Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
I see clearly now what was so appealing about her.
For a man who enjoys simplicity and control—holy shit, Vivienne is a veritable gold mine! I doubt I ever would have worked up the courage to leave her.
It was a shocking revelation to have, especially as I stared at her then, on the pier in Saint Thomas, in front of her friend.
“I came to congratulate you in person!” Vivienne said, coming forward to kiss me once on each cheek with practiced precision. Thank god she chose that route. Had she gone in to kiss me on the mouth, I’m not sure I would have been able to think quickly enough to turn away. My brain seemed to still not be firing on all cylinders, not since Casey left my suite, oh . . . all of fifteen minutes before.
Talk about whiplash.
I frowned as Vivienne stepped back. “You could have just called and saved yourself the trip. You know they have these newfangled things called telephones.”
She giggled and looked to her friend, Mira—the carbon copy of her in every way. In fact, in the early days of dating, I referred to her in my head as Vivienne Junior, and it stuck. It’s eerie, actually, how similarly they dress and act. Both with their prim smiles and perfect postures, the same designer handbags slung over their shoulders. Matching Cartier watches. Chanel glasses perched on top of their shiny jet-black hair.
“Well, I thought this would be much better!” Vivienne added with a chipper shimmy to her shoulders. “I really wanted to show you how much I care.”
I blinked and stared at her, wondering if I’d missed something.
Had there been a reconciliatory phone call I’d forgotten about? An email? Fax?
“Can we speak somewhere? Private?” she asked with a timid smile. She always was so good at seeming innocent, though I guess it’s really no act. She’s lived in a privileged bubble her whole life. “That is, after you find us a little cabin to stay in. Nothing big. I know it’s a huge imposition to have us on board, and you’re probably fully booked.”
I blinked at her, truly dumbfounded. She expected me to find her a place to stay on board Aurelia? She was planning to stay?
I realized then that they also had accompanying luggage at their feet.
I took a step back. “Let’s—let’s go get a drink, and we can talk.”
It felt like a good intermediary step. I couldn’t just send her packing. She came all the way here—I had to at least humor her for a little while. She deserved that much.
“A drink, yes. We’ve been traveling all day. Oh, and I’d love a tour as well! I’ve never seen Aurelia in person! I’m so excited. I remember seeing the blueprints and sketches when I’d peer over your shoulder while you were working,” she said with a sentimental smile.
I didn’t share the same warm feelings. I was still in crisis-management mode. I grabbed their bags, and we headed back to the gangway where a crew member immediately ran forward to take their bags from me.
“Should I put them in your room, sir?”
God, no.
“Have them sent to the library, please. We’ll be in there for the time being, and I’d hate for them to lose their luggage.”
“Right away, sir.”
In the end, I placated Vivienne and Mira with a quick tour of the ship, followed by exactly one drink in the library. I steered clear of any personal topics and tried to pry out information about how long they planned to stay and the motives behind their visit, but they were annoyingly elusive.
“We really don’t have any open suites or cabins,” I told them. “Not unless you want to bunk with the crew.”
Vivienne laughed. “Oh, we won’t be picky. I promise, any room will do. Put us with the crew, for all we care.”
“Viv—” Mira cut in, clearly not in agreement on this.
Vivienne just shook her head. “It was slightly rude of us to show up here like this, unannounced. I can’t demand the best room on the ship, now can I? Though of course that room is already taken. I’m sure it’s yours, isn’t it?”
Her eyes twinkled with mischief, and I reached for my drink and downed another sip. This whole thing felt wrong.
Like I was cheating somehow.
Casey and I . . . god, we were complicated.
I couldn’t label us or dare to delve into my desire for her, not while I feigned polite conversation, but I knew I needed to consider her feelings here. I never would have started something with her if I’d known my ex-girlfriend was about to surprise me with an impromptu visit. I wasn’t trying to play anyone here.
During my silence, Mira stood to excuse herself. “Ladies’ room?” she asked.
“Down the hall on the left.” I stood. “Here, I can show you.”