Chapter Six

Dylan

The door clicks shut behind Joel, and I slump against it, running a hand through my hair. Fuck. What am I doing?

The lie I just told Joel sits heavy in my gut. Caress is like a little sister? Jesus. If he knew the thoughts I’ve been having about his actual little sister, he’d probably deck me harder than I hit Trevor.

But what was I supposed to say? “Hey, man, I think I’m falling for your sister, but I have no idea if she feels the same way, so I’m just gonna keep pretending to be her boyfriend and hope for the best”? Yeah, that would’ve gone over well.

The truth is, I’m not even sure when things started to change. When did Caress stop being just Joel’s little sister, just my capable assistant, and become… everything?

I push off from the door, pacing the length of my cabin. The morning sun streams through the balcony doors, catching on the rumpled sheets of my bed. The image of Caress sprawled across those sheets fills my mind. Her flowing black hair fanned out on the pillow, her skin glowing in the soft light, those full lips parted in a sigh…

Christ. I need to get it together.

One thing’s for sure, I can’t keep lying to Joel. Or to myself. It’s time to have a real conversation with Caress, to lay it all out on the table. We need to figure out what this thing between us is before we leave this ship, or I might lose my mind.

Decision made, I stride to the adjoining door. My hand hovers over the handle for a moment, my heart pounding. I take a deep breath and knock.

“Caress? It’s Dylan. Can we talk?”

Silence. I wait a beat, then knock again, a little louder this time. Still nothing.

Maybe she’s in the shower? Or she could’ve gone down to breakfast already. Disappointment settles in my chest, but I push it aside. We have that meeting with Edward soon anyway. I’ll catch her there and pull her aside afterward for a private talk.

The hot shower spray hits my skin as I step in. I close my eyes, trying to focus on the upcoming discussion with Edward. But my thoughts keep drifting to Caress. That black dress hugging her curves. Her sultry laugh. The way her eyes sparkle when she smiles.

God, she’s gorgeous. And brilliant. And kind.

I groan, giving in to the fantasy. My hand drifts lower, gripping my hardening cock. I imagine Caress here with me, water cascading over her tan skin. Her lips on mine, hungry and passionate.

“Caress,” I breathe, stroking faster.

My mind fills with vivid images. I imagine her breasts pressed against my chest, my hands cupping her perfect ass and sliding inside her wet heat.

I brace my other hand against the shower wall, lost in the fantasy of Caress writhing in pleasure, crying out my name. The familiar tension builds as I chase release.

I need more. My free hand fumbles for the waterproof vibrating ring I keep hidden in the shower caddy. With trembling fingers, I slip it over my throbbing shaft, clicking it on. The low buzz mingles with the shower’s steady patter.

“Fuck,” I hiss, the sensation intensifying every stroke.

In my mind, Caress is grinding against me, her nails raking down my back. I can almost feel her silky skin, and taste the salt on her neck. My hips start to move of their own accord, thrusting into my grip.

“God, Caress, you feel so good,” I groan, my voice echoing off the tile.

The fantasy shifts. Now she’s on her knees, looking up at me with those piercing blue eyes as she takes me in her mouth. I imagine her soft lips, her talented tongue…

My breathing quickens, becoming ragged and shallow. Every muscle in my body tenses as I reach for the building pressure. I grip the shower wall harder, knuckles white, desperately seeking support as my knees threaten to buckle.

“Caress, baby, I’m close,” I pant, stroking faster, twisting my wrist just so.

The coil in my gut tightens further. I feel the telltale tingle at the base of my spine, the tightening of my balls. Pre-cum leaks from my tip, quickly washed away by the shower.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I chant, my voice growing more urgent with each repetition until everything in me convulses and I cum. Hard. Washing and replacing the cock ring, I return to my shower.

I step out of the shower with my body clean, but my mind still reeling, and I know I’m in deep shit. Giving in to my impulses was supposed to quench my growing thirst for Caress, but it’s left me wanting more. And while I’ve become a pro at pretending, I don’t think my cock will do the same. I sigh and move to get dressed for the meeting with thoughts of Caress still on my mind.

* * *

Straightening my tie, I head towards the conference room, my stomach knotting with anticipation. As soon as I enter, I spot Caress, looking stunning as always in a fitted navy dress. But something’s off. Her usual warmth is absent, and no smile nor morning coffee greets me as she hands a cup to Joel.

“Glad you could join us, Mr. Carter,” she says, sarcasm lacing her tone. “We were beginning to think you’d gotten lost at sea.”

I flinch at the jab but maintain my composure. “Traffic was terrible,” I quip, trying to lighten the mood, but Caress just rolls her eyes. Maybe the feelings behind our moment last night weren’t as mutual as I thought.

Throughout the meeting, I struggle to focus on Edward’s presentation. My attention keeps drifting to Caress, noting every clipped response, every tightening of her jaw. What’s going on with her? This isn’t the woman I know.

“And how are things progressing with the test campaign, Mr. Carter?” Edward’s question snaps me back to reality.

“Excellently,” I respond, forcing enthusiasm into my voice. “And, please call me Dylan. Caress and I have been working tirelessly to ensure its success.”

I catch Caress’s eye, hoping for some sign of agreement, but she quickly looks away. My chest tightens. We need to talk, and soon.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Edward nods approvingly. “And… forgive me if I’m overstepping, but how are things on a personal level? You two seem… tense.” His expression sobers. “I won’t lie. The altercation last night has raised a few concerns with my team. They’re worried that with a relationship such as yours within your company it will only lead to you not dedicating a hundred percent to our campaign, seeing there already seems to be a level of … ‘drama’ surrounding your union.”

I swallow hard. I expected this. Hell, we practiced for this, but Caress’s demeanor throws me off a little. My gaze flicks to Caress, who’s suddenly found the carpet fascinating. Deciding to stick to last night’s plan, I plaster on my most convincing smile.

“Not at all, Edward. Caress and I are rock solid,” I assure him, my voice steady despite the lie. I turn my gaze onto Caress to see her reaction to the statement I’m about to add. I was done pretending, and right now, I didn’t care who knew. “In fact, I intend to marry her one day. You can quote me on that.”

Caress’s head snaps up, her eyes wide. For a split second, I see a flicker of… something. Longing? Hope? But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by that same annoyed expression she’s worn all morning. Joel clears his throat, but I train my eyes on Caress, who is again doing everything to avoid looking in my direction.

“Wonderful,” Edward says, a smile in his voice. “My team and I just want to be sure any related drama won’t affect our future business. Enjoy the rest of the cruise, I’ll check back in re the test campaign when we’re back on land.”

“I’ll walk you out, Edward,” Joel offers, Caress standing swiftly after him.

Oh no you don’t. Whatever this resentment is that she’s pushing in my direction isn’t leaving this room. As Joel leads Edward towards the door, I move swiftly to Caress’s side. My fingers wrap around her elbow as I lean in, my lips nearly brushing her ear.

“We need to talk,” I whisper, my voice deeper than expected. “Now.”

Joel glances back over to us with a raised brow as he opens the door.

“Everything’s fine,” I assure him with a smile. “We’ll be right out.”

Joel’s mouth opens as if to say something but thinks better of it. Instead, he simply shakes his head then leaves.