Page 1 of His Curvy Ocean Maiden

CHAPTER ONE

Zariah

Some might sayI was a tad crazy for going on a solo cruise trip, but at this point in my life, I no longer cared about what people thought.

I was thirty-five, ran my own successful online business, worked my ass off to get where I was, and decided what the hell, it was time to take a vacation.

When the Uber I took from the airport dropped me off at the cruise ship terminal, my eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. The massive vessel loomed before me, and I couldn’t believe the size.

TheInfinity Voyagerwould be my home for the next two weeks, and my insides buzzed with excitement. I needed this vacation to get away from the small-town life in Appleridge. Don’t get me wrong, I loved where I lived. But sometimes a break was nice, too. Besides, I didn’t really feel like spending another Christmas alone, so I might as well escape the cold and embrace the warmth of paradise.

After checking in and grabbing my cruise card, I walked up the gangway toward the ship. My nose filled with the salty ocean air, and I already felt more relaxed than I had in weeks.

I tried to pay attention to the people walking in front of me, but I couldn’t stop looking at the ship. It was as if it hypnotized me.

“Welcome aboard theInfinity Voyager,ma’am! Be sure to double-check your room number. Your bags will be delivered to your room shortly. Enjoy your stay with us!” A security member smiled at me while checking my cruise card.

“Thank you,” I said as I slid my sunglasses on top of my head and walked onto the boat deck. I checked my card again-Room 7721, Sunset Balcony.

I couldn’t wait to see what the room looked like, and while I wanted to explore the ship right away, I knew there was plenty of time. As I walked along the exterior deck, I took in the lush greenery, endless lounge chairs, and cascading water fountains.

After following the signs for the elevator, I took it up to deck seven. When the doors opened, I was greeted with a breathtaking lounge area. People milled about with drinks in their hands and excitement on their faces.

“Champagne, miss? Compliments of the cruise line for your departure day.” A young server stepped up beside me with a tray of champagne flutes.

“Thank you.” I smiled big as I took the flute of bubbly. A little sip and I already felt giddy. I finished the drink quickly and was offered another, which I gladly accepted.

As I walked down the long corridor toward my room, I took in the beautiful art on the walls and the soft, ambient lighting.

I finally reached my door and pulled out my cruise card. I was about to swipe it when a booming voice echoed down the hallway.

“Watch out!”

I turned my head toward the sound and saw a large luggage cart barreling my way.What the hell?

Before I could react, a very tall, very large man jumped in front of me and stopped the cart. In his efforts to save me, my drink flew out of my hand and spilled onto the floor.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” His sexy Boston accent drew me in, and when he turned around, my heart leaped into my throat.

He was fucking gorgeous.

And a hell of a lot younger than I expected.

“Ma’am?”

I blinked a few times as my brain tried to catch up with my heart.

My cheeks flushed, and a weird sound emerged from my throat, as if I were laughing and clearing my throat at the same time. “Please don’t call me ma’am. I’m old enough.”

He threw his head back in laughter, and wow, did the sound make me tingle from head to toe. The man was drop-dead gorgeous. Tall, blond hair, blue eyes, muscles for days, and a sleeve of tats on both arms.

I clenched my thighs together as I ignored the rage of hormones coursing through me like a damn teenager in heat. It’d beenwaytoo long since I’d gotten laid.

“You’re not a day over twenty-five, and no one can tell me different.”

“Ha! Good one. Thank you for saving me from the runaway luggage cart.”

“You’re welcome. It’s kind of my cart anyway, considering it’s loaded with my family’s luggage. Leave it to me to lose control.”He laughed again, and his deep blue eyes shone.Goddammit, did he need to be so good-looking?

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