Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Zariah

I wasn’t about to turn down a hot man’s offer for drinks.

Especially not this man’s offer.

Pierce was one of the hottest guys I’ve ever laid eyes on. Being here was all about having fun. Put the two together and not expect sparks?

“Let me get rid of this thing quick.” Pierce grabbed the luggage cart. “Want to hop on?”

Is he serious?

“Hop on as in ride it? Are we five?” I laughed in disbelief, but as the idea began to sink in, it wasn’t actually half bad.

“Sometimes it feels good to be a kid again.”

“You know what? I told myself I was going to take chances on this cruise no matter how silly or stupid they may be.” I hiked my small purse up on my shoulder and hopped onto the cart. I sat crisscross, making sure my long dress covered my legs, and held on with both hands. “Okay, go!”

Pierce’s whole face lit up with joy as he got behind the cart. “Hold on tight!” He pushed me through the hall, dodging people as he went, while I laughed harder than I ever had in my life. Tears streamed down my face from the uncontrollable laughter, and when he finally stopped in front of the elevators, we laughed some more.

“I don’t think other people enjoyed us reliving our childhood,” Pierce said as the elevator doors opened, and he pushed the cart inside.

I got off it and stood beside him as the doors closed. His manly cologne filled my nose, and my stomach flip-flopped. “Fuck them.”

His head snapped my way, and once the look of shock wore off, he laughed. “Spicy girl. I like it.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I flirted back, unable to help myself. He was charming as hell, and goddamn was he charming my panties right off.

“Don’t tease me like that.” His voice dropped an octave, and heat flooded between my legs.

“Or what?”

Pierce looked down at me, his several inches of height I didn’t have causing him to tower over me, with his chest rising and falling in quick succession. I nearly jumped into his arms, the sexual tension between us so tightly wound in this short timespan and small space. He stared into my eyes, searching like he was asking me a question or maybe permission.

I should’ve said no, should’ve shaken my head and stopped this before it even started, but I stood there, my movements and words frozen.

He closed the distance between us more, and when his head dipped low, I knew without a doubt he was going to…

Ding!

The elevator doors slid open, and there stood a crowd of people before us. Pierce nodded and cleared his throat. “Excuse us,” he said as he pushed the cart out of the elevator, with me following.

After he returned the luggage cart, he stood before me and ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair. “Any place in mind you want to go for a drink?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t had a chance to look through the cruise catalog yet.”

“Did you check out the website?”

“No,” I admitted sheepishly. “I kind of wanted everything to be a surprise.”

“Damn. I couldn’t have waited if I tried. I stalked the website for months beforehand.”

“Really?” A corner of my lip rose, and I swallowed hard in hopes of holding back my laughter.

“I can be a little nerdy sometimes,” Pierce admitted as we walked over toward the guest relations area where maps of the ship and lists of restaurants and attractions could be found. “But it’s my first cruise, so I couldn’t contain my excitement, I guess.”

“Makes sense. I’ve been excited, too. A little nervous as well.” I picked up a catalog.

“I get that. We’re kind of trapped on this massive boat that’ll soon be in the middle of the ocean, miles and miles away from shore.”

My stomach twirled. “Thanks for unlocking a new fear,” I teased.

“You don’t have to worry.”

“Why’s that?”

“You met me. I’ll protect you,” Pierce said firmly, and I was a little taken by his tone. I didn’t expect him to be so…so… possessive and bossy.

It sent a chill through my spine.

“Guess I’m the luckiest girl on this cruise, then.”

“You sure are.” We paused for a moment as our eyes locked again, just like on the elevator mere minutes ago, and blood rushed through my ears. My face felt hot.

I broke the connection, unable to hold it any longer, afraid of what I might’ve done had we stared at each other another second.

“Are you hungry?” Pierce asked.

I nodded and tossed down the catalog. “Starving.” In more ways than one…

“Let’s go eat, then. I already know where we’re going.”

We took the elevator up to the deck where a few restaurants and a theater and casino were. We talked and laughed as we walked around the area and took in the sights of the ship together.

Once we arrived at Sapphire Seas Steakhouse, we were seated almost immediately. The restaurant was not quite busy with the dinner rush yet. It was only midafternoon, but I was famished, and I greedily read over the entrées and appetizers.

Sapphire Seas was a stunning steakhouse that offered an upscale dining experience. Deep blue hues of color were splashed throughout, reminiscent of the ocean’s depth along with sleek dining tables and booths. A sparkling crystal chandelier centered in the middle of the room added to the upscale feel, and the best part was the ocean view through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

As we dove into endless amounts of surf ’n’ turf and drinks, our conversation flowed as if we had known each other for years, like two good friends meeting for dinner. He revealed he actually is ten years younger than me, with him being only twenty-five, but at this point, I no longer cared. He was all man to me.

He told me about his family and what it was like growing up with three older sisters and being the baby of the family. His life was more interesting than mine, considering I inherited my grandmother’s house in the small mountain town of Appleridge. I had no siblings, didn’t know my father, and my mother passed away a few years ago from cancer, but Pierce was actively listening the entire time. He made me feel as though I were interesting, and for the first time in a long time, I felt heard and seen, which felt fucking amazing.

The time slipped by easily, and before I knew it, the sun was setting behind us, and the restaurant was shutting down for the evening.

Pierce took my hand as he led me out of the steakhouse and toward the casino. “Care to gamble with me?”

My full stomach and all of the wine we drank had me feeling warm and fuzzy. The last thing I wanted was to head back to my room alone.

I nodded as I bit my lip playfully, the giddiness radiating out of my every pore. “Bet I’m a better slot player than you.”

Pierce grinned, and his eyes darkened as his gaze dropped to my plump lip. “Ha! I highly doubt it. Let’s find out.”

He kept his large hand wrapped around my small one. Heat traveled up my arm, over my shoulder, and crept up my neck and into my cheeks.

I barely knew this man, but I knew one thing for sure.

He was fucking perfect.