Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Pierce

I stared at her door, transfixed. As if a magnetic force held me there, I couldn’t move.

Um, why did my world suddenly feel tipped on its axis? Who is that woman?

“Pierce? You okay?” My oldest sister, Annie, appeared next to me and rested her hand on my arm.

I quickly ran a hand over my face and hoped she didn’t notice whatever smitten, dumbass look I was probably wearing. “Yeah, I’m good, why?” I asked as I held the luggage cart for dear life.

She shrugged and looked between the door and me. “Maybe because you’re staring at the door like you’re in love with it, and it’s not even our room.” Annie snickered as she slid her arm through mine and pulled me across the hall.

“Ha! Guess that champagne really did go to my head.” I laughed it off and let her lead the way back to our room as I pulled the cart behind me. My sisters and I were sharing a room, a larger one with two queen beds for my sisters and a pull out futon for me. Our parents were staying in the room next door. I quickly emptied the cart, handing each of my sisters their bags and placing mine and my parents’ next to the futon.

“Maybe we should get something to eat before we drink again,” Annie said in true Annie fashion. She filled her role of eldest sister well, forever mothering and bossing us around.

“That’s a good idea. I’m starving,” Tracy, the youngest of my three sisters, said. “And I’ve heard the food on these cruises is to die for, with endless options.” She rubbed her stomach, and I laughed.

“Where do you put it all? Seriously, Trace, it’s annoying.” Leah, the middle of the three sisters, rolled her eyes as she unpacked her suitcase into some of the drawers.

“I can’t help it!” Tracy said, but I knew she loved sticking it to Leah whenever she could. The two of them clashed a lot, and I always suspected it was because they were so close together in age, only fourteen months apart.

Growing up with three older sisters was hard. Besides their larger-than-life personalities, sometimes it felt like they were coming at me from all angles. Especially when all three gave me ’tude at the same time.

I knew they meant well.

As did my parents and their sometimes meddling questions. I understood; I was their baby. Their youngest. And their only boy.

But I often wondered if they knew me, the real me.

“Any restaurants you want to try first?” Annie thumbed through the cruise catalog left on our dresser, her mind set on food.

“You know my pick,” I said as I sat down on the futon.

“Sapphire Seas Steakhouse,” all three of them said in unison.

“Damn straight.” I pat my belly. “I’m ready for all the surf ’n’ turf I can eat.”

“Only you would study the restaurants and memorize the menus.” Leah snickered, and I tossed a throw pillow at her head.

“How about you shake off that crappy mood of yours? We’re on a cruise, sis. Lighten up. Or get a cocktail.”

My other two sisters chuckled, but Leah’s scowl only deepened.

“I’m sorry if I can’t be Miss Happy-go-lucky. Did you forget Tim dumped me a week ago?” Leah threw her hands up in the air and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Shit. No one told me?

I shot a dirty look at both Annie and Tracy. “Neither one of you could have filled me in?”

“Tracy said she was going to tell you,” Annie responded.

Tracy shrugged her shoulders and feigned an innocent look. “Sorry. I was going to, but then it slipped my mind. There was just so much to do before the cruise.”

Granted, out of my three sisters, Leah was definitely the one with the fiercest attitude. She was fiery, which wasn’t a bad thing. But it would’ve been nice to know, so I toned down my playful teasing. Yet like so many times before, I was a pro at defusing conflict. Fights between sisters would do that to a guy, I supposed.

“I get it. Just next time, I’d appreciate a heads-up,” I said as I stood. I walked over to the bathroom door and knocked. “Leah, I’m sorry. I didn’t know about Tim. What a dickhead. He’ll regret dumping you, believe me. He lost a great catch.”

I heard a soft thank you and a few sniffles.

“I’ll be back with some drinks,” I announced.

I stepped out of the room, dragging the now empty cart behind me, and closed the door. I released a large sigh and closed my eyes for a moment as I leaned back. I loved my family, but damn, sometimes all of them at once was a bit much.

When I reopened my eyes, the very door I stared at not too long ago opened.

And there she was.

The woman of my dreams.

“Hey! Fancy seeing you again.” I grinned as I closed the distance between us, leaving the cart behind. I couldn’t help but drink her in, her long floral sundress hugging every one of her gorgeous curves. I didn’t hesitate to take my time checking her out, wanting to appreciate every inch of her beauty. Her exotic looks made me pause, with her long black hair and hazel eyes, sun-kissed skin and dots of freckles along her nose.

Zariah smiled a bright one that made her eyes shine, and pointed behind me. “You sure that thing isn’t going to come barreling toward us?”

I chuckled. She was adorable. “I hope not. But if so, I’ll protect you.” I winked. Since when did I become a flirting fool?

“You did a pretty good job before, besides the alcohol abuse.”

“Abuse, huh?” I chuckled under my breath, the noise more growl like than anything. This woman and her magical powers, making me growl like an animal. What is wrong with me? “ Why don’t I patch things up? Let’s go get a drink.”

“Right now?”

I nodded. “No time like the present.” Dude...shut up. You sound like your parents. “I mean, if you’re not busy, or…” I shoved my hands in my pockets and forced myself to shut up.

“I’d love one,” Zariah said as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

I wanted to be the one to do that. To cup her cheek with my palm and feel her soft skin against my roughness. To lean in for a kiss and taste her sweet ruby-red lips.

I had no idea what was happening to me. I’d never felt so possessive over anything before. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her off.

We had two weeks on this cruise together.

And I planned on making every second count.