32. Margo

Margo smiled and moved to the beat, but her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and anxiety.

She had made up her mind that tonight would be her first time with Negal, but she had no idea how to make it happen. She was sharing a cabin with Frankie and Dagor and Negal was sharing a cabin with Aru and Gabi. She was nervous enough as it was without the added complexity of the lack of privacy.

Margo tried to keep her expression serene, to lose herself in the music, the dancing, and in Negals eyes, which looked at her with such depth and warmth. But given the crease between his brows, Negal was sensing her disquiet.

Whats the matter? he asked. Are you tired? Do you want to sit down?

No, Im fine. She smiled up at him. Are you enjoying yourself?

The crease between his eyebrows deepened. I have you in my arms, so of course, Im having a good time, but I know that something is troubling you. He leaned closer and brushed his lips over her ear, eliciting a shiver. You can tell me anything, sweetheart.

The sudden flash of desire loosened her tongue. I was just thinking about our lodging situation, she whispered. Its not very conducive to romance. When we are ready to take the next step, and Im not saying that it is now, but when we are, I would have liked for us to have a cabin to ourselves, she finally confessed.

His expression shifted from concern to understanding, and then his eyes started glowing again, but this time, she had no doubt about the nature of the catalyst.

Leaning so his mouth was at her ear, he whispered, I believe that there are plenty of staff cabins available if you are willing to lower your standards a little.

The idea of having a space just for them ignited a spark of hope, but the logistics of arranging that seemed daunting.

Her cheeks heating up, Margo pressed closer to him and whispered back, I would be more than happy in a bare necessities cabin if thats whats available, but who can we ask about it?

It felt so awkward to talk about it. Those things should be spontaneous, not planned like a military operation.

Ill find out. His hand ran small soothing circles on her back. Leave it all up to me.

Shed known he would say that and was relieved that he would spare her the embarrassment of inquiring about a spare cabin herself, but on the other hand, she hated relying on others for things she could easily do but preferred not to because of nonsensical considerations like outdated attitudes toward sex.

When the song ended, Margo stepped out of Negals arms. Would you excuse me for a few moments? I need to visit the ladies room.

Ill come with you, Frankie said. I need to freshen up as well.

Had Frankie heard their conversation and was about to suggest a solution?

Perhaps Margo should have started there and asked her bestie for advice.

When they reached the bathroom, though, Frankie immediately ducked into one of the stalls, which implied that her visit to the bathroom had nothing to do with the lodging dilemma.

With a sigh, Margo entered the stall next to her friend and relieved her bladder.

As they both stepped up to the sinks to wash their hands, Frankie cast her a sidelong glance in the mirror. Whats going on with you? You look stressed.

Its a stressful situation. Margo tucked a few loose strands into her chignon. Its such a weird feeling to know that everyone is expecting me to get in bed with Negal.

Frankie chuckled. Everyone probably assumes that you are already sharing his bed. Immortals are, by and large, a lustful and uninhibited bunch. None of them would think that you are holding off on the fun. She smiled at her in the mirror. The truth is that I dont know why you are doing that either.

Lack of privacy, for one, Margo shot back.

The moment you close the door to your bedroom, you have all the privacy you want. You can moan and groan to your hearts content, and we will not hear you. If you scream, though, we might, so dont. I mean, do, just no screaming. Not that I care if you do, but you seem to, so yeah. Frankie put a finger over her lips. Turn down the volume.

Margo shook her head. I envy the ease with which you approach sex. I wish I could be as open and outspoken about it.

Frankie narrowed her eyes at her. Youve never seemed to have a problem talking about it before. Is it just because its Negal? Does he intimidate you because hes a god?

She could have lied and said yes, but maybe it was time that her friends knew the truth. Negal doesnt intimidate me. I have a problem with getting intimate with a man Ive just met. Your rule about having sex for the first time with a guy used to be at least three dates, mine was more like thirty.

Frankies eyes widened. No wonder you had a problem keeping boyfriends. Who was willing to wait that long?

I exaggerated a little for emphasis. She hadnt.

Shaking her head, Frankie glared at Margo and then pulled a tube of lipstick out of her clutch. You had me there for a moment. She refreshed the color on her lips.

I might have exaggerated, but you get the gist of it. Im also a very private person in that regard. She reached for Frankies lipstick. Do you happen to know who is in charge of assigning cabins?

Ingrid. Why? Do you want to move out? I dont think there are any cabins left.

Negal said that there are plenty of available cabins in the staff quarters. Margo dabbed a few touches of color on her lips and then smacked them together.

You must be really desperate to settle for a staff cabin. They have single beds, but I guess you can push two together to make a king-sized one. Still, its like making love for the first time in a closet or the backseat of a car. Not the kind of accommodations that are conducive to pleasant memories.

Yeah, I guess you are right. Margo handed Frankie the tube. Do you have a better solution?