Page 6 of Curves and Courage

Jesus. Get a grip.

“Huh, oh, yeah… It’s fine. My shirt is fine.”

She giggles playfully. “And your name is?”

“Samuel.”

“Well, Samuel. It looks like we’re destined to share more than just a collision today,” she says, her nervous laughter making her cheeks flush.

Good God. She might just kill me with how sweet her laugh is.

I fake a deep chuckle that barely leaves my heavy chest. “Where’s your friend?”

Her eyes suddenly lose some of their brightness and I’m instantly regretting my words. Shit. I hope she doesn’t think I want her friend. There’s no way I do. There’s no way I’ll ever want another woman ever again.

“She’s… well, let’s say, she’sbusy.”

I nod knowingly. “Ah huh. I see.”

She takes another sip, and her eyes meet mine again. “Yeah, busy. So I guess that means you’re stuck with me for now.”

I can’t help but smile. Wow, that feels weird. I can’t remember the last time I smiled.

“Believe me, I’ve been stuck in worse situations than this.”

We share a light moment, and I can only watch as her face lights up. Her laughter is lighter than the ocean breeze and when she shakes her head and pushes her hair back over her shoulder, every silky strand of it moves in slow motion, the movement making my blood heat beyond boiling point.

There’s something about this woman. Something intriguing and exciting. Something deeper than I’ve ever felt before.

She leans forward, resting her elbows on the table, and I catch something in her expression that makes my pulse quicken.

This isn’t just small talk. Hell, this mightn’t even be a coincidence that she’s sitting opposite me. There’s an energy between us that I can’t quite work out, and for someone who’s spent their entire life reading people, that’s saying something.

The waiter appears at our table, menus in hand, breaking the tension for a moment. “So then, are we ready to order? See anything you like?”

I glance across the table, and Stella has those gorgeous honey-brown eyes locked on me. She tilts her head to the side, flutters her long lashes and just blinks at me. There’s no doubt about it – she’s flirting with me. She’s working me out, trying to tempt me. This could all be a game to her.

I’m not sure she knows exactly what she’s getting herself into.

“Well… do you see anything you like,Samuel?” she asks, her sultry eyes daring me to make the next move.

I swallow hard, my gaze not daring to leave hers. I’ve spent all day complaining about being trapped on a cruise ship for two weeks. Now, I’m pretty sure I’ve found something, orsomeone,to do.

If she wants to play, then I’m all in. I can’t think of a better way to pass the time than with the beauty sitting in front of me.

Chapter Three

Stella

Itake a slow, deep breath and glance across the table at Samuel, my eyes locking onto his intense blue gaze. He’s staring back at me, but that heavy, hardened gaze isn’t giving me anything.

The tension between us is palpable, like a live wire stretched tight, ready to snap at any moment.

He’s been gruff and distant throughout dinner, his responses clipped. It’s like his focus is more on the steak in front of him than on our conversation. But I’m determined not to let him get away with that.

There’s something about him—something dark and brooding—that draws me in, and I’m not about to let it go so easily.

“So,” I say, taking a sip of my wine and letting the sweet, rich flavor linger on my tongue. “What’s your story, Samuel? You don’t strike me as the kind of guy who takes cruises for fun.”

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