40. Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-One
ANDREA
Julian’s kiss still sits on my lips, ghosting them like a soft whisper.
He’s consuming all my thoughts, and I can already sense the warning signs in my body telling me to retreat.
He’s got me in his grasp and doesn’t even know it.
It’s all my mind can think of as I sit at the bar, eating a BLT—courtesy of the chef onboard.
“Why does food always taste so much better when you’re drunk?” Kira asks, moaning into the next bite of her sandwich.
With a mouth full, I respond, “Because of endogenous opioids.”
“En-what?” Kira chuckles, eyes squinted as she leans in. It’s a terrible attempt to focus on me and I swallow the food in my mouth, laughing.
“They’re chemicals that are released in your brain when you drink alcohol. It enhances appetite and makes food more palatable.”
Staring down at her now empty plate, she sighs. “I miss it already.”
I laugh at her genuine, pouty face. “Here,” I say, sliding the rest of my sandwich toward her. “You can have the rest of mine.”
“Oh my god, I love you.” She goes to throw her arms around me but nearly loses her balance. I go to catch her, but another pair of hands are there first.
Her fiancé chuckles as he sets her back on the barstool. “Jesus Christ.”
“Nooo,” she drawls, raising her finger in the air. “It’s Kira, babe. ”
I snort, swinging my head around—subtly looking for a certain tall, dark, and handsome man. I find him standing with a gorgeous woman. Her black hair falls effortlessly over her shoulders and her tawny brown skin shines under the moonlight. It’s like looking at the cover of a magazine.
And Julian is smiling at her. It’s not just any smile; it’s the kind of smile that screams I know you . My heart drops to the pit of my stomach and there’s a sour taste of envy in my mouth. He says something to her that has her throwing her head back and laughing.
My eyes narrow. What the hell is so funny?
I wait for him to look in my direction like he’s been doing casually all night, but he doesn’t. I can’t remember the last time I felt this much jealousy. I can feel it pulsing through me, burning like a hot iron on my heart.
First Blake and now her. The man was a magnet for beautiful women. How on earth am I supposed to compete with model-level beauty?
I look next to me and find Kira looking down at her phone with a frown on her face. Since Jack is distracted by the bartender, I elbow her gently. “Hey, Kira. Who is that woman Julian’s talking to?”
She glances up, her brows raised. “Oh, sorry, what?” She looks around, frowning in Julian’s direction.
“That’s Eden Woods. She’s next in line to run her family’s company in London.
They met years ago when he went on some self-finding voyage in Europe.
She’s also uh. . .” she trails off, worrying her lip as she stares at me.
My stomach starts to hurt. “She’s also what?”
Her eye twitches. “They dated. . .briefly.”
“She’s his ex,” I state simply, even as this information plagues me with questions and a rapid-fire of more jealousy in my gut. It’s starting to make me queasy.
“If it makes you feel better, he dropped her. Not the other way around.”
I shake my head and give her an alarmed look. “Why would that make me feel better? That means she could still have a thing for him.”
She shrugs. “It depends how you look at it. It also means he definitely doesn’t still have a thing for her.”
I swallow the gravel in my throat. “Why is she here?”
Kira smiles sheepishly. “Eden’s a friend of my family’s. Her business in the States lined up with the party, so I—”
“You don’t have to explain it to me, really. I’m the outcast, not her.”
She shoots me an exasperated expression.
“You didn’t hear this from me, but I did happen to overhear the gossip back then.
I heard he ended things because he wanted to settle down and have a family.
” She sighs as she eyes the stunning pair.
“Eden didn’t at the time, but from the looks of it, she might have changed her mind.
” Turning to face me, in a completely serious tone, she asks, “Want me to cut her?”
Despite the heaviness growing inside of me, I manage a weak laugh. “No, that’s okay. I’m afraid she’s too beautiful to cut.” Unfortunately , I think to myself.
She studies me for a moment. “I know what will cheer you up.” She spins in her chair, eyes roaming before pointing at a man who looks like he studies stocks for fun. “Van Doren, come here pretty please, will you?”
I perk up at the familiar name as I take in the man who approaches us. His brown hair is styled messily atop his head, his button-down flung open, revealing a shredded torso.
The secretive smile on Kira’s face tells me everything I need to know about her plans even as she says, “Ten bucks says he comes over here.”
“What’s up, sweetheart?” the man says, flinging an arm over her shoulders.
“Caleb, I want you to meet Andrea. She’s a ballerina.”
His flirtatious smile lands on me as he looks me over. I lift a brow when his eyes finally meet mine. He chuckles and releases his hold on Kira to extend a hand. “Hello, Andrea.”
“Uh, hi.” I grab his hand, shake it, and do my best to shoot a subtle glare toward Kira. When I try to let go, he doesn’t.
“How is it that I’ve managed to go the entire evening without landing eyes on you or my whole life even?”
“It’s probably because we’re in different tax brackets,” I quip and his eyes light up with humor as he chuckles.
“Or maybe I’m just blind,” he chides. There’s a long pause as he stares at me before shaking his head as if he was in a daze. “Those eyes are trouble.”
I grin. “You’re Ryder Van Doren’s son, aren’t you?”
His expression pinches. “That obvious, huh?”
“Your last name gave you away.”
He nods. “That’ll do it.” The corner of his mouth tilts upward. “So, you’re a ballerina, huh?”
I roll my eyes with a laugh. “I used to be. I’m an instructor now.”
His mouth pulls down as he nods. “What happened?”
“Long story.”
“I could give you my number. That way, you can call me and tell me about it.”
My eyes widen, and an amused smile grows on my face. “Smooth.”
He laughs with a shrug. “Was worth a try. ”
The volume of the music suddenly increases, and I lean over so he can hear me.
“I’m actually here with. . .” There’s a loud commotion of cheers that erupts next to us and I look to find Kira being hoisted onto the bar.
“What’s hap—” My words cut off with a squeal as hands grip my waist and I’m being lifted.
Once I find my footing, Kira grabs my hands and pulls me clumsily into a dance.
“Show us what you got, ballet!” Caleb cheers, his hands cupped to his mouth.
I laugh, dancing carelessly and letting myself have fun because why not? With Julian here, I feel safe. Just knowing he’s near is enough to let loose. He’d never let anything happen to me. Even now, my eyes search for him.
When I expect to find him enraptured in conversation with Eden, I find something else—his eyes pinned on me. There’s something in the way he’s looking at me that has me stumbling over my feet, my heart stuttering in my chest.
Before I can meet a very embarrassing end, strong arms snake around my knees, and I’m being dragged slowly down a hard body. I blink a few times and Caleb’s smirk comes into focus. “Already falling for me, eh?”
I laugh at his cheesy joke and go to wiggle myself free from his grasp, but not before a shadow appears, towering over both of us.
“Off.” It’s one word, spoken in a calm fury. Julian pushes Caleb’s body away from mine, causing him to slip on the wet deck and his back to hit the bar.
“Oh, shit,” Kira mutters.
Caleb’s eyes flash with malice as they settle on the man who is now standing in front of me, blocking me from view. “What the hell, bro? ”
Julian reaches back, and like it’s the most natural thing in the world, I place my hand in his. “Sorry, bro , but this one’s taken.”
Caleb lets out a cold laugh, stepping closer. “My bad. I must have missed the brand stamped on her forehead.”
Julian tenses, body brimming with unleashed anger. “Say that again.”
I internally panic and look to Kira for assistance, who then looks to Felix. I glance back and forth at their silent exchange. It’s the second one they’ve had tonight. I’d question it more if I didn’t have a situation on my hands.
Since no one else decides to step in, I take it upon myself.
Letting out an awkward laugh, I step between them, a hand going to Julian’s chest and the other pointing at Caleb.
“Do not say that again.” I look up at Julian and wait for his eyes to fall on mine.
Lowering my voice, I say, “He caught me. That’s it.
” His eyes twitch as he absorbs my words, and my fingers tighten around his shirt. “Take me somewhere.”
Nothing.
I decide to try something else and even though it feels silly, I find myself quietly muttering out of the corner of my mouth the word, “Cinnamon.”
This gets his attention. He gives me a jerky nod before taking my hand in his own and pulling me behind him. I go willingly, grateful for the diversion from what could have caused Julian to give another man a bloody nose for my benefit.
Once indoors, he guides me through the main salon, which has leather sofas with neatly placed throw pillows.
The windows are covered by thick burgundy curtains and tucked in the corner is another bar.
My bare feet drag along the beige carpet, and I briefly wonder where my shoes have gone.
The dining area comes into view next where breakfast will be held in the morning.
I marvel at it all. No matter how simple this all looks to the people still on the deck, this is the most luxurious party I’ve ever attended.
Finally, we reach the stairs. I follow closely behind him in silence as he leads us to our cabin where we’ll be staying. . . together .