Page 2 of Wallflower

Is this moving too fast? We’ve only been talking for a handful of minutes but the seamlessness of our conversation makes it easy—effortless. It’s like we’ve skipped the awkward stage and are more than just newly acquainted strangers. He caught my sights on boarding day, the wink he shot me ensured I wouldn't forget him. Aside from a few longing looks and flirty smiles, thisis our first real encounter. His lack of hesitation to touch me proves he feels the same sense of familiarity and chemistry that I do.

“You need to rock with the ship,” he says, waiting for the large vessel to dip again, but it stays true. We must have hit calmer waters. “Of course Poseidon would hold steady right when I need him to throw you against me.”

I can’t help but laugh as he exaggerates a frustrated huff. “You can show me later,” I whisper, hating I’m not bolder, fearless, more confident—like my sister.

“What was that?” His fingers tilt my chin up as he gazes down upon me, small and insecure in his embrace.

“Nothing,” I reply, pulling away.

Sam’s grip on me tightens, not letting me slip free. His excitement presses against my hip and my insides clench. Leaning down, his lips tease over my jaw. “I can’t wait to show you later,” he rumbles against the shell of my ear. His touch slips down my spine, rounding to grip my hip. Electricity buzzes between us, my body drawn to him like a magnet. “Fuck, I want to kiss you,” he breathes.

I want that. I’m so wound up after this brief encounter with him, I’d sneak in a broom-closet-quickie if I could make it past my father.

His gaze burns into mine, but I pull away, casting my sight around the room. Narrowing in on my family, I see my parents striding their way across the floor toward the washrooms. Chelsea locks in on my gaze, giving me a thumbs up, as my stepbrother and his friend are entranced with their cell phones.

Now is my chance.

Be bold.

Brave.

Fearless.

Turning back to Sam, I feel him backing up, giving me the space my silence has implied. Having taken too long to reply, I’ve lost my shot.

Not happening.

I grab the collar of his dark grey t-shirt, and crash our lips together. His arms snake around me, crushing me to him as he groans into my mouth. I swallow down his lust as mine threatens to tear me apart.

His left hand trails down, cupping my ass, and coaxing my leg to wrap around him. His tongue teases over my lips, pleading for entrance as his fingers trace over the seam of my shorts, dragging across my centre. I gasp, and he slips his tongue against mine, smiling through the kiss.

The bartender loudly clears his throat, tapping his knuckles against the bar. I rip myself from Sam’s hold, aroused and embarrassed beyond belief. “Trying to serve customers here, guys.”

“Sorry,” I reply, fingers touching my swollen lips.

What the fuck has gotten into me? I’m not this person at all.

“Later?” Sam rasps, waiting for my confirmation.

Right…family dinner.

“Later,” I verify.Play hard-to-get. Be confident. Don’t be yourself. He doesn’t know you. You can be anyone. Redefine yourself. Crush that wallflower title beneath your shoe.“Maybe…”

“Maybe?” he quirks, and I shrug, trying to be coy.

“All right, guess I’ll stick around so you can’t get away from me.”

“Hope you’re good at hide and seek,” I whisper, leaning in to peck him on the cheek.

His fingers fist my shirt, holding me to him. “I’d tear this ship apart to find you.”

Eight simple words strung together by his sex-dipped tone manage to make me lose my breath. Fuck, this hot cruise worker I’m trapped with for a week might just be the death of me.

Dinner drags on at a snail’s pace as I feel Sam’s eyes on me the entire time. They trace across my skin leaving goosebumps in their wake.

I can’t focus, and I’m sure as hell not hungry for the steak placed before me. But I power through it to avoid the guilt trip I’ll get from stepmother about the cost of it going to waste. Father would be less than pleased if the baby of the family didn’t clear her plate. “Eat up, shortcake, or you’ll never be as tall as us.” His endlessly repeated words ring in my head as I work my teeth into the meat that’s clearly well-done even though I asked for medium-rare.

As though I manifested the statement simply by thinking about it, he says those annoying words again.