Page 34 of The Companion Love Trap

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EVERLY

CRUISE DAY ONE

I hadn’t slept well, tossing and turning all night as thoughts of sexy men plagued me. I’d given up halfway through and spent some time with my favorite vibrator, but even that hadn’t done the trick. When the batteries died, I called down to the front desk to get some more, hoping a hot bellboy would bring them to me. But alas, Gertrude was pushing seventy and didn’t seem to have the physical aptitude to keep up with me.

That and she’d turned me down.

If the idea of boycotting dick and instituting a cleansing binge didn’t horrify me so much, I’d call this cruise the ‘no fucking zone.’ But since that wasn’t going to happen, I needed an emotional condom to keep any feelings from catching.

Skipping breakfast with the guys, I spent the morning taking time for myself, knowing it might be the last moment of ‘me time’ I’d get. Once I stepped out of this room, I’d be a girlfriend, albeit fake; I’d still need to bring my A-game.

Companion Rule #5—fake it at all costs.

Zipping my last bag, I took a deep breath and headed to the lobby. The hotel coordinated with the cruise, meaning I could leave my luggage with the attendant, and would only need my purse with the essentials for now.

I spotted the guys on the terrace, Jace laughing at something as he told Kieran a story. I watched them together, enjoying the secret peek into their lives. They were two of the most gorgeous men I’d come across, and it wouldn’t be a hardship to spend the week with them.

The clock behind me chimed, reminding me it was time to quit hiding. I had a job to do, and if there was one thing I did well, it was to give everything I had. I didn’t know how to do anything less. Hello, trauma. Focusing on doing my job, I pasted on a smile as I sauntered toward the guys, the cute sundress sashaying around my legs. Jace spotted me first, standing to greet me.

“Good morning, fellas.”

“Morning, Firecracker. You look incredible as ever,” he said, kissing my cheek and pulling me into a hug. His hands smoothed over my body, leaving goosebumps in their wake. The man did not play fair.

“Everly,” Kieran greeted with a nod, his blue eyes trailing over me, too. Smiling, I stepped closer to him.

“Practice, Kieran. Remember? You need to greet me like Jace did, at the least. But most boyfriends are a little more enthused to see their girlfriends.”

“Right.”

His eyes widened, and he took a deep breath and moved toward me. If he wasn’t so cute being slightly petrified, I’d feel bad for forcing him to do this. But since I enjoyed his discomfort, I stepped into his arms and wrapped mine around his waist to help him out. His lips touched my forehead in a gentle caress and had me closing my eyes before I could stop myself. Damn shivers.

Why was that so sweet and hot at the same time?

There was no way he knew that spot was endearing and probably kissed me there since it was the closest to his height. But holy moly, I’d have to prepare myself for that next time if he was going to be dropping forehead kisses as currency.

I squeezed his waist once more, dropping my arm after a few seconds and stepping back. Jace eyed us carefully, a soft look on his face I didn’t understand.

“Ready? We have early boarding, and our luggage will be taken to the cabins. We can tour the ship and get the lay of the land before grabbing something to eat,” Jace stated.

“Sounds perfect. Lead the way.”

I wrapped my arm around Kieran’s, his body tensing before he let out a breath. He gave me a nod before he took off. The three of us headed toward the ship docked at the end of the pier. The closer we drew toward it, the sheer size of the vessel became apparent. Gulping, my eyes scanned over it as I took it in. Wow! This was some high-class cruise if the ship was anything to go by.

“Good morning, Mr. Byrne and guests. Welcome abroad, the Brilliance.”

My head swiveled back and forth as I took everything in. Jace nudged me when it was time to show our passports and scan our tickets. Oh, right.

“Welcome, Beverly Carlisle. Bon Voyage,” the attendant said.

“Beverly?” Jace asked, giving me an odd look.

“It’s Everly,” I told the attendant, ignoring Jace. “The B is silent.”

“Of course, Miss Everly. I’ll have them change your lanyard. It acts as the key to your cabin, access to meals, and any activities you wish to do. Use this one for now until they can bring your new one to your cabin,” she explained, not missing a beat at my name.

“Thank you,” I said, taking my passport and the lanyard she handed me.

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