2. Elodie
CHAPTER TWO
elodie
Finally, after what feels like forever, the elevator lurches upward.
My fresh margarita is clutched in my hand as we head up to the top deck.
My throat tightens, nerves shot. Any second, Jade’s going to shove me at some stranger, and I’m not ready.
So, I do the only thing I can to help right now, which is take bigger sips of the drink in my hand before going to get another one.
The elevator doors open to the top deck where the breeze makes the sun bearable for the time being.
The view is incredible, seeing the ocean spread out ahead of us as we take off out of the port.
All around us people are chatting, dancing, or grabbing a drink at the bar.
There are tables scattered throughout the space and I scan each one to see if I can find an empty one.
There are none, so we head to the bar to get another drink as we wait.
“Did you want to do shots or is that too much for you, El?”
I ponder the question, knowing there is no malice, I just happen to be such a lightweight it’s not even funny.
“We can do a couple if they can be mixed instead of straight tequila. I don’t want to be dead in Mexico tomorrow.”
She chuckles. “That’s something I can work with!”
Jade makes quick work of flagging down the bartender to get us new margaritas and some form of a shot while I scan the tables, praying one comes up empty soon because I am not nearly ready to hit the dance floor yet.
Scanning the faces, I take in all the different men around us.
Some talk to pretty women who are clearly out of their league, while others hang out with their friends, stealing glances at the women they find attractive.
I chuckle as someone makes a move and gets shot down by a woman who looks like she could be his mother.
Licking his wounds, he crosses the floor to his friend and I do a double-take.
His friend is the literal form of tall, dark, and handsome.
His dark brown hair is tousled by the wind and his sun-kissed skin in the light of the sunset looks almost golden.
My gaze drags up his body—broad shoulders, fitted shirt, long lines of muscle—until I hit his face, and find him already watching me.
My cheeks flame as I turn away, quickly catching an empty table out the corner of my eye.
“I found a table. I’m gonna go grab it so we don’t have to wait for another!” I say quickly, keeping my eyes down as I make my way through the crowd and praying that nobody takes it before I can get there.
Once I sit down, I steal another glance at the handsome stranger; he’s lost in conversation with his friend.
The conversation feels intense from here based on the scowl he wears.
I take him in again, noticing the short stubble across his cheeks.
As if my thoughts summon him, we lock eyes once again.
He shoots me a wink before I can look away, and I know I look like a tomato.
I drop my eyes to the table, taking my phone out to doom scroll until Jade gets over here.
I’m startled from the TikTok video I was watching as the table rattles when drinks are slammed down in front of me. Jade giggles as I panic at the different cups she’s placed in front of me.
“Why are there six drinks? What happened to not pushing me!” My voice squeaks at the idea of being dead hungover when I want to be able to snorkel and hang out in Mexico.
“It’s not six drinks. Chill. I got us both two margs so I don’t have to wait again and it’s ONE shot. Like I said, so breathe,” she chides back, as if my panic is unwarranted.
She has a higher tolerance than me and she knows it. These drinks, plus the one I’ve had, I might as well be in the wind already. Jade pushes the shot across the table before picking hers up and proposing a toast.
“To the men we’ll forget, and the outfits they won’t. Bottoms up, bitch!”
I giggle at the silly phrase and raise the shot glass in agreeance before tipping the glass back.
The burn isn't as harsh as it can be, thank God.
I set the glass down as the burn settles into my stomach.
“To hell with life, worries, and family. Let’s have fun, Jay, I need this!” I give her the biggest smile I can muster before my eyes clash with ocean-blue ones from across the deck where he raises a glass in salute.
Gnawing on my lower lip, I can’t help but to want him to come over and talk instead of this silent game we’re playing. I pick up my margarita and let go of all the stress from home.
I do deserve this. Jade is right. Everything at home isn’t going to change and I can’t carry the weight of it all.
We giggle like schoolgirls staring at the different types of intoxicated dancers. Our current favorite is the way-too-far-gone frat bros.
Dressed in chino shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and backwards hats, they all try to shake their butts to “WAP” by Cardi B. One falls to the floor, attempting to do the worm as the lights pulse in different colors above our heads.
Cutting through my giggles, Jade stands and grabs my hand. “Come on, it’s our turn. We can do better than all the Chads!”
I follow her to the dance floor as she weaves through all the people to the center of the floor. My eyes fly to the other side of the deck to find the handsome stranger gone. I fight the disappointment in him not finding me and push it aside.
We start off a little messy, trying to find a rhythm that sends us both into fits of laughter. As the song changes, we start swaying our hips to the beat, and the world fades out around us. The buzz hums in my veins and the lights above us flash different colors as the song changes.
We’re both now covered in a light sheen of sweat, having fun as I notice hands snake around Jade’s waist. I find her eyes and raise a brow in question to see if this is something she wants or not.
Before giving an answer, she turns and we both get a good look at the guy.
It’s the one from earlier who was rejected.
Seeing him up close, I notice he has the same hair and eye color as Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome but with more boyishness to his features. Jade looks back to me beaming and I know she’s right where she wants to be.
Rolling my eyes, I look around for his friend, hoping maybe he’s around here too. None of the faces around me are his. Hiding my disappointment, I grab Jade’s hands, making her dance with us both so she doesn’t forget I’m still here.
A few songs later, the three of us make our way out of the throngs of people to the bar to order more drinks. With a possessive arm around Jade’s waist, he flags the bartender down like a pro, getting her attention immediately.
He leans in and gets our order from Jade then relays it to the bartender along with an extra for himself. I shoot him a thank you before Jade remembers her manners.
“Sorry! Elodie, this is Knox! Knox, Elodie, my best friend!” She gestures back and forth, leaning into his chest while we wait on the drinks.
He nods his head and I do the same. I turn around, watching all the people in the crowd while they whisper in each other’s ears things I’m sure I don’t want to know. Finally, I lock eyes with the handsome stranger from earlier who is now much closer.
“Oh! He really is cute, go talk to him!” Jade hands me a fresh margarita as she follows where my eyes were. “Girl, go for it! This cruise is for people who want to meet someone. Take a chance!”
I roll my eyes, sipping my marg. “Babe, if he wanted to talk to me, he would. But he’s kept his distance. So, clearly he’s not interested.”
Knox scoffs, and I level him with a glare. “Excuse me? That’s rude.”
“No, what’s rude is that you think this is the 1800s and guys have to approach girls. What if he’s waiting to see if you are going to come to him?”
His question has me pausing and thinking hard; I chug the rest of the margarita, placing it on the counter.
“I could never be so bold.” My voice fades off in uncertainty.
Jade scoffs. “Babe, you’re beautiful and bold. Don’t doubt yourself.” She hands me another marg before shoving me toward the stranger.
“Now, go!”
Stumbling over my feet, the drink sloshs onto the deck below me as I right myself. Taking a deep breath, I glance back at Jade and Knox who are both giving me a thumbs up. I walk over to the stranger to introduce myself when I’m cut off by a rich voice.
“If my brother put you up to this, just don’t. It’s really pathetic that he thought he could get your friend alone by pawning you off on me.”
His condescending tone catches me off guard and my blood boils. “Excuse me?”
The alcohol gives me courage in a way I don’t normally possess. I go to explain it was my choice, until I am cut off once again.
“Run along, little girl.” He gestures his hand as if to shoo me away, turning around dismissively.
“Fuck you. I came over because I thought you were handsome. But the second you opened that perfect mouth, you ruined it. I hope you find some cute, little, quiet girl to bat your eyes at across the deck again. Because it sure as hell won’t be me.”
I turn to storm off, sipping the fresh margarita to drown out the stinging of his rejection.
“Woah, woah, woah! Wait!” His tone softens, but I don’t even turn around to acknowledge that I heard him. Instead, I down the rest of the drink, feeling my skin flush. I make my way back over to put eyes on Jade before heading inside to find the restroom.
Once I get into the cold, quiet hallway, I let out a huff.
Some people’s kids.
Going to grab the bathroom doorknob, hands snake around my shoulders, pinning me to the wall next to the door. My eyes widen with fear as I look up at the stranger who just rejected me.
“I said, wait.” His tone leaves no room for debate as his eyes linger on my lips.
The temperature in the hall begins to rise as the flush creeps up my chest.
A boldness I’ve never felt overcomes me. “I heard you the first time.”
The statement hangs in the air between us, causing it to feel thick tension. His right hand trails from my shoulder to my neck where he flexes his grip. My pulse spikes at the idea of what we look like alone in this hallway.
“I’m Blaise.”
“I didn’t ask for a necklace, Blaise . Move your hand.” My voice wavers for a moment but I still myself once again.
He smirks the moment my voice slips, as if he’s sniffed out my weakness.
Tightening his fingers around my throat, a breathy gasp escapes my chest as our eyes clash.
He leans closer, moving his hand to cup my chin, possessively tracing my lower lip with the pad of his thumb, smearing the little bit of lipstick still hanging on.
“Why, aren’t you a pretty little storm? Are you sure he didn’t send you to wreck me?” His eyes light with humor.
“It’s Elodie, and typically, I fix things, not wreck them,” I tease back.
He chuckles. “It feels like you were sent to wreck me, Storm. That fits you better.”
I roll my eyes and go to pull away but he grips my chin tighter.
“Why are you running? You came to talk to me. So, let’s talk.” His cocky demeanor coming out once again.
Why do men feel so entitled to a woman’s time? Just because you're gorgeous doesn’t mean you can act like this.
“I don’t have words for you, Blaise. I don’t know what you expect after your intro out there,” I state, trying to justify me leaving him to his thoughts in this empty hallway.
“Good thing I don’t want your words, Storm. I’d rather you wreck me.” Before I process what he said, his lips are on mine, hot and demanding. His tongue traces the seam of my lips, requesting entrance.
Resisting a little by nipping his lip in protest, he lets out a guttural groan that sends butterflies down my body with need.
He doubles down, pressing his body against mine.
Opening for him, his tongue plunders my mouth as if he’s mapping every part.
I attempt to do the same, trying to find some sense of dominance, but he doesn’t give an inch.
My arms wrap around his shoulders and neck as I thread my fingers in his hair, tugging gently at the soft strands. Losing myself in him, we stay intertwined, locked in a fight for dominance I will never win.
Just as I feel like I might be winning, someone clears their throat, breaking the spell. My hands drop to my sides, itching to go back to his warmth as he lowers his hands into his pockets and takes a step back.