Page 41 of Devoured By You

“I like to think anything goes on my cruise ships. What is it you want to do, Addison?”

My head snapped up, my eyes homing in on Blay. Despite the heat, he wore a smart suit, a brilliant white shirt, and a crimson tie. He looked… beautiful. I broke into a smile, and my insides turned to mush.

“I—”

“Did you know you have a fucking creep on board?” Addison interjected before I could greet him.

I groaned. Great.

Blay’s jaw flexed, and he stood up a little straighter. “Pardon me?”

“Him.” Addison pointed. Blay’s eyes tracked to the old guy, who, fortunately or unfortunately, paid us no attention. He was too busy sticking his tongue down one of the girl’s ears. I almost brought up my breakfast. Pukesville.

“Ah, Mr. Sloan. Yes, he’s one of our more… eccentric penthouse guests.”

“Eccentric? He’s a sleaze. Tell him what he said, Jill. Go on.”

She nudged me into action. I gnawed my lip and considered the best way to word it. Penthouse. That meant he’d parted with a lot of greenbacks, as well as probably being a man with power and influence. Blay’s commentary about needing this voyage to be a success twanged the edges of my memory. He had enough on his plate with the diva-ish Scarlett Rose without adding to it the vile Mr. Sloan.

“Um… he seems to prefer a kind of… natural approach to sunbathing.”

Blay’s eyebrows furrowed. “Natural? I don’t follow.”

“He thinks—”

I shut Addison up with a glare and a toe poke. “He… well, he thinks the women are… overdressed. Top and bottom.”

A flush of red crept up Blay’s neck as my meaning hit home. A muscle throbbed in his cheek, and he scissored his jaw.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Just ask your bartender.” Addison couldn’t keep quiet a second longer. “He was the one Mr. Disgustington spoke to.”

Blay glanced over at the bartender, who looked as if he’d rather chow down on cockroaches for the rest of his life than get involved in this fiasco.

“Excuse me,” Blay said, beelining for Sloan.

I launched to my feet. “Don’t.” I put a hand on his arm. “He’s not worth it, and you said yourself how important it is that your VIPs are kept happy.”

“Happy, yes. Treating my cruise ship as his personal Pornhub is not acceptable.”

“He’s a creepy old man who probably can’t get it up, and being disgusting is how he gets his kicks. Leave it. Please. Addison was born outraged. Don’t let her coax you into making more of a fuss of this than there needs to be.”

His nostrils flared. He shifted his gaze between me and Sloan, his eyes narrowing. “Okay. But if anything like this happens again, I want you to tell me.”

“It’s good to see you.” I purposely avoided answering his demand. For me, it depended on the situation. I didn’t want to be at fault for this voyage failing to be the roaring success Blay deserved it to be.

His frown turned into a smile. “You, too. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you yesterday. I had a clusterfuck to deal with.” He rolled his eyes. “One of many.”

“Aspen told me. It’s fine. Your business is your priority.”

He lowered his head until his lips were inches from my ear. “I’m an expert juggler.”

A shudder spilled down my spine. “I look forward to a demonstration.”

He kissed my cheek. “I’ll come find you tonight.” Spinning on his heel, he walked over to the bar and tapped on the counter. “Kamal, these ladies are my special guests. Give them anything they want.”

Kamal dipped his chin. “You got it, Mr. Kingcaid.”

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