5. Elodie
CHAPTER FIVE
elodie
My eyes crack open to the blinding light around me as I try to slowly wake but feel a dip in the bed that lets me know I’m no longer alone.
Before I can even stretch, Jade is hovering over me with a shit-eating grin spread across her face.
Leaning in closer, she practically screams in my face. “BIIIIITTTCCCHHH! You already got flowers! How fucking cute is that?”
Stunned into silence, I blink away the sleep as I try to fully comprehend what she’s saying to me.
Jade looks into my eyes expectantly like I’m suppose to have an answer to that but I don’t. My confusion doesn’t go unnoticed as she plops down next to me.
“Did you not hear me? Do we not care? What’s the issue babe?”
I sit up, really giving thought to what she said to me.
“No, sorry...I do care, it’s just there are only two guys from last night and both were.
..uh...” I clear my throat, trying to find the words without seeming rude.
“Much…? Yeah, they were both a bit much. But that’s okay! Was there at least a note?”
Accepting that answer for the time being, she hops up, yanking me along with her without any regard to whether my feet are planted firmly on the floor.
I trip over the sheets tangled around my ankles, trying to shake myself free as I follow her into the living space. The bouquet sits in the middle of the coffee table and it’s stunning.
White Peruvian lilies mixed with red roses spill over the sides of the vase, giving contrast of the colors in a stunning way. Wedged between two roses in the center of the arrangement sits a small envelope with a single word and I already know who it’s from.
Storm.
My insides do a little flip seeing the masculine handwriting on the outside. Jade eyes the card and I reach out, snatching it from the bouquet, just barely missing her fingers. I can’t help but to grin at my luck.
“Too slow, bitch.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Read it to the class or I’m taking it. You know how I feel about notes!” Jade does her best to fill her voice with authority like she does in the classroom, but to me, it doesn’t work well.
Shaking my head, I open the envelope to find a small torn piece of paper, his handwriting slightly smeared.
Don’t leave me like this, my pretty little Storm. I know what you taste like but I wanna know what you feel like when you consume me whole. xo your storm hunter
I feel my cheeks flame rereading his words, as I keep eyeing one word in particular.
Your .
Something that gives ownership to a person, as if I want to own him.
Do I? Is that something I could find myself wanting?
My mind drifts to a place where it’s just him and me with little to nothing between us.
A sharp whistle breaks me out of thought. “Damn, he’s smooth, babe. I got to give it to him. YOUR STORM HUNTER. Like, look at it, babe, you own that man. Imagine the things you could do to a guy like that. Do you think he’s the submissive type? I don’t see it, but men are weird creatures.”
I see her mind race with thousands of more questions, none of which I have the answer to or care to have the answer to. So, I do what I do best, deflect.
“I can’t answer those questions, but what I can tell you is that the sun is calling my name along with some margaritas! Didn’t you wanna tan?”
She eyes me skeptically for a moment, deciding whether or not she wants to actually let this go.
“Fine…FOR NOW, but only because I didn’t bring hot-as-shit swimsuits to sit in this room with questions that I can ask with my ass out in the sunshine. We port in Mexico tonight and I want to glow when we go out!” she declares, shimmying her chest before skipping off to change.
Glancing back at the note and flowers, a warmth spreads through my chest. I’m not used to the feeling of being wanted or chased, and it sends a thrill through me.
Trying not to dwell on someone who’s no good for me, I slip back into my room to get ready as well.
Rushing into the restroom, I quickly take care of my business, wanting to see the seas, running through a swift face wash, hair braid, and lathering myself in sunscreen and lotion before choosing my bathing suit.
I have a couple different choices and colors. My tried and true red halter or a new black two piece that is skimpier than what I’m used to. Knowing which option Jade would want me to pick, I slide into the skimpy high waisted two piece.
I give myself a once over in the mirror and I can’t deny the confidence the bathing suit gives me as it slightly enhances my soft curves. I grab the button down cover up, putting it on before collecting everything I need for my poolside bag.
Once the towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, and Kindle are in the bag, I grab my cellphone off the charger to see if I have any texts. There are no missed notifications, with no surprise to me, so I toss it in the bag and set out to see if Jade is ready.
Coming out of the room, I find the main living area empty, so I set the bag down on the counter and make my way into Jade’s room.
Music blares from the bathroom where it appears she’s hiding. While I have a second, I take in the disaster zone her room is. Bright colored clothing is strewn all across the room, covering most surfaces and some of the floor.
I roll my eyes then look at the bed to find it extremely disheveled, as if she wasn’t the only one in it last night.
How interesting...
I pad into the bathroom where I find Jade in a bright red two piece that consists of four small triangles and string, singing Doja Cat while doing her hair as if we’re going out.
“What the hell are you doing girl? This is a laid back day not a beauty pageant! Come on!”
She meets my eyes in the mirror, arching a brow as if I have personally offended all her senses by questioning her.
Before she gives me an ear full, I cut her off, “We have all night to doll up. Come on, let's just enjoy the sun together, babe. Also, don’t think I didn’t see the state of your bed. What’s his name?”
I arch my brow, grinning as I catch a look I can’t decipher cross her face before she fixes me with a smile.
“Babe, you’re crazy. But you raise a valid point since I have to do this again later. My bag is already together, so let me throw my hair up and we can get going because it’s already lunch time!”
She rolls her hair around before securing it in a claw clip, then whisks past me and out the door to the main area.
Not wanting to dwell on her very clear attempt to avoid my question, I follow her out and grab my bag. We make our way out the room and up the elevator to the main deck. Security stops us in the foyer, asking if we’ve seen some guy who never made it back to his room.
When they show us a picture of the guy, I find it’s the man I danced with the night before. After telling security that, one of them asks me a few more questions while another gentleman is asking Jade questions.
I catch bits of their conversation, but it doesn’t make much sense to me since I was the one dancing with him, not her.
Shaking my head, I focus back on the guy in front of me.
He reminds me that he could’ve just ended up in the wrong room but to be aware and careful.
I nod, thanking him before Jade takes me by the arm, hauling me out onto the deck and over to the area with a bunch of tables shaded by umbrellas.
I can feel her jittery excitement from here, knowing once we get settled, what just happened will be a major talking point.
We set our bags down and get comfy at the table before scanning the QR code to order food and drinks to the table. I’m scrolling the menu, trying to decide on brunch when she finally breaks the peaceful silence.
“Sooo…do you think he fell overboard or something? Like, how fucking weird was that? I felt like I was part of one of those true crime episodes we always watch!” She doesn’t even try to hide the excitement in her voice.
“Babe, something bad could have happened to that guy. Shouldn’t we just hope he ended up in the wrong person’s room, and he’ll emerge hungover and safe soon? I mean, it was obvious he was drunk and looking for action last night, but he seemed so sweet.”
She scoffs, before cutting me off, “He wouldn’t randomly be in someone else’s room. Come on.”
Her serious tone catches me off guard. “What do you mean by that? I heard that guard say you were one of the last people to see him, but we had been together, so that doesn’t make sense. Anything YOU wanna share with the class?”
Her cheeks flame red as she purses her lips.
“No, babe. Quit making it weird. We were some of the last people to see him. I’m sure his little friends will find him eventually.
” Looking down at her phone, she changes the subject before I can reply.
“So, what are we eating for brunch? Can we get some drinks? We don’t always get to be together on a cruise like this! ”
Her tone lightens and I realize she’s probably right, so I shake my thoughts away.
“I was thinking french toast and bacon, with mimosas?” I pray she likes the mimosas and we don’t end up doing tequila shots instead.
Before she can reply, the chair my bag is sitting in gets pulled out, and my bag is placed on the floor. Blaise plops gracefully into the chair and his rich voice fills the space. “The french toast is a fantastic choice, little Storm. I must say, you have good taste.”
My eyes cut to Jade’s and she wags her brows at me as I give her my best absolutely not face.
“Did you get my flowers? Limited stock onboard, but I made do. Tell me you liked them.” His face softens as he looks at me like a puppy dog does its owner when it learns a new trick.
“They were pretty, yeah…I mean, thank you.” I try not to be awkward but stumble over my words.
Jade scoffs. “They were gorgeous, you did good big guy. And that NOTE, you did great. It was smooth, honestly.”
Realizing Jade is the bigger talker, I watch the gears in his head begin to turn. Keeping his eyes glued on me, he asks her, “How good was it? Like a private dinner in Mexico, good, you think? Because that’s what I’ve come here to ask.”
I can’t help but appreciate his candor, but the idea of being alone in Mexico together scares me. I eye Jade, trying to convey my hesitance, but it seems she can’t read between the lines today.
“I think she’d love that, but it has to be authentic. She’s been incredibly excited about sightseeing and trying the cuisine when we get to shore. What time does she need to be ready to go with you?”
My nostrils flare in annoyance, causing him to smirk. “Actually,” I interject, “I promised Jade that we would go dancing tonight, so that won’t work well with our plans, but thank you.” I keep my tone warm even though I feel anything but that.
I feel slightly smug at shutting him down when he rebuttals in a way I wasn’t prepared for.
“Oh, that actually works perfectly. That was the plan for after dinner anyways. We’ll leave for dinner around seven, then after dinner, I can take ya’ll to the hottest nightclub in the area.
It’s owned by a good friend of mine and I can reserve a VIP table.
My brother will also be coming with us. You both remember Knox, don’t you? ”
Jade smirks, realizing that she benefits from this as well. “That timeline is perfect. It gives us a few hours to brunch, drink, and lie out in the sun before getting ready to meet you guys.” Her statement seems so matter-of-factly I know that he’s just won this round.
Seeming happy with the exchange and getting what he wants, he thanks Jade before standing. Just when I think he’s about to leave, he leans down and kisses my cheek softly.
“See you later, my pretty little Storm.”
With those parting words, he takes off into the crowd, probably to go find his brother. Pinning Jade with a glare, I snap, “What the hell! Why did you sign me up for a date?”
She replies cooly, “Babe, he’s hot, clearly got money and wants to treat us both at the end of night, which means no obligation to sleep with him.
Can’t you just let someone take care of you?
All you have to do is give him a chance and just have fun.
He’s so attracted to you and this cruise doesn’t have to mean forever.
Just look past your anger and see this for the opportunity it is. ”
I go to argue back but stop, she’s right. I never let anyone treat me to things, especially not men.
What’s the harm in one date?
Sighing, I give in. “You’re right. I will give it a shot, but if I send an SOS you have to get me out—club be damned. Deal?”
Jade beams at me with her megawatt smile. “Deal! Also, I already ordered both of us mimosas and french toast with bacon. Let’s enjoy the food and sun then we can get you ready!”
Shaking off my nerves, I beam back.
I’m going to have a good time. I deserve this.