Chapter Fourteen

Kyle

Ican't wipe the grin off my face as we make our way through the atrium. Axel's performance was wild, his stage presence leaving me in awe, and the crowd ate it up. I steal a glance—his dark hair is messy, and he's flushed, but his eyes are sparkling.

"You were incredible up there," I tell him. "I've never seen anything like it."

He flashes me a smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed the show. But the night's still young. What do you say we grab a drink?"

I know social settings aren't his comfort zone, especially when he's fully dressed in his rock star garb. The curious stares and whispers from fans put him on edge.

"You're not too exhausted?" He's told me about the joy of performing, but also the sudden drop in adrenalin.

"Hey, you only live once and I don't want you to miss out on seeing everything the ship has to offer."

"I wouldn't be too disappointed," I say, aiming for flirty with a waggle of my brows.

Axel chuckles, slipping an arm around my waist to pull me against his side as we walk. "Just one drink and we can see where it takes us?"

My chest warms that he's putting his own anxieties aside so I can fully experience the cruise. Part of me wants to steal away together, but with Axel at my side, going out for a cocktail actually sounds fun. "Lead the way," I reply.

We arrive at the martini bar, a cosy space with dim lighting that immediately sets an intimate mood. Soft strains of jazz float through the air, mingling with the clink of glasses and the low hum of conversation. Axel places a hand at the small of my back and he leads me towards a velvet lounge in front of a dark wooden coffee table.

As we settle into the cushy seats, I notice some curious glances and whispers from the other patrons. It's an older crowd, and while they seem to recognise Axel, they maintain a respectful distance. Axel seems unconcerned by the attention. He picks up a leather-bound drinks list and leans back against the lounge, his arm draped casually along the back. "So, what tickles your fancy?"

I hesitate for a moment, suddenly self-conscious about my lack of experience with fancy cocktails. "I'm not sure," I admit. "I'm more a beer and wine guy. I don't really know much about martinis."

Axel chuckles. "Don't worry, I've got you covered." He signals to a nearby server and places an order.

When the drinks arrive a few minutes later, I find myself cradling a chilled glass filled with a pale pink liquid, a chunk of pineapple balancing on the rim. Axel's looks more like a classic martini with its clear liquid and three olives on a long toothpick.

"Cheers," he says, raising his glass towards me. "To new experiences and good company."

I clink my glass against his, then take a sip. It's fruity sweet but tart at the same time and the alcohol has a kick. "This is delicious. What is it?"

"French martini," Axel replies, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles. "Vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur. A little sweet, a little unexpected—kind of like you."

I feel a blush creep up my neck at the compliment, grateful for my tan and the dim lighting to hide it. "I don't know about sweet," I mumble, fiddling with the stem of my glass.

Axel reaches out, his fingers brushing gently against my wrist. "Hey," he says softly, waiting until I meet his gaze. "I have a huge soft spot for sweet, but that's not all you are. You're so many things."

There's a flutter in my stomach at his words. "Well, I hope they're good things," I reply.

"All good. Very good."

I laugh and begin to relax as we fall into easy conversation. With Axel, I'm not tongue-tied, and he also seems enjoy our banter. He regales me with stories from his early days in the music industry. I listen intently, captivated by his deep voice and the way his eyes light up as he speaks. Then I share some of my own preferences when it comes to music.

We get another round of drinks. As we sip, I look around the bar and my eyes land on Brian who's sitting at another table, engaged in conversation with another man. The guy leans in close, his hand resting suggestively on Brian's arm as he talks.

I nudge Axel gently. "Hey, check it out. Looks like Brian's got an admirer."

Axel follows my gaze and chuckles. "Well, well. Good for him."

Brian's dark suit stretches across his broad shoulders, and with his close-cropped hair and strong jaw, he commands attention, but I notice his gaze keeps returning to us—or more specifically, to Axel.

"Must be tough for him to get any action when he's constantly on duty watching over you," I tease, turning back to Axel with a grin. "The man deserves a break."

Axel laughs, his eyes sparkling. "Hey, I can't help it if I'm a handful. Besides, I'm sure he has his ways."

"I hope so, poor guy."

"Hey, hanging with me isn't too bad!" Axel jostles my arm.

I shrug and purse my lips. "Hmm. I guess I can put up with it."

We dissolve into laughter, and in this moment, everything feels perfect—the easy banter, the comfortable closeness, the feeling of truly getting to know each other. As our laughter subsides, Axel's hand finds mine, his fingers intertwining with my own for a quick squeeze. I gaze into his eyes with happiness.

As the evening progresses, more and more people wander into the bar, transforming the cosy atmosphere into more of a party. The tables and lounges fill up quickly, and before long, a small group of guys approaches the area where we're sitting.

"Mind if we join you?" one of them asks, gesturing to the vacant couch opposite. "Everywhere else is full."

I glance at Axel to gauge his reaction. He gives me a subtle nod, before turning back to them. "Sure, no worries," he says, his smile warm and welcoming.

The guys settle in with their drinks and I scoot closer to the corner so Axel can move along to allow one of them to sit at the other end of the couch we're on.

"Thanks so much," the guy says. "Are you having a good night?"

"We are," Axel replies holding up his drink. "The martinis are amazing."

"Oh my God, they are! Have you tried the espresso martini yet? It's to die for." He's blond, blue-eyed, and pretty, and radiating excitement and confidence.

I check out his friends as the guy engages Axel in conversation about the best cocktails. They're all laughing and their animated chatter changes the mood. The dark-haired one briefly looks at me, before his gaze falls on Axel. He leans in and whispers something to his sandy-haired friend.

It doesn't take long for the conversation to inevitably turn to Axel and his music.

"I have to say, your performance tonight was incredible," the sandy-haired guy gushes, leaning forward and raising his voice to address Axel. "I've been a fan for years, but seeing you live? It's a whole different experience."

Axel grins. "Thanks, mate, that means a lot."

Initially I'm wary, but as the guys bombard Axel with questions and compliments, he handles the attention with ease, his natural charm on full display. He's confident and every ounce the rockstar.

More drinks are brought to the table, along with a bottle of wine. As he chats, Axel passes me a glass of red, then puts his hand on my knee. The others are drinking cocktails with garnishes galore, but the pinot noir is more my speed and I sip it gratefully.

The talk switches to bars and restaurants and the nightlife of Sydney. There's nothing I can contribute so I drink my wine and try to keep up with the conversation, something made even more difficult with the rising noise level in the bar. My gaze slides to Axel who's checking out the tattoo on the arm the blond guy has shoved his way, the guy now almost in his lap. I have to consciously loosen my grip on the stem of my glass before it snaps.

The dark-haired guy—I think he said his name was Lance—gets up from the opposite couch and pulls a chair close to where I sit. Our knees nearly touch so I angle mine away. "So how did you two meet?" he asks.

"Oh, it's not much of a story," I mumble, fidgeting with my glass, a flush creep up my neck, suddenly self-conscious.

But Axel jumps in, his voice filled with warmth. "I literally bumped into him, and let's just say, he made quite an impression."

"I bet he did," maybe-Lance chuckles, his gaze now laser-focused on Axel.

His friend, the sandy-haired one, returns with a tray of shots. The night wears on and as the drinks keep flowing, a nagging sense of doubt creeps into my mind. I feel so inadequate next to Axel. He's a star, and I'm just a… I'm a nobody farmer from the bush. I've no doubt the guys around us have much more interesting lives than I do.

I take a sip of my drink—my third for the night—trying to push away the self-doubt. Axel's world with the glitz, and the glamour, and the constant attention, is so different from mine. I don't fit in. My fingers fidget with the glass, my eyes fixed on the swirling red wine. I know it's irrational, because Axel has shown nothing but genuine interest, but the fear of not being enough gnaws at my insides.

Even now he squeezes my thigh and leans in close. "Everything okay, Kyle? You seem a bit quiet."

I force a smile, trying to shake off the melancholy thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He nods but he narrows his eyes and I'm sure he doesn't believe me. That idea is validated when he whispers, "Drink up and we'll head off."

Now it's my turn to bob my head. "Sounds good."

I take a deep breath, and turn back to maybe-Lance. I catch his eyes lingering on me with a hint of interest—at least I think I do. I quickly avert my gaze, unsure how to respond to the unexpected attention. It's flattering in a way, but then again, maybe he was looking at Axel. However, his next actions make his position clear.

He leans in so close I can feel his hot breath on my cheek. "I was wondering if you wanted to get out here," he says.

I stumble over my words. "I… I'm flattered, but I'm …" I indicate Axel's hand that still rests on my thigh.

Lance's gaze shifts to Axel, a glint in his eyes. "Well, the more the merrier, right? It's just a bit of fun."

My eyes widen as the implication of his words sinks in. A threesome? I struggle to form a coherent response.

Axel, who's obviously been listening in, steps in smoothly. "Thanks for the offer, but we're good," he says with a smile.

Lance shrugs, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Suit yourselves. If you change your mind…" He shrugs and gets up from his seat, rejoining his friend on the couch, the two of them chatting and laughing as if he hadn't just left me reeling.

I glance at Axel, who's still smiling.

"I… I think I need some air," I say.

Axel nods, concern etched on his face as he stands up. "Of course. Let's get out of here."

I excuse myself, heading towards the exit. As I step outside, I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I quicken my pace, hurrying away from the martini bar and my mixed-up feelings.

The sound of Axel's footsteps echo behind me. "Kyle, wait!"

I slow down, allowing him to catch up as we find ourselves in the elevator lobby. I stab the button.

Axel reaches for my hand, his touch gentle. "Hey, are you okay?"

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I'm sorry. I just… I wasn't expecting that. It caught me off guard."

His brow furrows. "You don't have to apologise. I'm just sorry you found the situation uncomfortable."

I shake my head, squeezing his hand. "It's not your fault. I guess I'm just not used to this kind of thing. You're probably used to it all the time." Of course, he is! He's worldly and experienced, nothing like me.

Axel pulls me closer. "Kyle—"

Brian appears beside us. I step back, and Axel grabs for my hand.

"How about we take this conversation back to your cabin, okay? I could do with a cup of coffee. What do you say?"

I find myself nodding.