Chapter 1

Finn

" A re we two lone otters swimming in a sea of bears? Because I'm feeling a little out of place." I glanced over at Daniel, who was practically drooling over the sea of bearded men boarding the cruise ship. "But I guess it doesn't matter. After all, in the wild world of love, sometimes you have to dive into the deep end to find the perfect match."

Daniel lifted a brow and shook his head. "You stayed up watching Sex And The City reruns last night in the hotel, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because you sound exactly like Carrie right now, except she does it better." Daniel laughed. A man with a face full of freckles and fiery red hair strolled up, sporting a green t-shirt adorned with a black paw print.

"Hi, my name is Mickey, and I'm your cabin steward. Welcome aboard the ‘Bearacruz'! If I could just see your paperwork, I'll be happy to show you to your cabin and make sure you're comfortably settled in."

"I've got our tickets," Daniel handed them to Mickey. "We're sharing a cabin."

Three months ago, I'd purchased both of our tickets. Daniel was a cook at Fireside Forge Brewery, and I'd given him the cruise as a thank you gift for running an exceptional kitchen. Plus, it was his birthday, and since both of us had a thing for bears, I wanted my best friend to enjoy the experience, too.

As we followed Mickey through the narrow hallways of the cruise ship, I couldn't help but sneak glances at the bearish men surrounding us. Each one seemed bigger and hairier than the last.

"You simply must go to the Stanley Steamer if you ever get lonely," Mickey winked at me as we got into an elevator. "I go there whenever I get the chance."

"The Stanley Steamer?" Daniel lifted a brow.

"The sauna, where anything goes, as long as security isn't around." Mickey winked at me again, and I glanced over to Daniel to keep from laughing aloud.

Mickey kept chattering on about various activities and events happening on board, but I was only half listening. My mind was too preoccupied with finding a little love on the high seas. In Richmond, I felt like I knew everybody, so this cruise was the perfect way to have a simple, no-strings attached fling, or three.

Finally, we reached our cabin. Mickey unlocked it and opened the door, revealing a cozy space with two twin beds, a small bathroom, and a large porthole window overlooking the dock.

"Here you go, gentlemen," Mickey said with a smile. "I've already taken the liberty of unpacking your suitcases and hanging up your clothes. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Daniel shook his head with a grin. "No thanks, Mickey. We'll take it from here."

As soon as he left, Daniel flopped onto one of the beds and let out a contented sigh.

"I could get used to this," he said dreamily. "Hunky guys, hopefully some excellent food, and I get to see my folks when we reach Veracruz."

After I bought Daniel his ticket, he'd contacted his family in Mexico. They were driving from Guadalajara to meet him, and he'd be spending that night with them in a hotel.

I collapsed onto the second bed and took a long, deep breath. The salty, briny scent of the ocean immediately filled my senses. A thought crossed my mind - maybe I should sell the brewery and move to Florida, where I could breathe in this intoxicating aroma every day.

"You should open a brewery here in Miami," Daniel murmured, reading my mind. "I'll manage it for you."

"Yeah, like I can afford it."

This year I'd finally turned a profit at the brewery after three years in the game. It was a tough business, but I loved Fireside Forge and the community who supported it. I pushed myself off the bed and grabbed the shiny red folder with the list of activities off of the tiny desk in the corner of the cabin. "If we hurry up and get changed, we'll be just in time for the first event of the day."

"What's that?" Daniel sat up and yawned, stretching his arms over his head. "If it's that Build-A-Muscle-Bear thingy, I'm not interested. I want to relax and get laid, not go to an exercise class."

"Daniel, you're into muscle studs, right?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I want to be one." Daniel pulled his t-shirt off, got to his feet, and opened the closet door. "Let's face it, neither of us is actually a bear. We're otters who love bears. Bear aficionados, boo."

Daniel pulled out a studded leather harness. "Help me with this, please."

"Dude, it's not even noon." I shook my head. "Isn't that more of an evening look?"

Daniel crossed the room, stared out the window for a moment, then beckoned me to join him. "Looks like you're the one who will be out of place, Finn."

There were dozens of men strolling around the deck, and several of them were donning leather while the Florida sun beat down on them.

"If you don't mind getting a heat rash, or worse, a fungal infection, go ahead. Wear your harness, but trust me, after a couple of hours in the heat, you'll regret it."

Daniel frowned. "I guess those guys do look a little tragic wearing full on leather when it's over ninety degrees. Damn it, I bought this stupid harness to wear on the cruise, and I want to wear it."

"Do you wanna know where the hottest studs are right now? And I can guarantee you they aren't wearing a lot of clothes." I crossed my arms over my chest and grinned.

"Where?" Daniel's brown eyes widened.

"The Build-A-Muscle-Bear class, dork."

While Daniel went to the exercise class to lift weights for the first time in his life, I decided to enjoy a spa day. Yeah, I know, it wasn't very bearish, but the brochure made it sound so relaxing.

Be pampered from head to toe by our expert masseurs who cater to your every need, using techniques tailored to melt away any tension and leave you feeling utterly rejuvenated. Whether you opt for a deep tissue massage to soothe tired muscles or a revitalizing facial to refresh your skin, each treatment enhances your sense of well-being. After your spa day on the "Bearacruz," you emerge feeling like a new bear, ready to continue your journey with a renewed sense of vitality and relaxation.

Afterward, I was meeting Daniel on the main deck for The Grizzly Games. The events included Bear Wrestling, Tug of War, and Dodgeball. Poor Daniel was going to be exhausted after lifting weights for the first time and participating in the games.

I was hoping a little time in the spa would both relax me and make me look hot. Meeting a stud would hopefully be easier after a facial. Plus, I was thinking of a spa day as a little foreplay. I imagined a muscular man stroking my muscles with meaty hands, squeezing me in all the right places. Hell, if the dude was hot enough, perhaps he'd give me a happy ending?

When I got to the spa, I pushed open the double doors and froze. A woman wearing a white uniform greeted me.

"Hi, are you Finn?" She stepped forward and held out her hand. "I'm Eve, and I'll be your esthetician for the day. According to the computer, you signed up for a massage, facial, and a mani-pedi. Was there any other services I could interest you in?"

I tried not to look disappointed, because she seemed really nice. When I took her hand in mine and shook it, I noticed she had bright pink nails. Damn it, the total opposite of foreplay for me.

"Hi Eve, nice to meet you." I dropped her hand and sighed. "Just tell me what to do, because I want you to make me pretty."

"What happened to you?" Daniel greeted me on the main deck. "Did you get laid already, because I swear you are glowing."

"Nah." I noticed Daniel limp as he fell in step next to me. "I went to the spa, and they rubbed a ton of oils into my skin. What happened to you? Was the Build-A-Muscle-Bear class too much for your skinny ass?"

"Oh my God, I'm in so much pain. But I have to admit, I got kind of buzzed from working out. I think I'm going to keep lifting weights even after the cruise is over." Daniel stretched his arms over his head and yawned. "I know I'm going to sleep well tonight. So, what games are we signing up for?"

I stopped walking and slowly turned completely around. "Over there. See where all the hot guys are?"

Daniel glanced over and shrugged.

"Whatever event that is, let's do it. Might as well be where all the hotties are." I smiled and started walking while Daniel limped along behind me. A sign stated that it was The Great Bear Pull, and had a clipboard and a pen hanging from it.

"What on earth is a bear pull?" Daniel asked. "Do we grab a bear by the arms and legs and…"

"Tug of war, dork." I giggled, grabbed the clipboard, and signed both of us up. As soon as I finished, I noticed several crew members dragging a giant portable swimming pool onto the deck.

"Ooh, that's pretty." Daniel stepped forward and shielded his eyes from the sun while staring at the pool. "Is that rainbow jello?"

"I believe it is." Inside the transparent pool, sunlight reflected off of a kaleidoscope of colored jello. "I don't remember reading about any jello eating contests in the brochure."

A deep voice from behind me laughed. "Dude, it's for the tug of war."

I turned and saw a much older hairy man with a beard reaching halfway down his chest. He winked at me, and I felt a blush creeping up my neck. "The tug of war happens in the jello."

"Oh," Daniel and I muttered at the same time. I spun around and whispered to Daniel, "What was the point of the fucking facial and massage if I have to get into that vat of jello? No matter if we win or lose, I'll end up looking like shit."

"Fuck it then," Daniel grabbed the clipboard and pen. "I'll just scratch our names off and…"

I grabbed Daniel by the elbow and nodded toward the jello pool. "Oh my God, that has to be the hottest man on the ship."

My breath caught in my throat as I met the intense gaze of piercing blue eyes. Even Daniel, who prided himself on his composure, gasped beside me. The man standing before us was a perfect specimen of masculinity - muscular and toned, without appearing overly bulky or gym-obsessed. His sun-kissed skin glowed in the golden hour light, highlighting every curve and ridge of his body. Strands of hair curled at the nape of his neck, while a trimmed beard added to his rugged, yet refined appearance. I couldn't help but wonder if he had a perpetually scruffy five o'clock shadow, even in the early hours of the morning. All he wore was an olive green jockstrap, leaving little to the imagination and showcasing his natural beauty for all to see. He strolled over, and for a moment I thought he was going to say something. Instead, he smiled at Daniel, who stood there like the village idiot, staring at him. Their gazes locked for a long moment, and I noticed his tan skin blushing. Finally, the handsome stranger spoke.

"Excuse me, but is this where you sign up for the tug-of-war contest?"