Page 13 of Curves and Courage

He glances sideways at me, and I see something change in his eyes. It’s subtle, but I definitely see it in the way his jaw tightens.

I wonder if I’ve pushed too far, but then he exhales slowly, as if releasing a weight he’s been carrying.

“It’s complicated,” he says, a low guarded tone grappling his voice. “Let’s just say, there was a mission that didn’t go as planned. I got hurt, my men got hurt and it left me with scars that I’ve never quite got over.”

I nod, sensing the moment to lean back and let him spill his thoughts. It’s obvious he doesn’t do this often, so I remain silent, and just listen.

“Things just kept going wrong, and I lost my patience a few times, making bad calls while out in the field,” he continues, staring into the bottom of his empty glass. “I’m not proud of it, but being in the military means everything to me.”

“You should be proud,” I say, reaching to grip his thigh. “What you do is incredible. I would never be able to do it.”

He shakes his head and I see the depth of his pain in his heavy gaze. “Anyway, it just kept getting worse. Then, after one failed mission too many, they sent me here. They said I needed time to ‘recover.’”

He practically spits the last word out. His eyes meet mine and for the first time, they’re not blank – they’re full of something dark and turbulent, something that pulls at my heart and makes me want to reach out and hold him close to me.

“And how is that going for you?”

“It’s different,” he admits, shrugging those big round shoulders that have been carrying all of this for too long. “I’m used to being in control, used to being the one who takes care of things. But now, I’m the one who needs help. And I fucking hate it.”

I squeeze his leg, realizing it’s the one that he usually lips on. He’s such a strong man, such a battler, but deep down, this hero has been hurting for too long.

“You don’t have to do it alone, Samuel. If you ever need someone, I’m here. Okay?”

He looks down at my hand, surprising me when he loops his fingers through mine and gives them a tight squeeze. He looks to me and my heart skips a beat when I see a hint of something warmer, something like relief in his gaze.

“Let’s get out of here,” he says, his voice returning to that deep, vibrating rumble that makes my skin tingle with excitement. “I can’t sit here drinking all day. And an amazing woman like you deserves better than that. Let me take you somewhere special.”

The promise in his words sends thrill of excitement through me, and without hesitation, I’m following behind me as he grips my hand so strongly.

We walk through the lavish steps of the ship’s corridors, my eyes drawn to the burly man at my side. I can’t help but steal glances at him, at the way his muscles ripple beneath his shirt, at the way his chiseled jaw clenches tight. He’s so sexy and I can’t believe I’ve been so lucky as to find him.

Samuel leads the way and soon the scent of chlorine and lavender fills my nose. It’s serene and calming, and eventually, I’m standing next to Samuel at the counter of Infinity Voyager’s Day Spa, listening as he organizes a couple’s massage for us, splashing out on the best essential oils and beauty products for us to use.

“Ever had a massage on a cruise ship before?” he asks, his tone playful as we step into our own private room, waiting for our masseuse to arrive.

I shake my head as Samuel hands me one of the plush white gowns hanging in one corner of the room. “No, but I’m definitely up for it. This room so adorable.”

A haven of tranquility, the room is bathed in soft, warm lighting. The air, soothing and fresh, is filled with the scent of lavender and eucalyptus, mingling with the faint aroma ofthe ocean that lies just beyond these walls. In the background, gentle, ambient music plays softly, a barely-there melody blending perfectly with the mood of the room.

“Why don’t we get comfortable then?” Samuel says, stripping off his shirt to reveal his hard chest and rippled abdomen.

My mouth waters at the sight of this hunk of pure masculinity. I can’t resist stepping over, reaching out to trace the lines of his muscles with my fingers.

“Fuck, Samuel,” I whisper, my eyes glued to his hard muscles. “You’re so sexy. So hot.”

His eyes darken with lust, and he grabs my wrist, pulling me flush against the warmth of his naked chest. “You have no idea what you do to me, Stella.”

I can feel the hardness of his cock pressing against me. I reach down and grab it through his underwear, the steel rod growing in the palm of my hand.

“Why don’t you show me then?” I say, tempting him closer to my lips with my heavy breath.

He smirks, like I’m daring him to take control. I might never discover the mystery of this man, but I know what he needs. And right now, he needs me.

His hands go to the waistband of his underwear and they quickly fall to the floor, leaving my grasp wrapped tight around his cock. He’s hard, growing bigger by the second and I start to stroke him, dying to feel him in my mouth.

I drop to my knees, not caring if our masseuse walks in right now.

Samuel watches me, his heavy gaze studying my every movement from above. I run my hand along his length as his enormous chest rises and falls with heavy breathing. Without another word, I take him in my mouth, relishing the instant taste of his salty bulbed head.

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