Page 3 of His Curvy Ocean Maiden

I knew they meant well.

As did my parents and their sometimes meddling questions. I understood; I was their baby. Their youngest. And their only boy.

But I often wondered if they knew me, the real me.

“Any restaurants you want to try first?” Annie thumbed through the cruise catalog left on our dresser, her mind set on food.

“You know my pick,” I said as I sat down on the futon.

“Sapphire Seas Steakhouse,” all three of them said in unison.

“Damn straight.” I pat my belly. “I’m ready for all the surf ’n’ turf I can eat.”

“Only you would study the restaurants and memorize the menus.” Leah snickered, and I tossed a throw pillow at her head.

“How about you shake off that crappy mood of yours? We’re on a cruise, sis. Lighten up. Or get a cocktail.”

My other two sisters chuckled, but Leah’s scowl only deepened.

“I’m sorry if I can’t be Miss Happy-go-lucky. Did you forget Tim dumped me a week ago?” Leah threw her hands up in the air and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Shit. No one told me?

I shot a dirty look at both Annie and Tracy. “Neither one of you could have filled me in?”

“Tracy said she was going to tell you,” Annie responded.

Tracy shrugged her shoulders and feigned an innocent look. “Sorry. I was going to, but then it slipped my mind. There was just so much to do before the cruise.”

Granted, out of my three sisters, Leah was definitely the one with the fiercest attitude. She was fiery, which wasn’t a bad thing. But it would’ve been nice to know, so I toned down my playful teasing. Yet like so many times before, I was a pro at defusing conflict. Fights between sisters would do that to a guy, I supposed.

“I get it. Just next time, I’d appreciate a heads-up,” I said as I stood. I walked over to the bathroom door and knocked. “Leah, I’m sorry. I didn’t know about Tim. What a dickhead. He’ll regret dumping you, believe me. He lost a great catch.”

I heard a soft thank you and a few sniffles.

“I’ll be back with some drinks,” I announced.

I stepped out of the room, dragging the now empty cart behind me, and closed the door. I released a large sigh and closed my eyes for a moment as I leaned back. I loved my family, but damn, sometimes all of them at once was a bit much.

When I reopened my eyes, the very door I stared at not too long ago opened.

And there she was.

The woman of my dreams.

“Hey! Fancy seeing you again.”I grinned as I closed the distance between us, leaving the cart behind. I couldn’t help but drink her in, her long floral sundress hugging every one of her gorgeous curves. I didn’t hesitate to take my time checking her out, wanting to appreciate every inch of her beauty. Her exotic looks made me pause, with her long black hair and hazel eyes, sun-kissed skin and dots of freckles along her nose.

Zariah smiled a bright one that made her eyes shine, and pointed behind me. “You sure that thing isn’t going to come barreling toward us?”

I chuckled. She was adorable. “I hope not. But if so, I’ll protect you.” I winked.Since when did I become a flirting fool?

“You did a pretty good job before, besides the alcohol abuse.”

“Abuse, huh?” I chuckled under my breath, the noise more growl like than anything.This woman and her magical powers, making me growl like an animal. What is wrong with me? “Why don’t I patch things up? Let’s go get a drink.”

“Right now?”

I nodded. “No time like the present.”Dude...shut up. You sound like your parents.“I mean, if you’re not busy, or…” I shoved my hands in my pockets and forced myself to shut up.

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