Danger On the High Sea #2
I pull her just a fraction closer, “I’d love to.”
Adrenaline is still pumping through my veins a few hours after we returned to the cruise ship from the excursion. There’s still a slight tremble in my hands as I touch up my makeup in the mirror.
When that wave knocked the boat and threw me overboard, my life didn’t flash before my eyes. Every regret I had in life did.
Every time I bailed my douchebag ex-husband out of financial ruin. Not trusting my gut when I thought he was cheating. Turning Evren down for dinner.
As I hit the water and began to sink, all I could think of was never seeing him or my sister again. Pain from the impact of the water blinded me, seizing my whole body and preventing me from trying to fight my way back to the surface.
As panic began to sink in, strong arms wrapped around me. One moment, I was sinking, and the next, I was rapidly ascending out of the water and rocketing up into the sky.
As I coughed and gasped for air, Evren’s panicked voice cut through.
When I finally found my voice, I struggled for the right words.
Knowing how nervous he already was about being out in open water and his worry about his wings, the fact that he didn’t even hesitate to come in after me steals my breath and shifts something in my chest.
Matt never would have done that. Would he have called for help? Sure. But risk his worthless ass to save me? Not a snowball’s chance in hell.
A sharp knock on the door jars me from my spiraling thoughts.
With one last glance in the mirror, I head towards the door, take a deep breath, and swing it open.
I pray that the drool rapidly pooling in my mouth is not pouring out of the corners.
The same man who just hours ago jumped into the ocean, despite his fear, to save me, stands before me looking like sin wrapped in a well-tailored suit.
Tonight, he has his wavy hair pulled half up in a sleek bun, leaving the rest to hang loosely around his shoulders.
His horns seem to gleam in the light as if he took the time to polish them.
His light gray button-down shirt highlights the color of his skin.
He’s left a few of the top buttons undone, with a small sprinkling of chest hairs peeking through.
He’s rolled the sleeves up, showcasing those muscular arms that saved me earlier, and his pants look tailor-made as they hug his thighs perfectly.
“You look delectable,” he rasps, snapping my attention back to his alluring orange eyes.
For reasons unknown, I do a little spin and ask, “You like?”
Thank God Mel packed for me. Tonight’s dress is a deep shimmery blue sheath dress. It has an empire waist with a deep V bust. I did simple makeup, loosely curled my hair, and paired it with wedge heels.
“I like it a lot,” he answers in a tone so deep it makes my skin vibrate. “Shall we?” he asks, offering his arm.
I grab my purse and slide my arms through his.
It only takes a few minutes to reach the restaurant.
Evren gives his name at the host stand, and we are seated immediately on a lovely terrace with a light ocean breeze.
The stars are out and shining, and the waters are calm, making it the perfect night to dine outdoors.
Once we order our drinks, Evren takes my hand, gently sweeping his thumb over my knuckles.
“How are you feeling, Doll?”
“I'm fine, thanks to you,” I say, squeezing his hand.
He smiles, but still looks concerned. “I would never let anything happen to you, Kallie. But how are you feeling? If you aren’t up for this, we can do it another night.”
God, the concern pouring off him in waves makes butterflies erupt in my stomach.
“I’m ok,” I say on a shaky breath. “And I don’t want to cancel,” I rush, still holding his hand tight.
He studies me for a minute before nodding. The waitress returns with our drinks and goes over the menu. We place our order and take a few sips of our beverages.
“Tell me more about you, Doll.”
“What do you wanna know?”
He looks thoughtful before lifting a shoulder. “You mentioned this being a celebration gift from your sister. What's the occasion?”
I cringe slightly. Of all the questions…
Evren notices and quickly adds, “Or you can tell me anything you feel like sharing. I just want to get to know you better, Kallie, not make you uncomfortable.”
Again, thinking of me, paying attention to my physical cues, fuck, just paying attention to me. This demon could give lessons in modern chivalry. His concern and observations help me relax.
“My divorce.”
Evren’s eyebrows raise in surprise, and I laugh.
“My ex…well, let’s just say this was not an amicable split.”
The sound of Evren’s deep growl sends shivers down my spine. Not the kind you get from a chill or fright. No, these shivers were the kind that went straight to my clit, making it pulse hungrily and dampen my panties.
Evren takes a minute to sip his drink before asking, “Not a good guy? I mean, clearly not if you kicked his ass to the curb.”
I am in jeopardy of literal swooning around this demon.
“No, not a good guy, but very good at convincing me he was. And keeping that up for several years. It wasn’t until I caught him screwing his employee that I finally kicked him to the curb.
Honestly, that act on its own was enough for Mel, my sister, to splurge for this cruise.
She hated Matt from the first date I went on with him. ”
I shake my head, remembering that night. I’d come home to Mel sitting on the couch, waiting to pounce and tell me how much she hated the idea of me dating Matt. If I had only listened.
“Leaving him was the easy part. Two years of courts, lawyers, and legal documents later, my divorce is finally settled. That’s what the celebration is for. It’s been a long, drawn-out, awful experience that has come to an end.”
I raise my glass in salute, and Evren raises his to clink it in toast.
“Cheers and congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I say with genuine sincerity.
The waitress returns with our meal and refills our drinks.
The remainder of dinner passes with steady conversation about Evren’s own cruise story and how his parents are constantly hounding him to get out of the office and be adventurous.
I think his parents and my sister would be fast friends, since Mel constantly says the same things to me.
This is by far one of the best dates I’ve ever been on.
Our conversation flows effortlessly, the moments of silence easy and comfortable.
We laugh, tease, and just enjoy each other's company. It’s such a stark contrast from dinners that were solely focused on what Matt needed or how Matt was feeling, with no thought to me.
Evren listens. He’s invested in what I have to say and what I think.
It’s such a refreshing change, but it’s more than the conversation.
It’s the hungry way he looks at my mouth when I lick the rim of salt on my drink. Or the soft growl he releases when I make a sound of appreciation while tasting our meal. As laid back as our date has been, there’s a fire blazing beneath my skin.
Once we’ve finished, the waitress drops off a dessert menu and says she’ll give us a few minutes before returning. I skim the menu, not really looking at the items at all. What I have in mind won't be found on the menu.
“Anything tickle your fancy, Doll?” Evren says, still looking over the menu.
“I think so, but it’s not on the menu,” I say.
Evren looks up, intrigue on his face. “What do you have in mind?”
“Room service.”