Page 45 of Cocky Cruiser

She laughed, her features relaxing. “Okay, I’m gonna hold you to that.”

Adele squeezed my hand when the first needle went in but didn’t after that. She kept our fingers threaded throughout the acupuncture treatment, and I couldn’t believe how natural it felt. I typically didn’t hold hands with chicks because it was too intimate. And I didn’t do intimate.

But with Adele, something kept me from pulling away and putting distance between us. Maybe it was because I was on vacation and knew we were a temporary thing. Once the cruise was over, we’d never see each other again.

A pit formed in my stomach as I thought about that. I didn’t want to admit that I dreaded parting ways with the beautiful blonde I’d met less than two weeks ago. Or that she’d made a dent in my armored heart.

After the technicians finished the acupuncture, they led us to the changing rooms to dress before the next part of our spa day.

“There’s more?” Adele asked with her eyebrows raised in surprise.

I patted her on the ass with a smirk. “Yes. Now get dressed, buttercup.”

I was done changing before Adele, so I waited for her in the spa lounge, where they had fruit-enhanced water and comfy lounge chairs.

About five minutes passed before my technician came to get me and led me to Adele. We were taken back to the lobby, where Adele asked me, “What’s next?”

“Well, you’re getting some fancy conditioning treatment for your hair, followed by a manicure and pedicure. I’m getting a hot shave, scalp treatment, and a trim.”

Adele smiled. “You really went all out, huh?”

I grinned back. “Go big or go home. You’re lucky I didn’t book any facials or Botox.”

Rolling her eyes, she laughed playfully as two different staff members came to get us for our next treatments.

Adele was taken to the women’s salon as I was led to the barbershop. It was unreal that they had a barbershop on a cruise ship, but cruise ships were a little over the top.

Cara would’ve loved all the extravagance and luxury. Since she’d been confined to a hospital room for most of her life, she enjoyed special experiences and things.

When we’d taken our road trip, I hated being stuck in a car with my family for fourteen days. But Cara’s happiness was more than worth it. She’d looked up the ultimate cross-country road trip and planned out every stop. She loved to plan and organize anything she could since she had little control over her life due to her condition.

We saw the Grand Canyon, Alamo, Liberty Bell, and Statue of Liberty. We visited Yellowstone Park, Graceland, and the White House. We hit every state except Alaska and Hawaii, but our parents had taken us to both before Cara had become ill.

Looking back on the trip, I’d give anything to have fourteen more days with my sister, even being stuck in a car with her annoying singing and my parents arguing.

Although bittersweet, I was glad that I had those memories to remind me of how wonderful she was.

After my hot shave and trim, I was led back to the lobby to wait for Adele. I decided to hit the gym for a quick workout because I knew her treatments would last longer than mine, and I probably still had a good hour before she’d be done.

When I returned, Adele was being led back into the lobby. Her hair had been styled into loose curls, and she looked like a model off the runway. “Hey, beautiful,” I greeted with a grin.

She smiled. “Hey, yourself.” She extended a hand and foot for me to see. “Do you like my nails?”

I took her hand in mine and examined her freshly painted nails. She’d chosen a light shade of pink, which made her fingers and toes look dainty and feminine. “Yes, they look great.”

A blush dusted her cheeks. “Thank you so much for all this. It was just what I needed to help with the cabin fever.”

Lifting her hand to my lips, I kissed the back of it. “You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.”

Honestly, I enjoyed pampering Adele and spending money to make sure she was happy. She was such a genuine, kind person, and she deserved everything I’d given her and more, especially after what she’d been through in her life.

From the spa, we headed back to our suite to get ready for dinner. The spa had taken up most of our day, and it was almost our designated time for dinner.

At dinner, Adele was quiet and looked like she had something on her mind. “Everything okay?”

She gave me a small smile. “Yes, just a little tired.”

We hadn’t known each other long, but after being together twenty-four seven for the past two weeks, I could tell when something was bothering her. “You can talk to me, you know.”

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