Page 13 of Faking It at Sea

“Of course.” I set her phone on the couch beside me and leaned my cheek on the top of her head. “I promise, you’ll feel better in the morning.”

She grumbled something unintelligible, and a few minutes later, her gentle snoring tugged a smile to my lips.

The next morning, Missy was nursing a powerful hangover, but despite what she described as a skull-splitting headache, she was grateful I’d kept her from responding to Robert. I offered to stay and hang out with her in the room—she was the whole reason I’d come on this trip, after all—but she put her foot down when I told her about Sutton and the ATV tour.

“Go, June Bug. I mean it.” She shooed me toward the door with her hair in tangles and circles under her eyes. “I could use some time to myself anyway.”

That I was willing to believe, but I still didn’t like leaving her alone.

Before I left, I made sure she had plenty of water and aspirin. “Call me if you need anything.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re going to be off the ship. If I need something, I’ll call the suite host.”

“Are you sure? I really can stay. We can watch movies and?—”

“I’m going back to sleep. If you’re still here when I wake up, I will never let you live it down.” With that, she rolled over on her side and pulled the covers over her head.

It was a little dramatic, but that was just part of who she was.

“Fine, I’ll go,” I said. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” she muttered, her voice muffled by the silky duvet.

When I finally made it to the elevators, I was running fifteen minutes late and holding out zero hope that Sutton would be there. Except he was, and when he spotted me, his face lit up.

“Hey, I was starting to think I’d missed you.” Dressed in tan Dickies shorts that showed off a slew of tattoos and a white t-shirt that hung just right on his muscled frame, all I could do was stare for the first few seconds.

I mean, damn.He was attractive the night before, but I’d been hoping my attraction to him had more to do with alcohol and less to do with his genetics and charm.

Based on the butterflies flitting about in my middle, that was not the case.

“Sorry I’m late. Missy is nursing a hangover, and I needed to make sure she was good before I left.”

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Brandon was in pretty rough shape too. How are you feeling?”

Aside from that annoying flutter that wasn’t going away? “I’m good. Ready to hit the road.”

He motioned to the elevator. “Lead the way.”

I stepped inside, his heat brushing against me as I moved past him. Visions of his big body crowding me, pushing me up against the wall in that shiny elevator, filled my mind. His cologne was subtle, just enough that I only caught the scent when I was close enough for my shoulder to brush his chest, but my god, he smelled amazing.

It was like the man had dusted himself in warm cedar and... something. It took me until the elevator doors whooshed open to name that hint of sweetness. “Are you wearing lavender?”

“I’m impressed. Most people don’t pick up on it.”

“It’s an interesting choice.”

He eyed me. “Interesting good or interesting bad?”

“Definitely good.”

His chuckle made my pulse jump. “I’m glad you approve.”

We made easy small talk with each other and other guests as we made our way ashore. He seemed more at ease compared tothe night before, but maybe I’d just caught him at a bad moment. We were all getting acclimated to the ship, after all.

I swept aside the hum of desire that cascaded along my nerve endings every time the backs of our hands brushed as we walked side-by-side to the tour check-in. There would be plenty of time to drool over the guy later. You know, when I was in my room. Alone.

I knew I should have packed my vibrator.

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