3
Milo
“Welcome to paradise!“
Cheryl exclaimed as she unsuccessfully flung open the door to our stateroom. “Hold that thought. These fuckers are heavier than they look.“
She heaved the door open, knocking into me. “Okay, well, not literal paradise. More like transportation to paradise.”
I crossed my arms and leaned on my hip. “Cheryl, it’s tiny, and I’m pretty sure that sound is the hum of the engine.”
“So? We’ll hardly be here except to sleep. And considering our ‘goal’ this little vacay, we ideally won’t be doing that here either. Speaking of which.“
She glanced around the room, reached a conclusion she didn’t bother to share, then started walking back toward the door. “Are you good as is? Of course, you are. You dressed comfy for the drive. Right. No time like the present to start tackling your goals.”
“Seriously, Cher? We just got here. I haven’t even looked at the room yet.”
“A room you won’t be spending any time in. Now come on,“
she said as she grabbed my wrist and propelled us into the narrow corridor.
Ten minutes later, we’d wound our way through a deck and a half. We’d completely bypassed the casino to explore the art displayed on the walls. To my surprise, a lot of it was quite good. Eventually, we found ourselves circling a dance floor.
“OMG, if they have a karaoke night, we are totes doing that, babes.“
Cheryl gave me an expression of eager anticipation.
I laughed and held up my hands. “You know, I’m pretty sure there was a schedule in our room. But even if they have karaoke, no way in hell are you getting me to do that.“
As if to underscore my point, a loud crash cut through the ambient noise.
We turned toward the source, like everyone else. I sucked in a breath at the tanned beauty who looked like the literal embodiment of every boy-next-door fantasy I’d had since I was twelve. Abruptly, I realized he was also the poor sap who’d had a rude introduction to the floor. Upside, his drink still looked intact.
Before I could think to help this gorgeous specimen of brown-haired perfection, others were crowding around him to offer aid, and Cheryl was tugging me along. “What?“
I asked when I realized she’d been saying something while my brain had been in catalog-mode. I’d a hundred percent be drawing that morsel of a man… or jacking off. Probably both.
“Milo. Focus.“
Cheryl snapped her fingers.
“Right. Sorry. You were saying something about the… pool?“
I guessed, catching sight of a directory on the wall.
“Yes, and I don’t want to hear any whinging about not having a swimsuit. We are window shopping and making an action plan. I’ve seen plenty of people who apparently thought to bring theirs in their carry-on, so we can at least get an idea of what we’re working with.”
“Aye-aye, Captain,“
I said, giving her a cheeky salute. She rolled her eyes and set off with purpose.
I hated to admit it, but I was impressed. Both with Cheryl’s drive and the collection of eye candy. Plus, completely comp’d drinks and food (mostly) meant that I could enjoy banana daiquiris to my heart’s content (pun intended… and savored). Seriously, did they only invite the pretty people on this voyage?
Me and my second daiquiri were enjoying a pleasant buzz when Cheryl pulled the rug out from under us.
“Okay, babes. Serious moment.“
She pointed to her eyes to ensure she had my full attention. “See tall, dark, and wet to the left? Not your left, my left,” she chastised in a low voice, and I nodded subtly. “What do you think my chances are? I’m thinking seventy-seventy-five.”
I snorted. “Eighty-five-ninety, easy.”
She let out a sharp squee and popped a kiss on my cheek. “So glad you agree, babes. Catch you later, or not,“
she added with a salacious eyebrow wiggle, then turned on her heel and left.
It took my brain a whole three seconds to process what had just happened. Suddenly, I was thirsty as hell, unbearably sweaty, and I could feel my face burning. I flagged the bartender for some water, left the third of daiquiri on the counter and scurried toward the nearest AC.
I was pretty sure I was going to have to ask for directions to our room when I spotted Mr. Beautiful from earlier. Sending up a silent thanks to the poolside bartender for the extra-strong drinks, I made a beeline for the guy. Now, I just needed to be cool.
“You know, I can’t help but think I’ve seen you before,“
I said with what I hoped was a charming grin. He glanced up, his cheeks instantly pinking with embarrassment, and, holy fuck, he was even more beautiful up close.
“You saw that, huh?“
he asked, ducking his head and rubbing the back of his neck.
Oh, right. I almost forgot. I’m the antithesis of cool. “How are you, by the way?“
I gestured to the empty seat adjacent to him and sat down when he nodded.
“Aside from a bruised ego and ass, I’m no worse than I was when I got on this boat,“
he replied with a self-deprecating laugh. That sounded oddly glum.
“Did you come with anyone?“
I asked, then immediately added when his face noticeably fell, “I’ve seen a lot of groups. Some even have themed t-shirts.”
He chuckled. “I’ve seen them. My personal favorites are the funny cruise-themed shirts.”
“Yass! Don’t judge me too hard, but I kinda really want the one that says ‘Help! I’m trapped on a ship with my family.’ Not that I would ever go on a cruise with my family.”
Mr. Beautiful laughed more fully. “This is definitely the week ‘I don’t give a ship’. I should introduce myself. I’m Casey and I wasn’t supposed to be here by myself, but I’m choosing to look at it as an opportunity in disguise.“
He quietly laughed as I shook his hand.
“I’m Milo. I was shanghaied on this cruise by my bestie who has already dropped me to chase some hot ass.“
Oh, holy wow, I’d never loved my name so much as I did right now with the way his face lit up.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Milo,“
Casey said with a warm smile that made my pulse quicken, which he could probably feel since I was still holding his hand. It was cute that he was playing along with my less-than-suave start to the conversation.
“So, I was exploring the ship. I’ve only made it through a few decks.“
I plucked up my courage, channeled Cheryl, and asked, “Would you like to join me?”