6. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Stella
I spend the night with Samuel, and when we eventually decide to get dressed and leave the comfort of his king-sized bed, my legs feel like jelly. My body has never felt so much pleasure, so much dominance and raw power before. The way he handles me is incredible, like I’m his very own pleasure doll to use as his own, all while taking care of my needs first.
I don’t know how he gets the balance right, but then again, I don’t know much about this man. All I know is that when I’m with him, nothing else matters.
We decide to head straight to the Opulent Oasis Martini Bar on Deck 16 and when we arrive I see exactly how it got its name. It’s a mix of rich, dark wood, dim lighting and plush velvet seats that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
“This place is cool,” I say, loving the way Samuel’s hand is in my back, guiding me gently as we work our way to the bar. He orders for me and I turn to face him, smiling at his rugged beauty. “Thanks for such a good night. I had a lot of fun.”
He nods his head without a smile. I’m starting to get used to it, but it’s still odd to see a man with literally no emotion on his face.
“I had fun too,” he says deeply. “I want you to stay again tonight. I’ll take you to dinner, and if you want to go dancing again, we can do that.”
The bartender hands our drinks to us and I take the first sip, feeling Samuel’s heavy gaze on me the entire time. The tartness of the drink wakes me up immediately, sending the haze of lust that’s been fogging my brain all morning away.
Samuel is standing beside me, staring with those piercing blue eyes as if he’s waiting for me to answer his request. The way he says these things, the words he uses, it’s like I don’t have a choice. He’s said it before, but I truly feel like I belong to him.
My skin tingles under his scrutiny and I’m reminded of how it felt to be with him last night. How his rough, worn hands roamed over my body. It’s like he was worshipping me, treasuring every inch of my skin, searching me like he owned me, owned this body.
“I’d like that,” I say, smiling up to Samuel.
We move to sit by the open window that overlooks the pool below. It’s mid-morning and people are starting to fill the spaces around the ship. There’s a nice relaxed feel to the day, and the sunshine beaming down on us makes me feel all warm and happy.
“So,” I say, sipping my martini. “Falls Creek, eh? That’s a small town, right? What it like growing up in a place like that?”
Samuel twirls his glass, watching the liquid swirl around as if he’s contemplating his answer. “Yeah, it’s a small town. I grew up there, born and raised. It’s home, and it’s pretty much all I know.”
“It sounds nice,” I say, toying with the stem of the glass in my fingers. “I’ve always been a city girl. LA is, well, it’s a beast, but it’s where I’ve built my life.”
“Would you ever leave?” Samuel asks, his possessive eyes hitting me like he’s gripped on my next answer.
I shrug, trying my best to sound casual and nonchalant about it all. “Perhaps. There’s always been that part of me that wondered if I could ever leave it behind. The hustle, the constant pressure. It’s a lot, and maybe there is something more out there, something I’ve been missing because I’m stuck in the grind.”
“You don’t seem like the kind of woman who lets anything hold her back,” Samuel says, his voice low and gravelly, the tone sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re driven. Passionate. I like that about you.”
The compliment warms me and I can’t help but smile. “Thanks. I work hard to get where I want to go. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.”
His gaze drops to my lips before slowly traveling back up to meet my eyes. “I can tell. You’re incredible, Stella.”
The way he says my name, the way it just rolls off his tongue. It’s enough to make my pulse quicken. I take another sip of my martini, watching him closely from the corner of my eye. He’s looking out over the ship, lost in his thoughts, but showing no sign of… anything. He’s like a blank canvas, with scars and wounds that still hold so much mystery.
I clear my throat, ready to ask the question that I’ve been dying to since I met him.
“So, Samuel…” he looks at me, as if he senses the questions that’s sitting on the edge of my lips. “What happened in the military? Why did they make you take leave?”
He glances sideways at me, and I see something change in his eyes. It’s subtle, but I definitely see it in the way his jaw tightens.
I wonder if I’ve pushed too far, but then he exhales slowly, as if releasing a weight he’s been carrying.
“It’s complicated,” he says, a low guarded tone grappling his voice. “Let’s just say, there was a mission that didn’t go as planned. I got hurt, my men got hurt and it left me with scars that I’ve never quite got over.”
I nod, sensing the moment to lean back and let him spill his thoughts. It’s obvious he doesn’t do this often, so I remain silent, and just listen.
“Things just kept going wrong, and I lost my patience a few times, making bad calls while out in the field,” he continues, staring into the bottom of his empty glass. “I’m not proud of it, but being in the military means everything to me.”
“You should be proud,” I say, reaching to grip his thigh. “What you do is incredible. I would never be able to do it.”
He shakes his head and I see the depth of his pain in his heavy gaze. “Anyway, it just kept getting worse. Then, after one failed mission too many, they sent me here. They said I needed time to ‘recover.’”
He practically spits the last word out. His eyes meet mine and for the first time, they’re not blank – they’re full of something dark and turbulent, something that pulls at my heart and makes me want to reach out and hold him close to me.
“And how is that going for you?”
“It’s different,” he admits, shrugging those big round shoulders that have been carrying all of this for too long. “I’m used to being in control, used to being the one who takes care of things. But now, I’m the one who needs help. And I fucking hate it.”
I squeeze his leg, realizing it’s the one that he usually lips on. He’s such a strong man, such a battler, but deep down, this hero has been hurting for too long.
“You don’t have to do it alone, Samuel. If you ever need someone, I’m here. Okay?”
He looks down at my hand, surprising me when he loops his fingers through mine and gives them a tight squeeze. He looks to me and my heart skips a beat when I see a hint of something warmer, something like relief in his gaze.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says, his voice returning to that deep, vibrating rumble that makes my skin tingle with excitement. “I can’t sit here drinking all day. And an amazing woman like you deserves better than that. Let me take you somewhere special.”
The promise in his words sends thrill of excitement through me, and without hesitation, I’m following behind me as he grips my hand so strongly.
We walk through the lavish steps of the ship’s corridors, my eyes drawn to the burly man at my side. I can’t help but steal glances at him, at the way his muscles ripple beneath his shirt, at the way his chiseled jaw clenches tight. He’s so sexy and I can’t believe I’ve been so lucky as to find him.
Samuel leads the way and soon the scent of chlorine and lavender fills my nose. It’s serene and calming, and eventually, I’m standing next to Samuel at the counter of Infinity Voyager’s Day Spa, listening as he organizes a couple’s massage for us, splashing out on the best essential oils and beauty products for us to use.
“Ever had a massage on a cruise ship before?” he asks, his tone playful as we step into our own private room, waiting for our masseuse to arrive.
I shake my head as Samuel hands me one of the plush white gowns hanging in one corner of the room. “No, but I’m definitely up for it. This room so adorable.”
A haven of tranquility, the room is bathed in soft, warm lighting. The air, soothing and fresh, is filled with the scent of lavender and eucalyptus, mingling with the faint aroma of the ocean that lies just beyond these walls. In the background, gentle, ambient music plays softly, a barely-there melody blending perfectly with the mood of the room.
“Why don’t we get comfortable then?” Samuel says, stripping off his shirt to reveal his hard chest and rippled abdomen.
My mouth waters at the sight of this hunk of pure masculinity. I can’t resist stepping over, reaching out to trace the lines of his muscles with my fingers.
“Fuck, Samuel,” I whisper, my eyes glued to his hard muscles. “You’re so sexy. So hot.”
His eyes darken with lust, and he grabs my wrist, pulling me flush against the warmth of his naked chest. “You have no idea what you do to me, Stella.”
I can feel the hardness of his cock pressing against me. I reach down and grab it through his underwear, the steel rod growing in the palm of my hand.
“Why don’t you show me then?” I say, tempting him closer to my lips with my heavy breath.
He smirks, like I’m daring him to take control. I might never discover the mystery of this man, but I know what he needs. And right now, he needs me.
His hands go to the waistband of his underwear and they quickly fall to the floor, leaving my grasp wrapped tight around his cock. He’s hard, growing bigger by the second and I start to stroke him, dying to feel him in my mouth.
I drop to my knees, not caring if our masseuse walks in right now.
Samuel watches me, his heavy gaze studying my every movement from above. I run my hand along his length as his enormous chest rises and falls with heavy breathing. Without another word, I take him in my mouth, relishing the instant taste of his salty bulbed head.
“Fuck, Stella,” he groans, his hand tangling in my hair. I bob my head up and down, taking him deeper with every stroke. “You’re so fucking good at this.”
His praise sends a rush of arousal through me, and I suck him harder, wanting to hear more, wanting to drive him wild. I hollow my cheeks, my tongue swirling around the head of his cock, and the guttural moan he lets out is enough to make my pussy drip with desire.
I keep going and it’s not before I can feel him pulsing in my mouth. He’s getting close and the grip on the back of my head tightens. He holds my head steady, using my mouth as his own personal fuck toy, sliding his huge cock down until it hits the back of my throat.
“Stella, oh, fuck, I’m gonna-” he begins, but before he can finish, I feel his release hitting the back of my throat, hot and thick and so fucking delicious.
I swallow greedily, taking every drop, licking the tip so there’s not a single bit of waste.
My heart races as the door to the massage room swings open and I’m quickly jumping to my feet. My cheeks flush when I see a small woman enter the room and she looks our way. Samuel just stand there, butt naked with a semi-hard cock still on full display.
“We are ready then?” the lady says in broken English.
I see her eyes catch on Samuel’s body right before he lays down on the massage table closest to us. He’s not even embarrassed, he’s just business as usual. The masseuse looks to me and shoots me a wink, a cheeky grin telling me she knows exactly how lucky I am.