Chapter 2

Daisy

A few hours earlier…

I pace the small balcony of my lux suite on the Infinity Voyager. When I first entered the spacious, modern room I thought I’d never want to leave, especially not with this amazing view of the ocean and sky surrounding me outside. The first few hours were heaven, but now I keep hearing people bustle past, excited to sample everything the cruise has to offer.

I should join them. It’s not like I’ll ever get another vacation like this again. The fact I’m here now still has me reeling. Out of the blue three days ago, I received instructions on how to claim my prize of an all-expenses paid cruise. Apparently awhile ago I had signed up for this giveaway through an Instagram thread and somehow, I won. After verifying it was legit, I took myself on a shopping spree, determined to make the most of my luck.

So , I ask myself, are you going to stay in the cabin the whole time or go to one of those amazing bars or restaurants the guide book raved about?

Storming to my overnight bag, since my suitcase hasn’t been delivered to my room yet, I pull out a heavenly blue sarong skirt and wrap it around my hips. The simple top I wore onto the ship matches it fine and my sandals will have to do. The person I talked to about my suitcase assured me it would arrive before I went to sleep.

I exit my room to find the whole ship is lit up like a birthday cake, with the sun just slipping below the horizon. Everyone is dressed to the nines, and I feel a bit invisible in my simple clothes, but that gives me the confidence to choose the bar on the very top level.

Arriving at the Stellar Sky Lounge, I’m in awe of the artwork adorning the walls. The celestial images instantly calm me, and I decide this is going to be my favorite place on the ship. My eyes wander the room, looking for a place to sit, when my gaze is captured by the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He’s looking my way, and I want to look behind me to make sure it’s me he’s looking at, but I can’t pull my stare from his. I feel as if the wind has been sucked out of my lungs. Am I breathing at all? Why is my heart pounding? Feeling both panicked and exhilarated, I jerk my head, tearing my eyes away from his, blushing as I try to focus on the rest of the room.

After a few blinks and deep breaths, I notice that all the plush chairs near the fire pits are already taken, not to mention that’s where he sits. I find a spot at the bar and slide into my seat. Motioning to the bartender, I try to ignore the prickles on the back of my neck letting me know I’m being watched. Is it him? I give myself a mental shake and focus on the wall of bottles in front of me.

It's not long before my handcrafted cocktail is being handed to me. No sooner than I take a sip, the guy I locked eyes with sits down beside me. I don’t dare take a peek, too nervous to make eye contact this close. I rub my sweaty hands down my thighs, and his gaze tracks the movement.

Even though I haven’t acknowledged him, he doesn’t go away and tries to buy me another drink. I choke on my honey martini, splattering liquid across the bar.

“Oh my gosh,” I splutter, embarrassed and wishing I had never left the comfort of my room. The man chuckles, takes a few napkins from the holder, and hands them to me. I wipe up my face, lingering a moment, wondering if I could simply smother myself and save both of us from further embarrassment.

I peek at the man beside me, noting once again how extremely freaking handsome he is. He’s maybe ten or so years older than me, rugged, blond, and built. Extremely freaking built. Golden blond hair like a Renaissance angel. Even in the dim mood lighting, I can see his vivid blue eyes rake over me from my sandals on up and back down again. He gives a crooked smile that sort of hints there might be a dimple if he decided to bestow a real smile my way.

“Thanks for these,” I whisper, shaking the soggy napkins in my hand before hastily setting them back down.

“No problem. I’m Mark Crane,” he introduces himself this time with a full smile, dimple and all, and reaches out his hand.

“Daisy,” I mutter, but make no move to take his hand. The one sip of alcohol must be the reason I’m frozen in fear, longing. Though I’ve just met him, my heart is telling me he can be trusted, but my head is envisioning the revolving door of toxic men my mother always brought into our lives. As I’m trying to pull myself out of my own insecurities, the silence stretches, and Mark’s grin slowly dims as he withdraws his hand.

Why didn’t you take his hand? I wail at myself. I hate that I’ve caused his smile to disappear. My brain scrambles for anything to say, and then I notice my phone, a text from work back home pinging through.

I snatch it up and read as if my life depends on it.

Mark hesitates, clearly unsure of what to do next. But then he stands and leans forward, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

“I’ll see you around the ship,” his voice is a promise, and I finally turn to watch him walk back to his buddies. I have to stop myself from banging my head against the bar top. Or worse, going after him. Instead, I choose to head back to my room, overanalyzing every moment with Mark.

Arriving at my suite, I take out my key card and insert it into the lock. It beeps red at me, and I frown, trying the door to double check. Locked. I insert the key again with the same result. Why won’t my key card work? I’m in suite 4506, right? I try again and get the same result.

“Why are you trying to get into my room? Have a change of heart?”

I swivel to see Mark Crane standing relaxed behind me in the hall, a blinding grin on his face. I only took a sip of my drink but something about his good looks makes me feel intoxicated. Like I should lean closer instead of backing away.

At that moment, 4508 pops into my mind and I silently swear. Keeping my head down, I mumble an apology and scuffle next door. This ship is huge. Why, oh why, is he my neighbor? The thought sets my body on fire, and I clench my thighs as I finally open the correct door.

My room is dark, and I step in quickly, too eager to escape Mark’s searing gaze to feel around for the light switch. There’s something big, smack in the middle of the hall and I’ve hurtled in so fast I start to pitch over it, my hands flailing. A squeak of shock flies out of me as I prepare to hit the floor.

But a big hand wraps around my middle and pulls me back to my feet. I’m stunned by the warm strength in his arm as he tightly drags me against his chest. A split second later, he’s steadying me with his hands lightly on my waist. Flipping on my light, he nods to my suitcase.

“Oh, I guess it arrived,” I say, still in a daze.

He’s way too big to be in this little entry way with me. Being lightly pressed against him, I can feel his heat through my clothes. I turn, still in his arms, and remember to thank him for saving me from a broken nose. He only chuckles.

“Looks like we have the same layout,” he says. “Amazing view off the balcony, isn’t it?”

Is he angling for an invitation to see it from mine? And if so, why do I want to give it?

“Yes, I was planning on doing some sketching,” I say, his proximity making my voice breathless

Now that he knows I have plans that don’t include him, I wait for him to leave. Except he stays, both of us searching the other’s face. The more I look at his chiseled features and friendly, gorgeous smile, the more I want to try to put him in my sketchpad. Could I capture the exact shadow of the scruff on his jaw?

Still beaming that smile that hits much harder than it should, he inches forward so that my head falls back against the wall as I gaze up at him.

“You’re an artist?” he asks.

“Illustrator and graphic designer.”

“That suits you.” He curls a piece of my hair around his finger.

“We just met,” I whisper.

“I know,” he sighs. “But I feel as if I know you.”

I should be nervous that an almost stranger says he knows me, but instead I yearn to lean into him. Mark does it for me, resting his forehead against mine, and I breathe in his scent. Just as I’m thinking of pulling him closer and finally securing my first kiss, he pulls back, dropping his hands from my waist.

“I’m going to leave while I still can,” his voice comes out much deeper than normal. He heaves a sigh and runs his hands through his hair, giving me a sheepish grin. “I’ll see you around, Daisy.”

Oh, God, his voice is so smooth. Hearing him say my name is like a jolt to my system. I nod and don’t move from my spot on the wall until after the door has clicked behind him. My heart is thudding, but it’s not nerves or fear.

It’s excitement and maybe something more.