3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

~ Addi ~

I turned to look at him, cocking my head to the side. He stood about a good half foot taller than me, his hair short, trimmed in a nice gentleman's cut, and the sexiest of neatly trimmed and maintained beards covered his face. But his deep, chocolate-brown eyes are what captured my attention.

He was a good-looking man, and no doubt knew it.

I wasn't the type of woman who liked helping to inflate an already huge ego.

So, with a smirk, and a final glance, I walked away, leaving him hanging there, thinking whatever he would, and made my way to my cabin.

I had seen the pictures of these rooms, and I needed to see them in person, to agree if they were as gorgeous as to be believed. The boat was already impressive and there were quite a few things I wanted to try. But I was also wondering about how often I would leave my room if it was as glamorous as it showed.

I swiped my card in the reader and pushed the door open, my jaw dropping at the opulence of the room held. Most cabins were small, tight spaces that didn't leave you longing to stay in them. And although this was a small room, it wasn't so tightly cramped, and I didn't feel like I had to suck in my stomach to get into areas. And the bathroom was equally as nice. No hitting stuff every two seconds.

Okay, the ship was far superior compared to any others I had been on.

I grinned as I sat my bag down on the table, glad to see my luggage was already there; then sat down on the bed, groaning at just how soft it was.

"Oh boy," I grumbled, "how the hell am I ever going to leave this thing?" I stretched out and lay down, closing my eyes. Could I spend the next two weeks just lying here? I mean, this alone would take away all my stress and I could die on this pillow of comfort. Sure, there were things I wanted to see when we docked, but if I had to leave my bed, I was really going to question it now.

I rolled over, letting out another sound as the bed seemed to cradle my aching hip. Okay, for sure, not leaving.

I took the pillow and grabbed it, grinning as I cuddled it. It wasn't a man, but then again, it's been a bit since I've had that. And let's be real. This pillow wasn't about to give me the fucking headaches that a man would. Sure, not the same pleasure but eh, I would be fine as long as it remained soft.

With that, I chuckled, finally getting up. Okay, time to put stuff away and get ready for dinner. Though it wasn't long, the drive from the hotel to the dock left me sweaty and nasty and I needed to be clean for dinner. Call it a funky part of my personality.

I pinned my hair back on the side, liking how it exposed my neck, which all enhanced the features I highlighted with my makeup; that being the bright blue eyes.

Job well done.

With that, I made sure to stuff the key card in my pocket and walked out of the room, following the nicely done signs to the main dining room. I was to believe that the tables were organized by room number, which meant I was about to know my neighbors if this was where they chose to eat, anyway.

"Thank you," I muttered to the waiter as he held my chair for me, and I sat down. "May I have some extra water, please?" He nodded as he handed me the night's menu and I glanced at it.

"Wow, it must be my lucky day."

I snapped my head up, seeing the man from earlier take the seat across from me. Once more his eyes captured my attention. Then it dawned on me just how close he was, and I wasn't quite sure how to feel about that. I mean, he was highly attractive, and sure, a holiday fling would be something nice, but I knew nothing about this man, and I just didn't need to think about it now.

"I guess so. Guess that also means you're not too far from my room."

"Well, I do like those odds," he replied.

I rolled my eyes at that, yet I couldn't help the smirk. Okay, so this man was a flirt. I could handle that.

Right? Right.

"How about we get to know each other a little more before we start talking about being close together? What if we decide we hate each other? Or want nothing to do with each other?"

"Hmm, good point. I never got to ask your name when we got on the boat." He sipped the water the waiter placed before him. Which gave me a moment to take in the strong facial features, the square jaw that was hidden by that beard, and the Adam's apple that bobbed while he took the drink.

All things I should not be thinking of.

Remember, not this moment, not this time. Later, like in a few days later. I could do that.

"You didn't." I teased him, not wanting to give in right away to what he was silently asking. Flirting wasn't something I was new to, but it had been a while.

He grinned at me over the rim of his glass.

"Do you always play hard to get?"

"Can't say I do. But it sure does help in my job from time to time."

"I can appreciate that. I like strong women. I'm not one who is into pushovers."

I couldn't help but cock a brow at that. From the few interactions I had, this man exuded not just wealth but power as well. I wasn't sure that seeing a meek woman on his arm was something that would be done.

"Funny, most men might be."

"Touché. However, I'm far from being like most men."

He had me there. Not just mentally but physically as well.

"I'll give you that, sir." He smirked again and I couldn't help but shake my head at that.

"What do you do for a living that makes you such a strong woman?"

"I'm a lawyer." He nodded at that. "And you?"

"Music business."

Huh. He didn't strike me as a musician, not with the power-play. But there were many fields within the business that went unnoticed.

"So, do I get a name?" he questioned, and I licked my lips.

"Addison, but you can call me Addi." The fork that was halfway to his mouth paused and the man that had sat down next to him started laughing. I glanced between the two and raised my brow.

"What?" the man across from me asked.

"Where is the witch? She's here?" That came from the man next to him.

Excuse the fuck out of me? What witch?

Fuck no, he was not talking about me.

Was he?