Chapter 23
ANDREW
A MONTH LATER
B eing so close to Rowan and yet unable to be with him the way I wanted was harder than I thought.
I kept busy in every waking hour, researching cities I was interested in moving to and paying down my debt.
I was also busy planning the upcoming charter, and work was a great distraction, but as usual, my mind eventually found its way back to Rowan.
I’d lie in my bed at night and replay our intense weekend together, wondering if it was the best thing that had ever happened to me or a three-day fantasy.
We’d stopped texting unless it was about work, and when I laid eyes on him at lunch and dinner service, I remained prompt and polite.
I would often find him in the early mornings out on the top deck, staring out at the sunrise.
Alone. Those were the times I was tempted to go to him, but I kept my distance.
Kayla was happy with her promotion and took delight in telling me everything she worked on with Rowan throughout the day. I ignored her as best I could by plugging in my earphones and going back to my work.
I was prepping for Rowan’s guests’ arrival, organizing the bar, and confirming the silent disco party details for Saturday night when I received a text from Dylan.
Dylan: how’s it going?
Andrew: busy. New charter this weekend. Counting down the days until I get home. How about you? Your book?
Dylan: met my ghostwriter via email but he sounds so formal. I’m heading to NYC in a few months to meet him in person. not sure how this is going to work out.
Andrew: good luck. And stick to your style, don’t let him write in a way that’s not authentically you. Readers will pick up on that.
Dylan: good advice. How’s Ro?
Andrew: I don’t know. I’ve been back to chief stew this month, and our communications are limited to meal service.
Dylan: I’m so sorry, Drew.
Andrew: you were protecting your friend, and you were right. We weren’t thinking. I just miss him. I stupidly caught feelings, but I can’t do anything about it.
Dylan: don’t lose hope. I’ve never seen him look at any man the way he does you. When your contract is over?
Andrew: I’m heading home, and he’ll be jetting off somewhere else. I wouldn’t fit in with his life anyway. He’s better to find someone in the same social circle.
Dylan: Have faith. And stay in touch.
Andrew: Take care.
I was not looking forward to this charter and in particular, Leo and Owen.
Leo was supposed to come aboard weeks ago, but he kept putting it off.
Trying to get Rowan’s attention was my guess.
But Rowan had told him it was this weekend or never.
Just thinking about that guy getting all up in Rowan’s space made me ragey.
Would they end up in bed together again?
After all, Rowan and I had made no promises to each other, and we were back to being polite strangers.
The one piece of good news was that Owen was here to finalize their deal. I just hoped I wouldn’t have to experience any more of Owen’s advances. My anxiety went into overdrive, so I put all my efforts into my job. No one had ever been on a ship so clean or organized. Ever.
The captain radioed the crew to inform us that the guests were arriving, so I changed into my formal uniform and prepped the champagne.
Once the staff had filed out in line to wait on the bridge deck, the guests began to board.
I noticed that Leo was accompanied by two young men who he introduced as friends.
They were both stunningly beautiful, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out that he brought them on board to lure Rowan back into his bed.
Then Owen stepped up with a salacious grin aimed my way, and I blocked the urge to throw a glass of champagne in his face.
Stifling the eye roll I wanted to make at both men, I put on my best smile.
“Andrew, so nice to see you again but now in actual clothing,” Leo commented loudly as I passed out the drinks. “You’ve been downgraded to a uniform this time.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Leo. I see you’ve brought your kids on board with you today,” I replied with a straight face as I nodded to his friends, who made no attempt to hide their giggles. Even Owen barked out a laugh, which was surprising.
“These are my friends, Decker and Veroush. They’re only five years younger than me,” he snapped.
“My apologies for the misunderstanding. Champagne?” I asked as I handed out glasses of bubbly to his friends and felt them size me up. Owen took a flute and winked at me. Jesus, this was going to be a long ass charter.
“Of course, and please open another bottle, I’ll need more than a few glasses. Where’s Rowan? I expected him to greet me,” Leo whined.
“He’s standing right behind you,” I replied, and Leo whirled around.
“Owen,” Rowan said and shook his hand, then faced Leo. “Leo, who are these gentlemen and how come you didn’t advise me there would be two additional guests?”
“Last minute change of plans, darling. You don’t mind, do you? I’m sure you can squeeze us all into a room if needed. We don’t mind sharing.”
I stifled another eye roll.
“We have a suite with two connecting bedrooms, if you’d prefer,” I offered.
“Perfect.” Leo nodded as he smiled at Rowan. “Is it on the same level as your bedroom, Ro?”
I finally let my eye roll out, since Leo’s back was turned.
“It’s Rowan, and no, it is not. We’re here to discuss business, Leo, so let’s get you and your friends set up and then we can sit down. Andrew, please show these gentlemen to the sundeck while I talk to Leo. Owen, why don’t you freshen up and relax for a while, and we can talk in an hour.”
“Sounds good, Rowan. I know Andrew will take good care of me,” Owen replied. Rowan’s glare at that comment signaled his mouth was about to unleash, so I quickly intervened.
“You have the same bedroom as last time, Owen. Jordan will help you unpack in the meantime.”
I had warned Jordan in advance, so he nodded at me and guided Owen inside. One down, one to go.
“Gentlemen, if you’d like to follow me.” I headed up the stairs and gave Decker and Veroush the overview of the ship. I didn’t trust Leo alone with Rowan and fought every instinct I had to run back down.
“Do you have an umbrella up here?” Decker asked as he shielded his eyes with his hand. “I can’t sit out in the sun. My agent will rip me a new one if I get even a hint of a tan.”
“I’ll have one brought up for you. Is there anything else you need?”
“Another glass of champagne would be lovely, sweetie,” Veroush answered.
“I’ll be right back.”
As I wandered down the stairs, I heard Rowan’s raised voice and paused.
“I’m not interested, Leo. If that’s your primary reason for coming aboard, then you’ve wasted your time.”
“I’m here to talk about my property in Florida, but I thought we could mix business and pleasure.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m done with hookups. I’m afraid you’ll have to stick to the Zoolander twins upstairs.”
I laughed at Rowan’s snark and muffled my mouth with my hand.
“Got a thing for your hot assistant?”
“Watch it, Leo. I mean it. He’s a smart, hardworking man who doesn’t deserve your contempt. If I find out you’re treating him with anything less than perfect manners, I will have you escorted off my ship and onto the nearest tender.”
“Who cares about him anyway? Let’s have a drink and talk about my property.”
I waited a few minutes until their voices got farther away and then proceeded to head down to the bar to grab a new bottle of champagne.
Two hours later, I was ready for a break.
Turned out that Decker and Veroush were nice guys and both knew Rafe since they modeled for the same brands.
They were preoccupied with appearance, but given their profession, that was to be expected.
But we chatted for a while, and I made sure they had everything they needed.
“Andrew.” Rowan’s voice interrupted my conversation with the duo. I turned to find him standing at the top of the stairs. “When you’re done up here, could you please grab another bottle of champagne and head to the lounge?”
“Right away, sir,” I replied and watched Rowan’s face transform from polite to fierce. The memory of us, of me on my knees, taking his heavy cock down my throat unleashed, and I couldn’t look away from him.
“What did I tell you about using that title?” he hissed as I drew closer.
“Apologies, Rowan, it won’t happen again,” I replied. My cheeks flushed as I remembered our shared passion. Why are you playing with fire? Knock it off.
“Please don’t call me that or tease me. I can’t take it,” Rowan admitted in a pained voice as he started down the stairs.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered in return, his sad tone bursting my feelings wide open. “This is more difficult than I imagined. Leo wants in your pants, and I have to stand there and watch him flirt with you. And my feelings haven’t changed. If anything, they’ve only grown deeper. I miss you. I miss us.”
“I know, love. I miss you too. But for now, don’t smile at me, and for god’s sake don’t call me sir . And make sure Jordan deals with Owen so you don’t have to.”
“That’s the plan. I overheard you talking with Leo.”
“I meant what I said. I don’t want anyone else.”
I nodded in return. “Same goes. God, I hate hiding.”
“We’ll find a way and soon. I promise.”
My heart believed him, but my mind was still puzzling how this would all work out.
ROWAN