Page 12 of Curves and Courage

I smirk and buckle my belt. “Come back to my cabin.”

She smiles and twists her dress so it falls perfectly over her sexy body again. “Are you asking me or telling me?”

I chuckle and step in closer, my hand sliding down her every curve until I’m gripping her bountiful ass. “That’s up to you, but either way, you’re coming with me.”

“Again?” she winks, and I can’t help but laugh.

Two weeks on a cruise ship? With this girl?

Maybe it won’t be enough, after all.

Chapter Five

Stella

Ispend the night with Samuel, and when we eventually decide to get dressed and leave the comfort of his king-sized bed, my legs feel like jelly. My body has never felt so much pleasure, so much dominance and raw power before. The way he handles me is incredible, like I’m his very own pleasure doll to use as his own, all while taking care of my needs first.

I don’t know how he gets the balance right, but then again, I don’t know much about this man. All I know is that when I’m with him, nothing else matters.

We decide to head straight to the Opulent Oasis Martini Bar on Deck 16 and when we arrive I see exactly how it got its name. It’s a mix of rich, dark wood, dim lighting and plush velvet seats that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

“This place is cool,” I say, loving the way Samuel’s hand is in my back, guiding me gently as we work our way to the bar. He orders for me and I turn to face him, smiling at his rugged beauty. “Thanks for such a good night. I had a lot of fun.”

He nods his head without a smile. I’m starting to get used to it, but it’s still odd to see a man with literally no emotion on his face.

“I had fun too,” he says deeply. “I want you to stay again tonight. I’ll take you to dinner, and if you want to go dancing again, we can do that.”

The bartender hands our drinks to us and I take the first sip, feeling Samuel’s heavy gaze on me the entire time. The tartness of the drink wakes me up immediately, sending the haze of lust that’s been fogging my brain all morning away.

Samuel is standing beside me, staring with those piercing blue eyes as if he’s waiting for me to answer his request. The way he says these things, the words he uses, it’s like I don’t have a choice. He’s said it before, but I truly feel like Ibelongto him.

My skin tingles under his scrutiny and I’m reminded of how it felt to be with him last night. How his rough, worn hands roamed over my body. It’s like he was worshipping me, treasuring every inch of my skin, searching me like he owned me, owned this body.

“I’d like that,” I say, smiling up to Samuel.

We move to sit by the open window that overlooks the pool below. It’s mid-morning and people are starting to fill the spaces around the ship. There’s a nice relaxed feel to the day, and the sunshine beaming down on us makes me feel all warm and happy.

“So,” I say, sipping my martini. “Falls Creek, eh? That’s a small town, right? What it like growing up in a place like that?”

Samuel twirls his glass, watching the liquid swirl around as if he’s contemplating his answer. “Yeah, it’s a small town. I grew up there, born and raised. It’s home, and it’s pretty much all I know.”

“It sounds nice,” I say, toying with the stem of the glass in my fingers. “I’ve always been a city girl. LA is, well, it’s a beast, but it’s where I’ve built my life.”

“Would you ever leave?” Samuel asks, his possessive eyes hitting me like he’s gripped on my next answer.

I shrug, trying my best to sound casual and nonchalant about it all. “Perhaps. There’s always been that part of me that wondered if I could ever leave it behind. The hustle, the constant pressure. It’s a lot, and maybe there is something more out there, something I’ve been missing because I’m stuck in the grind.”

“You don’t seem like the kind of woman who lets anything hold her back,” Samuel says, his voice low and gravelly, the tone sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re driven. Passionate. I like that about you.”

The compliment warms me and I can’t help but smile. “Thanks. I work hard to get where I want to go. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.”

His gaze drops to my lips before slowly traveling back up to meet my eyes. “I can tell. You’re incredible, Stella.”

The way he says my name, the way it justrollsoff his tongue. It’s enough to make my pulse quicken. I take another sip of my martini, watching him closely from the corner of my eye. He’s looking out over the ship, lost in his thoughts, but showing no sign of… anything. He’s like a blank canvas, with scars and wounds that still hold so much mystery.

I clear my throat, ready to ask the question that I’ve been dying to since I met him.

“So, Samuel…” he looks at me, as if he senses the questions that’s sitting on the edge of my lips. “What happened in the military? Why did they make you take leave?”

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