will. Sorry again.”

He gives a curt nod, his gaze lingering on me for just a second. It’s enough to get me all flustered inside. My nipples tighten under his scrutiny and he stares a moment longer before he turns and strides away, leaving me feeling all… needy?

His broad back disappears in the crowd and I’m just left standing there, gaping at the man who just made my heart feel all weird inside my chest.

What the hell just happened? One minute, I’m sipping champagne, feeling like I’m floating on cloud nine, and the next, I’m crashing into the human equivalent of a mountain.

Freya catches up to me, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and excitement. “ Who was that?”

“I have no idea,” I say, still trying to process the way his voice made me feel. “But… did you see him?”

“Uh, yeah,” Freya replies, her eyes wide. “He’s pretty hard to miss. Total alpha vibes. So, what’s the deal? You get his cabin number?”

I shake my head. “No, he just… walked away.”

Freya raises an eyebrow. “Stella, do we have to have the talk again? You know, the one where I tell you to put yourself out there and forget about tomorrow?”

“No, it’s not that. He just… He was so intense, I couldn’t think straight. And those eyes…”

Freya nudges me and downs the remainder of her champagne. “Sounds to me like someone has made an impression. At least you know where he’s gonna be for the next two weeks, huh, babe? What are we talking here – vacation fling, or just a one-night stand?”

I laugh and shake my head. “I’m not sure. I mean, he didn’t exactly seem pleased to see me. So maybe nothing? We’ll have to see.”

Freya pins me with that familiar look. “Don’t forget, we’re here to have fun. And after the dry spell you’ve been in lately, I say go for anything. ”

She waggles her brows and as we sink into some sunchairs by the pool, we lose ourselves to a fit of giggles. I try to relax and look around the pool area. It’s stunning, with its infinity edge blending seamlessly into the horizon off to one side. There are tropical plants arranged all around us and the soft ambient music that’s playing in the background helps me drift back into relaxation-mode.

“So, should we establish some ground rules for the cabin?” I ask eventually, watching as Freya surveys the group of guys who’ve settled on the opposite side of the pool. “You know, in case one of us needs the cabin for…” I glance to the guy Freya is eyeing off. He’s ripped his shirt off and holy-hell – he’s all muscle and brown skin. “Extracurricular activities.”

Freya laughs and nods. “Absolutely. How about we take turns, night to night. If one of us needs the bed, then the other makes do on the sofa. If you need some extra privacy in the cabin, that’s cool. Just place ‘do-not-disturb’ on the door and don’t take all night.”

I hold my hand out and we shake the deal with a rapturous bout of laughter that gets the attention of the guys across from us.

Freya gives me a look before waving to one of the guys who has his shirt off. He’s clearly confident and good-looking, but as Freya waves him over, I can’t help but think back to those piercing blue eyes I saw earlier. The guy striding over here doesn’t have the same presence, the same sense of raw power and masculine energy that I felt earlier. And all I did was bump into his hard body… how would it feel to be under him?

Whoa. My entire body gives a flush of heat that races at the thought of being with a man like that.

There’s something there, I can feel it.

As I let myself relax by the pool, I can’t help but wonder how I can make sure I run into him again. And when I do, he better be ready for whatever happens next.