Chapter 23
Chapter
Twenty-Three
ROSE
Once Caden exited the room, I decided to shower. I stepped under the heated stream, cherishing the few moments I had to myself, and pondered my options.
If I tracked Jace down, would he risk his job to help me? Did he know about my past with Caden?
The water flowed onto the floor, divided from the rest of the space by a small barrier to contain any overflow. I massaged shampoo into my hair, inhaling the refreshing mix of herbs in the steam to calm myself down.
There was commotion coming from downstairs when I reemerged in the same robe, which was now slightly damp.
I peeked over the railing and saw that the living room was buzzing.
There were women everywhere, setting up clothes, accessories, and shoes.
Before I could work out the meaning behind all the fuss, my attention was pulled by an unmistakable distinction.
“No men,” I muttered to myself. I had teleported to an alternate Amazonian universe filled with women. The only man, as far as the eye could see, was Caden.
The women were busy with their preassigned tasks.
Two women rolled a rack of clothes from the hallway to the living room, and the rest were busy setting up.
Jewelry stands covered the table by the window.
Shoeboxes were stacked on the nightstand, and swimwear was laid out on the couch.
Everything looked expensive and beautiful.
Fascinated, I took the stairs to the living room.
No one glanced at me or provided me with an explanation when I entered the room.
I had no idea what was happening, so I watched them curiously while toweling my hair dry.
It wasn’t until Caden returned that they acknowledged my existence and looked at me.
“Hey,” he said with a smile.
Another warm smile from the cold doctor instead of a smirk. Was he in such a good mood because of what happened last night, or was I imagining things?
Before I could respond, he closed the distance and grabbed me in his arms for a kiss so wild it left me breathless.
A possessive hand wrapped around my throat for a firm but breathable squeeze.
My palms landed on his hard chest for balance, but really, it was his body keeping me upright.
I couldn’t catch my breath against his hard lips and his tongue exploring every crevice of my mouth.
The kiss was unbelievably lewd, and he forced everyone to bear witness to it, only letting me go once he was good and ready.
Everyone stared at us, seemingly in awe of the handsome doctor showering me with affection.
I remembered being an exceptionally shy person in my past life who turned away from the spotlight.
If he had shown such public displays of affection, I probably would have cocooned myself.
But in my new life, I didn’t seem to mind the limelight.
The spa day yesterday, with everyone fawning over me, made me feel cherished, and I was surprised none of the lavish attention bothered me.
My eyes moved around the living room invasion. “What’s going on?”
“You need clothes if you want to explore the ship.”
I peeked behind him at the makeshift storefront.
The staff finished unpacking and cleared out as another woman stepped inside the suite—a striking redhead who appeared to be the pack leader.
Her outfit—a tight black skirt and a silky blouse—was perfectly fitted to her body and complemented her warm, golden skin and green eyes.
I recognized her. The beauty team had pointed her out yesterday from my window. She was one of the women who longed for the coveted Mrs. Caledon Maxwell title.
She bristled at her employees over how they had set up the displays, though everything seemed perfect.
The glint of jewelry caught in the sunlight made the displays shinier and more appealing.
The scent of expensive perfume lingered in the air.
Ambient music playing in the background made the room seem like an actual storefront.
Her eyes landed on Caden, lips tilting into a coy smile.
She walked past me and sauntered toward him.
“Dr. Maxwell,” she purred. “I heard you decided to join us on the cruise after all. Where have you been hiding these past few days?” Her hand lingered on his arm, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. “I was wondering when I’d see you.”
I shifted uncomfortably, feeling like an intruder in their private moment.
Hints of envy brewed inside my chest until I caught Caden’s expression.
He slanted his body away from the redhead so her hand naturally fell away.
The happy-adjacent man had left the building, and he was back to the emotionless blank slate.
He really disliked unprompted touch, didn’t he? At least, he hadn’t entertained her efforts. I was relieved.
“Rose.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer until I was plastered against his hard chest. “This is Natasha. She manages the clothing stores on this boat,” he introduced us, though he didn’t look at her, only at me.
Natasha made the same observation. Her smile faltered when she saw me in his arms, facing me with a barely concealed disdain. “This is the…patient…who needs a new wardrobe?”
“This is Rose,” he corrected, his tone brooking no argument. “She also needs a dress for the Captain’s Gala.”
I frowned. “Gala?”
He nodded. “It’s a welcome reception to celebrate the boat’s first cruise.”
“Oh.” I shouldn’t be surprised. A boat like this must host numerous events and activities for its guests, each with its own dress code. Proper attire was a requirement to leave this room, that much I had gathered.
It sounded reasonable—but expensive. I looked at the price tag for one of the dresses and counted the four zeros following the number eight. I doubt they had anything in my budget—four zeros without an eight preceding it.
It would be so much easier if I got a job. The crew members had designated uniforms. Problem solved.
I cocked my head. “Do you think I can borrow something instead?”
Caden stared at me pensively. His fingers settled on my hips, lazily skimming over the bathrobe as he spoke. His focus was always on one part of my body or the other. “It’s important to blend in instead of standing out. Do you understand?”
I nodded, though I didn’t understand at all.
He added, “Natasha will be your assistant today and help you pick out a few things.”
Natasha’s jaw tightened, and I knew why. It seemed purposefully demeaning to call her an assistant when she managed all the stores on the boat.
With narrowed eyes, she looked me up and down.
I thought she would set the record straight.
Instead, she adjusted her posture, jutting out her breasts provocatively.
“Of course.” Her voice dripped with fake, syrupy sweetness.
“We’ll make her presentable ,” she emphasized the word presentable , making it transparent that I wasn’t at the moment.
Caden’s gaze slid over Natasha like ice. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he asked, voice low and precise.
I hadn’t expected his quick reaction to the offhanded insult. I placed my hand on his chest, silently telling him it was okay, but his body was tense under my touch.
Natasha’s eyes widened in horror at Caden’s tone. “I-I just meant we’ll find her something nice to wear.”
“Is that what you meant?” The sarcastic question might as well be a scalpel gliding over Natasha’s neck.
“I-I didn’t mean it as an insult, I swear.
Please forgive my poor choice of words. Your companion is…
” She wanted to say something catty about me, but she also wanted to appease Caden.
After another cutting glance from him, she swallowed her pride and said, “Beautiful.” I wasn’t in the same league as her and complimenting me caused her excruciating effort.
“I only meant that the clothes from our shop will enhance her natural beauty.”
It was a good save. Caden dropped the topic once she complimented me, though his eyes remained glacial.
I learned about villainesses and the other women from the Korean dramas Amelie made me watch yesterday. The other women in the shows were always unreasonably bitchy, and they waited until the hero was out of sight to strike.
Natasha wanted Caden, and I held his attention. Ergo, nothing good would come out of this interaction, especially if he left me alone with her.
I gazed up at Caden. “Are you sure I can’t just borrow something from?—”
Amelie poked her head through the open front door, interrupting my protest. I brightened on cue, and she returned my smile. If she was surprised that I had left the medical room in favor of Dr. Maxwell’s suite, she didn’t let it show. She glanced at Caden, and said, “Dr. Maxwell, call for you.”
A huff of annoyance passed his lips.
Amelie held up two hands in surrender. “Your brother’s on the line. I told him you were busy, but he insisted on talking to you.”
Cursing under his breath, Caden relented.
“Fine,” he told her, his voice clipped. He pulled me to the side, his eyes shining with annoyance, though it wasn’t directed at me.
“There is a guard stationed outside the room,” he said in a low voice as Amelie and Natasha watched us curiously.
“Her name’s Linda. Call out for her if you need anything. ”
“Guard?” I had noticed security women patrolling the corridor of the medical room, which was just down the hall from Caden’s suite.
It seemed this part of the boat was home to only the crucial rooms—medical center, presidential suite, supply storage, office, that sort of thing.
There were no guest rooms located in this hallway, so… “Why’s there a guard on duty?”
His expression was impenetrable. “For your safety. There’ll be one with you from now on.”
Was he siccing spies on me? Here I was excited about the sliver of freedom I had received to explore the ship. “Why?”
He shrugged. “In case someone’s still after you.”