Twenty-Four

Cory

Tonight's party theme was the Roman Empire, and on past cruises this was my favorite night. Everyone dressed in various stages of dress from long flowing gowns to something similar to a loincloth, it was wonderful and somehow a little magical. I enjoyed the hot bodies on display while draped to reveal just enough to tease, but then I remembered I had my own hot body to go back to this evening.

"What's got you smiling?" the host asked as I passed by where he was tidying up the entrance to the dining room.

"Just thinking about Rome," I said, and we both laughed. Most of the crew were single or just liked to be social. So, the party nights were always a hit with both the guests and the crew. Even when we complained it was mostly that we wanted to be a part of the fun. Mostly.

"Cory, right?" The same guy from last night walked toward me. He was dressed in linen shorts and a button-up shirt making him look like a rich tourist, not someone out for a casual day on a Caribbean island. He was probably around the same age as Jackson, but he seemed so much older.

"Yes, sir." I braced for what he'd say next. Most of the guests were still on the island, and since lunch service hadn't started yet we were the only ones here.

"I want you to join me for lunch today," he said. It wasn't a request. It was a demand, something I didn't deal with lightly.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I want you to join me for lunch. Make sure you order something special to be brought to my room. We'll be dining there so we can have some privacy. There are a few things I want to discuss that are best kept to the privacy of my room." The way he spoke definitely wasn't a request. He actually thought he could demand I spend time with him, and I had no choice but to comply. He was about to learn how little control he had over me.

"Sorry, but I work today, just like I do every day. We don't have any backup staff, so there's no way I can take time off to have lunch with you." I looked him straight in the eyes while I spoke, so he'd see I meant what I was saying, but he smirked before turning away.

"Do you know who I am?" he said as he turned around and walked back toward me.

"He may not, but I do," Jackson said as he walked into the dining room dressed in his kitchen uniform.

"JJ Carrington? What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Working, not that it's any of your business. Cory works today, he was very patient with you and explained he cannot leave his job to spend time with you. Now, what part did you not understand?" Jackson asked and stepped next to me.

"He should appreciate that someone like me noticed him. What the fuck, JJ, you're usually the one to hit it and forget it," he said, and I knew he wasn't wrong.

"You're right, but I'm trying not to be the asshole I've been in the past. Plus, if someone isn't interested, they're not interested." Jackson didn't look away, and I could hear in his voice he meant every word. Which surprised Neal, so he stepped up his bullshit.

"Maybe your captain would like to hear how you refused a guest request," Neal said, and looked at me. Then he stared at Jackson, obviously trying to intimidate him.

"Maybe he'd like to hear how one of the passengers was harassing a member of his crew. I don't think your followers would like to read online what a douche you really are, and I think I heard your daddy wasn't going to be bailing you out anymore." Jackson stepped forward and stared him down. He knew this guy. I wasn't sure how but there was too much tension between the two of them for this to be a random thing. "I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Cory's important, but you and all the bullshit that goes along with you mean nothing to me, and your little staring game does nothing other than waste my time," Jackson said.

"Gentlemen, is there a problem?" Max, the security guard who had put Jackson under house arrest, walked over and stood between them.

"This guy was harassing Cory," Jackson said. "This is his usual bullshit and Cory doesn't need it or deserve it."

"Cory?" Max said.

"He was trying to force me to spend time with him in his room, but I explained to him I wasn't interested and that I'm here to work. This is my job, but he didn't want to listen and tried to force me," Cory said, and ignored Neal.

"That's not true. You have no proof that's what happened."

"Actually, he does, I heard the whole conversation from here," the host said as he stepped over from where he'd stayed at the entry. "He was trying to intimidate Cory to get his way, even when Cory said no."

"Sir, you'll need to come with me," Max said and pulled out his radio. "Advise the captain I have a guest that I'll be bringing to the bridge to speak to him."

"Over," a voice crackled through the radio.

Neal's eyes widened when he realized no one was playing, and it didn't matter what his name was here. Here he'd be held responsible.

"This way please," Max said and walked behind him as another security guard walked next to him.

"Are you okay?" Jackson asked.

"Yeah, he didn't touch me or anything, he was just pushy," I explained, but I wasn't sure what could have happened. "He knew you."

"Yes, unfortunately we grew up together. His family is in the same business as my family, so we were at the same events a few times a year. He's always been an entitled asshole." Jackson's hands clenched as he tried to tone down his temper.

"It's okay. They don't take that shit lightly here. He won't be allowed to return unless he can control himself and be respectful. I bussed his table last night and I knew he was trouble. Go ahead to your shift. I don't want you to be late," I said to Jackson. He leaned in and kissed me, and I melted into his arms. That guy really had rattled my nerves, and I was thankful for the comfort Jackson offered. He gave me a squeeze before pulling back.

"If you have any trouble, call Max. I know for a fact he can handle it," Jackson said, before kissing my cheek and hurrying to the kitchen.

"So, you and the convict, eh?" the host asked with a grin.

"Yeah, I guess so." No more trying to deny it when we were apart. Jackson had something I liked, and I wanted more of it. Guests filtered in until the dining room was nearly full for lunch, and I was happy to finally get to take a load of dishes back to the kitchen. Jackson was hard at work each time I pushed a cart through the door, and it made the day go really fast.

By the time dinner service ended I was excited to have some time with Jackson before the Rome party started. When I walked out of the dining room, he was there wearing a big smile and looking like he'd been working hard all afternoon. "Ready?" he asked.

"Oh yeah," I said, and the two of us hurried past the pool and straight to our cabin.