Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 18256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 91(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 91(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
As passengers are let on, Mr. Christakos receives a message. His expression shifts as he reads it to an angry and frantic disposition, snarling something to himself before tucking the phone in his pocket. “I’ve got to go. We can discuss the sale tomorrow. This can’t wait another moment. Damn it. I’m interested, very interested.” He shakes my hand quickly and not giving me another minute of his time, rushed past a line of passengers.
“Mr. Hamilton, can I have a word with you?” Phillipe Montenegro, the cruise director, asks as I watch the money run away from the dock. Shit, I hope Christakos is serious. I don’t have any other buyers lined up at the moment.
I return my attention to my director. “Is there a problem?”
“No, we just want to assure you that we’re doing our best to make the liner as amazing as it has always been. We’re sorry that you’re selling it. Your father was a great man, and we’re sorry that he’s gone.” Maybe to them, he was. To me, he wasn’t kind or caring. He taught me how to be a great businessman, and how not to be a good husband or father.
He left my mother at fifty to start all over and moving on to some bimbo younger than me. He’d been having affairs for years, but this last one conned him into leaving my mother. I hate how he could do that, but he paid for it less than a year later. They married two weeks before his death. My mother had spent a lifetime with the man only for her to be banned from the funeral. I refused to attend on principle, but we arrived after everyone left. My mother didn’t say a word. She spat on his grave and walked away, and I don’t blame her.
“There’s also a room onboard for your use. If you wish to attend the cruise as well.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be going home. Phillipe, I believe that the buyer I have lined up has your best interest at heart, and he seemed quite pleased with the ship itself.” I’m about to say something when the ship rocks a little. “I’m not a sea lover. Excuse me.” I shake his hand and hurry down the ramp, trying to get away from the ship before I get sick.
I’m almost down the gangway when I collide with the tiniest little beauty I’ve ever seen. I barely catch her before her ass hits the ground. She only comes up to the middle of my chest. Her long brown hair is tied up in a loose braid and touches the edge of my hand. Her gaze meets mine, and we both release an audible gasp. She’s perfection with the greenish-brown eyes that sparkle in the sunlight.
My gaze dips lower to her parted lips, aching to feel them on mine. Continuing my examination of her barely covered body, I only get harder. She’s wearing a Beatles T-shirt that cuts off at the waist and a pair of tight little black shorts that hug her ass so damn snugly. My cock weeps with need as I admire the sexy creature pressed firmly against me. Lips parched, dick stiffer than ever, and hands feeling every inch of her slender waist, I crave her. A low rumble comes from deep within my chest, and she starts in my arms. With a gentle tug, she pushes out of my hold.
“I’m sorry, Miss,” I mutter, taking her hand in mine and looking for the right thing to say, but I have nothing since my other head borrowed my brainpower. Just the feel of her tiny hand in mine, has my body running into overdrive. It takes everything in me not to carry her away from here. Instead, I let go of her. The loss is immediate. What the hell is happening to me?
“That’s okay. I wasn’t looking. I’m running late. Excuse me,” she stammers out, dashing right past me with her suitcases and boarding pass out. Jealousy wars inside of me when I remember that this is a singles’ cruise. Shit. She’s going on there to meet some guy, and there’s a bunch of those young bastards aboard.
I watch until she disappears out of sight, then I walk to my Lincoln MKZ. I’m about to climb in when I’m struck by the need to make her mine before it’s too late. I double-check my car is locked and then turn back around toward the ship with my meds, wallet, and phone in my pocket. I can’t let her spend a week with nothing but available men. “I have to do something.”
Chapter Two
Gia
I hand over my ticket, barely hearing their greeting and directions. “Who was that?” I whisper to myself, wishing he’s going to be on the cruise, but he darted in the wrong direction. At least six-five and built from top to bottom. His dark hair, light brown eyes, and strong chin screamed pure sex. Damn, my body loved being held by his so much I had to push my way out of his grasp. The first time on a singles cruise and I’m ready to hump the first guy I see. Shaking off the attraction, I make my way toward the cabins.