Page 5 of Dreamboat

I feel very lucky in an unexpected way. Maybe I should veer us off course so we can head straight to the onboard casino.

“You’re probably wondering how I ended up on the same cruise as you,” Donovan breaks the silence that has been weighing us down since we left Dr. Feil’s office. “A few weeks ago, I stumbled on a brochure for the cruise in the break room at work. Premier Pet Care’s break room.”

I can’t tell if he adds on the name of the veterinary clinic he owns as a subtle humble brag or if he thinks I’m going to somehow confuse which of my two older twin brothers he works with.

Matthew is the veterinarian and the man Donovan hired a few years ago.

Roman is an estate lawyer and a dad to three kids.

They may look identical to an unfamiliar eye, but I can tell them apart with ease. Besides, their personalities are nothing alike.

Glancing up at him, I nod. “My younger brother got me the trip as a birthday gift. Matt told me that he ran the idea by him first, so that could be the reason why you found the brochure.”

Or another employee of his decided to break free of the confines of New York City to set sail on the calm waters of the Atlantic for a few days.

He smiles. “That makes sense.”

For a brief moment after I first saw him earlier, I wondered if he planned on being here because he’s crushing on me the same way I’ve been crushing on him for months.

I first realized what a hotter-than-all-heck man he is when I was on my way to drop off a sandwich for Matt at the clinic one day. Donovan was on his way out with my brother.

Time stalled for a second in what felt like an epic big screen romance movie moment.

He is literally the best looking man I’ve ever seen, and as I steadied my breathing to a normal pace on that sidewalk, I thought about what I’d say when I walked up to him and Matt.

Unfortunately, Roman decided to call me at that exact moment in need of a favor for his daughters. I took off to help him with the bag with Matt’s sandwich inside still clenched in my fist, and my heart thundering in my chest.

Later that day, I followed every social media account I could find that belonged to Dr. Donovan Hunt.

We round the corner headed toward my cabin. “Is this your first cruise?”

It’s my spin on the generic ‘do-you-come-here-often’ question I’ve seen asked way too many times in the old-school romance movies I watch.

“It is. I’m a cruise virgin,” he says in a voice that is peppered with years of experience in all forms.

I bet the man is a beast in bed. He gives off that energy. Even his images on social media scream that he’s confident, commanding, and more than capable of showing a woman a good time. He exudes an intense magnetism that can’t be ignored.

I smile at the notion that this man is a virgin in any sense.

“What about you, Delia?” he asks with a perk of his left eyebrow. “Have you sailed the open sea before?”

“Never,” I answer without hesitation. “I’ve also never wanted to, but I’m not one to turn down such a generous gift.”

“Maybe your brother knew exactly what you needed.”

“Maybe,” I say as we near my cabin door. “Now, that I’m here, I’m looking forward to enjoying the rest of the voyage.”

He takes a cue from me as I slow my pace. He does the same, his gaze dropping to the low-heeled open toed sandals I’m wearing. “How does your toe feel?”

“Good,” I answer truthfully. “It’ll feel better when I get into the tub and have a nice, long soak.”

His gaze trails my entire body from head to foot and then charts a course right back up until his eyes meet mine. “I’ll see you around?”

“It’s a big ship,” I point out. “But I’m sure we’ll cross paths again.”

“We will.” He nods like he’s intent on making certain that does indeed happen. “It was nice to officially meet you, Delia.”

I wait to see if he’ll hold out a hand because I’m not opposed to touching him again. Something definitely sparked inside me when he scooped me into his arms earlier.

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