Chapter 33 #2
Their conversation was a dull hum in the background as I scouted for more servers with silver trays. That was until Kai extended his hand toward me, his palm facing up. “I’m one of the VIP guests. May I have this dance?”
Mischievous eyes peered at me, and I immediately recoiled. It was one thing to flirt with me, but a dance? Did he have a death wish?
Caden’s reaction was immediate. He grabbed the lapel of Kai’s tux. It was subtle enough that others wouldn’t notice unless they were paying attention, but aggressive enough to get the point across. His other hand, still laced with mine, pulled me behind him. “Want to keep that hand, Cavendish?”
My wide eyes moved between them. Kai wasn’t vexed and gracefully shrugged out of Caden’s hold.
“Worth a shot.” He smoothed out his jacket.
“Tread carefully.” Caden’s silky voice spoke volumes.
“Aren’t we sensitive.” Kai seemed pleased that he had gotten under Caden’s skin.
The two men went back and forth with a few more rebukes.
I was so distracted by them that I missed yet another server with hors d’oeuvres.
With his seething glare still fixed on Kai, Caden tracked someone out of the corner of his eye and summoned them with the flick of his wrist. I rose to my tippy-toes to see who had caught his attention and was delighted to see him beckoning a server.
When the waiter reached us, Caden nudged his head toward me.
The man materialized at my side, and I hastily accepted his offered napkin and grabbed a lollipop chicken.
My favorite. The crispy skin was glazed to perfection, and I longingly stared at the tray, knowing I could easily eat ten more.
However, that would be inappropriate at such a fancy party, and I was determined not to embarrass Caden.
When the server tried to leave, Caden said, “Leave the tray.”
The man seemed confused by the unusual request, but he knew that his temperamental boss didn’t like to repeat himself. “O-of course, sir.”
Ecstasy burst in my chest when he dropped the entire tray on the cocktail table beside me.
Grabbing a shaved bone, I lifted a piece of lollipop chicken to my mouth.
There was a slight twitch in Caden’s lips when I closed my eyes, though he still hadn’t released Kai from his death glare.
Mouthwatering crispy skin melted onto my tongue as my gaze, full of suspense, bounced between the two men.
Their verbal rebuttals had turned into a silent battle of wills. I could almost discern their glares. Caden seemed to be saying, Don’t push me when it comes to her. Kai was saying something to the extent of, You deserve to be fucked with, asshole.
Marcus eyed them and coughed uncomfortably. When that didn’t garner a reaction, he grabbed the nearby mic. His voice boomed through the speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Captain’s Gala. Are you having fun tonight?”
The announcement was a wise distraction as the crowd turned toward us and cheered.
The glaring contest ended, and I quickly pulled Caden away while Marcus thanked the guests for joining the cruise and made a few opening remarks.
I redirected Caden’s attention to the delicious tray of chicken.
His lips quirked when I offered him a piece, though he shook his head.
I shrugged and resumed eating, only to find him watching me as if I were the most fascinating thing in the world.
After his bad mood seeped out, I asked, “What’s going on between you and that guy, Kai?”
Caden watched me for a moment. “A difference of opinion.”
“Over?”
He weighed his words carefully. “I provided financial assistance to someone who had done me a favor. Cavendish wasn’t thrilled about it.”
“Why would he care if you gave someone money?”
“He was hoping to bankrupt this person and had specifically asked me not to get involved.”
Christ! Rich people and their twisted games. Kai was trying to rile Caden up just for helping someone.
I glossed over Kai. What an asshole. Kai grabbed a champagne flute from one of the servers and took a deliberate sip, though I noticed his eyes peered over his cup.
The move was discreet but so concentrated that I stopped eating.
I followed his gaze until it landed on a familiar face.
Amelie was chatting with a group of guests near the bar.
For a moment, I was struck by her beauty all over again.
It was the first time I had seen her out of her scrubs, her long dark strands swaying around her blue mermaid dress.
Her Middle Eastern features stood out prominently with her shapely brows, almond eyes, and deep golden skin.
I wasn’t surprised Kai was staring at Amelie.
She was probably the most beautiful woman here.
The intensity behind his stare merely took me aback.
My attention returned to Marcus as he introduced the crew responsible for onboard hospitality and gave us a brief history of the boat’s construction.
There was pride in his voice. He concluded his spiel by extending his hand toward me and Caden.
“I would now like to invite our host to kick off this gala with the first dance.”
My lips were around a piece of chicken when the spotlight fell on us, and every pair of eyes was on me. There was no warning, only mortification.
Caden didn’t miss a beat. He grabbed a cocktail napkin and wiped my hands like a parent helping their dirty child wash up after dinner. He did it with so much confidence, you’d think cleaning me under hundreds of watchful eyes was the most natural thing in the world.
“Dance with me,” he said.
The request punctured my safe bubble of anonymity. I was supposed to be his accessory while he conducted business, not the center of attention. I had no idea whether my previous self could dance. This was important to Caden, and I didn’t want to embarrass him.
Caden tugged me toward the dance floor. Just like magic, the crowd parted as he led me to the center stage. When I tensed in his hold, his face hardened. “You’re dancing with me, not heading to your execution.”
His expression softened the moment I gripped the lapels of his jacket.
With a hand around my waist, he pulled me against his chest. “It’s just a dance. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
The crowd swirled around us, but Caden remained still, giving me the precious seconds I needed to gather myself.
“But everyone’s staring,” I whispered, my lungs refusing to cooperate. I had relished the attention from Caden and the beauticians, but I’d never had this many eyes on me at one time.
His forehead pressed against mine, pulling my attention from our spectators. “Then keep your eyes only on me,” he murmured against my skin. “I’ve waited for this moment, when you no longer shy away from my gifts or my attention or being in the spotlight with me.” His tone grew harder, deeper.
I stared at him. Was he finally confessing to having known me all along?
This was a test to challenge my tendencies to shy away both from him and the limelight.
Conquering my fear of the public eye would free me from my lifelong shackles, and publicly claiming him would soothe his feelings of rejection.
His mouth grazed my hairline. “This is your chance to break old habits and become the person you were meant to be. All you have to do is get out of your own head.” His hand pressed against my lower back. “Can you do that, baby?”
I looked up into his unflinching stare. He needed me to break free from my old patterns, and I wanted to provide him with whatever he needed tonight.
His determination surrounded me like armor.
Confidence and strength poured from him into me, washing away my doubts.
My mind began to clear and silence the noise around us, giving my frayed nerves blessed relief.
I gave him a genuine smile. “Okay.”
I breathed as his palm curved possessively over my hip. Caden spun me onto the empty floor and pulled me back with practiced ease. He positioned his broad frame as if to shield me from prying eyes, and I knew he did it to ease my nerves. My tense shoulders relaxed under his poise.
The ballroom fell silent as I placed one hand in his and the other on his shoulder. The music swelled, and Caden moved with effortless grace, swaying me to his will.
My head rested on his chest, and he buried his face in my hair, letting out a low growl, like a predator who had caught the scent of his prey. “Why do you always smell so good?”
I lifted my face just as his eyes lit with the fierce intensity I had come to recognize all too well.
As if unable to help himself, he dipped his head and kissed me, despite the hordes of people watching us.
Startled, I tried pulling back, but his mouth followed, insistent.
My foggy brain tried to remind me that the entire boat was watching us, even as my fingers curled into his chest. Despite all those eyes on us, I couldn’t find the strength to pull away from his warm comfort. The raw kiss wiped my mind clean.
Dancing and kissing him with my eyes closed was a lethal combination.
Suddenly, it was only the two of us, and we were gliding across what felt like an endless expanse of polished floor.
I was practically floating, and it was all his doing.
I could hand myself over to him blindly, knowing full well he’d take care of the rest. When I finally pulled back, the room spun slightly beneath my feet.
We had stopped dancing.
There was a smattering of applause, along with whispers about the inappropriate public display of affection. My cheeks burned as I realized they’d been forced to witness our hardcore make-out session.
Marcus ran up to us with his mic, presenting me with a wave of his hand as if I had just finished a choreographed number on a show.
His eyes found mine, and some impish, private message sent a jolt up my spine even before he said, “Give it up one more time for tonight’s hosts, Dr. Caden Maxwell and his lovely fiancée, Rose. ”