by Smoke, Lucy
“I don’t want you getting the wrong idea,” he started. “This was a gift.”
“Did you pay for it?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No. Like I told you before, my family owns stock with this company.”
“How much stock?” I asked.
Dex leveled his eyes on me, but true to Dex’s character, he didn’t blush or flinch away as he finally admitted it. “All of it,” he said.
I groaned.
The elevator doors opened and the five of us exited. Dex led us down the hall. No one said anything more until we found the door to our room and Dex slid a keycard in and unlocked it.
Before I could utter a singular angry word, I froze, my mouth hanging open. I didn’t know what I had been expecting. A hotel on the ocean maybe. I mean…it was like that, but it was also so much more. It was a veritable luxury suite with a living room, a kitchen, and rooms on either side.
“There are only two bedrooms,” Dex explained. “One with a king and the other has double beds, the couch pulls out into a sleeper.”
“Huh,” Taylor said, moving further in with his arms crossed behind his head as he examined the area. “For a rich guy, I’m surprised you didn’t ask for the president suite. Those would have had more rooms.”
“Taylor!” I snapped.
He glanced back at me with blinking owlish eyes. “What?”
I shook my head at him.
“The president suite was already taken,” Dex admitted. “This is the Duchess suite.”
Taylor whistled. “Whoa. Outbid on your own ship, huh?”
“It’s not my—” Dex stopped himself and huffed. “It’s not my ship,” he finished. “And I wasn’t… exactly…” He gritted his teeth in irritation and then cast me a look of apology. “I meant it when I said we got the suite for free. I didn’t pay a damn cent.”
I caught the meaning though in his gaze. I grimaced. “Okay,” I said, “what’s the catch then?”
He sucked in a breath, closing his eyes and scrubbing a hand down his face. “My family is on the ship.”
“What?” Shock and horror and fear ricocheted through me. In the past two years, I hadn’t even seen a picture of Dex’s family. He didn’t seem overly fond of them, and now, we were expected to spend a week with them—trapped on a boat?
I turned around and picked up two of the bags the guys had dumped just inside the entryway. “Come on,” I said quickly, “let’s get off this ship before it’s too late.”
“Uh…” Darren said, “I think it’s too late.” He raised his hand and pointed out towards the balcony where the buildings behind the docks were slowly moving by. No. The buildings weren’t moving. We were!
“Dex!” I half shrieked, dropping the bags and whirling on him. “This was a bad idea. Make the ship stop!”
He shook his head. “I can’t do that. Once we’ve left the docks, the ship has to stay on schedule.”
“Forget the schedule,” I said, panic clear in my tone. “I’m not ready to meet your mother yet. I’m not ready to meet your father. I didn’t bring any fancy clothes! Also, what are we going to tell them? Do they know about…” I trailed off, but gestured around to the others, knowing he would understand my meaning.
Dex sighed once more and then approached me slowly. “Jamie,” he said, “baby, you’re worrying over nothing. It’s going to be okay.”
His hands slid up my bare arms as I stifled the urge to hyperventilate. As if sensing my impending meltdown, Darren and Cody grabbed bags and booked it into one of the rooms, mumbling something about unpacking. Taylor strode out onto the balcony and let the sliding glass door close behind him.
Cowards, I thought.
“You should have told me,” I stated, glaring up at Dex. It wasn’t like him to not tell me.
“I know,” he said. “But I didn’t find out until last night that they were coming.”
I frowned up at him. “How—?”
“I was informed that we’d been moved to a new suite and when I demanded to know why… well, I had to call my mother. She’s not happy that I didn’t go home for the last break.”
“And your dad?” I asked, curious.
He shook his head. “It’s just mother…and Stephan.”
“Stephan?”
“My brother,” he clarified.
I stepped away from him then. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a brother?” I asked. I stared at Dex, reeling. I didn’t know that his family owned a cruise ship or that he had a brother. What else didn’t I know about him?
“I’m not…close with my family,” Dex said. His eyes settled on a spot behind me and stayed there as if he couldn’t bring himself to look me in the eyes. I’d be a little uncomfortable looking my girlfriend in the eyes too, if she found out that I had deceived her.
“I’m closer with you and the guys,” Dex continued. “I just wanted us to have a good spring break. We’re graduating early next December. It’ll be our last one.”
“I just feel really stupid,” I admitted.
Dex’s eyes finally found mine, his mouth dropping open. His hands gripped my arms and pulled me into his chest. “No, baby, you’re not stupid.” His breath tickled the top of my hairline. “I’m just...a fucking idiot. I should have told you, but I was scared if I did then you wouldn’t have wanted to come.”
That was a logical fear, I realized. I wouldn’t have wanted to come. But now we were here and we were stuck. There was no running away. I couldn’t exactly jump ship and swim back to shore. Even I wasn’t that good of a swimmer.
“Dex.” I stressed his name.
“It will be fine. It’s a decent sized ship, you don’t have to meet them if you don’t want to.”
“Do you want me to?” I asked.
“Do I want you to meet my mom?” he clarified.
I nodded.
He inhaled and then breathed out. “Only if you want to,” he finally answered. Which meant he did. I bit my lip.
It wasn’t like I hadn’t already met Taylor’s parents. And Cody’s. Darren’s… were… well, there was a reason he didn’t go home much. But Dex’s… I just didn’t know if they would like me. I wasn’t from a rich family. I wasn’t the most fashionable. I wasn’t…a lot of things. Dex, on the other hand—I glanced back up at him as he watched me, curious. If he thought the world of me then I should at least give it a shot, right?
“Okay,” I said, forcing the tension from my shoulders as I blew out a breath.
“Okay?” he repeated.
I nodded. “I’ll meet her.”
Dex’s mouth stretched into a smile and he leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. “Thank you, Baby.”
“You’re lucky I love you,” I muttered.
“That I am,” he said, opening his mouth to lick my lower lip. “That I am.”
My brain fuzzed over as he slanted his lips over mine and devoured me. I shuddered in his arms, and Dex reached down, lifting me up high on his chest. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on for dear life as he turned and carried me to the only empty bedroom. The door closed behind us, but I didn’t get a chance to tear myself away from him and take in the suite style room before Dex dropped me on the bed.
I bounced once, my chest heaving as I watched him reach back with one hand and rip his shirt off. I licked my lips as his roped stomach was revealed.
“Clothes,” he said. “Off. Now.”
I let my fingers play at the hem of my sundress. “Don’t we have—”
Dex didn’t let me finish. He leaned down and grabbed the small two-inch slit in the side of the dress and ripped it clear up to my waist. I gaped down at the torn fabric.
“Dex!” I hissed.
“When I say take off your clothes,” he growled, crawling onto the bed over me, “I mean it.”
“Dex, shouldn’t we be—”
Dex’s hands found the back zipper of my dress, and he yanked it down. “Get it off, or I will completely ruin it,” he said.
“You kind of already did that,” I muttered as I wiggled and struggled out of the torn garment.
“Turn over,” Dex ordered. The way his voice dipped low sent shivers down my spine, and I was weak. We probably should have been unpacking, making reservations, and plans… but when he dropped his voice like that, I was helpless to resist. I turned over, sliding to my hands and knees in only my bra and underwear.
“That’s it, Baby,” he said. “God, you’re beautiful.”
A sharp spank came down on my left asscheek and I gasped. The sting settled in, turning to heat. I arched my back, letting my eyes slide closed. Dex’s hand snaked up my spine, pausing over the back clip of my bra. He released it and the straps slid down my arms. I shoved them away and over the side of the bed quickly as Dex’s hand returned to my skin.
I loved the way he touched me. I loved the way he loved me.
“I want you, Baby,” he whispered in my ear as he bent over me, the rough denim of his jeans rubbing against the tender skin of the back of my thighs.
I shivered.
The sound of his zipper ricocheted around the room. His hands slid into my underwear and lowered them to my knees. My breath caught in my throat as goosebumps rose along my arms. His fingers rubbed circles against the skin just under my asscheeks. Dex’s body moved away, but a moment later, I felt his breath against my core.
“Fuck!” I half-screamed as his mouth descended. His lips touched my pussy, his tongue flicked out and slid up my opening. I groaned, loud, low, and long as he ravaged me. Shaking and shuddering in his arms as his hands gripped my ass. I cursed as he sucked my clit between his lips. The closer I got, the more my vision wavered. My fingers clutched the bedsheets. My mouth dropped open. He—
Stopped.
He fucking stopped.
I growled as Dex backed away. But before I could voice my outrage, his hands grasped me around my waist—fingers digging into my skin. Dex reared back and slammed home. I choked as he settled in deep.
“God, each time, Baby. You’re so fucking sexy, so fucking tight. Each and every time.”
I groaned in relief as he began to move. Dex moved fast, stroking deep inside me. In and out. In and out. I started to move against him, relishing in his skin against mine. Dex pounded me into the mattress, his hands coming up and pulling the strands of my hair back into a self-made ponytail which he then used to ride. He held my hair, yanking my head back with each thrust. The sharp pulls had my eyes rolling to the back of my head.
Dex used his hold on my hair to shove my upper body down, closer to the bed. I went without complaint, picking up on his request easily as I shoved my ass out. Dex released my hair and reached around my waist to my clit. He flicked it, causing me to jump and moan before he began to rub his thumb in smooth circles.
“That’s right, come on, Jamie. Come on, let go for me.”
I couldn’t stop myself. Heated embarrassment rose to my cheeks. I should’ve been used to how fast he could get me off since we’d been doing it for a few years now, but I wasn’t. I groaned and shuddered as my orgasm slid over me. It echoed in my bones, rising from my core and flowed through my body.
Dex’s grip on my hips tightened, and he pulled back, pounding inside a few more times before his entire body stiffened up and he released a slow breath.
We laid there for several minutes afterwards, panting. Dex’s chest brushed my back and he sighed, curling against me. Somewhere in the room, a cell phone was going off. Dex tensed before cursing under his breath as he vaulted off the bed. I turned over as he pulled his phone out and held up a finger.
“Yeah?” he barked into the phone as he disappeared into the adjoining bathroom. I blinked after him, but before I could feel any sort of irritation start to crop up, he was back with a damp washcloth.
I took the cloth and froze when he spoke next. “No, we just got on the boat, Mother.”
I darted my eyes to him but he was already turning away, staring at the wall as his face hardened. “No, I don’t think—” I could hear a woman’s stern voice on the other line as she interrupted him. I cleaned up and reached for my underwear. Pulling my panties back up my legs I found my bra and did the same. The sundress, however, was useless.
Dex turned and saw that I was sitting on the bed. He nodded towards the door and mouthed, 'Get dressed.'
I sighed and nodded, getting up and heading for the living room where our bags were still stored. Taylor—now back in the living room, propped up on the couch with both arms spread along the back of it—whistled as he watched me search through our bags to find a new sundress.
“Looking hot, Mama.”
I rolled my eyes, sliding the dress over my curves. I reached back and paused, my fingers mere centimeters from the zipper.
“Little help?” I asked, tipping my chin to the side and glancing over my shoulder. Taylor was up and off the couch in a split second, making his way towards me.
“Anytime, sugarbabe.”
I snorted as he reached me, his fingers moving to the tab on the zipper and sliding it up through the teeth until the material closed around me. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my bare shoulder.
The door to the second bedroom opened and Darren and Cody strode out in fresh clothes. Cody looked down at my new dress. “You changed too?” he asked.
Taylor snorted. “Don’t think she had much choice from what I heard.”
I elbowed him in the gut just as Dex walked out of the room. “Bro, what’s the rush?” Darren asked as Dex stormed towards the front door.
“Have to meet my mother,” he snapped.
“What about—” I started but was quickly cut off.
“Tonight,” Dex said, throwing a frown over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Baby.” His frown deepened, dropping to a sad expression.
I shook my head. “It’s okay. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Don’t worry, Dex. We’ll take care of her,” Taylor assured him.
“I know you will.” With another look my way—one filled with frustration and apologies—Dex stormed out of the suite.
A long pause followed his exit. Then… “Well, are we going to sit around here all day or are we gonna go be on vacation?” Taylor asked, jumping towards the door.
I smiled even as I followed. “What do people do on vacation?”
“What else,” Darren answered as we filed out, “get drunk and have sex.” He winked at me.
I laughed. “I’ll drink to that.”
“I was hoping you’d say that, sweetcheeks.” Taylor rushed me and lifted me up, tossing me over his shoulder. I laughed and slapped his back. An older woman in fine heels and a skirt suit fit for tea with the queen strode by and cast us all a scathing look.
“Let me down,” I hissed.
“Or what?” Taylor asked, chuckling. “I find I like the view here.”
My cheeks flamed red as his hand found my ass under my skirt.
Cody walloped him on the back of the head. “Not in public, you ass,” he snapped.
Taylor chuckled once more and finally—blessedly—put me down. “Alright, alright. Let’s go get something to eat.”
“I know what I’d like to eat,” Darren said lowly.
I glanced over at him in warning, but with another incorrigible wink my way, he jogged past us.
Chapter 5
Two margaritas. A loose screwdriver. And a regretful Bloody Mary later…
“Who says a girl can’t shoot pool?” I said as I leaned over and tapped the end of my cue stick against one of the striped balls lining the green felt.
“Sweetheart,” Darren said, “you prove that a girl can’t shoot pool. At least, not my girl—other girls, yes. You, not so much.”
“That’s sexist,” I snapped.
Dare shook his head. “Sweetheart, I’m not a sexist—I’m a Jamie-ist. Besides, that was my ball.”
“Oh.” I stood up and looked down at the table. “It was? Are you sure?”
Taylor snorted back h
is laughter as a waitress came by and handed him another beer. “I’m sure,” Darren said.
“Maybe you should try to teach her darts again,” Taylor offered helpfully.
Cody—just coming back from the bathroom—paused at that suggestion and visibly shuddered.
“Hey!” I said, “I wasn’t that bad.”
“You’re banned,” Darren and Cody announced. They looked at each other almost as soon as they had finished speaking in sync. After a brief pause, they nodded as if that was the end of that. But I was eyeballing that dart board now. I knew I could prove that I wasn’t as bad as they claimed if I just got my hands on a few of those little red darts with the feathers on the end. Those were the fancy ones. I just bet that if I had those, I would be alright.
“She’s looking at it,” Taylor warned.
I turned an outraged glare on him. How dare he tell them! I hadn’t even gotten a chance. I narrowed my eyes. “You’re not getting blowjobs for the entire week,” I announced.
Taylor laughed. “That’s alright, cupcake,” he replied. “I like your pussy much better.”
“How much have you two had to drink?” Cody asked.
Taylor and I exchanged a glance. “Too much?” I replied.
“Not enough,” he said at the same time.
“Okay, maybe it’s time for dinner,” Cody said, taking my pool stick from me.
“It’s already dark out,” I said, pointing towards the long row of windows on the other side of the Rogue Lounge Bar we had found several hours before. “Hey, has anyone heard from Dex? Didn’t he say he’d call?”
“No, but I’ll text him and see where he’s at,” Darren announced.
“Can you text on a cruise ship?” Cody asked.
Darren shrugged. “I’ve got wifi so why not?”
The rest of us finished out our tabs which were conveniently taken care of since our suite had come with all access wristbands to the bars. Apparently, we could get up to fifteen drinks a day without paying. I was sure they must have cost a pretty penny—for which Dex probably provided—but I was already too tipsy to care.