Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Delia
I settle on one of the comfortable lounge chairs facing the smallest pool on the ship.
I struggled with the decision of which pool to spend the next two hours next to. I weighed the pros and cons but ultimately opted for this one because I’m going to slowly edge my way into mingling with the other passengers as the day goes on.
“Delia!”
I glance up when I hear my name being called out.
A soft smile glides over my lips when I see Clever on the approach with a single red rose in one hand and a glass of something that looks not only tropical but delicious in the other.
“I brought these for you.” He presents both the flower and the drink to me. “Something pretty to look at and something perfect to drink.”
I take both, carefully placing them on the small white circular table next to me. “Thank you.”
I look up at his face. His blonde hair is mussed from the light wind that is cooling the air to just the right temperature. With the endless clear blue sky as a backdrop, he looks tempting, but he’s not the guy I’m looking to spend more time with.
That man is headed my way.
Even though he’s wearing sunglasses that block the view of his eyes, I can tell that the smile on Donovan’s lips is lighting up his entire face.
“Oh great,” Clever mutters under his breath when he catches sight of Donovan over his shoulder. “Look who it is.”
“It’s Dr. Hunt,” I say in a breathy tone.
“He’s a doctor?” Clever questions.
I nod. “In New York City. We both live there.”
He sighs heavily. “Some guys hit the life lottery.”
I laugh that off. “Can you bring him one of those drinks, too?”
It’s a big ask considering the fact that I’m sure Clever was hoping to score some alone time with me in exchange for the fancy drink.
“Yeah.” He exhales sharply. “Why not?”
Before there’s a chance for him to greet Donovan, he takes off in the opposite direction.
“Did I chase him away?” Donovan asks as soon as he’s within a foot of where I’m sprawled out.
“I asked him to get you one of these.” I point at the tri-colored drink that I have yet to sample.
He slides the glasses down the bridge of his nose to get a better look at the tall beverage with the pink straw and blue umbrella perched in it. “He agreed to do that? Willingly?”
Laughing, I remove my sunglasses and set them on the top of my head. “He didn’t say no.”
Donovan barks out a deep laugh. “Something tells me that you could ask Clever to do cartwheels across the entire length of this deck, and he’d happily do that.”
“Should I ask him?” I grin. “It’s impossible not to admire a good cartwheel.”
Donovan plucks his sunglasses off too and studies me. “Is that so? The last time I did a cartwheel I was maybe twelve or thirteen.”
“How long ago was that?” I ask.
I’ve guessed his age to be in the mid to late thirties range. Matt and Roman are thirty-three and Matt told me that this boss is slightly older than him.
“I’m thirty-six,” he tells me. “Would you mind if I grabbed that lounge chair next to you?”
I glance at it. “You should since there’s a spectacular drink coming your way courtesy of Clever.”
He looks in the direction Clever disappeared to. “You have a lot more faith in him than I do.”
Without any warning, he whips the shirt he’s wearing over his head to reveal a toned and tanned torso. My gaze trails over it stopping to admire the way his black swimming trunks hang low on his hips.
My heart thunders in my chest so loudly that it feels like the sounds of the people around me have been muted.
I quickly look down only to realize that I am wearing a very tiny black bikini.
I knew when I put it on earlier that there was a chance that I’d run into Donovan at some point before I headed back to my room, but now with my nipples straining against the fabric I wish I had kept my cover up on.
If I cross my arms that will draw attention to my tits, so I start talking to hopefully keep his gaze planted firmly on my face. “Did you sleep well?”
The question takes him by surprise. I can tell by the way he tilts his chin down. “I did. Did you?”
No. I did not.
I had a recurring dream about him.
We were back in New York City. I was walking down the sidewalk. He was approaching me and then just as I neared him, poof he disappeared into thin air.
That’s when I woke up and each time I drifted off again, I found myself back on that sidewalk hoping the dream would end with him sweeping me up and into his arms.
It never happened.
“Sure,” I say with a sigh.
I can tell by his expression that he’s not completely sold on my answer. His hands drop to his hips. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, that lures my gaze back down to that carved V that leads beneath his swim trunks.
I reach up to grab my sunglasses to put them back on.
“How’s your toe feeling this morning?” he asks as he lowers himself onto the lounge chair next to me.
His long legs stretch out. His arms fall to his side.
Our hands are literally less than three inches apart. It would take almost no effort for me to reach out and touch him.
“My toe is just fine,” I say with too much exuberance. I wiggle it for good measure. “See?”
His gaze slowly trails over my entire body until it reaches my toe. “It looks perfect to me.”
I hide a smile behind my hand as I lean back and close my eyes briefly to center my bearings.
“So, your brother’s gift was just for you?” he asks in a low growl. “Am I safe to assume you’re sailing alone, Delia?”
I pluck off my sunglasses to look directly at him. “Yes. I’m sailing alone.”
His eyes fall to my lips. “What about at home? Is there someone waiting for you when you get back to Manhattan?”
I’m all for cutting to the chase if the chase involves him coming for me. He may be my brother’s boss, but we’re both on vacation. I’m of the firm belief that, much like Vegas, whatever happens on the open water stays there.
“I’m single,” I answer succinctly. “Are you?”
“Very.” His hand brushes against mine. “Now seems like the perfect time to confess that I’ve been stalking you online.”
My hand jumps to the center of my chest. His gaze follows, and this time, I’m not embarrassed that my nipples are still furled into tight little points beneath my bikini top.
“Should I be scared by that?” I tease. “Or honored?”
He leans closer, so his breath rushes over my cheek. “Both. The brochure I found in the break room for this cruise promised the trip of a lifetime. I’m beginning to believe that’s possible.”
I pull back slightly to lock eyes with him. “Anything is possible.”