What Donovan Wants (The Accidental Series, Book 4)

by Tina Martin

  “You sound sure of that.”

  “I am...kinda.”

  “So is that what you’re waiting for? Someone to come along and replace your ex?”

  “No...I’m...I...ah...no.”

  Donovan smirked at her indecisiveness. “Why are you stuttering?”

  “I’m not stuttering.”

  “You were,” Donovan said, with a smile on his face.

  “I just didn’t expect that question from you.”

  “Well...are you?” he asked, studying her while taking a sip of wine.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “So why doesn’t your own acroamatic advice apply to you?”

  “It does, but—”

  “So if some guy comes along and try to spit some game at you, you gon’ just fan him away, even though he may be the right one for you?”

  “I would have to examine him to make sure he’s worth my time. I wasted three years on a man who I thought was the right one, and look how that turned out.”

  Donovan picked up his fork and steak knife and while cutting a piece of steak, he asked, “Why do women always utter how many years they supposedly wasted when a relationship ends?”

  “Easy...because they never expected that it would end. Thus, it was a waste of time. Duh...”

  Donovan cocked a cool half smile. “Okay, so using your example of setting a goal to get a degree...let’s say you get the degree after four years of schooling, but you can’t find a job. So you go back to school to get another degree, and this time you find a gig. Would you consider the first four years of schooling a waste of time?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m sure the knowledge I gained in those four years would be a supplement to my new degree and thereby increasing my chances of landing a good job.”

  “Exactly. So instead of looking at your breakup with Loverboy as a waste of time, look at it like a learning experience...knowledge to bring over to your next relationship.”

  “Hmm,” Kamila said. “Never thought about it that way.”

  “Something to think about, right?”

  She nodded in agreement.

  “Good. Now run off and tell all ya lil’ girlfriends what I just schooled you on.” Donovan grinned.

  Kamila laughed too. “You’re silly.”

  “Am I? Or am I a genius?” he asked with raised brows.

  She shook her head. “This steak is really good, by the way.”

  “Don’t try to change the subject.”

  Kamila laughed again. “I’m not trying to change the subject. This food is just off the hook.”

  “Yeah it is.”

  Donovan laid his fork in the plate and stared at Kamila for a moment. He studied her lips, the dimples in her cheeks when she smiled and her big bright eyes.

  Kamila looked up, caught his stare and said, “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “What? Why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  Donovan picked up his wine glass, sloshed it around and said, “You have some pretty eyes...meant to tell you that earlier.” He took a sip, watching her smile.

  “You’re too kind. Thanks.”

  “Welcome. Now it’s your turn.”

  Kamila giggled. “My turn for what?”

  “To tell me something you like about me.”

  “Um...gee...”

  “That hard, huh?”

  “No...you’re just putting me on the spot.” She gave him a once over and said, “Okay, you have a perfect smile. Your teeth are as white as these napkins.”

  Donovan flashed that flawless smile for her. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  After dinner, they took a walk through the casino, then Kamila suggested they go to the spa to get massages. Then afterwards, he walked her back to her room.

  “So that’s it for the night?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I’m a ball of wax after that massage. I almost fell asleep on the table.”

  “Well, I thoroughly enjoyed myself today.”

  “Me too.”

  “Maybe, if you’re not too occupied with your friend tomorrow, we could hang out for a lil’ while.”

  “Okay. Definitely.”

  Donovan brought his hands together to a single clap. “I guess this is goodnight, Ms. Jenkins.”

  “It looks that way.”

  Donovan closed his arms around her, squeezing her in his grasp. “Do you have to go, now?” he asked before he knew the words had left his mouth. He sounded needful and it didn’t bother him one bit. He enjoyed the time he spent with Kamila and realized that she was a welcome distraction to the disappointments in his life.

  “You don’t want me to? I have no more energy to party.”

  “Then I don’t mind sleeping here again tonight.”

  She unwrapped her arms from around him and looked him in the eyes. “Really, because somebody told me I shouldn’t invite strange men inside my room.”

  “Oh now I’m a stranger, because when I was lying in bed with you last night, holding your hand, it surely didn’t feel like we were strangers.”

  Kamila smiled. “All right. Come in.”

  Once inside, Donovan sat on the couch again. He took the remote and powered on the TV.

  “I’m gonna step in the bathroom real quick and put on my night shirt,” she told him.

  “Okay...just pretend I’m not here.”

  “O-kay.” Behind the closed bathroom door, Kamila took off her dress, slipped into a long T-shirt and brushed her teeth. She gathered her hair into a ponytail, removed her earrings and washed her face. When she came out, she saw Donovan, still sitting on the couch. He had since taken off his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt a few buttons down. “You want to go to your room and get your pajamas or something?”

  “Pajamas? What am I? Six?”

  Kamila giggled. “Oh whatever, Donovan. Men wear pajamas.”

  “Well I guess I’m the exception.”

  “Okay, so what do you wear to bed?”

  “Boxers, preferably silk.”

  Kamila walked over to the bed, pulled back the covers and nestled in place.

  Donovan powered the TV off, turned off the lights and stumbled in the dark to join her.

  “Hey, can you do me a favor?” she asked him.

  “Sure.”

  “Open the curtain so the moonlight shines through.”

  Donovan carefully maneuvered around the bed then slid the curtain open. “Is that good?” he turned around to ask her and when he did, he noticed her eyes open, brilliantly gazing in his direction. She was beautiful, but something about the nighttime luminescence displayed her beauty in much greater detail.

  “That’s perfect. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  With the added light, Donovan could see how to get to the bed now so he laid on top of the covers, facing her.

  “Goodnight, Donovan,” she said in that sexy tone he liked.

  “Goodnight, Kamila.”

  She scooted closer to him, nuzzling her head against his exposed chest.

  He quivered, felt weird for doing so, but feeling her so close to him made him recall how good it felt to hold a woman. But something about this woman was wearing on him, something he hadn’t expected from her. He thought she would be some ditsy, immature girl, but she was anything but. She was a full-fledged woman who got his humor and who understood his current relationship dilemma. She was bright, smart and pleasant to be around. She was everything he wanted in a woman. If only his heart was available...

  ~ Chapter Seven ~

  Today was the last day of the cruise. Kamila got up early to get dressed since she was meeting Lori for breakfast. She noticed Donovan was gone and she wondered what time he’d left. Was it late last night or early this morning? She wanted to call him, but instead, she took a shower, dressed and joined Lori at the breakfast buffe
t.

  After breakfast, they walked a few laps around the track, not necessarily for the exercise but to get some fresh air. Then they swam a little, played a few trivia games, got manicures and went to lunch. Lori was so exhausted by two o’clock, she told Kamila she was going to take a short nap. They made plans to get together again around four to enjoy the last day.

  Kamila, however, wasn’t in the mood for taking a nap. She slept extra good last night and she wondered if it had something to do with Donovan. Maybe so. At any rate, she went to browse the shops when she saw Donovan walking down the hall, looking around and checking out the scene. Caught in a trance for a moment, she tried to look away but couldn’t seem to do it. He was wearing a black, fitted T-shirt that showcased his broad shoulders and muscular torso. A pair of distressed jeans dressed his bottom half, and a pair of black Nikes completed his outfit. Man he was hot, showing off his pecks and defined arm muscles! Apparently, the group of rubbernecking women he’d just passed thought so too.

  Kamila ducked behind a postcard rack, peeping around it to see if he was heading into the shop as well. But when she stared out into the hallway, he was nowhere to be found. Between shopping for personalized pens and key chains, she lost sight of him. She walked closer to one of the entrances and looked both ways to see if he was nearby. He wasn’t. Hmm...she thought to herself and when she turned around, she got the shock of a lifetime. “Ah!” she squealed. Donovan was standing directly behind her with a smile on his face. She slapped him on the shoulder. “Donovan! You scared the crap out of me.”

  He laughed at her. “That’s what you get. I saw you peeping at me.”

  She placed her hand over her heart. “I wasn’t peeping at you.”

  “Liar.”

  “Stop calling me a liar.”

  “Kamila, I saw you looking at me. Why do you think I came in here?”

  “I don’t know...to get some souvenirs for D.J. and your mom?”

  “Oh, yeah. I suppose I should. Is that what you’re doing? Souvenir shopping?”

  “Yep...they mark down items on the last day, so I figured why not.” Kamila rummaged around a small bin of figurines. “Hey, look at this.” She held up a toy cruise ship and said, “You should get this for D.J. Actually, I’ll get it for him.”

  “Nah, I got it.”

  “No, I’ll get it. That way, you can tell him about the crazy lady who stalked you on the cruise.”

  Donovan grinned. “I was kidding when I said that.”

  “Oh no you weren’t. You were dead serious.” Kamila laughed at him. “What’s your mom’s name?” she asked, browsing the pens again.

  “Phyllis. Why?”

  “Trying to see if her name is on one of these pens. Hmm...Phyllis. Oh, here we go...a red Phyllis pen.” Kamila took the pen out of the rack. “What else does your mom like?”

  “I’ll get her some of these shirts.” Donovan took a couple of T-shirts from a clothing rack. He also found a shirt for D.J.

  Kamila got a couple of shirts as well and some postcards and key chains. Walking up to the cashier, she placed her items on the countertop. So did Donovan.

  “I got it,” he said.

  “Are you sure?” she asked, watching him remove his wallet from the back right pocket of his jeans.

  “Yep.” He handed the cashier his card.

  “Thank you, Donovan.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He took their bags and they walked out of the store together.

  “So what time did you leave this morning?” she inquired.

  “Um...’round five.”

  “Why?”

  “I just figured I would disappear before you got up. I took up your whole night...didn’t want to rob you of your morning, too.”

  “Oh, please. You could’ve stayed.”

  “Nah...your friend Lori probably hates me already.”

  Kamila giggled.

  “I knew it,” Donovan said.

  “No, she doesn’t hate you, silly.”

  Kamila swiped the card to unlock her room door. She dropped her bag on the couch.

  “So what are your plans for the rest of the day?” Donovan asked.

  “I’m supposed to link up with Lori in...” she glanced at her watch. “Twenty minutes, actually.”

  “That’s cool.”

  “What about you Don-Juan? What you got going on?”

  He laughed at her silliness. “I’ll probably go swimming, eat more calories than I have all year and spend money on outrageous things I have no intentions on using. That’s what cruising is all about, right?”

  “Right,” Kamila said, giving him a thumbs up. “Well, I’m sure I’ll see you a little later,” she said, heading for the door.

  They both stepped out into the hallway.

  “If you want to see me later, you will,” he said, giving her a hard, penetrating look.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Means what I said. If you want to see me later, you will.”

  “O-kay....ah...tell you what...meet me here at eight.”

  “You’re not going to stand me up again, are you?”

  “No. I promise I won’t.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you at eight then.”

  * * *

  Kamila met Lori at four as they had planned and played a few more games, grabbed a bite to eat and sipped on a couple of drinks while they listened to a comedy show. Before she knew it, the time had escaped her. It was already after nine and she was supposed to meet Donovan back at her room at eight. She promised him...

  She parted with Lori, explaining that she had promised to meet with Donovan. Lori gave her the side-eye again and said, “I can’t believe you done came on this cruise and snagged a man.”

  Kamila grinned and said, “Bye, Lori,” then strolled to Donovan’s room. She tapped her knuckles against the door.

  “Who is it?” she heard him say in a raised, authoritative tone.

  Is he mad? “It’s Kamila.”

  After a few passing seconds, he opened the door and said, “You stood me up.”

  “Ah...um...” she stammered, because, yes, she did stand him up and she couldn’t tell if he was upset about it by the stoic look on his face, or if he was testing her to see how she would react if he was really upset. But skip that – the man came the door shirtless, showing off his flawless chest, ripped abs and smooth, milk chocolate skin, rocking a pair of saggy, black jogging pants that showed off the top portion of his Calvin Klein boxers. “I’m so sorry...I totally lost track of time.”

  “That’s okay. I mean, if you want to go kick it with your friend—”

  “No. I see her all the time...probably won’t see you anymore once we get off this ship, so put on some clothes and let’s go.”

  “Okay...give me a minute. You want to wait in here or out there?”

  Kamila gave his body a once over and said, “I’ll wait out here.”

  He grinned. “Be right back.”

  Donovan took a plaid Polo shirt from the couch, and picked up his jeans off the floor, quickly getting dressed. Once he took his keycard and wallet from the nightstand, he opened the door and said, “So what’s on tap?”

  “Um...I don’t know. I have the last day blues...but at the same time, I think we should do something memorable and crazy.”

  “Crazy?”

  “Yeah.” Kamila took him by the hand. “Follow me.”

  “Jeez. Now what?”

  “Hush, and come on.” She led him to a chapel in the ship and said to the minister, “We’re here to get married.”

  “No we’re not!” Donovan said adamantly with raised eyebrows.

  “Oh, come on, Donovan. Free yourself.”

  “Okay, you have seriously lost your mind.”

  “But think about how cool it would be to tell your friends and family you got married on a cruise.”

  “I don’t see your point.”

  “It’s about freeing yourself...you’re afraid of marriage and
I’ve never been married.”

  Donovan frowned. “I’m not afraid of marriage. I was married before.”

  “Yeah, and you don’t want to do it again because of fear. But no worries...I’ll sign a prenupt.”

  Donovan scratched his head. She couldn’t be serious, could she? “Okay, it was nice meeting you and hanging out with you and all, but this is where I say, deuces.” He turned around to walk out of the room.

  “Donovan, please just do this for me. Please?”

  “You can’t be serious right now, Kamila. Marriage isn’t a game. It’s serious and—”

  “We can get it annulled as soon as we get off the ship.”

  “Kamila—”

  “Please?”

  Donovan looked into her longing eyes and said, “All right, but this isn’t real. I’m just doing this for you.”

  She smiled and took his hand, walked up to the minister and repeated vows. When the minister asked them to exchange rings, Donovan said, “I’ll be right back.”

  “You’re not leaving me at the altar are you?”

  “No...I’ll be right back.”

  After about five minutes, he came back with a diamond ring. Why he felt the need to buy a brand spanking new diamond ring for this one-day marriage was beyond him, but he was caught up in the moment of it. It was exciting, something exhilarating and spur-of-the-moment crazy. He took her left hand and slid it on her ring finger. “There. That’s perfect.”

  “You may kiss your bride,” the minister told him.

  Donovan grinned. “You don’t really want me to kiss you do you?”

  “Yeah. Go for it,” she said staring at his lips.

  “Okay.” Donovan bit his bottom lip, then tilting her chin up with the touch of his index finger, he leaned down to plant a peck on her soft lips. Something about the feel of them set a blaze under his skin, something he didn’t expect. It scared him to feel this way, to want a woman who, in his opinion, would inevitably break his heart. That’s what women did – broke hearts like it was a game. And even though Kamila was beautiful, innocent and harmless, he still looked at her with a suspicious glare. Yet and still, he couldn’t deny that he wanted her.